Hara‑Kiri n°143 (Août 1973), part of the magazine’s bold early‑70s period, features one of its classic shock-satire consumer parodies. The cover stages an intentionally unsettling tableau to mock advertising, moral panic, and the absurdity of public warning campaigns.

A woman wearing bright yellow swimwear stands beside a child holding a long balloon string. At the end of it is a deformed red balloon, pressed against her torso. The exaggerated, open‑mouthed expression of the child is photographic satire rather than literal behaviour — a typical Hara‑Kiri technique to create discomfort and highlight how everyday products (like toys) can be sensationalised by media.

Headline:N’ACHETEZ PLUS DE BALLONS ROUGES(“Don’t buy red balloons anymore”)The joke presents an overblown public warning against a harmless object, parodying the trend of newspapers and officials inflating trivial dangers into headlines.

Stylistically, this issue shows:

• Bold green background

• Heavy yellow masthead HARA KIRI – journal bête et méchant

• Clean studio lighting characteristic of 1973 covers

• Bottom‑left devil mascot

• Label 1485 on the top right

• Price: 4,00 F — mensuel — Canada 85 cts

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Collectors value this cover because:

• 1973 is considered the peak of Hara‑Kiri’s photo‑satire era

• Consumer‑panic parody covers are among the most recognisable

• Strong pop‑art colour contrast (green/red/yellow)

• Later‑year issues (summer editions) are less common in good condition

• Controversial imagery makes it a standout collector piece

Condition (from your photo):

• Light wear upper right corner under the label

• Glossy sleeve reflections present

• colours strong — green and yellow remain vivid

• No major creases or tears visible

• Spine appears clean and straight