Lachlan Week 1: Do you think comics are a children's or adult genre/media?

I think comics, like many other forms of literature, can be for both children and adults. For example, Watchmen, which was originally a graphic novel (not much different to a comic book), is an incredibly thought-provoking, beautiful piece of work. According to wikipedia, Watchmen is regarded by critics as a seminal text of the comics medium. It delves into themes of power, nihilism, capitalism, and the very idea of heroes. These are very adult themes, and the violence and sophistication of language and ideas within are carefully written for a thinking mind. So much of Watchmen would sail right over children's heads.

However, on the other hand comics like Watchmen still show bright, colorful scenes with exciting looking characters. There is still something for children to flick through. I think this is similar to tv shows like Dexter's Laboratory or Powerpuff Girls wherein there is a clear audience, children, but there are adult jokes and comments thrown in too.

Tintin is interesting because Hergé originally started off as a propagandist, clearly targeting adults who could understand his comics. However, eventually Tintin became a children's role model. Comic Books like The Blue Lotus show a mix of both adult and children themes. There is the horrendous and inhuman depictions of the japanese, but it is cast against tintin's childlike exuberance and penchant for detective work.

 It is very difficult to simply state that comics are either a children's or adults' genre, as there is such a wide range of themes, art styles, ideas, and characters found within.

At 21, I have read a few comics, starting with ones like Tintin and Asterix, and more recently with graphic novels such as Watchmen or The Walking Dead. All these comics very clearly have interesting themes at play. The Walking Dead explores ideas of life after the apocalypse, and really delves deep into the darkness inside the human race. Issues of cannibalism, murder, rape, and heartbreak are not so much children's material. These graphic novels are clearly for adults, while The Simpsons or Sonic comics are catering for the tastes of children.

Again, Tintin is interesting as it appears on the surface to be mostly aimed at children, but issues of race and war are often lying right underneath. The Blue Lotus also deals with real life conspiracy theories, depicted by the Japanese blowing up the railways. Tintin is definitely a mixed bag of goodies.