Not the full ticket - Rated 
This book smacks of having been studio produced under Herge's rather remote direction. The characters do not ring true, the subtlety, lightness of touch and gentle humour that Tintin readers will have become used to are lacking. Truth is, it does not seem to have been produced by Herge at all, but by a team of second rate imitators who have managed to miss the point entirely.
Tintin number 23/24 - Rated 
The 23rd of 24 Tintin books, but it was the last completed work, no. 24 'Tintin and Alph-art' never being completed. In this book, Herge was trying to modernise Tintin by making him do yoga, wear jeans and CND symbols, and losing his complete and utter bravery. He was also playing around with his readers. The characters change from being morale and fairly predictable, into more real life characters. General Alcazar (before being portrayed as a good general and saviour of Tintin) is revealed to be no different to General Tapioca (the tyrannical general), Haddock loses his love of alcohol, Tintin has tired of adventure and is ever suspicious, and Nestor, the ever loyal butler turns out to be a nosy snoop.
In the story, Tintin and his friends go to the fictional South American country of San Theodoras. Once there, they join General Alcazar and his revolutionary Picaros to overthrow the tyrant General Tapioca, who plans to kill the Thom(p)son twins.
This, while criticised by some, is in my opinion a real jem, with some of the best art-work in any of the books, as Herge had refined his style. The story is similarly excellantly put together, merging politics, revolution and capital punishment with humour, adventure, and justice, in what is basically a children's comic.
Tintin in the seventies......... - Rated 
The "Picaros" was really the last Tintin book before Herge's death. And it is facinating to see the development of our hero. Now, we see Tintin in flairs and slip-on shoes............whatever next? I believe Herge was beginning the process to "modern up" Tintin. Also, points to note, Nester becoming a snoop by listening around doors,(surely not the Nester we knew!) Haddock's wonderful seventies spacehelmet TV. Also, try to look for Asterix and Lucky Luke in the book! All in all, a wonderful effort by Herge to begin to modernise his characters but with this process, it makes "Picaros" a little bit set in time. We can only guess as to what direction Herge was taking Tintin if he had lived to create further stories. But a must to have for your collection and also the full page "brilliant" art work throughout the book.
Thank you.
Great story - Rated
Enjoyed by all the family, dad, mum and boys 2 and 4. Herge does it again. Good comic moments.
Not the best Tintin book - Rated 
This is the last of the Tintin books, and Herge seems to have become bored with his characters, especially Tintin himself. Tintin, Haddock and Calculus reluctantly go to the fictional Republic of San Theodoros in South America, but only to save their friends from the death penalty. I can't believe this is the same Tintin who used to leap onto trains and commandeer aircraft in chase of criminals. His bravado seems to have disappeared along with his plus fours. On the plus side, the artwork is superb, especially the carnival scenes, and there are many humorous moments.
|
