January 10th marks International Tintin Day and with it, the celebration of one of the world’s most popular and beloved comic book characters.
Published over 80 years ago, the series has gone on to inspire generations of readers with its mix of fascinating adventures and timeless messages. Read on to find out more about this incredible fictional character and why we continue to be captivated by him today!
What is Tintin Day?
July 23rd is international Tintin day, in honor of the iconic Belgian comics character created by Hergé. All around the world, fans celebrate Tintin’s birthday by reading their favorite adventures, sharing illustrations and generally geek out over this much-loved series.
So why not join in the fun? If you’re new to Tintin, start with one of the most popular albums, such as The Adventures of Tintin: Destination Moon or The Adventures of Tintin: Red Rackham’s Treasure. Then work your way through the rest of the series – there are 24 adventures in total! For more experienced fans, there are numerous ways to celebrate Tintin day. Why not share your all-time favorite panel from the comics, or post a photo of your Tintin collection?
No matter how you choose to celebrate, make sure to enjoy some Tintin today!
History of Tintin
The history of Tintin can be traced back to the early 20th century. The character was created by Belgian artist Georges Remi, who went by the pen name Hergé. Tintin first appeared in a comics series called ‘Le Petit Vingtième’ in 1929.
The series followed the adventures of a young boy reporter named Tintin and his dog Snowy. Hergé continued to write and draw new adventures of Tintin until his death in 1983. In total, there are 24 official Tintin comics.
Tintin’s popularity has transcended generations and he remains one of the most iconic characters in pop culture. In 2011, Steven Spielberg directed an animated film adaptation of ‘The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn’, which was a box office hit.
In celebration of Tintin’s enduring legacy, October 10th has been declared as International Tintin Day!
Inspiration Behind the Creation of Tintin
The intrepid young reporter Tintin first appeared in the pages of Belgian artist Hergé’s comic book series ‘Le Journal de Tintin’ (‘The Adventures of Tintin’) in 1929. Since then, the globetrotting hero has been a revelation for several generations of readers, spawning numerous adaptations in every medium imaginable.
The original inspiration for Tintin came from Hergé’s own life as a young reporter. In the early days of his career, he worked for the right-wing Catholic newspaper ‘Le Vingtième Siècle’ (‘The Twentieth Century’), covering stories across Europe and even making his way to the Soviet Union. It was during this time that he developed a keen interest in political affairs and current events, two themes which would become prominent in his work.
While on assignment in the Congo in 1930, Hergé contracted malaria and was bedridden for months. During this time, he began reading the adventure novels of British author Edgar Rice Burroughs, which had a profound effect on him. From then on, he set out to create his own action-packed stories with strong political undertones.
With ‘Tintin in the Land of the Soviets’, published in 1930, Hergé introduced audiences to the daredevil character who would go on to have numerous adventures over the next four decades. In this first installment, Tintin travels to Moscow to report on the working conditions in the Soviet Union, but quickly finds himself wrapped up in an adventure involving spies and espionage.
The creation of Tintin was, in many ways, a product of its time. Hergé created him to be the perfect embodiment of a new era of exploration and discovery. Through his adventures, Hergé managed to capture the spirit of experimentation and excitement associated with the post-war era and bring it directly into the hands of young readers around the world.
How International Tintin Day is Celebrated
On International Tintin Day, fans of the popular comic book character come together to celebrate his adventures. The day is usually celebrated with special events and merchandise releases. Many fans dress up as their favorite characters from the series, and some even get Tintin tattoos!
Many Tintin fans organize get-togethers, where they share their favorite Tintin stories and artwork. Other events may feature screenings of the 2011 film adaptation of the comic books, or discussions about the themes in the comic books.
In addition to celebrating International Tintin Day in person, many people around the world also recognize it by reading or watching their favorite books and movies from the series. Social media is another popular way for fans to pay tribute to their favorite character on this special day.
Popular Albums of The Adventures of Tintin Series
There are a number of popular albums associated with The Adventures of Tintin series. Perhaps the most famous is the soundtrack to the Steven Spielberg-directed 2011 film, The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn, composed by John Williams. Other notable albums include Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin, a 1971 album featuring music composed by Michel Legrand, and The Adventures of Tintin: Destination Moon & Explorers on the Moon, a 1995 album featuring original compositions by Simon Boswell.
Other popular albums associated with The Adventures of Tintin include The Adventures of Tintin: Volume 1, released in 1976 and featuring instrumental pieces related to the series; The Best of Tintin, a 2008 compilation album featuring remixed classical pieces inspired by the series; and The Adventures of Tintin: Original Soundtrack Album, a 2009 album featuring music from the animated television series.
Popular Characters in The Adventures of Tintin Series
There are many iconic characters in The Adventures of Tintin series, but some are more popular than others. Here are a few of the most popular characters in the series:
1. Tintin: The main character of the series, Tintin is a young Belgian reporter who gets wrapped up in all sorts of adventures. He is brave and resourceful, and always manages to solve the mystery.
2. Captain Haddock: Tintin’s best friend and companion, Captain Haddock is a bit of a hothead but he is also fiercely loyal and brave. He has a fondness for whiskey, which often gets him into trouble.
3. Snowy: Tintin’s trusty dog, Snowy is always by his side and helps him out of many scrapes. He is very intelligent and often understands what Tintin is saying to him, even when no one else does.
4. Professor Calculus: A brilliant but eccentric scientist, Professor Calculus often invents gadgets that get Tintin into trouble (but also help him solve mysteries). He is hard of hearing, which leads to many comical misunderstandings.
5. Thomson & Thompson: The bumbling detectives who often get on Tintin’s nerves but are nonetheless helpful in solving cases. They are always seen together and are almost indistinguishable from each other.
Spinoff Movies Inspired By the Comics Series
The Adventures of Tintin have been a source of inspiration for many filmmakers over the years. A number of spinoff movies have been made, inspired by the comics series.
One of the most famous is Steven Spielberg’s 2011 film ‘The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn‘. The movie was a box office hit, grossing over $373 million dollars worldwide.
Other notable spinoff movies include ‘Tintin and the Temple of the Sun‘ (1999), ‘Tintin and the Golden Fleece‘ (2006) and ‘The Quest for Tintin‘ (2011).
More recent live-action adaptations of Hergé’s stories include ‘Tintin and the Blue Oranges‘ (2014) and ‘The Adventures of Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun‘ (2017). All three movies were produced in collaboration with Private Media Productions.
Finally, animated films based on characters from the comics series include ‘The Adventures of Tintin: The Calculus Affair‘, released in 2004 and a 25-minute film which was released through YouTube, called ‘Tintin in Tibet‘.
International Tintin Day celebrates the beloved comic series and the charismatic reporter’s adventures. It is a great way to show appreciation for the character of Tintin, his indomitable spirit in solving mysteries, and also a reminder that there are always new places to explore. Celebrating International Tintin Day not only allows us to recognize this widely-loved character but also instills an appreciation among young minds of how wonderful it is to explore our world. So grab some friends, don your deerstalkers and journey with Tintin today!
