Tintin: A Hypothetical Showdown Between Thomson and Thompson

Named after the famous adventurous reporter, Herge's enduring Adventures of Tintin series showcases a host of memorable supporting characters. From the gruff yet endearing Captain Haddock to the absent-minded yet brilliant Professor Calculus, these characters have played a significant role in the franchise's ongoing success. Tintin Reporter - Cigars of the Pharaoh, an upcoming puzzle-adventure game developed by Pendulo Studios and Microids, shines a spotlight on two particular characters: Thomson and Thompson, a comedic duo who become obstacles in Tintin's investigations.

During our conversation with product manager Charles Leveugle, we delved into questions about this memorable pair. Cigars of the Pharaoh marks the first major role for Thomson and Thompson in the series, although they later become adversaries to Tintin and provide comic relief in his subsequent adventures. They introduce themselves as "Thompson with a P, as in Psychology" and "Thomson without a P, as in Venezuela," showcasing their detecitve personas, although not necessarily the most skillful in their field. Often misled by fabricated evidence, they frequently implicate Tintin in various crimes, greatly hindering his investigations. While Leveugle couldn't disclose much about their role in the game, he did answer one vital question: in a fight, who would emerge victorious?

Who Would Win A Thompson v. Thomson Fight?

Thomson and Thompson are essentially indistinguishable, donning matching attire and sporting identical hairstyles. The only subtle disparity lies in their mustaches. (When asked to determine which character in Tintin possessed the most remarkable facial hair, Leveugle struggled to decide between the detective pair or Captain Haddock, renowned for his rugged sailor's beard.) In their encounters with Tintin, they seamlessly complete each other's sentences or simply echo and rephrase one another's words.

Because of their similarities, Leveugle ultimately conceded that he was unable to determine the victor in a hypothetical confrontation between the two. "They both lack efficiency in combat," he explained, implying that the outcome would probably result in either a "tie" or a "double knockout." He speculated that even Herge, the creator of Tintin, would struggle to provide a definitive answer to this question. While Thompson and Thomson are expected to appear in future Tintin games by the team, it is unlikely that they will be included in any fighting game rosters in the near future.

They Continue The Proud Tradition Of Bumbling Detectives

Thomson and Thompson are expected to fulfill the role of obstacles in Tintin Reporter, impeding Tintin's epic journey. They are engaged in uncovering the same drug smuggling syndicate as Tintin himself, but lack his remarkable intellect and resolute determination. Players of Tintin Reporter can anticipate Thomson and Thompson obstructing their investigative progress, delivering a familiar experience reminiscent of inept detectives such as Dick Gumshoe from Ace Attorney or almost any named police officer in a Persona game.

Leveugle confirmed that if Cigars of the Pharaoh is successful, they plan to produce more Tintin adaptations in the future. Thomson and Thompson, being part of Tintin's long-standing supporting characters, are likely to appear in these adaptations. There are numerous humorous adventures featuring the duo that could be well-suited for video game format. For example, their experience of growing long beards in Land of Black Gold or showcasing their various phobias in Destination Moon. Furthermore, there is a possibility of including the not-so-epic battle between Thomson and Thompson, culminating in a "double KO" ending, in a Tintin video game at some point.

Editor's P/S

As a Tintin fan, I am excited about the upcoming Tintin Reporter - Cigars of the Pharaoh game. I have always enjoyed the Thomson and Thompson characters, and I am looking forward to seeing them in a major role in this new game.

I think it's great that the developers are planning to include more Tintin adaptations in the future if Cigars of the Pharaoh is successful. There are so many great Tintin stories that would be perfect for video games. I would love to see a game based on The Seven Crystal Balls or Prisoners of the Sun.

I also think it's interesting that the developers are considering including the not-so-epic battle between Thomson and Thompson in a future Tintin game. I would love to see how they would handle that in a video game. I think it would be a lot of fun to play as Thomson or Thompson and try to defeat the other one.