The Adventures of Tintin

The global phenomenon that is Tintin finds a mostly faithful adaptation in the lovingly animated series The Adventures of Tintin, which originally aired in the US on HBO during the late '80s. For European audiences, Tintin is perhaps as popular as Mickey Mouse in the states, a beloved icon whose history has stretched over decades and whose books have sold hundreds of millions of copies.

American audiences may find a bit of culture shock in trying to understand the appeal of the brave reporter and his faithful canine sidekick, Snowy. Tintin himself is almost a blank slate, moving through his adventures with bravery but more often than not enlivened by the presence of eccentric villains and a creative cast of supporting characters. For kids, this may not prove an issue, as the momentum of the action will be enough to engage their imaginations. Teens and adults, however, will have to adapt expectations to fit the show's more esoteric storytelling and characterizations. It's a worthwhile series, but definitely a faithful adaptation of a bygone era in children's books.