Hergé

The Man Who Created Tintin

Hergé, born Georges Remi in 1907, was a pioneering Belgian artist whose creation of The Adventures of Tintin revolutionized the comic industry.

In this section, we delve into Hergé’s background, exploring the connections between his life and the iconic character he created. We will cover his early work as a political cartoonist, his rise to fame with Tintin, and the controversies and growth that marked his career.

From Pencil to Ink: Hover to Witness!

Hergé was a self-taught artist whose early work was characterized by simple, clean lines influenced by ligne claire, or "clear line," a style he pioneered. This approach emphasizes minimal shading, bold outlines, and vibrant colors, which allow each element on the page to stand out clearly.

Early on, Hergé drew inspiration from various sources: early American cartoons like Popeye and Mickey Mouse influenced his characters' rounded, animated features, while contemporary magazine illustrations and posters inspired his storytelling techniques.

Original Sketch

Final Art

Original Sketch

Final Art

When Hergé first began drawing Tintin in Tintin in the Land of the Soviets (1929), his art was relatively rough and lacked the finesse seen in later works. The early sketches featured exaggerated expressions and more basic compositions, focusing on fast-paced action rather than polished aesthetics. But as Hergé’s ambitions for Tintin grew, so did his dedication to refining his art.

Hergé’s process usually began with preliminary sketches, often drawn rapidly and with spontaneous energy. These early drafts captured his initial ideas, with rough outlines and fluid forms that conveyed the story’s action and emotion. However, these raw sketches underwent a detailed transformation as Hergé moved toward final illustrations.

In his later works, particularly from The Blue Lotus (1936) onward, Hergé began to incorporate more realism and detail. He meticulously researched locations, costumes, and cultural elements, which added depth to both his artwork and storytelling.

Early Sketches

The earliest versions of Tintin feature rougher, less expressive outlines. His face is more simplified, and the hair is slightly spikier but less defined, giving him a somewhat basic, childlike look.

Developmental Phase

The drawings become clearer and more consistent, with Tintin's hair taking on the iconic quiff. His expressions are more defined, showing slight emotions and refinement in facial structure.

Final Look

These iterations introduce color and showcase the polished, classic Tintin look with rounded features and soft expressions. His quiff is now distinct and recognizable, and his eyes are more expressive, capturing the essence of the Tintin we know.

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The transformation from rough sketch to polished final version involved refining each line, adjusting proportions, and ensuring visual accuracy in details like architecture, vehicles, and landscapes. The result was an immersive world that felt both imaginative and believable.

Hergé’s artistic evolution is perhaps most evident in the move from his early works to his later adventures, like Tintin in Tibet (1960). His initial works focused on flat, fast-paced scenes with limited background details. Over time, he developed an eye for composition and perspective, bringing depth to his pages. By the 1940s, Hergé had expanded his team, enlisting background artists and colorists who added richness and texture to his artwork.

As Hergé’s confidence and skills grew, he experimented with color to convey different moods and atmospheres. By using watercolors and working closely with colorists, he could bring each setting and character to life with carefully chosen hues. This shift is visible in works like Explorers on the Moon (1954), where Hergé’s use of color heightens the excitement of space exploration.

This transformation from sketch to final artwork not only refined the aesthetics but also enhanced storytelling. Hergé used visual techniques like framing, perspective, and color to guide readers’ emotions, from the suspenseful blue hues in The Calculus Affair (1956) to the fiery tones in The Red Sea Sharks (1958).

Hergé & Tintin: The Bond Between Creator and Character

Hergé once said, “Tintin, c’est moi”—"Tintin, it’s me." From Tintin’s first appearance in Tintin in the Land of the Soviets (1929), it became clear that Hergé had crafted the character as an extension of himself. Like Tintin, Hergé was curious, resourceful, and committed to exploring new worlds. Tintin’s unwavering moral compass, loyalty, and adventurous spirit reflected Hergé’s own values and interests. Over time, however, the line between Hergé and Tintin became even blurrier. The character’s experiences often mirrored Hergé’s life, from the thrill of discovery to the disillusionment that accompanied his growing awareness of the complexities of the world.

Through Tintin, Hergé explored questions about identity, purpose, and self-discovery. Just as Hergé sought new artistic and personal directions, Tintin’s adventures began to delve deeper into themes of humanity, culture, and ethics. Tintin in Tibet (1960), for example, is widely regarded as Hergé’s most personal work, written during a period of introspection and struggle in his own life. In this story, Tintin’s commitment to finding his friend Chang is not only an adventure but a reflection of Hergé’s desire to reconnect with meaningful relationships and inner peace.

As Hergé’s life evolved, so did the nature of Tintin’s stories. The early books focused on exotic escapades and cultural stereotypes common in 1930s Europe. Yet as Hergé’s worldview expanded and his own experiences broadened, he began to infuse Tintin’s stories with a more critical, nuanced perspective. This shift mirrored Hergé’s personal growth, particularly as he began to confront and question his earlier assumptions and biases.

In The Blue Lotus (1936), for instance, Hergé took an important step toward authenticity by thoroughly researching Chinese culture and breaking away from the Western stereotypes that marked some of his earlier works. This book marked the beginning of a new phase in Hergé’s career, where accuracy and sensitivity in representing foreign cultures became crucial elements of his storytelling. Through Tintin, Hergé explored not just far-off lands but also his own evolving beliefs and experiences, making the adventures as much a journey of self-reflection as global exploration.

The first few minutes of Steven Spielberg's adaptation film based on Tintin features a caricature artist drawing a portrait of Tintin.

It is later revealed that this was cameo appearance by none other than Herge himself !

The Legacy of Hergé

As much as Tintin is an adventure series, it is also a chronicle of Hergé’s own journey, marked by curiosity, self-reflection, and an openness to change. By the time of his later works, such as Tintin and the Picaros (1976), Hergé had developed a more layered storytelling style, blending adventure with satire and cultural commentary. This progression reflects the artist’s own desire to engage with the world in a thoughtful, introspective way.

Hergé’s lasting legacy is one of growth—both for Tintin as a character and for Hergé as an artist and individual. The image of Tintin holding a puppet of Hergé captures the essence of their relationship: intertwined yet distinct, each influencing the other across a lifetime of creativity and exploration. This bond between creator and creation has captivated readers for generations, making Tintin not just a character but a lens into Hergé’s own life, beliefs, and evolving worldview.

Hergé’s artistic journey was one of constant refinement and innovation. Each book became a blend of research, experimentation, and polished detail. The evolution from quick sketches to meticulously crafted final versions reflects his lifelong commitment to creating a world that readers could fully immerse themselves in. His work continues to influence comic artists worldwide, as his style transcends generations, embodying both simplicity and sophistication in its journey from raw lines to the iconic, vibrant panels fans know and love.