jock123 Moderator
|
#22 · Posted: 28 Apr 2009 12:18
Something kept niggling at the back of my mind about this, and finally it clicked: what if there were some indication in the source material Hergé used, which would show astronauts equipped with guns? Specifically, what about those space paintings by Chesley Bonestell, which he clipped from Collier's magazine?
I don't have the magazines myself, but I do have The Conquest of Space, a book which was written by Willy Ley, author of the articles, and illustrated by Bonestell, and which I think was based on their Collier's pieces; I also have a book on Bonestell's work, including his space concepts of the middle of last century.
Looking at these unfortunately proved inconclusive: the pictures are reproduced too small, too dark or both, and many are only black and white photos of colour orginals and lack definition. One of his later (c.1956) pictures of people on Mars might just possibly have them with holsters at their waists, but I couldn't tell, and besides it would be too late.
I then contacted the Chesley Bonestell Archive in the U.S., to see if they could shed any light on the matter. Having introduced the Forums, and explained the nature of this thread, I asked: I would be very grateful if, given your knowledge of Bonestell's work, you could possibly say if the holster/ armed astronaut was a feature of his work, or if it was an addition by Hergé?
I received a very prompt response from Melvin Schuetz, the archivist, who responded as follows:
Thank you for your interest in the art of Chesley Bonestell. As to your inquiry, I must say that the subject of sidearms on spacesuits in Bonestell paintings is something I have never thought of, or researched before. In the reproductions of his paintings in books and magazines, the images are (as you say) too small or dark to tell. One exception that comes to mind for now is the cover of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction for April 1955. In this illustration of astronauts exploring Mars, there appears to be something hanging from their waists, which could perhaps be sidearms, but it is really not possible to be sure. In the film, Destination Moon, the astronauts are equipped with rope, flashlights, and some tools, hanging from their waists, from what I remember. There is one Tintin book I know of which also includes some of the actual Collier's Bonestell art: Farr, Michael. Tintin: The Complete Companion. San Francisco: Last Gasp, 2002. ISBN 0-86719-901-6 The Bonestell illustrations are on p.139 and pp.142-43, my records show. Sorry that I cannot definitively answer your question, but I am pretty sure that in the case of Tintin it was Herge' that provided the sidearms. All the best, Melvin Schuetz
I've looked at the Companion, and again the figures are too small to say what they are carrying; the astronaut on p. 139 may have an unidentified something at his waist, but that could be tools or other objects as Mr. Schuetz says of the film's astronauts. I also think that the film is of interest in so far as they had input directly from Bonestell; had he been of the opinion that lunar explorers should be armed, I'm sure they would have been. Looking at the Companion also provided a photo of the prototype space suit from the archives in Belgium which Hergé used as the basis of his suits, and this doesn't show a holster either. I therefor tend to agree with Mr. Schuetz's opinion that the holsters and weapons were the creation of Hergé.
|