Part one of Hergé’s double-bill lunar oddysey – both parts written before mankind actually journeyed to the moon – this is classic stuff.
As a scientist of international renown Professor Calculus gets involved in plans to put man on the moon, launched neither from Russia nor America, but the east-central European creation of Syldavia (also featured in King Ottokar’s Sceptre). Intrigues are as usual afoot, and Tintin’s pals are there to bring comic relief to our hero’s earnest adventuring.
The Sprodj atomic research complex is a largely underground affair, hemmed in by mountains, rather like a Bond villain’s lair, which is fabulous. There’s a wonderfully fraught rapport between the practically deaf Calculus and the irascible Haddock, culminating in some fantastically funny scenes.
As well-researched as ever (meaning that you learn as you are entertained), beautifully and meticulously drawn, it’s a satisfying masterpiece, both of children’s storytelling and ‘bands designées’, and sets one up for eager anticipation of Explorers On The Moon.