Astérix and Obélix

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The artist Albert Uderzo and scenarist René Goscinny created a comic series in historical surroundings, Astérix, that became a big hit, atleast with me.
The year is 50 B.C. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well not entirely! One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. Astérix and his friend Obélix live in this village. With the aid of druid Getafix's magic potion which gives unearthly strength, the village remains victorious over the Roman legions to the great annoyance of Julius Caesar. And life is not easy for the Roman legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of Totorum, Aquarium, Laudanum and Compendium.

Astérix is small and witty and Obélix is a bit simple but strong because he fell in the magic potion when he was a child. The village chief, Vitalstatistix is a brave man who always travels on his shield, carried by two of his men. Of the other interesting personalities one has to mention the bard Cacaphonix, who has an intolerable voice that can turn milk sour.

Astérix is both well written and well drawn. While the series is captivating and incredibly funny, the attention to detail is overwhelming. Especially the panoramic views of ancient cities like Rome and Athens are said to be historically authentic. Due to this fact, this series is prescribed as a text book for young students in some European countries.

Suffice to say that I loved it, and I'm sure, so will you. What follows is a brief introduction of the central charactors in this series.

Astérix and Obélix - Publications in English :
  • Asterix the Gaul [1] (1969)
  • Asterix in Spain [14] (1971)
  • Asterix in Britain [8] (1970)
  • Asterix and Cleopatra [6] (1969)
  • Asterix and the Goths [3] (1974)
  • Asterix the gladiator [4] (1969)
  • Asterix the legionary [10] (1970)
  • Asterix in Switzerland [16] (1973)
  • Asterix and the big fight [7] (1971)
  • Asterix and the Roman agent [15] (1972)
  • The mansions of the gods [17] (1973)
  • Asterix at the Olympic games [12] (1972)
  • Asterix and the laurel wreath [18] (1974)
  • Asterix and the soothsayer [19] (1975)
  • Asterix and the golden sickle [2] (1975)
  • Asterix and the great crossing [22] (1976)
  • Asterix and the cauldron [13] (1976)
  • Asterix and the chieftain's shield [11] (1977)
  • Asterix and Caesar's gift [21] (1977)
  • Asterix and the Normans [9] (1978)
  • Obelix and Co. [23] (1978)
  • Asterix and the banquet [5] (1979)
  • Asterix in Corsica [20] (1979)
  • Asterix in Belgium [24] (1980)
  • Asterix and the great divide [25] (1981)
  • Asterix and the black gold [26] (1982)
  • Asterix and son [27] (1983)
  • Asterix and the magic carpet [28] (1988)
  • Asterix and the secret weapon [29] (1991)
  • Asterix and Obelix all at sea [30] (1996)
  • Asterix and the actress [31] (2001)
    Publishers: Hodder Dargaud, London, United Kingdom Orion Children's Books [31]
    English translators: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge.

    • Astérix : The Hero, from a village in a remote corner of Gaul.

    Obilix: Asterix's best friend. Incredibly strong, since he fell into a couldron filled with magic potion, when he was a child.

    Dogmatix: Obilix's pet.

    Vitalstatistix: The Village Chief. His only fear is that the sky might fall on his head.

    Getafix, the Druid and Cacaphonix the bard :

    Ceasar and the Romans : Ceasar is constantly frustrated with this small village in Gaul that is still holding out against Rome.

    Cleopatra : The Queen of Egypt.

    The Pirates : Every time Asterix and Obelix embark on a journey, these pirates try to attack their ship. And every time they are left floating on debris in the high seas.

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