As an ardent admirer of Astérix, I find it particularly captivating to dive into the stories and discussions surrounding the world of comics and its iconic creators. One piece of archive that struck me deeply is the May 1976 interview between Bernard Pivot and René Goscinny, published in Lire magazine no. 8. This conversation offers valuable insight into the status of comics at the time, as well as the challenges and prejudices that authors like Goscinny faced.
The criticism levelled at comics in earlier years, and mentioned by Goscinny in this interview (comics as corrupters of youth), echoes in contemporary debates surrounding video games. Likewise, this criticism is likely to continue in the future with regard to immersive media and artificial intelligence. This recurrence raises interesting questions about our relationship to media and emerging technologies, and about how societies assess and integrate these new tools into the cultural fabric.
It is intriguing to see how, in every generation, new forms of creation and expression are received with a certain reserve, even suspicion, before being gradually accepted and absorbed into the cultural mainstream. Goscinny’s reflections on the reception comics received in their early days recall the current criticisms levelled at video games, often seen as a negative influence on young people. Yet, just as comics established themselves as an art form in their own right, video games are beginning to be recognised for their artistic value and narrative potential.
This evolution in how media are perceived leads us to reflect on what the future holds for immersive media and artificial intelligence. The initial criticism may well give way to acceptance and appreciation of their contribution to culture and society. The history of comics, as told by Goscinny, encourages us to remain open and curious in the face of innovation, recognising its potential to enrich our world in unexpected ways.
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Question from Bernard Pivot: No comic book author has made it into the Académie so far?
Answer from René Goscinny: “No, none, of course! But, you know, it hasn’t been that long since comics were considered something respectable. When I was starting out, you needed a strong stomach to go into comics because in the public mind we were seen not only as ignorant fools, but also as corrupters of youth. When a guy had committed a sordid crime, it was explained that, in his childhood, he read comics!”
Frédéric Tordo
