16 - ‘The Shooting Star’ (1942) || Radio Tintin

Unique to the English translation of The Shooting Star is Tintin referring to the speaking clock as TIM, a nickname for the service in some major English cities. These days, of course, Tintin could just check his lock-screen.

Thompson and Thomson are relegated to a single-panel cameo in The Shooting Star, alongside Herge’s beloved Brussel’s street-urchins, Quick and Flupke.

Sweden’s Eric Björgenskjöld, one of the many European scientists accompanying Tintin and Haddock on their voyage, had his appearance based on Swiss physicist Auguste Piccard. Piccard would later provide even greater inspiration for the character and appearance of Professor Calculus.

Professor Paul Cantonneau, the scientific representative from France, would later reappear as one of the victims of Rascar Capac in The Seven Crystal Balls.

The English translation of The Shooting Star has the crew feasting on the very English cuisine of bangers and mash, as opposed to choucroute garnie - sausages and sauerkraut - in the original French.

While the national origin of the rival expedition was changed from the United States to the fictional Sao Rico, the ship’s name of the Peary, after famed arctic explorer Robert Peary.

Additionally, while all other depictions of the Stars and Stripes were changed to the fictitious Sao Rican flag, Old Glory is still visible on the Peary in this single panel from page 35.