Back in primary and middle school, the "Tintin" books were always the most sought-after titles in the school library. You had to put your name down on a waiting list for them, and when your turn came, you'd end up with the most dog-eared copies (tsk, some kids just don't look after books and treat them with the proper respect).

Georges Remi Herge more or less jump started my love of comics and graphic novels (a term that didn't even exist back when I first started reading these). Tintin, the boy reporter with a nose for getting into hot water, his poochy sidekick Snowy, and the tipsy (well, some of the time roaring drunk) Captain Haddock and their adventures were a real cinematic treat, with Herge's gift for perfect panelling, superior draughtmanship (I STILL marvel at how many real-world vehicles you can recognise instantly in his stories) and of course fast paced action.

It goes without saying that I wanted to introduce these to C at the earliest opportunity, and we were lucky enough that our local library was extremely well stocked with Tintin books (and of course we ended up buying a load of them as well). They may have dated in places, and some stories have had to be sanitised a bit to remove some of the less politically correct elements that crept into them from time to time, but they still remain an absolutely incredible series to get kids interested in comics and graphic novels, and we still can't resist digging out our copies and reading through them a few times a year, just to remind ourselves how talented comic creators across the channel are. Weirdly, Tintin only crops up on the blog twice (I have no idea why we didn't review all the Tintin books we own) and those reviews are included below.

Original review links: 

Tintin in America by Georges Remi Herge (Egmont Books)

The Adventures of Tintin - The Cigars of the Pharaohs by Georges Remi Herge (translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper)(Egmont Books)

It's been really great to experience all the Tintin books again through Charlotte's eyes. Deep discussions at ReadItDaddy Towers extol the merits of Tintin as a comic book hero, over some of his compatriots (Charlotte pins her colours to Tintin rather than Asterix, despite actually loving both).

Here in "Tintin in America" by Herge, I had to reacquaint myself with the story. I had the dimmest of dim memories of it being a bit violent and close to the knuckle compared to other Tintin books and indeed it really feels like a complete departure from the sort of adventures you'd expect from everyone's favourite cow-licked hero. But it's fairly lightweight, certainly far less of a mindless experience than something like Ben 10 so we dived in.

Tintin is visiting the land of the free having carved out a successful career as a journalist and all-round mystery solver. Along with Snowy the dog, Tintin finds himself a stranger in a strange land - and in danger in a dangerous city. The mighty Al Capone has heard of Tintin's exploits and worries that he's coming over to act as a one-man gangbuster.

Criminals from all over the country converge to do Capone's bidding - rub out Tintin once and for all, so the mob underworld can rest easy in their beds.

A huge caper, ranging from the urban sprawl of New York to the unspoiled plains of the wild wild west, this is a rootin' tootin' Tintin adventure that is probably more suitable for children older than Charlotte (after all, trying to explain the whole 1920s and 30s gangster scene to a 6 year old without it all sounding a bit horrifying is no mean feat) but it's definitely one of Tintin's greatest adventures to date.


Charlotte's best bit: Charlotte was completely and utterly engrossed in this from page one. The only sound, the odd little giggle here and there every time Snowy barns "ooyahh ooyahh!"

Daddy's Favourite bit: Despite the setting, it's a completely timeless classic that features Tintin in peril at every turn. Utterly sublime!

When Charlotte is left to her own devices in the library, she always makes a bee line for the comics and graphic novels section - and in particular Abingdon Library's fantastic stock of Tintin books.

I can't help feel a bit of fatherly pride at the fact she loves the Tintin books so much. I loved them to bits as a kid, way before Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider came along, here was Tintin getting into all sorts of near-death situations, calamitous scrapes and amazing adventures - with trusted companion Snowy at his side.

In "Cigars of the Pharaohs" something stinks down in the sand - quite literally - as Tintin is drawn into an international web of intrigue involving lost dignitaries, scientists and celebrities. Someone is kidnapping these folk and plans dastardly deeds!

Dogged by The Thompson Twins at every step, it's a race against time to solve the riddle of the weird pharaoh-stamped cigars, before Tintin and Snowy end up wrapped up in the mystery in more ways than one.

Tintin books always seem to unfold at breakneck pace, and a lot of the attraction for Charlotte is just riding that wave. The books are satisfyingly deep and wordy, crammed to the gills with detail, and the English translations (by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper) are pretty much spot on.

Great to see Charlotte loving these so much, and I can't wait to share the rest of the extensive Tintin back catalogue with her.

Charlotte's best bit: When Tintin finally finds the mysterious pyramid and realises that a certain boy journalist and his dog have a space reserved! Eek!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Sprawling, hugely detailed, cinematic action, all the hallmarks of a truly great Tintin adventure. Love these books so much!