The Adventures Of Tintin – The Red Sea Sharks – First Reprint – 1965

Author: Hergé
Price: £75.00
Publisher: Methuen, London, UK
Publication date: 1965
Format: Original cloth-backed boards with pictorial endpapers
Condition: Very good
Size: 23.2cm x 30.7cm
Pages: 62
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout in colour by the author

Description:

Published by Methuen, London, UK, 1965. 1st reprint. Original cloth-backed boards. Pictorial endpapers. Size: 23.2cm x 30.7cm. Pp. 62. Illustrated throughout in colour by the author. Inscription to the front blank. Slight foxing to the text block. Slight rubbing to the spine, boards and edges of the boards with only very slight fading to the spine. A very good tight, clean copy.

‘The Red Sea Sharks’: A Brief Summary

The Red Sea Sharks, first published in 1958 in French, is the nineteenth volume of The Adventures of Tintin. It is one of the more politically charged stories in the series, weaving together themes of arms dealing, slavery, and international intrigue. Set largely in the Middle East and the Red Sea, the narrative blends adventure with social commentary, while retaining Hergé’s trademark humour and visual clarity.

A Chance Encounter

The story begins with Tintin and Captain Haddock living peacefully at Marlinspike Hall when they unexpectedly encounter an old acquaintance, Emir Ben Kalish Ezab of Khemed, a fictional Middle Eastern kingdom. The emir’s position has been destabilised by a coup led by Sheikh Bab El Ehr, forcing him and his family into exile. Tintin soon learns that the emir’s young son, Abdullah, known for his mischievous pranks, is in danger, and that international powers are fuelling the unrest in Khemed through the sale of arms.

Return of Old Enemies

The adventure takes on greater complexity with the reappearance of Tintin’s old adversary, Roberto Rastapopoulos. The unscrupulous tycoon is revealed to be orchestrating both the arms trade and a secret human trafficking network. His ruthlessness provides the main source of menace in the story, and his machinations drive much of the action.

Journey to Khemed

Determined to help Emir Ben Kalish Ezab regain his throne and rescue Abdullah, Tintin, Haddock, and Snowy travel to the Middle East. Their journey is fraught with danger: they are pursued, ambushed, and forced to navigate treacherous political rivalries. The detectives Thomson and Thompson appear, though their usual incompetence adds little practical help and plenty of humour.

The arrival of Professor Calculus brings further comic relief, as his eccentric inventions and absent-mindedness clash with the tense political situation.

The Slave Trade

As the plot unfolds, Tintin discovers that Rastapopoulos is not only supplying weapons to insurgents but also running a clandestine slave trade across the Red Sea. Migrants and refugees are being trafficked under inhumane conditions, a revelation that gives the adventure a darker, more serious tone. Tintin’s moral outrage drives him to act decisively against the operation, despite the grave risks involved.

Climax at Sea

The climax takes place aboard ships crossing the Red Sea, where Tintin and Haddock confront Rastapopoulos’s network head-on. A series of tense encounters and daring escapes culminate in the exposure of the trafficking operation. The allies face betrayal, naval skirmishes, and life-threatening danger before finally disrupting the criminal enterprise.

Though Rastapopoulos himself evades capture, his schemes are significantly damaged, and the immediate threat to Khemed and Abdullah is neutralised.

Themes and Significance

The Red Sea Sharks addresses some of the most serious themes in the Tintin series. By tackling the topics of arms trafficking and slavery, Hergé placed his characters in a narrative that resonates beyond adventure, touching on global politics and humanitarian issues. Tintin’s steadfast courage and sense of justice are sharply contrasted with Rastapopoulos’s greed and cruelty.

At the same time, the album retains the series’ balance of humour and lightness. Haddock’s temper, Abdullah’s mischievous antics, and Calculus’s eccentricities provide comic counterpoints to the darker subject matter.

Conclusion

The Red Sea Sharks is one of the most complex and socially engaged entries in The Adventures of Tintin. Combining political intrigue, moral conviction, and thrilling action, it showcases Hergé’s ability to weave real-world issues into his fictional universe without losing the charm and accessibility of the series. With its blend of suspense, humour, and commentary on injustice, it remains a compelling and significant volume in Tintin’s adventures.

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