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I recently began reading the Tintin comics. No lies, seeing the movie (which was fantastic and I strongly urge everyone to see it) is what spurred me into finally checking out this series though I’ve always been aware of it. I’m not very far in, but it’s been great fun so far; it’s very hard not to like Tintin’s plucky attitude, the madcap adventures he finds himself in and his endearing supporting cast. Snowy is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, too, with his consent cried of “WOOAH” and his always snarky thought bubbles.

Herge’s art is beautiful in its simplicity. It was definitely more simplistic in the first two adventures, but he’s able to put so much background and emotion and movement and personality in his work … I think more modern comics artists would do well to remember that less can oftentimes be more.

I’m not going to get into the subject of race but I will say this: these comics were created and published over 80 years ago. Attitudes and views have since changed and context is king. The world is not the same place it was and it will not be the same place it is 80 years from now.

In any event, the above page is, hands down, my favorite set of panels. Forget the logistics of what’s being done or the implied cruelty and, instead, focus on the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Tintin, in order to rescue Snowy, has shot a monkey and then proceeds to wear the monkey like a costume. Because, you see, that’s exactly how that would work and how else is one supposed to rescue one’s dog from a group of monkeys? What else I love about this is that it WORKS. Snowy is rescued and it’s off to the next grand adventure!