Tintin in the Congo
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Tintin in the Congo (Tintin au Congo) is one of a series of classic comic-strip albums, written and illustrated by Belgian writer and illustrator Hergé, featuring young reporter Tintin as a hero.
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Storyline
Tintin in the Congo is the second in the series. The story begins with Tintin and Snowy departing from Antwerp on a ship bound for the Belgian Congo. Snowy has several accidents on board the ship, but eventually they arrive safe and well in the Congo. Here, they rent a car and hire a "boy" called Coco. They set out into the Congo, but soon they find out that they are not alone. A thief has stolen their car, so Tintin goes out to hunt. Several scenes follow, depicting Tintin being cruel towards animals. Later on, they find their way to a native village. However, the crook who has been following them has not given up, and together with the village medicine man, tries several times, all unsuccessfully, to dispose of Tintin. In his last attempt, the crook tries to hang Tintin above a river full of crocodiles so that they can eat him, but Tintin is rescued by a Belgian missionary. Tintin and Snowy are taken to a missionary station where the ever-persistent crook once again tries to get at Tintin. He is not as lucky as in previous attempts, and it costs him his life. Tintin finds a letter telling the crook to get rid of him. The letter is signed A.C., which stands for Al Capone, who is operating a diamond smuggling ring in the Congo. Tintin reveals the operation, and the gang is captured. Finally Tintin can get back to enjoying the African wildlife. However, Tintin and Snowy end up getting chased by a horde of Buffalo. Before he is trampled, a plane swoops down and saves Tintin and Snowy, and brings them home to prepare for their next adventure, Tintin in America.
Colonialism and Racism in Tintin in the Congo
Tintin in the Congo is the most controversial of the Tintin albums. Tintin in the Congo has often been criticized for its racist and colonialist views, as well as several scenes of violence against animals. Hergé has later claimed that he was only portraying the naďve views of the time. When the album was redrawn in 1946, Hergé removed several references to the fact that the Congo was at that time a Belgian colony. This failed to mollify critics, however. Because of its controversial subject matter, the album has only been published as a facsimile black and white edition in English. However, a colour English edition will finally be published in September 2005, by Egmont Ltd.
When the album was to be published in Scandinavia, the publishers objected to the infamous scene on pg. 56 of the colour album, where Tintin blows up a rhinoceros with a stick of dynamite. They asked the page to be redrawn, and Hergé complied. Instead of blowing the animal to pieces, the Rhino accidentally fires Tintin's gun, gets scared and runs away. Only the Scandinavian editions of the albums contain this scene.
Trivia
- Contrary to popular belief, this is not the first album in which the Thompsons appear. Their first appearance was in Cigars of the Pharaoh. They were added to Tintin in the Congo when it was redrawn in 1946.
Links
- Tintin in the Congo album guide at tintinologist.org (http://www.tintinologist.org/guides/books/02congo.html)
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