After having a quick look at various top 50 graphic novels lists on the net, I was slightly disappointed to find hardly any Tintin or Asterix mentions. Is there a rule that once a strip is around for more than 50 years it loses its status as a comic book? Well, GCB will always fight for the ‘Classic Comic Book’ status these titles rightfully deserve, and in preparation for the Hollywood adaptation of Tintin being released later this year, we will be reviewing (but mostly gushing over) the Tintin books making their way to the big screen. So, for new readers looking to jump into this wonderful collection, or anyone who’d like to be persuaded to do so, we’ll be starting with the first book to be adapted; The Secret of the Unicorn.
The story starts the same as pretty much any other Tintin book… With his trustful fox terrier Snowy at his side, our intrepid young reporter wanders straight into trouble within the first few pages! At a market stall in his native Belgium, Tintin comes across a model of a ship thinking it to be the perfect present for his friend Captain Haddock. After purchasing the model, two mysterious gentlemen step forward and try to forcibly buy it from Tintin, but he refuses to sell and heads home. Back at his flat, Snowy knocks over the model and breaks the mast and once Captain Haddock arrives he is amazed to find it is a replica of a ship his ancestor used to command before suffering at the hands of a vicious pirate attack. I would usually give slightly more of the plot away here, but I am worried that to say more would ruin this brilliant story.
In a first for Herge the plot is spread out over two books, allowing the action to move at a slower pace than usual. The scenes are much longer, and the dialogue is fleshed out a great deal with some brilliant exchanges (an aspect of Tintin that is often overlooked). Eventually though, Herge’s writing does come back to default mode and he finishes the action with an exciting chase through Marlinspike Hall (which Tintin will later move into with Captain Haddock) with gangsters armed with guns and fierce dogs hot on Tintin’s tail.
Lets face it, deep down we all really just want to wake up in the morning and walk into an adventure by lunch time, and if you don’t feel this, then I don’t think you’d be cut out for Tintin. The Secret of the Unicorn has maybe the most sophisticated narrative structure of any Tintin book; Herge’s masterful grasp of adventure is clearly on display as he slowly weaves together a story full of mystery and suspense. Although the action is limited to Belgium (the location where Tintin is based is never actually confirmed as Belgium, but it’s a pretty good bet it is!) Herge uses this to his advantage by having the book finish as an expedition is being planned, you’re really not going to get away with not reading the next book…
The artwork is very impressive, drawn in the same clear Herge style, with vivid colours jumping out from every page. In maybe my favourite sequence in the book, Captain Haddock recounts the tale of his ancestor and a pirate attack on his ship. Unusually for Herge, the action is cut between both Haddock becoming more and more animated as the tale unfolds and a flashback to the events happening, giving the perfect opportunity to draw some beautifully detailed images of a ship on the high seas. Herge was near obsessive about researching all elements of his books down to the smallest detail, and this can be seen not just in the image below but also in all his work.
The Secret of the Unicorn was Herge’s favourite book of his own work, and also his first double length story. Tintinoligist Michael Farr (best job title in the world ever?) has described it as Tintin’s last great detective adventure. The book is full of classic Herge humour but also compelling and adventurous, spreading the action out over two books leaves Herge the space to fully flesh out the characters he would have left in the background before, and lets the plot run at a slower pace than usual. This most definitely gets a rating of awesome sauce.
Next, I’ll be reviewing the second part of the adventure; Red Rackham’s Treasure, so keep your eyes peeled… That’s a rather disturbing phrase isn’t it? Keeping your eyes peeled. Have you ever seen that youtube video of a laser eye surgery? Some eye peeling goes on in that, it’s gross – ED.
Will Pond.
