“The Adventures of Tintin: Volume 1” which is compromised of 3 graphic novels originally released by themselves (Tintin in America, Cigars of 
the Pharaoh, and The Blue Lotus) made it on The New York Times best sellers list in the category of hardcover graphic books. It got the number two spot, beaten only by X-Men: Schism, which is a notable accomplishment considering how it used to be almost never heard of in the states.
Before “The Adventures of Tintin” came out in movie theaters, about a mere 85 years ago, Tintin was a very popular Belgian comic published by Georges Remi under the pen name of Hergé. Despite its old age and the tragic death of its creator, it remains as a childhood fixture in Europe, and has been translated in a myriad of languages. Despite its large success overseas, very few Americans had any idea it existed, and it appears all it took was an expensive movie to make people realize how amazing it is. Now I’m going to admit, comic books still are read by a small minority of people, but the fact there are people willing to read classic comics or introduce comics to their children gives me a little hope.
The movie first premiered in Europe and eventually America. To Americans, it was something new to go check out. While in Europe, many grown adults went there not only because they wanted to take their kids to the movies, but because it was their childhood and it probably was the first Tintin movie released that wasn’t a dissapointment.
Just like Japan, after WWII Europe experienced a comic boom, and to this day they publish a load of comics, that people actually buy. Comics are such hot sellers you can usually find them in markets and superstores and every child has at least one favorite comic book character, even girls. You may not know, but the Smurfs were originally comic book characters created in Belgium like Tintin (the comics are better than the movie) , and they became minor pop culture icons in America. So I believe it’s fair to assume that French comics might become more popular than ever expected, and I’m looking forward to it.