'Adventures of Tintin' released on DVD

"The Adventures of Tintin" leads these TV shows released on home video this week, acting as a sort of preview for the Steven Spielberg feature that will arrive just before Christmas.

"The Adventures of Tintin: Season One" (Shout! 1991, two discs, $19.93). This Canadian-French co-production uses the limited animation that was the norm for television productions of the era but it's a clean, crisp style and the stories are enjoyable, apparently taken faithfully from the works of the Belgian author Herge.

"Tintin" was originally a series of comic strips later compiled into what we now call graphic novels, with young reporter Tintin and his faithful pooch Snowy having an array of death-defying adventures around the globe, mostly in mythical countries throughout the Middle East, the Soviet Union, India and Europe.

Planes crash, villains kidnap good guys, Tintin goes deep-sea diving and gets in and out of all kinds of trouble in a way that resembles the Indiana Jones adventures =85 so perhaps it should be no surprise that Spielberg was drawn to the material.

Extras full frame, 13 episodes

"Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series" (BBC/Blu-ray, 2011, six discs, $89.98). The indefatigable Dr. Who (Matt Smith), time-traveler and wisecracker extraordinaire, goes spinning through the universe in this latest entry in the wacky fantasy series and finds himself in … Utah?

That's right. The Beehive State is invaded by Who and fellow travelers Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill), along with the occasionally incarcerated River Song (Alex Kingston). And on the shores of Lake Powell is where Who dies. Or does he?

That's all part of the wild ride that begins this season with a two-parter, which, along with the rest of the season, combines great production values, wild makeup and effects, and deadpan comedy. And yes, the show actually filmed in southern Utah and the landscape is eye-popping in HD.

Extras widescreen, 13 episodes, audio commentaries, 2010 Christmas episode, documentaries, featurettes, comic shorts

"Farscape: The Complete Series" (A&E/Blu-ray, 1999-2003, 20 discs, retail priced at $199.95 but available for less than $80). This cult favorite, a terrific sci-fi show with an array of fascinating characters and intelligent writing, gets a Blu-ray upgrade, and looks and sounds fabulous. (Though it must be said that it's not really complete; the miniseries that wrapped up the series is owned by another company and therefore not included.)