Characters

Just as Alfred Hitchcock made furtive appearances in his films, Hergé couldn’t resist joining in the adventures of his characters. He discreetly drew himself into the scenery, appearing as a reporter dutifully taking notes when Tintin embarks for the Congo, or interviewing a local in front of the gates to Marlinspike Hall, in hope of gaining the latest on the story of the broken glass in The Calculus Affair. In Hergé’s universe, it’s hard to find a character that has been created from scratch: most were inspired by real people who were either close to the author in some way, historical figures or celebrities at the time.

Diaz

Surname: Diaz
Occupation: Colonel demoted to corporal in the San-Theodorian army

Diaz is the embodiment of Latin America's corrupt state apparatus, run by a small military plutocracy in which the army symbolises dictatorial authority. It's hardly surprising, then, to see a plethora of generals and superior officers in the San Theodorian army rewarding their friends. Diaz envied Tintin, who had been appointed Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to General Alcazar whilst he was demoted to the rank of corporal after rebelling against his appointment. Diaz, outraged and broken, joins the opposition, where he plays an active part in plotting attacks against General Alcazar. After Tintin's arrest for treason, Diaz regains his rank of Colonel, but to no avail as he dies torn apart by his own bomb... This is a unique vignette in comics, as it gives a glimpse of the worst atrocities of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Characters

From Abdullah to Zorrino

Diaz