Book Description
"The Castafiore Emerald" (wyd. polskie Klejnoty Bianki Castafiore)
This is the twenty-first volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Conceived as a narrative exercise, Hergé wanted to see if he could maintain suspense throughout sixty-two pages of story with no villains, exotic locations, guns or danger, and with a clearly deceptive solution. Consequently it is a story rich in comic setpieces, red herrings, mistaken interpretations, false tracks, pseudo-disappearances, and colourful characters. This is the only Tintin story in which the characters remain at their home at Marlinspike Hall and do not venture to another part of the world.
"Flight 714" (wyd. polskie Lot 714 do Sydney)
This is the twenty-second volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The title refers to a flight that Tintin and his friends fail to catch, as they become embroiled in a plot to kidnap an eccentric millionaire from a supersonic business jet on an Indonesian island. This album, first published in 1968, is unusual in the Tintin series for its science fiction and paranormal influences. The central mystery is essentially left unresolved.
"Tintin and the Picaros" (wyd. polskie Tintin i Picarosi)
This is the twenty-third volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Smelling a rat, Tintin at first refuses to become part of this new adventure, in which his friends Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus join General Alcazar and his small band of guerrillas, the Picaros, in the jungle of San Theodoros. The last completed Hergé adventure, several of the characters have undergone notable changes: Tintin no longer enjoys adventuring and has abandoned his trademark plus fours, wearing trousers instead. Captain Haddock can no longer drink alcohol and General Alcazar's masculinity is ridiculed by his new domineering wife.
Tintin and the Picaros is set to the historical context of the Latin American liberation movements of 1960s. General Alcazar was inspired by the Cuban revolutionist, Fidel Castro, Alacazar's guerilla band was based on Castro's barbudos (Spanish for bearded men). In fact, Herge originally thought of calling Alcazar's men Bigotudos (“mustachioed men”). Interestingly, the inspiration for Peggy Alcazar came from one of the women leaders of Ku Klux Klan.
"Tintin and Alph-Art" (wyd. polskie Tintin i Alph-Art)
This is the intended twenty-fourth and last volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. An unfinished work, it is a striking departure from the earlier books in tone and subject, as well as in style; rather than being set in the usual exotic, action-packed environment this story is largely played out in the world of modern art.
Hergé worked on the book until his death in 1983. It was published posthumously (despite its unfinished status) in 1986 by Casterman in association with the Hergé Foundation. The foundation republished it in 2004 with further material.
About the Author
Georges Prosper Remi (22 May 1907 - 3 March 1983), known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian cartoonist. His best known and most substantial work is the 23 completed comic books in The Adventures of Tintin series, which he made from 1929 until his death in 1983. He was also responsible for two other well-known series, Quick & Flupke (1930-40) and Jo, Zette and Jocko (1936-57). His works were executed in his distinct ligne claire drawing style.
