Tintin senses a new adventure, and you want to follow him
The Second World War was a turning point in the distinguished career of Georges Prosper Remi, a. k. a. Hergé. Le Soir was Belgium's leading francophone newspaper during the war, which was where "The Adventures of Tintin" was serialized. The readers didn't like it, as they saw the editorial staff collaborating with the Nazis. In fact, Remi would be hounded with issues of treachery for the rest of his life.
Hergé could have fled to America, but Tintin might not have made it to the pages of (American) periodicals. The young reporter with a carrot top was unmistakably European in origin. The United States, a young nation back then, had an untamed wildlife in her backyard. But the action happened in Europe and her colonies. (Don't be surprised if this vital piece of information inspired George Lucas to create Indiana Jones.) Remi, a native of Eterbeek, Belgium, revealed his political views in the early volumes of "The Adventures of Tintin". "Tintin in the Congo", for instance, was more of an entertaining yarn to the white readers. Politically-correct readers would be offended, but they must be reminded that Hergé was like any Belgian (or European) who had a colonial opinion of Africa. The cartoonist didn't want to risk public ridicule, so he adapted a different approach (during the war). He opted for plot-driven stories. The public reacted positively. The succeeding volumes were among the best tales by Hergé.
Let's have a look:
The Black Island (1938). A ferocious beast terrorized visitors on the remote isle off Scotland. Film enthusiasts would be reminded of King Kong atop the Empire State Building, and Tintin's adventure would be incomplete without kidnapping and cash. (In this case, counterfeit money.) Those who are unfamiliar with Tintin's previous adventures might be disappointed, but his fans would be excited about his defying doctor's orders. They couldn't blame him if Tintin was told of an abandoned castle. And he won't find a specter.
The Shooting Star (1942). This tenth volume might have inspired some Hollywood producers to film low-budget features about bellicose aliens invading Earth. In this case, a meteor prompted Professor Philippulus to declare doomsday. The rock missed that much, but a fragment plunged into the Arctic Ocean. Tintin and Snowy, his pet wire fox terrier, discovered gigantic mushrooms. There was no doubt about the meteor's (mysterious) properties. To see is to believe, yet this volume could exceed high expectations.
Red Rackham's Treasure (1944). Fans who saw Steven Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" would remember this volume. The beginning was a continuation of events in "The Secret of the Unicorn". Those who knew Tintin too well would figure out that the title was a misnomer, as they knew the trail to the treasure was not for the ones with a weak heart. But Tintin was a brave fellow.
The Seven Crystal Balls (1948). This may be Hergé's best work, which would delight those who wanted to know the secrets of the Incas. They won't be disappointed, as the first half of the story included magical scenes. Some might be reminded of the Valley of the Kings (in Egypt), which lured archaeologists and looters. A sharp mind could be behind the apparition.
