Empire 309. Tintin, Nazis, & Soviets
Discover the tumultuous history of Tintin, from its unexpected ties to Nazi propaganda to probing the complexities of colonialism in the Congo. Dive into the origins of Hergé, the man behind the boy journalist, and explore how a transformative friendship altered his portrayal of Chinese characters. The discussion delves into the artful propaganda of early works and the lasting implications of Hergé's legacy, including modern backlash. Join for a riveting journey through this iconic comic series and its cultural impact.
45:37
Tintin's Immense Global Reach
- Tintin reached a global audience with astonishing scale and longevity.
- The series has been translated into over 110 languages and sold over 270 million copies.
Hergé's Humble Origins
- Georges Rémy took the pen name Hergé from his initials reversed and became Tintin's creator.
- He started at a right-wing Catholic paper where his doodling and scouting background shaped his early work.
Early Political Shaping Of Tintin
- Early Tintin stories were shaped by his editor Father Norbert Wallet's conservative politics.
- Tintin in the Land of the Soviets and Congo served explicit anti-communist and colonial propaganda purposes.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Who is Tintin and his world?
02:42 • 3min
Hergé's origins and early influences
05:34 • 5min
Hergé at a right-wing Catholic paper
10:16 • 59sec
Tintin in the Land of the Soviets as propaganda
11:15 • 3min
Tintin in the Congo and colonialism
13:59 • 8min
Hergé's reflection and later apology
21:30 • 1min
Ad break
22:46 • 1min
The Blue Lotus setup and plot
24:06 • 1min
Chang Chongren's friendship changes Hergé
25:33 • 51sec
Zhang's influence on art and politics
26:25 • 6min
Limits of Hergé's transformation
31:55 • 3min
Wartime collaboration controversies
35:03 • 4min
Other racist episodes and defenses
38:45 • 2min
Modern backlash and warnings
41:06 • 4min
Outro
45:22 • 2min
#80255
Land of Black Gold
Tintin au pays de l'or noir
Hergé
Set against the backdrop of the Middle East, Land of Black Gold follows Tintin as he investigates a series of attacks on oil pipelines.
The story features a mix of adventure, mystery, and political intrigue, with Tintin encountering old foes and new characters, including the mischievous Abdullah and the ruthless Emir Ben Kalish Ezab.
The narrative explores themes of greed, power, and the strategic importance of oil, all set within Hergé's signature blend of humor and suspense.
#57044
Tintin and the Picaros
Hergé
Tintin and the Picaros is the twenty-third episode in the Adventures of Tintin series, published in 1976.
The story follows young reporter Tintin, his dog Snowy, Captain Haddock, and Professor Calculus as they travel to the fictional South American nation of San Theodoros to rescue their friend opera singer Bianca Castafiore, who has been imprisoned by the dictatorial government of General Tapioca.
Once there, they become involved with General Alcazar and his band of anti-government rebels known as the Picaros.
The narrative explores themes of political revolution, moral ambiguity, and the hypocrisy behind cycles of revolution and counter-revolution in South America.
This was the last complete Tintin adventure written by Hergé, taking more than ten years to complete.
#55312
The crab with the golden claws
Hergé
In 'The Crab with the Golden Claws', Tintin investigates a mysterious case involving a drowned sailor and a can of crab meat, which leads him to uncover a smuggling ring operating on the ship Karaboudjan.
During his investigation, Tintin meets Captain Haddock, who becomes his loyal companion.
The story takes them from Belgium to North Africa, featuring danger, intrigue, and memorable characters.
This volume is notable for introducing Captain Haddock and for its adventurous plot set against the backdrop of World War II.
#53694
Tintin in America
The Adventures of Tintin
Hergé
In Tintin in America, young reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy journey to the United States, where Tintin confronts organized crime in Chicago and faces off against notorious gangsters like Al Capone.
His adventures take him across the country, from the bustling city streets to the Wild West, where he meets the Blackfoot tribe and uncovers oil on their land.
The story is filled with action, humor, and social commentary, reflecting Hergé's keen observations of American society and the plight of Native Americans.
#63832
Tintin in the Land of the Soviets
Hergé
Published originally as a serialized comic in 1929 and as a book in 1930, 'Tintin in the Land of the Soviets' is the inaugural adventure of the young Belgian reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy.
Sent to the Soviet Union to report on Stalin's government, Tintin encounters numerous dangers including being blamed for a bombing, escaping secret police, infiltrating the Red Army, and uncovering Bolshevik propaganda and corruption.
The story is notable for its anti-communist propaganda tone, fast-paced action, and embryonic art style, with Hergé improvising much of the plot.
Despite its crude drawing and lack of a cohesive plot, it established the foundation for the Tintin series and remains a significant cultural artifact.
#46261
The crab with the golden claws
Hergé
In 'The Crab with the Golden Claws', young reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy investigate a mysterious case involving a drowned sailor and a clue found on a crab tin can.
Their investigation leads them to Morocco, where they uncover a criminal gang smuggling opium in tins of crab meat.
During their adventure, Tintin is kidnapped and meets Captain Haddock, a drunken sea captain who becomes a key ally.
Together, they escape from the criminals, survive a plane crash in the Sahara desert, and ultimately help the police dismantle the smuggling ring.
This story marks the first appearance of Captain Haddock, who would become one of Tintin's most important companions.
#18210
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Le lotus bleu
Les aventures de Tintin
Hergé
Dans "Le Lotus bleu", Tintin poursuit les trafiquants d'opium rencontrés dans "Les Cigares du Pharaon" jusqu'en Chine, un pays alors largement inconnu du public occidental.
Aidé par la société secrète des Fils du Dragon et surtout par son nouvel ami Tchang, Tintin parvient à déjouer les complots et à surmonter de nombreux obstacles.
Cette aventure marque un tournant dans la série, tant sur le plan graphique que narratif, grâce à la collaboration d'Hergé avec le jeune Chinois Tchang Tchong-jen, qui lui a permis de représenter la Chine avec une authenticité et une richesse culturelle inédites.
#50625
The Blue Lotus
Hergé (Georges Remi)
The Blue Lotus is the fifth volume of 'The Adventures of Tintin' series.
It follows Tintin and his dog Snowy as they are invited to China in the midst of the 1931 Japanese invasion.
Here, Tintin reveals the machinations of Japanese spies and uncovers a drug-smuggling ring.
This story is notable for Hergé's newfound emphasis on accuracy and documentation, influenced by his friend Zhang Chongren, a Chinese student.
The book critiques the actions of Japanese invaders and satirizes common European misconceptions about China.
It is considered one of Hergé's finest works and marks a significant turning point in the series due to its detailed research and historical context.
#63213
Tintin in the Congo
Hergé (Georges Remi)
In *Tintin in the Congo*, Hergé's second volume of *The Adventures of Tintin*, Tintin and Snowy embark on a journey to the Belgian Congo.
The story reflects colonial attitudes of the time, featuring Tintin's interactions with native Congolese people and his involvement in big-game hunting.
The book has been criticized for its racist and paternalistic portrayal of African people.
#40854
Fables
Legends in Exile
Bill Willingham
Fables follows the story of a group of characters from fairy tales, folklore, and mythology who have formed a clandestine community in New York City known as Fabletown.
The series, written by Bill Willingham, explores their struggles to live in the mundane world while dealing with personal lives, conflicts, and the threat of the Adversary.
Key characters include Bigby Wolf, Snow White, Rose Red, Prince Charming, and Boy Blue.
The series also includes several spin-offs such as Jack of Fables, Fairest, and The Literals, each focusing on different aspects of the Fable community.
#26427
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Tintin au Tibet
Les aventures de Tintin
Hergé
Tintin au Tibet est une aventure apolitique et sans méchant, centrée sur la quête de Tintin pour retrouver son ami Tchang, présumé mort dans un crash d'avion dans l'Himalaya.
Convaincu que Tchang est vivant, Tintin, accompagné de Milou, du capitaine Haddock et du guide sherpa Tharkey, traverse les montagnes enneigées du Tibet.
L'album est considéré comme l'une des œuvres les plus personnelles et émotionnelles d'Hergé, créée durant une période de crise morale et personnelle.
Le récit explore des thèmes de pureté, d'amitié et de persévérance, et introduit une vision sensible du yéti, loin du monstre traditionnel.
How did the young journalist with the quiff haircut and his companion Snowy The Dog feature in Nazi propaganda in the 1940s? What was the origin story of Hergé, the Belgian illustrator who created The Adventures of Tintin? How did an unlikely friendship transform Hergé’s life and lead him to draw Tintin crying in a comic strip for the first and only time?
Anita and William navigate the turbulent hot waters of Tintin’s history from anti-Soviet propaganda, to featuring authentic Chinese calligraphy, to becoming one of the most successful comic book series in the world.
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Producer: Anouska Lewis
Assistant Producer: Alfie Rowe
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
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