Gay Comics: Does Tintin have a gay secret?

Controversy arose earlier this year when the British newspaper, The Sun, published an article: "Did Tintin Have a Gay Secret?" in which a journalist suggested that perhaps Europe's favorite comic character was in fact a little light in his gumshoes. "Tintin is a callow, androgynous blonde-quiffed youth in funny trousers and a scarf. And his moving into the country mansion of his best friend, a middle-aged sailor?" Of course if we follow this logic than every comic and cartoon character from Johnny Quest to Scooby-Doo could be considered gay, but the evidence for this hypothesis may be a little overwhelming. He galavants around the world solving mysteries with what is essentially a "boys only" club, rarely interacts with girls -- much less has any romantic involvement with them -- never mentions his family or what his life consisted of before becoming a journalist, and his blonde hair and fashion choices are always impeccable.

When the 2011 release date of "The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn" (unicorns? Gay! Gay! Gay!) draws closer, I'm sure much more will be written about the Belgian reporter and the state of his sexuality (in the film he's being voiced by gay fave Jamie Bell) but until then we'll have to be content with his swashbuckling exploits and fashion sense rather than who he's jumping in bed with at the end of the day.

-- CHISTOPHER RUDOLPH

Previously > Alison Bechdel's Funhouse