As I walk into my media room—a delightful fortress of films and snacks that rivals any modern-day castle—I can’t help but grin at the wall of fame before me. It’s not adorned with movie stars or rock legends, but rather the beloved characters from The Adventures of Tintin. When friends stroll in and ask, “Why Tintin? Of all the dazzling cartoons in the world?” I smile, fixing my hair like Tintin does, and reply, “Why not? Have you seen his hair? It defies gravity!”
For those who don’t quite know about Tintin, I sarcastically quip that these portraits are pictures of my ancestors and their courageous dog, Sundar. It’s common in Indian homes to display the family lineage—so why not include my cartoon lineage, right?
Let me introduce you to the characters—or my ancestors!
Tintin is like that overachieving cousin I aspired to have, the one who contributes inspiring tales to family gatherings. His courage and curiosity inspires me to step out from behind my cozy blanket and seek adventures of my own—preferably with snacks in tow!
Snowy, Tintin’s loyal companion, is the fluffy friend we all need. His unwavering loyalty teaches us the importance of having friends who support us through thick and thin—especially when it comes to finishing those extra-large popcorn tubs.
Professor Calculus is the lovable mad scientist we all secretly aspire to be. His knack for inventing bizarre gadgets makes me realize that my own failed attempts at science projects at school — like the airplane I could only manage to build with Legos!
The duo, Thomson and Thompson, provides a masterclass in hapless adventures. Their knack for getting into trouble serves as a perfect reminder that you can go from crime-solving to tripping over your own feet faster than you can say “detective.”
Bianca Castafiore is the vibrant diva we didn’t know we needed. Her flamboyant personality and an opera voice could shatter glass, she reminds me to live life boldly. However, I don’t think she would ever be invited to visit my media room since it’s mostly glass!
Chang Chong-Chen, Tintin’s friend from Tibet, represents loyalty and friendship— “A friend in need is a friend indeed”—especially when that friend can whip up the best dumplings at midnight.
Jolyon Wagg, with his quirky personality, teaches us that not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes they wear hilariously mismatched socks and get lost en-route to the coffee shop. I don’t think even Google Maps would be of any help!
And, of course, there’s Rastapopoulos, the villain with schemes more convoluted than an overcooked Punjabi “saag” recipe.
I must admit, Captain Haddock is suspiciously missing—I searched high and low in CP and Khan Market in Delhi, but apparently, I couldn’t find a single picture of his rowdy self. I guess he went off on an adventure of his own!
My favorite comics, if I remember correctly, include Tintin in Tibet, The Secret of the Unicorn, Explorers on the Moon, and The Blue Lotus. Each comic was a trip from the Arctic to the Sahara, outshining any travel itinerary—all without packing a suitcase! Oh, and I totally loved the movie – super fun!
For me, Tintin’s adventures are like an all-you-can-eat buffet of cultures — even more satisfying than any Indian spicy curry! It’s all about integrity, perseverance, and the importance of not taking life too seriously—in any case, life has its own funny way of sneaking up on you. Because you never know when you might trip over your own shoelaces (case in point: Thomson and Thompson).