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.

Bobby Smiles

Surname: Smiles
First name: Bobby
Occupations: Bandit, gang leader

*Tintin in America* - page 43 vignette C1

A miraculous survivor of the Valentine's Day Massacre. George Moran may well have inspired the character of Smiles.

When the character of Bobby Smiles (in French, ‘Robert Sourit’) appears in Tintin in America, it is as the head of the G.S.C., Gangsters’ Syndicate of Chicago, an association that he claims is in competition with that of the infamous Al Capone.

Bobby Smiles, the leader of a rival gang to Capone, could be modelled on a certain George “Bugs” Moran, leader of the North Side Gang and target of the massacre known as the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre.

From the start of his career, Bobby Smiles was seen as a shady and dangerous individual. His henchmen include a fake sheriff who is quick to hand him Tintin on a plate. On his office door, a police sign conceals his real activity: that of a prominent member of the G.S.C., the Gangsters’ Syndicate of Chicago.

Among the sources of inspiration for the character of Bobby Smiles are George Moran and Spike O'Donnell, who bears a striking resemblance to Hergé's gangster.

Characters

From Abdullah to Zorrino

Bobby Smiles