Celebrate or Controversy? Tintin’s 90th Birthday Sparks a Raging Debate
Mark your calendars: this year, the iconic boy reporter Tintin is turning 90. Instead of a quiet milestone, the news buzz is a full-on drama, thanks to the latest edition of Tintin in the Congo.
What’s the Buzz About?
- A fresh, color‑packed digital release that claims to honor the 90‑year legacy of the strip.
- Old pictures, new accusations: the original 1930 tale is slammed for its racist caricatures of African people.
- The publishers’re all‑in with a statement that says “deconstruction and decolonization are just as important as dialogue.”
- Out on a limb by a comic artist: Barly Baruti argues that reviving this story amid rising European nationalism is “maybe not the right moment.”
Why It’s So Tense
Back in 1946, Tintin in the Congo hit bookstores as a full album, with Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy taking on diamond smugglers and hunters. It’s officially part of Herge’s early success, but its snapshot of colonial attitudes has long been a target for critics. A decade ago, Congolese activists tried to ban the book; a Belgian court dismissed the case, citing its historical context. No evidence has surfaced that the creator had racist beliefs—yet the legacy remains contested.
Bottom line? While some cheer a rejuvenated homage to the 90th year of a comic hero, others feel it’s a step back at the wrong time. Will this edition win hearts or ruffle feathers? Only the next few weeks will tell.
