Tintin – Le Crab aux Pinces d’Or – Hergé 1982

Le Crabe aux Pinces d’Or (The Crab with the Golden Claws) (1941) by Hergé is the ninth Tintin adventure and marks the debut of one of the series’ most beloved characters: Captain Archibald Haddock. The story begins with Tintin stumbling upon a mystery involving a drowned sailor and a tin of crab meat, which leads him to uncover a drug-smuggling operation masterminded by the villainous Allan. After being kidnapped and stranded aboard the Karaboudjan, Tintin meets Haddock—initially a drunken, cantankerous shell of a man—who becomes an unlikely ally.

This album is pivotal for Haddock’s introduction and his evolution from comic relief to heroic figure. The North African setting (later revised for geopolitical sensitivity) and high-seas drama showcase Hergé’s knack for suspense and humor.

A turning point in the series, blending action with character depth.