Tintin Forums

I know that I asked whether or not people who like National Geographic Magazine also like Tintin. I'm also aware that I mentioned that Hergé tried to make Tintin a more or less universal character.

Still, are there certain types of people who like Tintin? Which people are least likely to like Tintin? Should we do a survey on this?

Its a good question Snafu. I've found since my time in the Cult that some of us have shared interests, mainly Artists, Graphic artists, Illustrators and Animators. All the sort of people you would expect really for a comic book. I also noted that many of us are in the early twenties bracket that co-insides with the Eclipse-Navalda series.
I have really enjoyed learning more about Herge and the world of Tintin here, and the Tintin news of new releases and exhibitions. Many of my friends respect the Tintin series, but are not as into it as me so its great to be able to share knowledge at a higher level.
My interest in Tintin was forged in my childhood, and probably indirectly inspired my life and interests.
Theres a thought has reading Tintin books helped develop certain personalities? its a bit like one of your threads - What if Herge never created Tintin. Would we be different people?

I think there is a difference between liking Tintin (as most of my friends do) and liking him so much you'd join a Tintin forum and post regurlarly. Hence we get a lot of people who are artists, etc.

I've always been a Tintin fan since I first watched a running of the Black Island on C4 (it was a Belvision) and my Mum bought me a Tintin book from a bookclub. I then read them all the way thru high school purely because our school had a boom points system and we were supposed to read 20 points of books a month. A triple edition Tintin book was 7 points (Gone with the Wind was 5) so i decided to make a mockery of the system by reading only Tintin.

I got back into Tintin a few years ago when I noticed The Land of the Soviets was being released and asked for it for Christmas. I then started looking into Tintin more and researching lost books. When i found The Secret Ray existed I decided to do some more detailed research.

Rik

I think I'm probably in the minority here. I'm slightly younger than the 20s bracket (18), but I really have no interest in art, illustration, animation, or any other comics. (I can't draw to save my life!) I do really enjoy Tintin artwork though, like frames from books or in any other form. That's why I have so much of it adorning my walls!

Unlike a lot of people here (correct me if I'm wrong), I discovered Tintin through the books rather than either of the TV series. The Ellipse-Nelvana shows came on after I'd read the books.

I basically just like Tintin but nothing much else of a similar theme. I don't even read other Hergé stuff, though I have read the 3 main Jo, Jette and Jocko books and thought they were fairly good.

The one thing I can be sure of is that Tintin certainly attracts one type of people- those with good taste!

The Ellipse-Nelvana shows came on after I'd read the books

Same here, I started reading in primary school at about the age of 7. I first found them in a library, they were so much more appealing than the yellowing old written paperbacks. I suppose most fans will have first become hooked as a child. Anyone get into them later in life?

When it comes to what type of people like Tintin, I think that it has to do with attention span, too! A Tintin book might take more than an hour to read (and enjoy to the fullest extent), whereas a manga might take 15 minutes -- those are made to be read fast. I think you have to have a longer-than-average attention span to be able to enjoy Tintin. I agree with the point about illustrators and graphic artists, etc. Many of us wish that we could draw as good as Herge did!

Also, I've found that kids like Tintin because of the adventure. In elementary school, it was one of the hottest things at the library because the Tintin books were the only things there that featured guns (!!!).

it was one of the hottest things at the library because the Tintin books were the only things there that featured guns

Its a sad fact but maybe your right. The books feautured guns, criminals, drugs and violence. Quite racey for a kids book really, but I liked the element of realism. If you read any newspaper or watch the news on tv you will see all of this, and Tintin is a reporter. Maybe Herge opened our eyes to a real world, and through Tintin we would explore.

I was relieved when I discovered this group because, beforehand, I was convinced only boys liked Tintin, making me something of an oddity...

I could love it because it's part of the mystery/adventure tradition. I have always loved Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle's adventure stories, such as 'The Lost World', and Jules Vern absolutely captivated me when I was younger.

There's a part of me that will never grow out, and it's this sense of nostalgia I feel Tintin appeals to.

But then there's the characters, the terrific stories, the artwork...

So no, I wouldn't say a specific 'type' of person likes Tintin, per se. Very different people can share the same interests, after all. For example, I love both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek, when many people like one or the other, or maybe hate both.

Karaboudjan
I love both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek

Yay! A fellow Star Trek fan!

When it comes to what type of people like Tintin, I think that it has to do with attention span, too! A Tintin book might take more than an hour to read (and enjoy to the fullest extent), whereas a manga might take 15 minutes -- those are made to be read fast. I think you have to have a longer-than-average attention span to be able to enjoy Tintin. I agree with the point about illustrators and graphic artists, etc. Many of us wish that we could draw as good as Herge did!

Also, I've found that kids like Tintin because of the adventure. In elementary school, it was one of the hottest things at the library because the Tintin books were the only things there that featured guns (!!!).

Its a sad fact but maybe your right. The books feautured guns, criminals, drugs and violence. Quite racey for a kids book really, but I liked the element of realism. If you read any newspaper or watch the news on tv you will see all of this, and Tintin is a reporter. Maybe Herge opened our eyes to a real world, and through Tintin we would explore.

Tintin is not the most violent thing that I've ever seen. Try "Breaking Free", for example...

Jules Vern absolutely captivated me when I was younger.

I used to enjoy Jules Verne, but I've had little time to read them. But Tintin was by far more enjoyable than Verne, perhaps because Tintin tackled various issues (WWII, politics of oil, etc.).

Yay! A fellow Star Trek fan!

That's odd...Besides Tintin and Verne, there are not too many other adventures that I really enjoy. Beats me...

--
I also forgot to mention that many sci-fi/fantasy comic strips contain many violent elements and a lot of graphic fighting...

--
[Post edited by Moderator (marsbar). Combined two posts.]