You’re all familiar with comics, aren’t you? Comics are often one of the favorite books of many people. There are many genres and background of countries in each comic published.
Each country has its own comic characteristics. There are even comic artists who make comics based on other countries outside their home countries. That is usually the reason for the comic to become more well-known.
Among all the famous characters and comics, do you know about Tintin comics? Have you ever read the first Tintin comic titled Tintin In the Land of Soviets? Maybe there are some of you who don’t know about this first Tintin comic and what it has to do with Russia and the stereotypes in it. To add information for you, let’s see about the old stereotypes of Russia in Tintin first comic: Tintin in the Land of Soviets.
I think many of you are already familiar with Tintin comics. Tintin is a protagonist in the comic The Adventures of Tintin. This is a comic series made by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Tintin character created in 1929.
In the comic series, Tintin is described as a reporter and also an adventurer who travels around the world. In his adventure, Tintin was accompanied by his dog named Snowy. This comic series has become very popular in many countries and has been re-translated into more than 70 languages. The first comic from The Adventures of Tintin series is titled Tintin in the Land of Soviets. This comic has a background of Russia (USSR).
Tintin in the Land of Soviets is a traveling series that Tintin did when he was sent to the Soviet Union to report on the policies of the Bolshevik government Joseph Stalin. However, Tintin’s intention to reveal this secret makes it hunted and will be killed by the country’s secret police. In the Soviet Union, Tintin witnessed several events in the country.
When there is a country background in a comic story, sometimes stereotypes are brought along in the storyline. Whether it’s a good stereotype or a bad one. Likewise, with the storyline in Tintin’s first comic, Tintin in the Land of Soviets. Maybe there are people who do not know some of the old Russian stereotypes in the comics, so this article will discuss about the old stereotypes of Russia in Tintin first comic: Tintin in the Land of Soviets.
- Russia’s Bad Image
The stereotype in the Tintin in the Land of Soviets storyline is a bad image of Russia (Soviet Union). According to the story line, in Russia there is no freedom for local residents to choose, nor is there freedom for local citizens to speak. There is also oppression carried out to the extreme.
Tintin who came to Russia (then called the Soviet Union) looked at the local people in confusion. He saw many people who kept looking down, bent down and depressed because of the oppression. The negative image of Russia at that time because there is no freedom for its citizens. Whether this is a true stereotype or not, you can find out for yourself if you are interested.
- Russia Described As “An Uncivilized and Barbaric East”
Tintin trip to Russia on his first comic storyline, titled Tintin in the Land of the Soviets also describes some of the common stereotypes. In this comic shows the power relations between Belgium and the Soviet Union. The portrayals used by the comic cartoonists are graphic and narrative depictions that are far from new.
Tintin in the Land of Soviets mentions that “civilized West” and “uncivilized and barbaric East”. In this context, the West is a depiction of Belgium, while the East is a depiction of the Soviet Union (Russia). Both look very contrasting. This stereotype has actually been around for centuries ago and it can also be said to be an outdated stereotype.
- Russia Propaganda Deceives Foreigners
Other stereotypes that exist in the storyline of the comic Tintin in the Land of the Soviets is the presence of Russian propaganda to deceive foreigners. This is because in the story, Tintin discovers a situation where the burning bundle of straw and metal concealment to trick the British Marxists visit. The people wanted to spread the Soviet Gospel abroad. These Russians made it look as though the non-operational Soviet factories were productive.
There are observers who argue that the cartoonist who created Tintin in the Land of the Soviets was not interested in providing factual information about what was in Russia at the time. According to the observer, the cartoonist only wanted to instill in his young readers a sense of Marxism by portraying the Bolsheviks poorly.
- Russia Is Believed to Be in A “Disastrous State”
In the story line in the Tintin in the Land of the Soviets comic, there is also a stereotype that says that Russia is in a “disastrous state”. The purpose behind the stereotype is to show the comics editor’s concern for anti-socialists in the young comic readers. That’s what made the cartoonist Tintin in the Land of the Soviets create a story that sent Tintin and Snowy to travel to Russia (then the Soviet Union).
Whether these stereotypes are based on facts in Russia or not, you can find out for yourself if you are interested. To prove that the stereotype is true or not, you must read Tintin’s first comic titled Tintin in the Land of the Soviets and then compare it with the situation that actually exists in Russia.
And maybe there are still some of all you need to know about the old stereotypes of Russia in Tintin first comic: Tintin in the Land of Soviets that haven’t been listed above. I hope this article can really help you to find out all you need to know about the old stereotypes of Russia in Tintin first comic: Tintin in the Land of Soviets.