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Tintin #9-11
The Adventures of Tintin, Vol. 3: The Crab With the Golden Claws / The Shooting Star / The Secret of the Unicorn
Join traveling reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Snowy, along with well-known friends such as Captain Haddock, as they embark on extraordinary adventures spanning historical and political events, fantasy and science-fiction adventures and thrilling mysteries. These full-color graphic novels broke new ground when they were first released and became the inspiration for countless modern-day comic artists.
This repackaged hardcover volume contains 3 classic Tintin stories, The Crab with the Golden Claws , The Shooting Star , and The Secret of The Unicorn .
This repackaged hardcover volume contains 3 classic Tintin stories, The Crab with the Golden Claws , The Shooting Star , and The Secret of The Unicorn .
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1993
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562 people want to read
About the author
Hergé
1,031 books1,942 followersGeorges Prosper Remi (22 May 1907 – 3 March 1983), better known by the pen name Hergé, was a Belgian comics writer and artist.
His best known and most substantial work is The Adventures of Tintin comic book series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, leaving the twenty-fourth Tintin adventure Tintin and Alph-Art unfinished. His work remains a strong influence on comics, particularly in Europe.
"Hergé" is the pseudonym of George Remí, making a game with the initials of his name inverted. Throughout the evolution of his star character, Tintin, we can see the progress of this author: from the first titles marked by the ultraconservative doctrine of the director of the newspaper Le Petit Vingtième, to the breaking of conventions embodied from The Blue Lotus , as well as the evolution of the society of his time. The research carried out by Hergé to historically contextualize his Adventures, as well as his implicit social criticism, have made Tintin a masterpiece of the 20th century.
Series on Goodreads:
* The Adventures of Tintin
* Quick & Flupke
* The adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko
His best known and most substantial work is The Adventures of Tintin comic book series, which he wrote and illustrated from 1929 until his death in 1983, leaving the twenty-fourth Tintin adventure Tintin and Alph-Art unfinished. His work remains a strong influence on comics, particularly in Europe.
"Hergé" is the pseudonym of George Remí, making a game with the initials of his name inverted. Throughout the evolution of his star character, Tintin, we can see the progress of this author: from the first titles marked by the ultraconservative doctrine of the director of the newspaper Le Petit Vingtième, to the breaking of conventions embodied from The Blue Lotus , as well as the evolution of the society of his time. The research carried out by Hergé to historically contextualize his Adventures, as well as his implicit social criticism, have made Tintin a masterpiece of the 20th century.
Series on Goodreads:
* The Adventures of Tintin
* Quick & Flupke
* The adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 20, 2023
This volume includes The Secret of the Unicorn, which remains one of favorite Tintin adventures. It also introduces Captain Haddock (in The Crab With the Golden Claws), one of my favorite supporting cast members. Hergé possibly thought so too, as the good captain appears in all three of the tales in this book.
In the story, a chance find of a model ship at a flea market spins into a treasure hunt with deadly consequences. The story was partly the basis for the ill-fated CGI movie (I, for one, enjoyed it. But I'm avowedly a fan of the books.) It also feels closer to reality than the other two tales in this book. The wild coincidences seem to have been dialed back (though not gone entirely), and the result just feels more solid to me. Yes, it ends on something of an advertisement for the next volume, but don't forget that Hergé was creating these in serial form to begin with.
In the story, a chance find of a model ship at a flea market spins into a treasure hunt with deadly consequences. The story was partly the basis for the ill-fated CGI movie (I, for one, enjoyed it. But I'm avowedly a fan of the books.) It also feels closer to reality than the other two tales in this book. The wild coincidences seem to have been dialed back (though not gone entirely), and the result just feels more solid to me. Yes, it ends on something of an advertisement for the next volume, but don't forget that Hergé was creating these in serial form to begin with.
February 4, 2021
Thundering typhoons!! A Tintin comic collection I didn't despise!!
October 16, 2025
Read for my Read Around The World Challenge: Belgium
The Secret of the Unicorn
I admit I was expecting more, I loved the characters and how they play with their archetypes, they're all very well written, and the comic strip art style makes everything very nostalgic and eye pleasing. The story itself is very compelling and fun, a simple and direct adventure. I was left just a bit disappointed cause it gives the impression of being a prologue, the whole goal of this story was to set the foundations of the next chapter so the events end up feeling very uninteresting, I spent the whole time waiting to know how they'll find the treasure just to be left without an answer. It was nice, but reading the whole series would give it more value.
The Secret of the Unicorn
I admit I was expecting more, I loved the characters and how they play with their archetypes, they're all very well written, and the comic strip art style makes everything very nostalgic and eye pleasing. The story itself is very compelling and fun, a simple and direct adventure. I was left just a bit disappointed cause it gives the impression of being a prologue, the whole goal of this story was to set the foundations of the next chapter so the events end up feeling very uninteresting, I spent the whole time waiting to know how they'll find the treasure just to be left without an answer. It was nice, but reading the whole series would give it more value.
March 6, 2019
THE CRAB WITH THE GOLDEN CLAWS: An interesting and entertaining Tintin adventure. It's standard fare, but that's good enough. 4/5
THE SHOOTING STAR: This is a weird one, involving some of the more seemingly supernatural phenomena in the Tintin series. As a kid, I certainly enjoyed the weirdness, and it holds up on a reread. A lesser effort compared to the greatest Tintin books, but certainly still worthwhile. 4/5
THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN: This has an interesting puzzle-based plot. It is not as exciting as it could have been, and neither this nor Red Rackham's Treasure have ever been among my favorites. 3/5
THE SHOOTING STAR: This is a weird one, involving some of the more seemingly supernatural phenomena in the Tintin series. As a kid, I certainly enjoyed the weirdness, and it holds up on a reread. A lesser effort compared to the greatest Tintin books, but certainly still worthwhile. 4/5
THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN: This has an interesting puzzle-based plot. It is not as exciting as it could have been, and neither this nor Red Rackham's Treasure have ever been among my favorites. 3/5
August 3, 2024
Two great Tintin novels and an ok one!
The Crab with the Golden Claws
One of the definitive Tintin stories. Tintin busting a drug ring and the introduction of Captain Haddock.
**** 1/2
The Shooting Star
Bit of a lost story this one. The plot is ok but a bit basic.
***
The Secret of the Unicorn
A great story, full of intrigue and mystery that properly allows the real Captain Haddock to show his stuff while the plot leads onto the next story.
*****
The Crab with the Golden Claws
One of the definitive Tintin stories. Tintin busting a drug ring and the introduction of Captain Haddock.
**** 1/2
The Shooting Star
Bit of a lost story this one. The plot is ok but a bit basic.
***
The Secret of the Unicorn
A great story, full of intrigue and mystery that properly allows the real Captain Haddock to show his stuff while the plot leads onto the next story.
*****
July 24, 2020
We see Tintin and Snowy find a new friend in the gruff and sometimes drunk Captain Haddock and continue to find a lot of that adventurous sleuthing which has them out in the Sahara, journey on water to find a supposed object that landed from space and an antique boat replica that might lead them to treasure. A (100%/Outstanding)
January 18, 2022
If you want Tintin, this is a good collection to read. It's charming and lovely, I just don't have the emotional attachment to give it more than 3 stars. It's a good book, you should read it.
This is Tintin. It's a collection of charming and cute little stories that take you on wild adventures that you will have no clue where it goes next. It sucked that Haddock couldn't knock his addiction throughout, often being used for comic relief.
Going into this I had no idea who Tintin was. Was he a child? Why is he shooting a gun? He's in the desert now. Oh he can fly a plane? Does Snowy talk? Oh he's a journalist.
If you want Tintin, give it a read. It's good. I just found myself reading this for the sake of reading this other than any emotional attachment that others might have. This really is a nice little collection of charming books and having not read any of his other escapades, I likely don't know how good I've got it with this one.
This is Tintin. It's a collection of charming and cute little stories that take you on wild adventures that you will have no clue where it goes next. It sucked that Haddock couldn't knock his addiction throughout, often being used for comic relief.
Going into this I had no idea who Tintin was. Was he a child? Why is he shooting a gun? He's in the desert now. Oh he can fly a plane? Does Snowy talk? Oh he's a journalist.
If you want Tintin, give it a read. It's good. I just found myself reading this for the sake of reading this other than any emotional attachment that others might have. This really is a nice little collection of charming books and having not read any of his other escapades, I likely don't know how good I've got it with this one.
Read
February 24, 2025this one was not as convoluted as the last two! plus, "the secret of the unicorn" was my favorite growing up
December 27, 2023
Crab with the golden claws: introduction to everyones favourite captain, while slightly underwhelming with its setting (i just feel they could have done MORE with it, see land of the black gold) 3/5
Shooting star: outside of its historical context, this is just a weird drug trip. INSIDE? A haunting glimpse at pre-invasion Belgium’s mindset in the lead up to nazi control, and then after Hergés complete shut down over the reality he’s now facing 5/5
The secret of the unicorn: chefs kiss, they made this one into a movie for a reason, fun story, excellent build up with a lot of good comedy. I just really love snowy okay 4/5
Shooting star: outside of its historical context, this is just a weird drug trip. INSIDE? A haunting glimpse at pre-invasion Belgium’s mindset in the lead up to nazi control, and then after Hergés complete shut down over the reality he’s now facing 5/5
The secret of the unicorn: chefs kiss, they made this one into a movie for a reason, fun story, excellent build up with a lot of good comedy. I just really love snowy okay 4/5
September 30, 2016
This volume has the two stories that make up the bulk of Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin, but the real special bit is The Shooting Star with it's island of bizarre exploding mushrooms.
Snowy is especially funny in The Crab With the Golden Claws which also has some beautiful full-page illustrations.
Snowy is especially funny in The Crab With the Golden Claws which also has some beautiful full-page illustrations.
December 26, 2023
I really liked this volume of Tintin as it brought in one of my favourite characters, Captain Haddock. There were also some good moments with Snowy. The adventures were good and it was all a lot of fun, now to watch the episodes of the animated TV show dealing with the stories in this volume! Those are quite faithful adaptations.
December 6, 2014
Tintin the reporter goes on adventures with his friend Captain Haddock and his dog Snowy. In this volume the adventures take place in the desert, and an island and the sea.
June 2, 2019
I am re-reading the series I read in my childhood. It's as exciting as then.
December 28, 2021
but sir, this is my emotional support adventure duo + west highland white terrier
August 6, 2022
This collects three more Tintin adventures. The first, The Crab with the Golden Claws is significant for introducing main character Captain Haddock. The plot revolves around opium smugglers. An empty crab tin and a dead sailor lead Tintin to the Sahara and Morocco in the search for the opium smuggling ring. It also sees the first mate Allan in a main villain role after his appearance in The Adventures of Tintin : Cigars of the Pharoah.
The second book, The Shooting Star, is possibly one of the weirdest Tintin stories. Starting out with apocalyptic phrophecies and a mysterious bright light in the night sky, this story leads Tintin and Captain Haddock on a quest to be the first to claim a meteor made of a new element that crashed into the arctic ocean. Once our heroes reach the meteor, they find that it has mysterious properties that cause rapid growth in things like apples and spiders. This one isn't a particular favorite of mine.
The third book, The Secret of the Unicorn, is potentially the most well-known/famous Tintin story as it was the basis for the recent Peter Jackson Tintin film (along with its sequel Red Rackham's treasure and bits of Crab with the Golden Claws). This story sees Tintin discover a model ship in the flea market and purchase it as gift for Captain Haddock. However, it holds a secret that might lead to treasure. Throw in a pair of shady antique dealers and a kleptomanic pickpocket, and you have a fun adventure that's continued in Red Rackham's Treasure.
The second book, The Shooting Star, is possibly one of the weirdest Tintin stories. Starting out with apocalyptic phrophecies and a mysterious bright light in the night sky, this story leads Tintin and Captain Haddock on a quest to be the first to claim a meteor made of a new element that crashed into the arctic ocean. Once our heroes reach the meteor, they find that it has mysterious properties that cause rapid growth in things like apples and spiders. This one isn't a particular favorite of mine.
The third book, The Secret of the Unicorn, is potentially the most well-known/famous Tintin story as it was the basis for the recent Peter Jackson Tintin film (along with its sequel Red Rackham's treasure and bits of Crab with the Golden Claws). This story sees Tintin discover a model ship in the flea market and purchase it as gift for Captain Haddock. However, it holds a secret that might lead to treasure. Throw in a pair of shady antique dealers and a kleptomanic pickpocket, and you have a fun adventure that's continued in Red Rackham's Treasure.
January 3, 2025
The Crab with the Golden Claws - 3/5 stars
In an effort to help the Thom(p)sons solve the case of a drowned sailor, Tintin boards the Karaboudjan where he finally meets Captain Haddock, one of my favorite characters. As an adult, I did find myself more concerned with Haddock’s drinking problems. And once again, the antagonists are connected to opium.
The Shooting Star - 3/5 stars
Tintin, Captain Haddock, and a group of professors embark on a scientific expedition to be the first to discover a meteorite that has landed on earth with a yet undiscovered metal. This story has a very different tone than the others, beginning with the predicted end of the world and ending with the discovery of a metal that causes living things to grow at extraordinary rates. It feels more fitting in a sci-fi comic than the adventures of a reporter. It also does not make sense while a spider would grow beyond its usual dimensions while Tintin and Snowy remain the same size.
The Secret of the Unicorn - 3/5 stars
Tintin purchases a model ship as a gift for his friend Captain Haddock, not knowing that there is more to the ship than meets the eye. The wallet-collecting kleptomaniac and Haddock’s family history were fun tidbits, but I found my enjoyment dampened when compared to the movie adaptation, which excels by giving the antagonist a personal motivation and not just a financial one.
In an effort to help the Thom(p)sons solve the case of a drowned sailor, Tintin boards the Karaboudjan where he finally meets Captain Haddock, one of my favorite characters. As an adult, I did find myself more concerned with Haddock’s drinking problems. And once again, the antagonists are connected to opium.
The Shooting Star - 3/5 stars
Tintin, Captain Haddock, and a group of professors embark on a scientific expedition to be the first to discover a meteorite that has landed on earth with a yet undiscovered metal. This story has a very different tone than the others, beginning with the predicted end of the world and ending with the discovery of a metal that causes living things to grow at extraordinary rates. It feels more fitting in a sci-fi comic than the adventures of a reporter. It also does not make sense while a spider would grow beyond its usual dimensions while Tintin and Snowy remain the same size.
The Secret of the Unicorn - 3/5 stars
Tintin purchases a model ship as a gift for his friend Captain Haddock, not knowing that there is more to the ship than meets the eye. The wallet-collecting kleptomaniac and Haddock’s family history were fun tidbits, but I found my enjoyment dampened when compared to the movie adaptation, which excels by giving the antagonist a personal motivation and not just a financial one.
September 22, 2021
On reread, The Crab with the Golden Claws wasn't as good as I remembered. It felt like it was going over previously tread territory most of the time and the story beats felt like they were going in circles. I was very pleased, however, to find that The Shooting Star was a lot better than I remembered, with the story working much more like a classical Tintin adventure than a Smurfs comic, which is what I remembered. The Secret of the Unicorn is still one of the all-time greats.
May 28, 2022
Very fun and exciting stories. In these ones we get introduced to a man named Captain Haddock, he and Tintin have great chemistry. I like the ideas of the books, like in "the shooting star" where there is an Island were small things grow to be big.
Overall great short stories to read before you go to bed (not saying there boring, just that they make good bed time stories.)
Overall great short stories to read before you go to bed (not saying there boring, just that they make good bed time stories.)
August 7, 2022
Third volume done. This one felt like a quicker read, though the first episode was my least favorite so far. This has no extras, and that still is a disappointment, it seems like they could have added a historical note or something, really anything. This set of three includes the recurring appearance of the drunk captain, who is not an improvement to the series as a whole.
September 28, 2020
The next chapters in Tintin's adventures. This set of stories introduces us to Captain Haddock, the perpetually drunk and irate sailor who is a great foil to Tintin's levelheadedness. As usual, Snowy has the best lines and saves the day more than once.
A fun read for all ages.
A fun read for all ages.
June 6, 2021
A remarkable improvement compared to the previous volume. Just as I'd read other speak of Tintin, I could feel the energy and excitement of the stories leap out of the page as our hero scrambles from foot chase to standoff to car chase. Some of the best Tintin stories I've read yet.
December 15, 2024
Tintin and friends find themselves investigating a can of crab and are led on a complicated chase, then they chase after a meteor that promises great riches, and the last story puts Tintin on the path to pirate's treasure. Wonderful vintage graphics.
April 30, 2025
Having seen the 1990s animated series, I very much enjoyed this volume; if anything, Tintin's first meeting with Captain Haddock and their shared adventure(s) were even richer for having perused both versions of the stories!
July 10, 2018
Classics! These books also helped me get through a dark time in my past so they hold some signifigance for me.
December 28, 2018
Loved it! Reading this was like saying hello to an old friend.
June 6, 2019
Wonderful adventures!
October 25, 2019
I saw the movie so I had to have the book. The artwork in the book was a big disappointment ,I lost interest right now.
April 12, 2020
The secret of the Unicorn se lleva las cuatro estrellas
January 1, 2021
Il granchio d'oro: *****
La stella misteriosa: *****
Il segreto del Liocorno: ****1/2
La stella misteriosa: *****
Il segreto del Liocorno: ****1/2
September 9, 2021
I'm a picky reader, but the adventure stories are not too bad although not too great but the book was humorous and a lot of twists.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews