The Adventures of Tintin: King Ottokar’s Sceptre by Hergé
A series of comic strips titled The Adventures of Tintin was developed by Belgian cartoonist Herge, also known as Georges Remi (1907 1983). On January 10, 1929, a children’s supplement to the Belgian daily Le Vingtieme Siecle published the first French edition of the series. Even after 80 years, readers and critics alike still like Herge’s Tintin series, which is set in a meticulously researched universe that is strikingly similar to our own.
The seal of King Ottokar the IV of Syldavia, a very rare royal seal that Professor Alembick, an expert, has in his collection, is introduced to Tintin. Tintin travels with the professor to this unknown country, but can the professor be trusted?
The Adventures of Tintin: King Ottokar's Sceptre by Hergé
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A young Belgian reporter named Tintin is the series’ protagonist. His devoted fox terrier dog Snowy has been by his side for all of his escapades (Milou in French). Later, the brash, cynical, and cantankerous Captain Haddock, the intelligent but deaf Professor Calculus (Professeur Tournesol), and other colourful supporting characters like the inept detectives Thomson and Thompson became popular additions to the group. Herge himself, as well as his assistants in some cases, appear as supporting characters in a number of the comics. The serialized strips were gathered into 24 albums as a result of the series’ success, and they were also turned into a lucrative magazine and adapted for the stage and movies.
With over 50 language translations and more than 200 million books sold to date, the series is one of the most well-known European comics of the 20th century. Herge’s distinctive ligne claire style is evident in the comic strip series’ crisp, expressive illustrations, which have long been acclaimed. A wide range of genres is represented in intriguing, thoroughly researched narratives, including swashbuckling adventures with fantasy elements, mysteries, political thrillers, and science fiction. Slapstick humour is a constant element of the Tintin series, and later albums also included sophisticated satire as well as political and cultural criticism.
The 1938–1939 era King Ottokar’s Sceptre is a reflection of Hitler’s Anschluss of Austria. Here, Syldavia, a little Balkan nation, is threatened by a fascist coup. Hergé was heavily considering Albania as well as Romania, where a king was being coerced by a right-wing political movement. It’s a fantastic anti-fascist remark and unmistakable proof that Hergé was not one. The neighbouring Bordurians, a fascist nation ruled by Müsstler, are the bad guys. As I mentioned, every Tintin novel reflects the politics of the 20th century. And this one portrays the entire Nazi occupation of middle-European nations.
