The World of Asterix Comics | EUROtoday

Dominic Bliss charts how a plucky Gaul from a 1959 journal grew to become a 400-million-selling cultural power, spawning movies, video games and a theme park, whereas poking enjoyable at historical past, empire and modern-day France in 120 languages…

The 12 months is 50 BC. Gaul is completely occupied by the Romans. Well, not completely… One small village of indomitable Gauls nonetheless holds out in opposition to the invaders.” These are the traces that set the scene initially of the Asterix comedian books, every journey starring two of the best-known cartoon characters in French literature. The small chap is, after all, Asterix himself – diminutive in measurement however valiant and spirited because of a secret potion that arms him with superhuman power. His sidekick is the massive fats one, Obélix, who, when he isn’t loyally helping his buddy in bashing the invading Romans, is discovered delivering menhir stones or feasting on wild boar.

With world gross sales of 400m copies and translations into 120 languages ​​and dialects, Asterix is ​​the best-selling European comedian ebook sequence of all time. Others do not even come shut: not Lucky Luke, not the Smurfs, not 2000 AD… not even Tintin..

There have been 41 Astérix books in all, the most recent, Astérix en Lusitania, printed in October 2025. This time our two intrepid heroes journey to Lusitania-modern-day Portugal – the place, as Astérix says, they plan to “try out the delicious local specialties, beat up a few fresh Novels and, who knows, perhaps meet some charming young ladies”. Since he first appeared within the late Fifties, Asterix has grown far past the confines of the caricature. As nicely as all of the books, there have been movies – each reside motion and animated-board video games, video video games and, most just lately, a brand new Netflix cartoon sequence. And simply north of Paris, in Plailly, there’s Parc Astérix, a theme park devoted to the characters which, since 1989, has supplied a distinctly French different to the extra Americanized Disneyland Paris close by, welcoming 2.8m guests a 12 months.

It was 66 years in the past, in 1959, that Astérix and Obélix first noticed the sunshine of day, showing within the launch challenge of a French journal referred to as Pilote. Two of the journal’s founders had been author René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo. The two plucky Gauls they created went on to beat the world. The first comedian ebook, Astérix le Gaulois (Asterix the Gaul), was printed in French in 1961, adopted by common sequels. Sales elevated exponentially with every journey and English-language variations began in 1969.

During that post-Second World War interval, Asterix was in some ways a personification of his nation. Having been occupied by Nazi Germany and making an attempt to redefine itself as its colonial empire declined, France wanted a hero. With his winged helmet and handlebar moustache, the small however fearless Gaulish tribesman stepped as much as fill the position. From their tiny little enclave in Armorica (modern-day Brittany), the buddies’ wrestle in opposition to the occupying Romans was an apparent metaphor for French resistance throughout the battle. Others have recommended it represents French anxiousness at post-war American-led globalization. Although the hilarious slapstick of Goscinny and Uderzo’s tales appealed to youthful readers, the ingenious phrase play, the political satire and the mockery of European nationwide stereotypes meant grownup readers had been hooked too.

No nation, not even France itself, was immune from playful ridicule. In Asterix among the many Bretons (Asterix in Britain), the locals are portrayed as overly well mannered and preoccupied with consuming tea. In Asterix among the many Helvetii (Asterix in Switzerland), they’re obsessive about fondue, cuckoo clocks, neutrality and yodelling. In Asterix among the many Belgians (Asterix in Belgium), there are comedian references to Belgian celebrities, the Battle of Waterloo and mussels and chips.

The books served a historic operate, too, giving kids and adults alike a preferred reference for features of the Roman Empire reminiscent of gladiators, legionaries, banquets and slavery. Many volumes had been even translated into Latin and Greek, with accompanying lecturers’ guides.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL

When Goscinny died of a coronary heart assault in 1977, readers implored Uderzo to proceed the sequence and he duly obliged, though later there have been authorized battles, buyouts and a revolving door of latest writers and illustrators. The final two editions had been created by author Fabcaro and illustrator Didier Conrad.

Uderzo, who died in 2020, at all times struggled to elucidate the enduring attraction of his and Goscinny’s creation. “We are like magicians who don’t know how they do a trick,” he as soon as mentioned. Another time he recommended: “It’s David against Goliath. Everyone can identify with the image of retribution against things that are bigger than us.”

Didier Conrad © Christophe Guibbaud

Céleste Surugue, chief govt on the present publishers, Les Éditions Albert-René, says the tales work on a number of ranges. “They combine visual gags, wordplay, historical references and cultural nods,” he says. “They appeal to both children and adults. Asterix gently pokes fun at everyone through a series of national and international clichés. It all shows that, beyond our apparent differences, we are united by the same humanity.” Surugue highlights the common human values ​​within the comedian books. “Our indomitable Gauls embody laughter, freedom, solidarity and friendship. Also, Asterix’s Gaulish village is a symbol of resistance against oppression, of David against Goliath, which resonates in many cultural contexts and in all eras.” He additionally pays homage to the inventiveness of the various translators who’ve rewritten the books in different languages. “For humor to work abroad, translators often have to adapt rather than translate literally,” he says.

Fabcaro © Christophe Guibbaud

BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE

Two translators who deserve particular point out are Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge who labored on the primary 36 albums, brilliantly transposing the unique French wordplay, cultural references and quirky humor for the English-speaking world. Most memorable had been their genius options to the characters’ names, in order that Obélix’s canine Idéfix turns into Dogmatix; the village chief Abraracourcix turns into Vitalstatistix; the village elder Agecanonix turns into Geriatrix; the bard Assurancetourix turns into Cacofonix; and the fishmonger Ordralfabetix turns into Unhygienix. Without Bell and Hockridge’s ingenious work, it is doable Asterix wouldn’t have gained such world acclaim.

Without Asterix, it is also doable youngsters worldwide would by no means have discovered a lot concerning the Roman Empire and Ancient Gaul’s place inside it. “For many foreign readers, Asterix is ​​indeed the main gateway to the Gallo-Roman era, but this is also true for many children in France,” Surugue provides. “We laugh with Asterix but we also learn. The quality of the writing allows French history and culture to shine through globally with a smile. Asterix is ​​a very good cultural ambassador for France. He embodies his nation – he is rebellious, attached to its traditions, but also capable of self-mockery.”

ANNOUNCEMENT BOARD T41 – This isn’t a web page from the album!

At 66 years outdated, if Asterix inhabited modern-day France, he can be prepared for retirement. In truth, he’d most likely be donning a yellow vest and protesting at President Macron’s pension reforms. Which leads us to marvel the place our diminutive hero shall be in one other 66 years’ time. “He’s in better shape than ever,” Surugue insists. “Whether that’s in the French or the foreign editions of the books, or with the theme park, or with Alain Chabat’s wonderful Netflix series.”

While Surugue and his colleagues are at present concentrating on the most recent Asterix ebook, they naturally have a watch on the longer term. “Yes, of course, we’re thinking about new exciting projects,” he says. “But we always want to look after our famous character with both ambition and prudence. With 66 years of history behind him and a very long future in front, Asterix deserves the very best.”

The newest Asterix comedian ebook, Asterix in Lusitania, was printed in French and English on October 23, 2025.

From France Today Magazine