Was Tintin Ever Meant for Kids?

Was Tintin Ever Meant for Kids?

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Some of my personal Tintin collection—proof that these timeless stories still belong on every shelf.

In 1929, Belgian author and artist Hergé introduced the world to a character who would become timeless: Tintin. First appearing in the pages of Le Petit Vingtième with the serial Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, the young reporter quickly grew into an icon whose adventures transcended generations. But this raises an important question—was Tintin ever truly meant for children, for adults, or for everyone in between? What explains his universal appeal, and why does he feel equally accessible to readers of all ages?
On the surface, Tintin’s adventures appear tailor-made for children: bright colors, outlandish plots, larger-than-life villains, thrilling fights, and Captain Haddock’s unforgettable swearing. Yet to stop there is to miss the deeper layers. Beneath the slapstick and spectacle, Hergé wove in political undertones and reflections of the real world—The Blue Lotus took a stand against Western imperialism in China, while King Ottokar’s Sceptre echoed the rise of fascism in Europe. Even in lighter stories, the shadows of global conflicts, colonialism, and everyday struggles seeped through. Far from being simple children’s tales, Tintin’s stories reveal an author who consistently reached for something more thoughtful and nuanced.
I was reminded of this kind of layered storytelling back in 1995, when my father took my late brother and me to see Toy Story. As a child, I was thrilled to experience the first fully CGI movie—a memory that has stayed with me ever since. Early in the film, Woody tries to convince the toys that a birthday party isn’t a big deal, and Slinky Dog loyally supports him. Then, in a blink-and-you-miss-it gag, Mr. Potato Head removes his lips, presses them against his backside, and calls Slinky an ass-kisser. As a kid, the joke completely sailed over my head. Years later, I rewatched the film and thought, holy smoke, that’s what he meant. That kind of layered humor is exactly what Hergé managed with Tintin. Children can enjoy the stories as grand adventures, filled with action and humor, while adults recognize the subtler cues—the political undertones, the critiques of fascism, racism, and imperialism, and the moral conviction that a civilized world demands doing what’s right.
I leave you with this thought: Hergé always seemed to understand that his audience was bigger and grander than a single demographic. When he published Destination Moon, he chose to separate it from its conclusion, Explorers of the Moon, by a full year. Some might call it burnout, while others point to the time he spent consulting scientists and astrophysicists to ensure the story’s science was as accurate as possible. But the truth is simpler—Hergé respected his readers. He knew they would wait patiently for the payoff, and that the story would be stronger because of that wait. And in the end, it was.
The truth is, Tintin was never meant just for children. Nor was he meant exclusively for adults, men, or women. Tintin is meant for everybody. Each reader—whether young or old, from any background—can take something unique away from his 23 adventures. That’s why the character continues to gain new fans even today. Across ages, demographics, and nationalities, there is always someone discovering Tintin for the first time and finding a story that speaks directly to them. And so, to answer the question at the heart of this piece—Was Tintin Ever Meant for Kids?—the real answer is that he was meant for all of us.

Disclaimer: I’m not an expert on Tintin scholarship or all of its political undertones. This is simply the opinion of a lifelong fan who believes, perhaps desperately, that Tintin deserves to be shared with the world. If you’d like a more expert take, there are plenty of excellent YouTube essays as well as a podcast I highly recommend, The Tintin Podcast.