For Children or Adults?

While I was reading the Adventures of Tintin for the first time, I could not figure out whether or not Tintin was a child or a young adult, which led me to ask, "Is this for children or adults?"

The drawing style, story line, and characters' speech indicate aspects of a children's comic book. There is also some slap-stick humor, ideas of right and wrong where the bad guys always lose, and a relatable kid journalist who travels around the world and has adventures. However, the violence and themes of drugs and social commentary seem to match better with adults. 

Yet there's no reason that Tintin could not be for both adults and children. Some parts of the comic might be silly, but adults can enjoy the humor along with the more mature commentary on drugs and social issues. At the same time the violence is downplayed enough that children can enjoy the adventures and beating-up-bad-guys. 

Going along with the idea that this comic is for multiple age groups, I take issue with the censorship of parts of the comic book. By taking out the n-word as well as images of African Americans, it downplays the history and discrimination that occurred in the United States. Even if they were removed so that the comics would be more appropriate for children, there still is evidence of racism and stereotypes against Native Americans. It is important that children and adults are aware of the issues of the past and present so that people as a whole can become more educated and understanding. It does not help to shelter them because these issues will come about in other forms.