The Adventures of Tintin: Explorers on the Moon

Explorers on the Moon (originally titled On a march sur la lune) is the seventeenth volume of The Adventures of Tintin, the world-renowned comics series by Belgian cartoonist Herg. Serialized weekly from October 1952 to December 1953 in Tintin magazine before its book publication in 1954, this story serves as the direct sequel to Destination Moon. The narrative follows Tintin, his faithful dog Snowy, and the hot-tempered Captain Haddock as they accompany Professor Calculus on a historic, nuclear-powered rocket mission to the Moon. Launched from the Sprodj Atomic Research Centre in Syldavia, the voyage marks the first human exploration of the lunar surface, a feat depicted by Herg with astonishing visionary precision fifteen years before the actual Apollo 11 moon landing. The mission is quickly plagued by complications, including the accidental presence of the detectives Thomson and Thompson, which threatens the limited oxygen supply. More significantly, the crew must contend with internal sabotage by a traitor, Boris Jorgen, and a spy named Frank Wolff. The plot expertly balances high-stakes science fiction with the series' signature humor and deep character development, particularly regarding the themes of sacrifice and redemption. Herg's 'ligne claire' (clear line) art style ensures every panel is filled with meticulous technical detail, from the iconic red-and-white checkered rocket to the stark, accurately rendered lunar landscape. This Egmont edition remains a staple for collectors and fans of graphic novels, mysteries, and historical adventures.