Tintin: Colonial Adventure or VSF?

[gloriousbattle]

This episode



contains a magic kukri knife (doesn't kill enchanted monsters, but points to anyone who's life is in danger) and an Indian yogi-assassin who hypnotizes Tintin (briefly, until Snowy bites him).  There is also a drug that induces madness, but it doesn't account for the other weird elements.

This is the first Tintin episode I have seen (just got into the series) that contains what seem like magical elements.  How would you classify the series?

[Anpu]

I would say Pulp, usually has both magic and weird elements.

[matakishi]

I class Tintin as pulp. There spies, pirates, bandits, aliens, mushrooms from space, yetis, magic and all sorts in Tintin along with fantastic travelogues and interesting people.

[Mister Rab]

Pulp, definitely, and for exactly the same reasons as Matakishi.

[Plynkes]

If you post photos of a Tintin game that is colonial in nature (like the one you mentioned, the Foreign Legion bit in Le Crabe aux Pinces d'Or or God forbid, Tintin au Congo) then I won't move it. I like Tintin.  

It is most certainly is not VSF, as the series ran from the 20s to the 70s and were set in the present day of the time (even though he never gets older, he starts off with biplanes and ends up with passenger jets (and flared trousers!)).

I wouldn't call Tintin 'Pulp' (to me Pulp is a more adult thing), but it is similar enough to Pulp that it can fit there too. Up to you. I don't mind. How would I classify the series? I don't feel the need. It is Tintin, and like Doctor Who it doesn't belong in a pigeon hole but is a category all by itself.

[FramFramson]

He fits best in Pulp because it's the closest overall match for broad themes (ADVENTURE! TRAVEL! ACTION!) and individual points. Also the time period too (Tintin's prime being the 30's to the 50's).

Re: Plynkes points:

Tintin may not seem like it has the harder edge some pulp stuff does when it comes to sex, violence, and foul language goes. But where Tintin lacks the first, it has plenty of the second, and gives lessons to other genres on the third.

[gloriousbattle]

Tintin may not seem like it has the harder edge some pulp stuff does when it comes to sex, violence, and foul language goes. But where Tintin lacks the first, it has plenty of the second, and gives lessons to other genres on the third.

Blistering blue barnacles!

As to whether or not it is VSF, I guess it would more strictly be Edwardian, though, even if it is a little late, it certainly focuses on some very Victorian elements, like the British Raj, the Foreign Legion, Egyptology, etc.

[Geudens]

Being Belgian (or rather Flemish) myself (as Tintin - or Kuifje as his name is in Flemish  is) and taking into account the political situation over the last +500 days in this country, I can assure you it is "pulp"!  

[gloriousbattle]

Being Belgian (or rather Flemish) myself (as Tintin - or Kuifje as his name is in Flemish  is) and taking into account the political situation over the last +500 days in this country, I can assure you it is "pulp"!  

Huh, all these years we thought Tintin was a hero.  Boy, did he ever have us fooled.