Although they are named after the adventurous reporter himself, cartoonist Herge's long-running Adventures of Tintin series features a horde of memorable supporting characters. From the gruff but lovable Captain Haddock to the absent-minded yet brilliant Professor Calculus, Tintin's supporting characters have been a major element of the franchise's ongoing success. Tintin Reporter - Cigars of the Pharaoh, an upcoming puzzle-adventure game from Pendulo Studios and Microids, shines a spotlight on two of these characters in particular: Thomson and Thompson, a bumbling duo who serve as an obstacle for Tintin's investigation.
When Game ZXC sat down with product manager Charles Leveugle, plenty of questions were asked about the memorable duo. Cigars of the Pharaoh marked Thomson and Thompson's first major role in the series; they would later go on to oppose Tintin and serve as comic relief in many of the reporter's later adventures. "Thompson with a P, as in Psychology" and "Thomson without a P, as in Venezuela" as they often introduce themselves, are a pair of detectives, but not necessarily the most skilled at their profession. They are frequently led to believe - due to fabricated evidence - that Tintin is responsible for various crimes, greatly hindering the reporter's investigation. Leveugle couldn't talk much about Thompson and Thomson's role in the game, but he could answer one key question: who would win in a fight?
Who Would Win A Thompson v. Thomson Fight?
Thomson and Thompson are fundamentally identical, even wearing the same outfits and growing their hair in the same style. Only their mustaches show the slightest hint of difference. (When asked which Tintin character had the most magnificent facial hair, Leveugle was unable to decide between the detective duo or Captain Haddock, who is known for his grizzled seaman's beard.) During their confrontations with Tintin, they even finish each other's sentences or simply repeat or rephrase what the other just said.
Because of their similarities, Leveugle ultimately admitted that he was unable to decide which of the two would triumph should the two come to blows. "They are both absolutely inefficient in a fight," he explained, so things would likely end in either "a draw" or "a double KO." He felt that even Herge, the author who first brought Tintin to life, would not be able to answer such a question. While Thompson and Thomson will likely show up in any future Tintin games the team makes, it's unlikely that they will be added to any fighting game rosters any time soon.
They Continue The Proud Tradition Of Bumbling Detectives
Thomson and Thompson's role in Tintin Reporter will likely consist of the characters serving as obstacles on Tintin's epic journey. They are investigating the same drug smuggling ring as Tintin himself, but lack the intrepid reporter's intelligence and determination. Tintin Reporter players will likely find Thomson and Thompson hindering their investigative efforts, in the tradition of incompetent detectives like Ace Attorney's Dick Gumshoe or pretty much any named police officer in a Persona game.
Leveugle confirmed that, should Cigars of the Pharaoh be a success, they hope to make more Tintin adaptations in the future. Thomson and Thompson would likely appear in these adaptations, as they are some of Tintin's most enduring supporting cast. There are plenty of comical adventures for the duo that could translate well to video game format, such as them growing long beards in Land of Black Gold or showing off their numerous phobias in Destination Moon. Perhaps the not-so-epic battle between the two of them, with its "double KO" ending, could even feature in a Tintin video game someday.
