Hergé: The man behind the beloved "Tintin"

A Belgian reporter travelling the world with his beloved fox terrier dog Snowy, based on the writer’s own brother Paul and also his previous character “Totor”. This reporter would get entangled in many mysterious cases and solve them with help of his friends like Professor Calculus, Captain Haddock and the Unforgettable silly police detective duo Thomson and Thompson. It’s hard to not mesmerize this wonderful comic that took up most youths during the 20th Century. The reporter is none other than the beloved Tintin of Hergé.

The way how Hergé itself got the inspiration is quite tense, he himself stated “The idea for the character of Tintin and the sort of adventures that would befall him came to me, I believe, in five minutes, the moment I first made a sketch of the figure of this hero……” It is simply amazing how this cartoonist took the idea of Tintin, the way he came to think of the cartoon in simply just five or so minutes, he further states that it wasn’t even a haunting of his youth, which most cartoon writers experience to draw and create about. This cartoon strip took him far enough in order to make it one of Europe’s bestselling cartoon’s in the 20th Century.

Georges Prosper Remi or rather mostly known as Hergé, his pen name to which works are mostly credited, was born on 22nd May 1907 at Etterbeek, Brussels in Belgium to low middle class family. Alexis Remi, his French father was a confectionary worker whereas his mother Elisabeth DuFour was a house wife. Hergé was the couple’s first child to be followed by Paul Remi five years later. When asked about his childhood, the response is so shocking for the listener as he considers it to be ordinary but also grey. He also said that its much of a “lackluster” one. Like most of the families in Belgium his also belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. His liking towards art came along with the interest in cinema works of Charlie Chaplin, Harry Langdon and Buster Keaton. Even though he wasn’t a good reader he preferred much adventure plus plot twists, therefore growing towards books such as Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn, Robinson Crusoe and the Pickwick Papers. As a cartoonist drawing was of course his hobby, at the edge of his notebooks would be different sketches regarding soldiers, and daily life. When he turned 12, he Georges joined a Boy scout Brigade from which he gained a lot of experience along with suitable material for his books in later life. Due to his curiosity he was appointed the troop leader with the name “Curious Fox”. Through this he grew an immerse love for nature. His first published work was for the Saint-Boniface Scouts newsletter with the encouragement from his Scout Master. By this first step Remi began his career, published more works and drawings for the Newsletter of Scouts Federation “The Belgian Boy Scout”.

In this time space he experimented using various pen names for his works, ultimately coming to Hergé, the reversed pronunciation for his initials, (R.G.). Reportedly the first publication from this name was in December 1924.

He also started exhibiting a comic strip for the same newsletter named “Les Aventures de Totor”/ “The Adventures of Totor”. This was his very primary comic strip to be published. The comic situates a Scout Patrol Leader, taking up various risks to lead his team. Normally information was conveyed with statements below the picture, disregarding this tradition Hergé tried it with a new light, with speech bubbles. Soon afterwards his comic was also adapted to another newspaper “Le Blé qui lève (The Wheat That Grows)”. As he was new to the craft, he sought certain guidance. Therefore, he got the assistance of the senior Pierre Ickx. He enrolled himself in École Saint-Luc art school, he was a person used to fun, as he found the teaching boring Georges quitted after a day.

He joined the military service in August 1926, in the first Infantry Regiment, but this too bored him. All he found himself doing was drawing sketches of Totor. At the end of his military career he was a job by the editor by impressing editor Abbé Norbert Wallez of “Le Vingtième Siècle”. Prosper was given the occupation as photographer reporter and cartoonist for the paper. By this time Hergé found Abbé to be a father figure for him, growing close to him he did a lot of illustrations. Remi was chosen by Wallez for illustrating “The Extraordinary Adventure of Flup, Nénesse, Poussette and Cochonnet” yet he had a job as a cartoonist, it seemed that Prosper wasn’t satisfied with these, the comic writer wished to publish something written and drawn at the same time my him.

This is when the idea of Tintin popped in his head, a hero-like reporter travelling Overseas and solving cases troubling people around the world. “Tintin” was a nickname widely used in France for names like Martin. Hergé next created a friend, choosing the man’s best friend to portray a relationship of friendliness, named “Milou” (“Snowy” in English) after his girlfriend Marie-Louise Van Cutsem who he was fond of calling “Milou”. It was a combination fit in Heaven. Tintin was given Hergé’s brother’s Paul Remi’s appearance, round face and quiff hair collaborated with the personality of his character Totor. At first he wanted Tintin to go to America, but later changed with consultation on Wallez idea of sending him to Soviet Union, which in order can act as anti-socialist propaganda for children. The output of “Tintin in the land of Soviets” began its operation firstly in the paper “Le Petit Vingtième”/ “The Little Twentieth” on January 10th 1929 and ran until 8th May 1930. This introduction of Tintin grew to spread far forth, that Wallez produced a book form of the comic to be sold. Due to the amazing popularity Remi was granted two assistants Eugène Van Nyverseel and Paul "Jam"Jamin.

With the Direction of Wallez the second serialization of Tintin began in June with “Tintin in the Congo”. Although this was a good comic it was regarded as racism because of explicit of Congolese as childish. As the Third edition Hergé published “Tintin in America”. At this time a woman, “Graceful but Famous” entered the scenario of Hergé’s life. Following this meeting she namely, Germaine Kieckens became his first wife. Although it was marriage they weren’t happy inside it.

However, with this turmoil the writer still continued his work diligently, many critics believe that this may have been the reason for Tintin to not have any romance involved in the book. Remi was victorious enough to send the Boy reporter to countries around the world namely, Egypt, India, Tibet, China and United Kingdom. Through these he was able to introduce recurring characters’ like Thomson and Thompson-known as Dupont et Dupond in Hergé’s Original, with their silly mentality they are the comic relief for reader. Probably alike they are twins with a mustache difference. Sometimes this may have been an idea to mock the Nation’s Police Service as known by most critics. They were first released in “Tintin and Cigars of the Pharaoh”. - Next he introduced the opera singer Bianca Catsofire, Her servant Irma and pianist Igor Wagner. – initially introduced in the “Tintin and King Ottokar’s Sceptre”. She’s the only most prominent female character throughout the story, although Captain Haddock seems to be terrified with her. Her character is absent-minded, talkative, proud and strong willed. Profoundly based on Hergé’s aunt “Ninie” and Maria Callas of which the both are Opera Singers. - Other recurring characters include Nestor the Butler, Chang-Chong-Chen, Rastapopoulos, Jolyon Wagg, General Alcazar, Mohammed Ben Kalish Ezab plus his son Abdullah, Dr. Müller, Oliveira da Figueria, Cutts the Butcher and Allan.

Prosper’s imagination was so strong, resulting Tintin to travel to several fictional countries like Latin American Republic of San Theodoros, The East European Kingdom of Syldavia, the fascist state of Borduria, whose leader Müsstler, was ironically a mix of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Remarkable character of Captain Haddock was quickly produced as Tintin’s best friend, even though he was a weak and alcoholic character. Introduced via “Tintin and the Crab with the Golden Claws”. Captain Haddock is famously known for his curse phrases when in rage “……Billions of Bilious blue blistering barnacles……” or “……ten Thousand thundering typhoons……” which indeed sends the reader into humor. Among the notable characters is the legendary Professor Calculus. Put forward for the first time by “Tintin and Red Rackham’s Treasure”, he is a half deaf physicist. Based partially on the Swiss physicist Auguste Piccard his character never misses the comical element. Originally addressed as “Professor Tryphon Tournesol” with his last name “Tournesol” meaning “sunflower” in French.

As Hergé continued his work smoothly on the track, a rock fell to the track making his path blurry. It was in 1933 that Wallez was removed from the post of editor of the Newspaper due to scandal. Eventually leading Hergé to be despondent. Resulting the attachment, he had with Wallez, Remi decided to resign in March 1934 but didn’t occur due to the increment of his salary including his workload being reduced.

With the breakout of World War II, a spread of invasions followed. Soon Enough Hitler’s Nazi Germany invaded Belgium, making Hergé to flee to France and return back to his captured motherland. Handling the political reasons German’s suspended “Le Vingtième Siècle” that in order making him jobless. Nevertheless, he still was able to get a job as an illustrator in Belgium’s leading newspaper “Le Soir”/” The Evening”

Next in October 1940 he was promoted to the post of editor for the children’s supplement “Le Soir Jeunesse” in which he carried on our hero’s story but in a different manner. Because of the German reign in Belgium Georges was unable to add the political views he had added to Tintin Comics. This is the era that Tintin took a turn from reporter to explorer.

Four years later with the retreat of German armies, “Le Soir” was shut down and the Adventures of Tintin was on hold. In 1946 Raymond Leblanc invited Remi to his brand new Publishing Company “Le Lombard” to continue The Adventures of Tintin as “Le journal de Tintin (Tintin Magazine”). At this point the writer agreed that he has lost his long occupied freedom and independence, in producing a huge demand. During this time period Hergé was almost under threat of prosecution, his fellow mates from “Le Soir” were charged death and lengthy prison sentences. Even though he was not currently working under them he proceeded to support these people.

In 1950 he started making new connections with some staff members who worked in the Tintin Magazine, normally leading them to form a group, later to be Known as “Studios Hergé”. This wonderful team comprised of Bob De Moor (imitator of Hergé’s drawing style and did almost half of the work), Guy Dessicy (Colorist), Marcel DeHaye (Secretary), Jacques Martin (Imitator), Roger Leloup (Realistic and Detailed drawings), Eugene Evany (Later chief of the Studios), Baudouin Van Den Branden (Secretary), as well as Michel Demaret (Letterer). Finally, a dream’s beginning On April 6th the same year Studios Hergé was established as a public company. The studio accomplished to exhibit eight Tintin Albums with Two other colored and reformed old Tintin Albums.

Due to complications, His relationship with Germaine ended. Although he started to live away. The divorce wasn’t filled because of the restriction in Belgian law.

Despite this trauma Hergé continued his work peacefully but with no much interest. By this point Tintin Magazine had gained 600,000 sales a week. 1960’s started the rise of comics “Asterix”, Remi faced a competition caused by the uprising popularity of it, never at the end he felt rather annoyed at the success. This Comic Book series was able to create a number of animated films, suddenly changing Hergé’s idea to create them too. Therefore, two television Films based on Adventures of Tintin was produced. The first “Tintin and the Temple of the sun” in 1969 and the second “Tintin and the lake of Sharks” in 1972.

Fifteen years later Hergé’s divorce with Germaine was finalized, with Germaine taking it badly. Soon after this Hergé married Fanny Vlamynck, a colorist who worked for him.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t live happily for too long, in 1979 He was diagnosed with Osteomyelofibrosis, a disease recurring blood transfusion. As the disease was complex he was needed blood transfusion every two weeks. This became a barrier for his comic work.

However, on 25th February 1983 He suffered a severe heart attack reasoning him to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Clinique’s Universitaires Saint-Luc. Where he died on the 3rd March along with the future expectations pf Tintin. His death received numerous front page coverages in Newspapers. In his will all his heir was left for Fanny to look after and use.

It was hard to continue the Studios without its rightful owner, so in 1986 Fanny closed it down with the release of 24th unfinished Album and the assets were transferred to “Hergé Foundation”.

Tintin fans were much in distress, they had never expected this way for the comic. Many believed that the comic died too soon. Hoping rise, the expectations back, in 2011 another animated movie was produced by Steven Spielberg. Although the writer has been demised and the comic disbanded, the world showed no response at all. They were still widely popular even after. In 2006 Dalai Lama bestowed the International Campaign for Tibet’s Light of Truth Award upon the character Tintin. In the following year Hergé was selected as the face value of €20 to mark his 100th birthday. Hergé often appeared as cameo in the cartoon series of Tintin. Belgium Government decided that Tintin was a true symbol of the country. Remi is still ninth-most-often-translated Belgian author and also the second-most-often-translated French author. His legacy was also marked with the naming of a comet “1652 Hergé” in 1953.

Georges Prosper Remi or Hergé is a remarkable, notable cartoonist in the 20th Century as well as in the 21st Century. His just scribbled character personality “Tintin” is a memory of everyone who lived in those days. It’s simply a hard to forget memory. In fact, it was also kind of a dream for the writer itself, he himself has not even have set foot on places the reporter had travelled in his books. It’s simply Amazing. There’s a saying that “Actions speak louder than words”, Hergé’s style along with the charisma of the Character did prove this sentence. No more to say but still will continue, Hergé was far from success he was deliberately Perfect with “Adventures of Tintin”.