Tintin: Seven Crystal Balls by Herge

“Tintin: The Seven Crystal Balls” is the thirteenth book in the Tintin series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The book was first published in 1948 and tells the story of Tintin’s investigation into a strange illness affecting the members of an archaeological expedition in Peru.

In the story, Tintin learns that the seven members of the expedition have all fallen into a mysterious coma after discovering the tomb of an ancient Inca king. Tintin begins to investigate the cause of the illness and discovers that the members of the expedition were all marked with a crystal ball symbol shortly before they fell ill.

Tintin’s investigation takes him to Peru, where he encounters various obstacles and enemies, including a tribe of Inca descendants who believe that the members of the expedition have disturbed the resting place of their ancestors.

The book is notable for its introduction of the characters of Professor Calculus and General Alcazar, both of whom would go on to play important roles in future Tintin adventures. “The Seven Crystal Balls” is also the first book in a two-part story, which concludes with “Prisoners of the Sun.”