Comment by bryanrasmussen

In Europe Copyright is the death of the author + 70 years, so until 2053. There is an exception to allow for copyright to lapse earlier if the copyright would run out in the original creator's country of origin first, to handle situations where American copyright for American authors will expire before European.

But Tintin will run out in 2053 in Europe because Herge is European.

In U.S however Tintin is public domain. You can use Tintin for things in U.S just don't try to go to Europe with it.

on edit: this applies of course to Tintin in the land of the Soviets.