A Tough Decision

I want to explore the idea of collaboration while considering Hergé’s TinTin. As someone that likes to be as autonomous as possible, the notion of collaboration is always concerning. Admittedly, I can be single minded. And when unalike visions collide, single-mindedness simply leads to friction. But that friction, however painful it may be, distorts both ingredients and ignites something new. This could create a surprising, stimulating product, or a horrible, disjointed work. It’s hard to tell. So, although I am against collaboration for the sake of my own sanity, I recognize that there are benefits to it. Likewise, it  has its weaknesses.

Hergé, of course, sought autonomy. I think it worked out for him. His narratives and artwork are cohesive and fit together beautifully. However, as engaging and striking his works are, they are one-dimensional. They allow for a great first read-through. But a second visit often yields flat plots that are thus accompanied by vanilla artwork. Unfortunately, neither dimension can exist on its own. And, disappointingly, I found that the narratives constantly dragged down the artwork.

I have been a faithful enthusiast of TinTin for a long time. However, I have to admit that this most recent go-around was disappointing. I knew the plots and the artistic style, so I tried to look for something new – something that Watchmen, for example, could always provide no matter how many times it’s ready through. Whenever someone is both the author and a figure of a single work, they are noticeably able to apply their grand ideas and visions to both fields. I think Hergé’s rather predictable storylines are mirrored in his ligne claire, bold, and pastel-filled images. Everything is rational. Everything is clear. There are no surprises.

I’m not advocating for a different type of artwork or some type of collaboration. I do believe, however, that certain collaborations can benefit comics because the reader is essentially “reading” two different minds. And therefore, they are able to see two (or more) different interpretations of the story. TinTin really only left me with one interpretation. I couldn’t find another angle to approach it from, or find some way to see the comics as “new,” as if I were reading them for the first time. That would have solved my issue. Watchmen is capable of producing that “first time viewing” second time around because of the slight dichotomy between narrative and artwork.