Hergé (pseudonym of Georges Remi, 1907-1983), Belgian author and illustrator, created TINTIN in 1929 and produced 23 volumes of the internationally famous bande déssinée. 1

TINTIN is either the character's surname or family name: it is never explained throughout the volumes nor are we sure of his age. We know that he is a reporter but have no idea who he works for. In all of his adventures, there is never once a reference to his own family though he does have a father figure in Capitaine Haddock and a make-shift family of the Professeur Tournesol, the Dupont/Dupond duo and his faithful sidekick, his dog Milou.

TINTIN is a free agent as he can pursue his various adventures unfettered by traditional familial expectations and duties. He travels from the Moon to the Americas, from Tibet to Scotland, a do-gooder led by a trail of clues. He is only responsible for himself and his alter ego Milou.

He was my male NANCY DREW.