Friday 10 June 2011

Books: Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn / Red Rackham's Treasure

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Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
By Hergé

1943





Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

Tintin: Red Rackham's Treasure
By Hergé

1944





Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/

I'm guessing that this is one of the few comic books written in the early forties that can still be read and enjoyed (with no need for disclaimers) by children and adults today. But then who doesn't enjoy rip-roaring adventure mysteries with the added bonus of unscrupulous pirates and the promise of buried treasure? Starring the angelic boy-scout Tintin and the dangerous alcoholic Captain Archibald Haddock (who's quite the storyteller) this two part story is the perfect place for newbies to begin: taking place relatively early in the Tintin mythology and featuring all the best characters: Thomson and Thompson (to be precise), Professor Calculus (best absent minded scientist ever?) - oh and Snowy the dog ("wooah!"). With artwork that is (as ever with Hergé) clean, clear, crisp and beautifully detailed - this is an easy, untaxing read that is full of small delights and clever touches (my favourite bit: the way that the Haddock poses transpose on each other across the centuries). Fun facts: written when Belgium was occupied by Nazi Germany - which is why in relation to other Tintin books it's "less political" and doesn't feature Tintin in his typical "nosy boy reporter" role.

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Links: The M0vie Blog The Secret of the Unicorn Review / The M0vie Blog Red Rackham’s Treasure Review.

Further reading: Tintin: Destination Moon / Explorers On The Moon, Tom Strong.

All comments welcome.

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