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Tintin #18-20
The Adventures of Tintin, Volume 7: The Calculus Affair / The Red Sea Sharks / Tintin in Tibet
Includes - 'The calculus affair', 'The Red Sea sharks', 'Tintin in Tibet'
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 1992
About the author
Hergé
1,059 books1,963 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 21, 2023
One of the things that continues to fascinate me about Tintin is Hergé's free use of coincidence. Example: In The Red Sea Sharks, Tintin and Captain Haddock are trying to get to the fictional Middle Eastern country of Khemed. Upon arrival, they are told that they are not permitted to remain in the country and must leave immediately. Meanwhile, a time bomb is planted in the baggage hold of their return flight. While airborne, Snowy investigates the baggage, and discovers the bomb. He attempts to communicate this to Tintin, who of course doesn't understand, heightening the suspense. But then a fire breaks out in one of the engines. The pilot desperately manages to land the plane on a rocky beach on the edge of the desert. It's only after all of the passengers and crew are off the plane and exploring some nearby cliffs for shelter that the bomb finally goes off. What luck!
Reading Tintin, I find myself saying, "What luck!" with startling frequency. But it all works somehow. I think it's Hergé's use of humor and cartoony style that help sell such egregious deus ex machina. It's light and funny enough that you don't take it seriously enough to mind the outrageous coincidences, but it's also serious and suspenseful enough to keep you on the edge of your seat and thrilled by the adventure. It's a delicate balance, and Hergé was its master.
Reading Tintin, I find myself saying, "What luck!" with startling frequency. But it all works somehow. I think it's Hergé's use of humor and cartoony style that help sell such egregious deus ex machina. It's light and funny enough that you don't take it seriously enough to mind the outrageous coincidences, but it's also serious and suspenseful enough to keep you on the edge of your seat and thrilled by the adventure. It's a delicate balance, and Hergé was its master.
April 21, 2020
These are three marvelous graphic novels about a boy's adventures in foreign lands. Trigger warning for people offended by old-fashioned racist language (especially in the middle book).
April 21, 2020
THE CALCULUS AFFAIR: One of the best Tintin adventures: car chases and cold war hijinks. A very strong effort. 5/5
THE RED SEA SHARKS: This one is fun, not one of the all time greats. Rastapopoulos, a perennial Tintin villain, get a lot of screen time. Interesting discussion of arms sales, etc. People portrayed Hergé as a rightist for continuing to publish in Belgium during Nazi occupation, but inveighing against arms sales in the 60s would seem to indicate a leftward turn (in this case, welcome). 4/5
TINTIN IN TIBET: When I was a kid, I thought I didn't like this one, but it was actually just a bit emotionally sophisticated for me. Coming back to it, this is a great book from cover to cover. One of the best Tintin adventures. Although I like the more traditional plots even more, Hergé tries something in Tintin in Tibet that really works. 5/5
THE RED SEA SHARKS: This one is fun, not one of the all time greats. Rastapopoulos, a perennial Tintin villain, get a lot of screen time. Interesting discussion of arms sales, etc. People portrayed Hergé as a rightist for continuing to publish in Belgium during Nazi occupation, but inveighing against arms sales in the 60s would seem to indicate a leftward turn (in this case, welcome). 4/5
TINTIN IN TIBET: When I was a kid, I thought I didn't like this one, but it was actually just a bit emotionally sophisticated for me. Coming back to it, this is a great book from cover to cover. One of the best Tintin adventures. Although I like the more traditional plots even more, Hergé tries something in Tintin in Tibet that really works. 5/5
January 23, 2026
Cogí este cómic de la biblioteca para darle una oportunidad a Tintín. Y Tintín ha resultado ser exactamente lo que me esperaba: aventuras sencillas, malos muy muy malos y humor de slapstick.
Me imagino que deben ser súper entretenidos para jóvenes lectores. Yo, como adulta, no los acabo de disfrutar del todo. Supongo que también influye el factor nostalgia de los que se lo leyeron en su juventud. Como no es mi caso, no me ocurre.
Lo que menos soporto de estos cómics es cómo se resuelven algunas situaciones, tipo “absolutamente todas las armas del enemigo se han estropeado a la vez” o “he logrado escapar de este sitio inverosímil haciendo acrobacias (pero sin mostrar cómo en las viñetas)”.
Si no los leíste en tu juventud, o no eres un joven lector, no recomendaría estos cómics.
Me imagino que deben ser súper entretenidos para jóvenes lectores. Yo, como adulta, no los acabo de disfrutar del todo. Supongo que también influye el factor nostalgia de los que se lo leyeron en su juventud. Como no es mi caso, no me ocurre.
Lo que menos soporto de estos cómics es cómo se resuelven algunas situaciones, tipo “absolutamente todas las armas del enemigo se han estropeado a la vez” o “he logrado escapar de este sitio inverosímil haciendo acrobacias (pero sin mostrar cómo en las viñetas)”.
Si no los leíste en tu juventud, o no eres un joven lector, no recomendaría estos cómics.
October 27, 2016
The first book of this volume: The Calulus Affair
Professor Calculus has invented a machine, wanted by some Bordurians. This machine wasn't made for evil purposes, but when these agents of Boduria get their dirty hands on that machine, as well as the inventor, then it can be converted into a weapon for war.
The second book: The Red Sea Sharks
Tintin and Captain Haddock return to Marlinspike Hall just to find that behind those doors was the trouble-making son of a friend named Emir Ben Kalish Ezab, the Emir of Khemed. This man has sent his son, Abdullah to Marlinespike, thinking that he'd be well-taken care of while he dealt with a serious problem.
Tintin and the captain head out to meet Emir Ben Kalish Ezab once again, soon learning that men from another land are causing the problem. And Emir Ben Kalish Ezab plans to let everyone in on an evil scheme that these men are performing: slave trading! (Read about Emir Ben Kalish Ezab and Abdullah in The Land of The Black Gold)
Third Book: Tintin in Tibet
Tintin has a dream when staying at a hotel with the captain and the professor, that his friend, Chang (read about him in The Blue Lotus) is suffering from a plane crash in the snow-covered deserted land and Tintin, believing the dream he has had, sets off to find him. But, often heard of in rumors, the Yeti roams the land where the plane has crashed.
Merged review:
The first book of this volume: The Calulus Affair
Professor Calculus has invented a machine, wanted by some Bordurians. This machine wasn't made for evil purposes, but when these agents of Boduria get their dirty hands on that machine, as well as the inventor, then it can be converted into a weapon for war.
The second book: The Red Sea Sharks
Tintin and Captain Haddock return to Marlinspike Hall just to find that behind those doors was the trouble-making son of a friend named Emir Ben Kalish Ezab, the Emir of Khemed. This man has sent his son, Abdullah to Marlinespike, thinking that he'd be well-taken care of while he dealt with a serious problem.
Tintin and the captain head out to meet Emir Ben Kalish Ezab once again, soon learning that men from another land are causing the problem. And Emir Ben Kalish Ezab plans to let everyone in on an evil scheme that these men are performing: slave trading! (Read about Emir Ben Kalish Ezab and Abdullah in The Land of The Black Gold)
Third Book: Tintin in Tibet
Tintin has a dream when staying at a hotel with the captain and the professor, that his friend, Chang (read about him in The Blue Lotus) is suffering from a plane crash in the snow-covered deserted land and Tintin, believing the dream he has had, sets off to find him. But, often heard of in rumors, the Yeti roams the land where the plane has crashed.
Professor Calculus has invented a machine, wanted by some Bordurians. This machine wasn't made for evil purposes, but when these agents of Boduria get their dirty hands on that machine, as well as the inventor, then it can be converted into a weapon for war.
The second book: The Red Sea Sharks
Tintin and Captain Haddock return to Marlinspike Hall just to find that behind those doors was the trouble-making son of a friend named Emir Ben Kalish Ezab, the Emir of Khemed. This man has sent his son, Abdullah to Marlinespike, thinking that he'd be well-taken care of while he dealt with a serious problem.
Tintin and the captain head out to meet Emir Ben Kalish Ezab once again, soon learning that men from another land are causing the problem. And Emir Ben Kalish Ezab plans to let everyone in on an evil scheme that these men are performing: slave trading! (Read about Emir Ben Kalish Ezab and Abdullah in The Land of The Black Gold)
Third Book: Tintin in Tibet
Tintin has a dream when staying at a hotel with the captain and the professor, that his friend, Chang (read about him in The Blue Lotus) is suffering from a plane crash in the snow-covered deserted land and Tintin, believing the dream he has had, sets off to find him. But, often heard of in rumors, the Yeti roams the land where the plane has crashed.
Merged review:
The first book of this volume: The Calulus Affair
Professor Calculus has invented a machine, wanted by some Bordurians. This machine wasn't made for evil purposes, but when these agents of Boduria get their dirty hands on that machine, as well as the inventor, then it can be converted into a weapon for war.
The second book: The Red Sea Sharks
Tintin and Captain Haddock return to Marlinspike Hall just to find that behind those doors was the trouble-making son of a friend named Emir Ben Kalish Ezab, the Emir of Khemed. This man has sent his son, Abdullah to Marlinespike, thinking that he'd be well-taken care of while he dealt with a serious problem.
Tintin and the captain head out to meet Emir Ben Kalish Ezab once again, soon learning that men from another land are causing the problem. And Emir Ben Kalish Ezab plans to let everyone in on an evil scheme that these men are performing: slave trading! (Read about Emir Ben Kalish Ezab and Abdullah in The Land of The Black Gold)
Third Book: Tintin in Tibet
Tintin has a dream when staying at a hotel with the captain and the professor, that his friend, Chang (read about him in The Blue Lotus) is suffering from a plane crash in the snow-covered deserted land and Tintin, believing the dream he has had, sets off to find him. But, often heard of in rumors, the Yeti roams the land where the plane has crashed.
May 18, 2009
Billy Hoff
P.3
5/16/2009
Good Reads!
This book starts out very weird. It’s a real mystery story. I think that it’s a lot better with the graphics (The Adventures of Tintin a all graphic novels) and it makes the stories a little easier to follow.
The Calculus Affair:
This book is very mysterious; the way that it starts out is very mysterious. Glass is breaking left and right at the Captains house. As the power goes out an insurance man comes in and annoys the Captain and tells him that he needs insurance on everything of his, the insurance man stays through out the whole story. The Captain wants desperately to retire but he can’t since there is something brewing and he must go with Tintin to figure it out. They have a big adventure through the whole story and they keep running into the two thefts and in the end everything is restored and they find Calculus again.
The Red Sea Sharks:
This book starts out like a real adventure. Tintin and the Captain were talking to each other about the movie and how the character didn’t see a man for a really long time and the all of a sudden, he just pops up out of no where. That very thing happened just as Tintin and Captain were talking about their old friend General Alcazar. The General dropped his wallet and that lead Tintin and Captain onto a little adventure. They both end up going to the mid-east and getting harassed by some terrorists. And after that their lives are restored to the-norm.
Tintin in Tibet:
Tintin and Captain go on a journey to Asia, and Tintin starts thinking about Chang one of his friends. Tintin got a letter from him and then Tintin had a dream about him, and scared the wits out of everyone around him. Tintin also heard that the plane that Chang was one crashed but Tintin was sure that Chang was still alive. So again Tintin drug Captain all over on his adventure and they ended up finding Chang alive with the yeti, but it was a pain in the neck to get to where he was because they had to get through many obstacles to get into the mountains, and find a guide that was crazy enough to go into the mountains with a yeti.
P.3
5/16/2009
Good Reads!
This book starts out very weird. It’s a real mystery story. I think that it’s a lot better with the graphics (The Adventures of Tintin a all graphic novels) and it makes the stories a little easier to follow.
The Calculus Affair:
This book is very mysterious; the way that it starts out is very mysterious. Glass is breaking left and right at the Captains house. As the power goes out an insurance man comes in and annoys the Captain and tells him that he needs insurance on everything of his, the insurance man stays through out the whole story. The Captain wants desperately to retire but he can’t since there is something brewing and he must go with Tintin to figure it out. They have a big adventure through the whole story and they keep running into the two thefts and in the end everything is restored and they find Calculus again.
The Red Sea Sharks:
This book starts out like a real adventure. Tintin and the Captain were talking to each other about the movie and how the character didn’t see a man for a really long time and the all of a sudden, he just pops up out of no where. That very thing happened just as Tintin and Captain were talking about their old friend General Alcazar. The General dropped his wallet and that lead Tintin and Captain onto a little adventure. They both end up going to the mid-east and getting harassed by some terrorists. And after that their lives are restored to the-norm.
Tintin in Tibet:
Tintin and Captain go on a journey to Asia, and Tintin starts thinking about Chang one of his friends. Tintin got a letter from him and then Tintin had a dream about him, and scared the wits out of everyone around him. Tintin also heard that the plane that Chang was one crashed but Tintin was sure that Chang was still alive. So again Tintin drug Captain all over on his adventure and they ended up finding Chang alive with the yeti, but it was a pain in the neck to get to where he was because they had to get through many obstacles to get into the mountains, and find a guide that was crazy enough to go into the mountains with a yeti.
August 2, 2011
The Tintin stories for anyone who has read them and understands their history can't be viewed as anything other than groundbreaking. The beginnings of these stories have been around as long as the Lord of the Rings, the illustration and environments in the Tintin books are accurate and extremely detailed. Anyone who has spent even a little time exploring Herge (Georges Remi) can see the painstaking research and adversity he worked through to compose the world around Tintin. His ideas were ahead of his time (Exploring the moon, Industrialization, South American political conflict, modern slave trade, extraterrestrial life) and he made certain every detail for every object would be realistic (after the third book at least). Herge's work can certainly be cited as an influence for any modern day graphic novel or comic book.
May 18, 2013
This volume contains stories that represent a move back to what made the earlier Tintin tales so appealing: a reduction in the pratfall-style physical comedy (Herge still uses it in the background, however, which works well) and a return to exciting adventures that flesh out continuing secondary characters (Bianca Castafiore is a delight in The Calculus Affair) and brings back others. Tintin in Tibet, with its quest to rescue Chang, is one of my favorite stories for how it shows both Tintin and Haddock (and for having someone capable of shouting down Haddock!)--even with the yeti and the floating monk parts.
Excellent trio of stories!
Excellent trio of stories!
March 7, 2018
This was a really fun volume of Tintin's adventures. We see more of Professor Calculus (a personal favorite of mine), Chang, Allan, Jolyon Wagg, Abdullah, and others. Tintin and Captain Haddock even run into a yeti in 'Tintin in Tibet,' which was interesting - Tintin also seems to have a vision, so a dash of the supernatural as well. In 'The Red Sea Sharks' I'm sad to say Hergé was once more not the best with minorities, although he did address the modern slave trade which was perhaps a bold choice at the time the volume was written/published. My favorite was of course 'The Calculus Affair' just because I do love Professor Calculus a lot.
April 17, 2009
I remember reading some of these when I was really young. I didn't really understand them but was fascinated with the illustrations. They are funny, incredibly detailed adventure stories with a brave boy, a loud obnoxious captain and a cute white dog. Lots of slapstick. Reinforces some old stereotypes in the illustrations and stories which parents can address with their kids, but still a classic. What do others think?
June 5, 2013
The adventures of tin tin has main theme evident throughout all the books of determination. For example when tin tin has a feeling that his best friend is in trouble. all though he has no proof that his friend is in trouble and the town his friend is staying at is drenched in snow tin tin presses on and ends up saving his friend. The author uses determination in his books as a way to tell the readers that you should never give. I enjoyed this book because it is short and has lots of pictures.
December 24, 2012
The Adventures of Tintin, Volume 6
The Calculus Affair: Tintin must rescue Professor Calculus and his secret weapon from a foreign power.
The Red Sea Sharks: While investigating war airplane sales to a foreign power, Tintin stumbles upon a slave trading operation.
Tintin in Tibet: Chang's plane has crashed in the Himalayas and Tintin races to find his friend.
The Calculus Affair: Tintin must rescue Professor Calculus and his secret weapon from a foreign power.
The Red Sea Sharks: While investigating war airplane sales to a foreign power, Tintin stumbles upon a slave trading operation.
Tintin in Tibet: Chang's plane has crashed in the Himalayas and Tintin races to find his friend.
October 31, 2014
This was fantastic, it brought back many childhood memories. Volume 7 is comprised of The Calculus Affair, The Red Sea Sharks and Tintin in Tibet. My favourite on was Tintin in Tibet, the setting was unique and the plot intriguing. Nonetheless all three stories were splendid and it was a pleasure rereading them.
February 21, 2012
Absolutely charming adventure stories--Tintin was never a part of my childhood, but I really enjoyed reading them for the first time. There is, naturally, some racism, so readers must consider when the book was written.
January 2, 2014
Herge must have been the type of person you'd just love to have over for an afternoon chat. He's masterful in creating these Tintin adventures...which seem to be timeless as my 12 year old son loves reading them as much as I do.
March 27, 2015
Okay, if I'm honest, I'm mostly responding to Tintin in Tibet. I can see why it's often considered among the best in the series. Touching story, mostly unfettered by unfortunate stereotypes that persist in many of the other stories.
January 13, 2009
Review is for the edition, not the content. Images have been shrunk down and squished together. I recommend the large format ones instead.
December 22, 2012
This book was SO easy to read, considering it IS a graphic novel. Tintin is something else, man.
December 9, 2017
Something about these more personal, grounded stories calls out to me. Not that going to space was terrible, but these feel a bit more...relateable?
July 10, 2018
Classics! These books also helped me get through a dark time in my past so they hold some signifigance for me.
September 8, 2018
I'm a sucker for Tintin. They're absurd and very dated but they take me back to childhood.
August 6, 2020
Loved this!
June 12, 2019
It was a re-reading of books which I read when I was a child. I still enjoy it.
August 7, 2019
In which Tintin shoots a condor.
Beautifully drawn. Super, super dated now, but that kind of adds to the charm.
Beautifully drawn. Super, super dated now, but that kind of adds to the charm.
November 20, 2022
And I continue making my way through the classic series...
These three stories call on some old friends (so reading in order would be helpful but not necessary), and lead to adventures around the world. "The Calculus Affair" has Professor kidnapped by the Bordurians in order to get his latest (sonic) invention. "The Red Sea Sharks" involves arms smuggling and a rebellion in Khemed, not to mention modern day slave trading, all foiled by our adventurers. And finally we have "Tintin in Tibet", a story about friendship on several levels, with a bit of the mysticism and mystery of Tibet thrown in for fun. Tintin is convinced his friend Chang survived a plane crash and sets off to rescue him, with the reluctant support of Captain Haddock.
A strong set of stories,
These three stories call on some old friends (so reading in order would be helpful but not necessary), and lead to adventures around the world. "The Calculus Affair" has Professor kidnapped by the Bordurians in order to get his latest (sonic) invention. "The Red Sea Sharks" involves arms smuggling and a rebellion in Khemed, not to mention modern day slave trading, all foiled by our adventurers. And finally we have "Tintin in Tibet", a story about friendship on several levels, with a bit of the mysticism and mystery of Tibet thrown in for fun. Tintin is convinced his friend Chang survived a plane crash and sets off to rescue him, with the reluctant support of Captain Haddock.
A strong set of stories,
April 28, 2024
Of the three, The Calculus Affair is my favorite, perhaps mostly because of its title! The Red Sea Sharks is rather forgettable. Tintin in Tibet is just bizarre: Tintin climbs the Himalayas to rescue a friend (a friend Tintin cares so deeply for that he's been mentioned... zero times in the past 16 books) from a yeti. Oh and he does this because of a dream. Can't make this stuff up.
December 21, 2024
Three more stories. In the first Professor Calculus is abducted to work on a weapon of mass destruction. Tintin and the Captain go in pursuit of the professor and are chased by secret police. The second story involves the African Slave trade where people on the Haaj are to be sold into slavery. The Last story involves Tintin rescuing a good friend whose plane crashed in Tibit. As usual nice graphics.
September 22, 2021
Upon rereading all of these, I began to appreciate them even more. The Calculus Affair is a lot better than I remembered as an espionage plot, The Red Sea Sharks is less racist and more of a journalism All The Presidents' Men-type thriller, and Tintin in Tibet is one of the best Captain Haddock comics ever.
January 31, 2019
This was a good book i like it. i would recomend this book to people. it is a great book to read. it is a good book to read if your board. this book is a great adventure book.this book tells a great story. this book was funny.
October 14, 2021
My uncle gave us all 7 volumes when clearing books because he thought we'd appreciate it. In 2014 I brought this one to school lent it to a classmate and never saw it again. If you're reading this please give it back to me. I miss it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews