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.

Kaviarovitch

Name: Kaviarovitch
Occupation: Secret agent

*King Ottokar's Sceptre* - page 9 vignette D3

This curious moustachioed man with a lavalier tie, who makes a sudden appearance in Tintin's flat on page 7 of King Ottokar's Sceptre, has been tasked by his country's secret service with monitoring Syldavian organisations abroad. Under the guise of a painter, a Balkan national, Kaviarovitch is on the trail of the conspirators trying to overthrow the Syldavian monarchy in favour of Borduria. Unfortunately stricken with amnesia, this picturesque moustachioed man is unable to reveal to Tintin the plot being hatched with the help of the fake Professor Alembick. A detailed report drawn up by this impostor regarding the activities of the Syldavian secret agent will be discovered after Alembick's arrest.

His name is inspired by the Persian word ‘khaviar', made from sturgeon eggs

Characters

From Abdullah to Zorrino

Kaviarovitch