Tintin Forums

There's probably a thread about this already, but I searched for one and didn't find it, so here goes!

I love to read, and I've been reading some older books lately. One of the ones I read was the 39 Steps. It reminded me so much of Tintin, The Black Island in particular! I absolutely loved it, so I read the sequel, Greenmantle, which I also very much enjoyed. Then, I read King Solomon's Mines. I could barely believe it! (Warning: spoilers ahead.) The protagonist and his friends being saved by an eclipse in a lost civilization- does that ring a bell? Not to mention a stone wall that rises up to lead into a treasure chamber. The whole thing smacked of Prisoners of the Sun.

King Solomon's Mines was extremely racist, which was sad because other than that, it's a pretty good book and a worthwhile read, but not surprising, as it was published in 1885 and set in Africa.

I would love for more facts or ideas on what books (or comics) inspired Herge.

Thanks!

The themes from "Prisoner of the Sun" actually came from Gaston Leroux's 1912 novel "The Bride of the Sun" which also includes a journey through the Andes to find a kidnapped person, a hidden Inca city, an Indian named Huascar and an eclipse.

It is generally agreed that "The Black Island" was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film version of "The 39 Steps" rather than Buchan's actual novel; and the gorilla by "King Kong" (1933); and, in fact, many of the events in Tintin's adventures were actually inspired by real-life events rather than fictional stories:

"Moscow Unveiled" by diplomat Joseph Douillet inspired some of the political and social issues raised in "Soviets";

"Cigars of the Pharaoh" was inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb;

The blowing-up of a railway line in order to justify an invasion in "Blue Lotus" was inspired by the similar Mukden Incident;

The Gran Chapo War of "Broken Ear" was inspired by the Gran Chaco War of 1932-35;

"Ottokar's Sceptre" was inspired by the 1938 Austrian Anschluss.

That's strange. I'm almost sure I read somewhere that Hergé was inspired by King Solomon's mines after I read the book and looked it up online.


It is generally agreed? I've never heard of that idea before, although I have heard of the 39 steps being an inspiration for The Black Island. No offense, but where did you get your information?


Really? I am truly sorry, but I have a hard time believing that.
I totally understand and agree with that, but I am looking for books rather than real life events.

Thanks for responding so quickly mct16!