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The Adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko #2
Destination New York
Jo and Zette fly it out of its hangar and unable to return they crash land near to the North Pole. There they face a race against time to return the plane to home and win the trans-Atlantic challenge. But they haven't counted on the efforts of the Stockrise brothers to scupper their plans.
52 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1951
7 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Hergé
1,035 books1,952 followersGeorges Prosper Remi (22 May 1907 – 3 March 1983), better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist.
His best known and most substantial work is The Adventures of Tintin comic book series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, leaving the twenty-fourth Tintin adventure Tintin and Alph-Art unfinished. His work remains a strong influence on comics, particularly in Europe.
"Hergé" is the pseudonym of George Remí, making a game with the initials of his name inverted. Throughout the evolution of his star character, Tintin, we can see the progress of this author: from the first titles marked by the ultraconservative doctrine of the director of the newspaper Le Petit Vingtième, to the breaking of conventions embodied from The Blue Lotus , as well as the evolution of the society of his time. The research carried out by Hergé to historically contextualize his Adventures, as well as his implicit social criticism, have made Tintin a masterpiece of the 20th century.
Series on Goodreads:
* The Adventures of Tintin
* Quick & Flupke
* The adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko
His best known and most substantial work is The Adventures of Tintin comic book series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, leaving the twenty-fourth Tintin adventure Tintin and Alph-Art unfinished. His work remains a strong influence on comics, particularly in Europe.
"Hergé" is the pseudonym of George Remí, making a game with the initials of his name inverted. Throughout the evolution of his star character, Tintin, we can see the progress of this author: from the first titles marked by the ultraconservative doctrine of the director of the newspaper Le Petit Vingtième, to the breaking of conventions embodied from The Blue Lotus , as well as the evolution of the society of his time. The research carried out by Hergé to historically contextualize his Adventures, as well as his implicit social criticism, have made Tintin a masterpiece of the 20th century.
Series on Goodreads:
* The Adventures of Tintin
* Quick & Flupke
* The adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 14, 2012
"Destination New York" is the second of three "Jo, Zette and Jocko" albums published in English. (The first two albums have never been translated.) It follows on from Mr. Pump's Legacy (The Stratoship H.22, Part One) as our titular trio embark on a daring round-the-world flight.
Whereas "Mr. Pump's Legacy" had a "Famous Five" feel about it, this volume is far more fantastical, as the journey takes the kids from the equator to the North Pole. In spite of this, the story relies on Herge's trademark deflating humour (the kids explain their situation to an Eskimo in pidgin English, only for him to reveal he's learned the language years ago). The villains are more complex than in the first half, with a splinter through their group. One villain gives up the fight, not just because he's suddenly reformed, but because of the danger of the enterprise. It's quite a neat psychological moment, comparable even to few things in the 'Tintin' canon.
Even for such a fantastical story, there's only one annoyance: that one of the main villains just happens to be on the same beach where Jo and Zette unexpectedly land at one point! Apart from this, Herge gives us a surprisingly broad story. We follow Professor Legrand as much as his children, and Jocko gets his own story as he sets off for New York. They all tie in to one another toward the climax though, when Madame Legrand gets in on the action, as she gets to hear an important dying confession. Any character could've fulfilled this role, but clearly Herge wanted to give even his housewife character some fun.
There's a lot to love in this volume. It perhaps sacrifices some of the pure realism of "Mr. Pump's Legacy", but rewards us with non-stop action. Jocko is just adorable in his little hooded coat, and it's interesting to note the parallels to early Snowy in how he fights with walruses, polar bears, and the like. There are some lovely callbacks to the first volume (particularly on the last pages), and some great satire. My favourite frame has to be reporters besieging the triumphant children: "How did you feel during the flight? Do you like icecream? Do you play with dolls?" While the final plot twist seems like an unnecessary coda (complete with overly simple solution), it's the only moment in the album that reveals its original serialised format. Quite a step up from the chase-escape-chase format of "Mr. Pump".
If there is one interesting item of note, it's in the death of a poor stuntman - employed by the villains, yes, but not himself of malicious intent. He is killed in a rather brutal crash, in a death that would be rare in 'Tintin'. Perhaps "Coeurs Vailliants" - a magazine more involved with its 'traditional family values' - was happier to trade in black-and-white morality than Herge's usual approach. It's not a sour note, but certainly a noticeable one.
All in all, I've enjoyed "Jo, Zette and Jocko" thus far. They don't have the durability of Tintin, certainly: there are no delightful secondary characters, and undoubtedly the agency of these children would've faltered if they continued to have adventures (ten-year-olds can't get away with quite as much as reporters), but they're worth a look nonetheless.
Whereas "Mr. Pump's Legacy" had a "Famous Five" feel about it, this volume is far more fantastical, as the journey takes the kids from the equator to the North Pole. In spite of this, the story relies on Herge's trademark deflating humour (the kids explain their situation to an Eskimo in pidgin English, only for him to reveal he's learned the language years ago). The villains are more complex than in the first half, with a splinter through their group. One villain gives up the fight, not just because he's suddenly reformed, but because of the danger of the enterprise. It's quite a neat psychological moment, comparable even to few things in the 'Tintin' canon.
Even for such a fantastical story, there's only one annoyance: that one of the main villains just happens to be on the same beach where Jo and Zette unexpectedly land at one point! Apart from this, Herge gives us a surprisingly broad story. We follow Professor Legrand as much as his children, and Jocko gets his own story as he sets off for New York. They all tie in to one another toward the climax though, when Madame Legrand gets in on the action, as she gets to hear an important dying confession. Any character could've fulfilled this role, but clearly Herge wanted to give even his housewife character some fun.
There's a lot to love in this volume. It perhaps sacrifices some of the pure realism of "Mr. Pump's Legacy", but rewards us with non-stop action. Jocko is just adorable in his little hooded coat, and it's interesting to note the parallels to early Snowy in how he fights with walruses, polar bears, and the like. There are some lovely callbacks to the first volume (particularly on the last pages), and some great satire. My favourite frame has to be reporters besieging the triumphant children: "How did you feel during the flight? Do you like icecream? Do you play with dolls?" While the final plot twist seems like an unnecessary coda (complete with overly simple solution), it's the only moment in the album that reveals its original serialised format. Quite a step up from the chase-escape-chase format of "Mr. Pump".
If there is one interesting item of note, it's in the death of a poor stuntman - employed by the villains, yes, but not himself of malicious intent. He is killed in a rather brutal crash, in a death that would be rare in 'Tintin'. Perhaps "Coeurs Vailliants" - a magazine more involved with its 'traditional family values' - was happier to trade in black-and-white morality than Herge's usual approach. It's not a sour note, but certainly a noticeable one.
All in all, I've enjoyed "Jo, Zette and Jocko" thus far. They don't have the durability of Tintin, certainly: there are no delightful secondary characters, and undoubtedly the agency of these children would've faltered if they continued to have adventures (ten-year-olds can't get away with quite as much as reporters), but they're worth a look nonetheless.
December 15, 2020
Heroes.
March 6, 2022
English Magnet Edition = 1987 = £2.50 UK only
Not nearly as good as Tintin but still a good read.
Not nearly as good as Tintin but still a good read.
July 6, 2015
This is book is an awesome book from Herge, the author of the magnificent Tintin series. This book doesn't star Tintin but I can't wait to read the other stories about theses characters.
August 10, 2020
I only have one problem - too many things went wrong
August 10, 2023
Far from the quality Herge could deliver, even within the Jo, Zette and Jocko series (which he personally wasn't too proud of.) This book - the second of the two-part 'Stratoship H-22' story - follows a flimsy plot, not unlike the other stories in this series that was intended for much younger readers than those of Tintin. And as with those other stories, the titular characters jump from mishap to mishap (mostly driven by bad luck) and manage to make a happy ending.
I'm a little more generous with some of the JZJ books for having some truly stunning art, but I don't see that aspect coming to the saviour of this particular one. Still, for the devoted Herge fan (viz. me), his exploration of new geographies that don't feature in Tintin's adventures makes for an interest read - but not if you have to pay through your nose to get a copy of this now-uncommon book (the English edition, at least.)
I'm a little more generous with some of the JZJ books for having some truly stunning art, but I don't see that aspect coming to the saviour of this particular one. Still, for the devoted Herge fan (viz. me), his exploration of new geographies that don't feature in Tintin's adventures makes for an interest read - but not if you have to pay through your nose to get a copy of this now-uncommon book (the English edition, at least.)
December 24, 2022
This was a fine conclusion to the last book. It was a little silly at times but still a good read while I learn french. The story isn’t as engaging as the Tintin series but it has a lot of the same beats and it was a quick read. These are also a bit shorter than the Tintin aventures. Not a lot shorter but still noticeable. I am more interested in finishing the Tintin series before I would pick up the next one in this series.
November 25, 2021
This comic concludes the story begun in "Mr. Pump's Legacy", and continues throwing the cute, boring little family into wildly action-packed adventures. I love it. I'm going to try to collect the whole series.
February 15, 2023
I am totally disappointed with the one, the way the first part ended I thought this one would have some twists and turns in the plot, but the story was totally blunt. I never thought that I would hate any of Herge's books in real, so this is probably the only book of his, is really really bad.
October 9, 2018
কী টানটান উত্তেজনার!
April 25, 2022
Viehättävää poikakirjamaista seikkailua, mutta kyllä osaavatki puhua kuvissa ihan liikaa.
May 6, 2024
Super boring
October 19, 2024
Hoewel je weet dat een en ander goed gaat aflopen, was dit verhaal van Hergé best wel spannend.
January 13, 2024
Another guilty pleasure read. My excuse: since Mr. Pump’s Legacy ends with a cliffhanger, I had to read Book 2 for closure.
January 16, 2026
Mission 2026: Binge reviewing all previous Reads, I was too slothful to review back when I read them
Revisiting Hergé’s 'Destination New York' felt like stepping back into a world where adventure is precise, visual, and utterly charming.
The book, part of 'Les Aventures de Jo, Zette et Jocko', carries the hallmarks of Hergé’s ligne claire: clean lines, meticulous detail, and storytelling that respects both the intelligence and imagination of its readers.
What struck me most this time was how Hergé balances suspense, humour, and cultural curiosity, creating a narrative that moves briskly yet never feels superficial. The cityscape of New York is rendered with affectionate observation: taxis, skyscrapers, and the subway pulse with life, giving the sense that the adventure is embedded in a fully realised urban ecosystem.
The pacing is exemplary—the story flows effortlessly, with each episode building on the last, while the characters remain lively and believable. Jo and Zette, along with their mischievous companion Jocko, provide both youthful curiosity and moral grounding; their courage, cleverness, and occasional missteps make the narrative playful without becoming trivial.
Reading it now, I was also struck by Hergé’s deft handling of tension. Scenes that could have been formulaic—chases, confrontations, miscommunications—carry genuine suspense, and the resolution never feels arbitrary.
There is a clarity and economy to the storytelling that makes the book feel timeless: every panel, line, and dialogue bubble serves a purpose, yet the pleasure of reading never diminishes. What lingers most is Hergé’s ability to combine the fantastical with the believable, to craft adventure that is structured and moral without being didactic, and to animate an entire world with understated visual wit.
Finishing 'Destination New York', I felt both entertained and impressed: the book demonstrates how children’s literature can be intellectually rigorous, emotionally engaging, and visually stunning all at once.
Hergé doesn’t merely tell a story—he orchestrates an experience, one that remains vivid decades later, reminding the reader of the joy, curiosity, and precision that great comics can achieve.
Most recommended.
Revisiting Hergé’s 'Destination New York' felt like stepping back into a world where adventure is precise, visual, and utterly charming.
The book, part of 'Les Aventures de Jo, Zette et Jocko', carries the hallmarks of Hergé’s ligne claire: clean lines, meticulous detail, and storytelling that respects both the intelligence and imagination of its readers.
What struck me most this time was how Hergé balances suspense, humour, and cultural curiosity, creating a narrative that moves briskly yet never feels superficial. The cityscape of New York is rendered with affectionate observation: taxis, skyscrapers, and the subway pulse with life, giving the sense that the adventure is embedded in a fully realised urban ecosystem.
The pacing is exemplary—the story flows effortlessly, with each episode building on the last, while the characters remain lively and believable. Jo and Zette, along with their mischievous companion Jocko, provide both youthful curiosity and moral grounding; their courage, cleverness, and occasional missteps make the narrative playful without becoming trivial.
Reading it now, I was also struck by Hergé’s deft handling of tension. Scenes that could have been formulaic—chases, confrontations, miscommunications—carry genuine suspense, and the resolution never feels arbitrary.
There is a clarity and economy to the storytelling that makes the book feel timeless: every panel, line, and dialogue bubble serves a purpose, yet the pleasure of reading never diminishes. What lingers most is Hergé’s ability to combine the fantastical with the believable, to craft adventure that is structured and moral without being didactic, and to animate an entire world with understated visual wit.
Finishing 'Destination New York', I felt both entertained and impressed: the book demonstrates how children’s literature can be intellectually rigorous, emotionally engaging, and visually stunning all at once.
Hergé doesn’t merely tell a story—he orchestrates an experience, one that remains vivid decades later, reminding the reader of the joy, curiosity, and precision that great comics can achieve.
Most recommended.
January 4, 2011
Destination New York is the sequel to Mr. Pump's Legacy which tells what happened to Jo and Zette Legrand and their pet chimpanzee, Jocko, after they flew the Stratoship made my their father M. Legrand to safety from bombing in a hangar nearby Paris.
First they landed on a tropical island, then crashed onto North Pole and trapped in blizzard before being rescued by Eskimos.
As a comic book for young adults, obviously we know in the end Jo and Zette Legrand will succeed. But how? Just find it out yourself. Guaranteed, this will keep you entertained, as such with other Herge's works.
First they landed on a tropical island, then crashed onto North Pole and trapped in blizzard before being rescued by Eskimos.
As a comic book for young adults, obviously we know in the end Jo and Zette Legrand will succeed. But how? Just find it out yourself. Guaranteed, this will keep you entertained, as such with other Herge's works.
hergé-revisited
February 5, 2026The second part of the second adventure of Jo Zette and Jocko, but the colour version was published before that of The Secret Ray so it's sometimes assumed to be the debut adventure.
Original Version: 1937/9 (red and green half-tone colours). Full-colour version: 1951.
I don't think the original versions were collected as albums as the black and white Tintin adventures were, only in weekly newspapers.
I really enjoyed reading these again, it's a more plausible and tightly plotted adventure compared to The Secret Ray - but I had to read those via a Google Glass translation so not the best circumstance.
Original Version: 1937/9 (red and green half-tone colours). Full-colour version: 1951.
I don't think the original versions were collected as albums as the black and white Tintin adventures were, only in weekly newspapers.
I really enjoyed reading these again, it's a more plausible and tightly plotted adventure compared to The Secret Ray - but I had to read those via a Google Glass translation so not the best circumstance.
February 22, 2017
Cette suite ne casse rien. Les personnages pourraient sortir d’une aventure de Tintin mais les aventures sont beaucoup moins intéressantes. Elles sont même un peu redondantes par la facilité qu’ils s’en sortent toujours. Les vilains n’ont pas de charisme ni de personnalité. Pour l’apprécier un peu, il faut se dire que c’était pour les jeunes des années 1950.
February 28, 2013
Fun enough but not in the same league as Tintin. As has been stated elsewhere, the main problem with these books is that there are too many adults involved. The main characters seem to get sidelined a lot.
Read
February 14, 2013good book..
March 10, 2015
very cool book
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews