Tintin (character)

Tintin is a fictional character in The Adventures of Tintin, the series of comic albums written and illustrated by Belgian artist Hergé. Tintin is the protagonist, the series' eponymous hero, and a reporter who travels around the world with his dog Snowy.

Character

Tintin is a young Belgian reporter who becomes involved in dangerous cases in which he takes heroic action to save the day. Despite the frequent peril of his endeavours, he manages to handle all situations with cleverness, bravery, and swift action. He is characterized by his integrity and his refusal to back down in the face of danger.

Creation and conception

Tintin was created by Hergé, the pen name of Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi (1907–1983). The character first appeared in Le Petit Vingtième, a youth supplement to the Belgian newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle on 10 January 1929. Tintin's character was inspired by Hergé's earlier comic character Totor, a boy scout patrol leader.

Supporting characters

Tintin's most constant companion is his white Fox Terrier dog Snowy. Other main characters in the series include the brash and cynical Captain Haddock, the bright but hearing-impaired Professor Calculus, and the clumsy yet well-meaning Thomson and Thompson detectives.

Influence and legacy

Tintin has become one of the most popular comic characters in Europe and has a large fan base worldwide. The series has been translated into over 70 languages and has sold more than 200 million copies. Tintin's adventures have also been adapted for radio, television, and film.

See also

• List of The Adventures of Tintin characters
• Hergé's Adventures of Tintin
• The Adventures of Tintin (film)