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TIME REGAINED. A CHRONICLE OF HOBO MAGAZINE'S DAYS...


  1. ( December 22nd, 2011 )

    The Alteration of Tintin

    I discovered Tintin when I was seven. Hergé took me on an exciting trip around the globe and gave me an early taste for travels and adventures. He fed me exotic names, taught me that events had to be provoked, that one single strip can sum up all the beauty in the world, that dogs do talk. I traveled the world aboard the Karaboudjan, the Sirius and the Pachacamac. I walked on the moon and learnt that an eclipse of the sun could save the day, that a palm tree could hide a mirage and that fate was unavoidable. Captain Haddock uncorked the bottle of my imagination, broadened my vocabulary, introduced me to the surrealism of Giorgio de Chirico, scared me to death. Didi attempted to show me the way and Rascar Capac made me aware that death was around the corner.

    Those powerful images have been embedded in my psyche forever. They are stories that were presented and illustrated in the clearest manner, without any technological help. A few simple lines on a sheet of paper could transport you to the end of the world. There was no gratuitous violence, Snowy fought Evil, Evil would loose but redemption was always attainable. It was a positive adventure for which I am deeply grateful. And so are millions of people spreading over three generations.

    It is said that a movie rendition can never compare to the original book because while reading you’re creating your own images and representations, you have a preconceived idea of what characters look like therefore opening the door to disappointment. There are fortunately exceptions to the rule, such as the wonderful characters in Lord of The Rings or Harry Potter (the movies) who are slowly replacing the personal re-creations that one may have. But Tintin is different: It is a drawn strip where images prevail over the text, beautiful and simple drawings that already exist. Any change or alteration could ruin your memories. Posted by Ferdinand Coutard

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