Asterix Omnibus, Vol. 02

Astérix #4-6

by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo

Three titles, one stupendous volume: here are the fourth, fifth, and sixth Asterix titles, all together! In Asterix the Gladiator , our hero has to save his friend Caconofix from getting thrown to the lions. Asterix and the Banquet offers a feast for readers as Asterix and Obelix sample delicacies on a cross-country tip. And in Asterix and Cleopatra , he and the Egyptian queen build a sumptuous palace for Caesar—and outwit the Roman Army, too.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Fantasy, Comic Book

156 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

René Goscinny (1926 - 1977) was a French author, editor and humorist, who is best known for the comic book Asterix , which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris (considered the series' golden age).

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Asterix stories in the same way I think of the beloved cartoons in my youth. They were often one note (Jerry always does grievous bodily harm to Tom; Asterix and Obelix always beat up legions of Romans); problematic by our standards (the portrayal of cross dressing in Bugs Bunny; the depictions of Africans in Asterix); and predictable (the roadrunner always gets away; the Gauls always win). So while I'm not sure I'd recommend this to a kid these days, I do have to admit I did have some nostalgic enjoyment reading it.

**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This book is so nostalgic to me of my childhood. I remember flicking through these as a child but not being able to really read them properly. These are such great books set in historical times and even though the book is only 48 pages long it is a quick fire journey but becomes a full story at the same time. These comic books are so cleverly done and I love the bright contrast full artwork displayed throughout the book.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prvi dan "mini raspusta" mora da bude rezervisan za comfort food :)

[Treena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite.

[Ivana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading Asterix comics and watching Asterix movies so this was a walk down memory lane! I enjoyed it very much!

[Vendea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digital ARC was generoulsy provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This review focuses only on Asterix and the Banquet.

Asterix and Obelix have been a big part of my (and any other European kids) childhood. That's why I couldn't resist trying a new Omnibus that's coming out soon in English. It will containt 3 full stories, but as for now, I've been provided only with Banquet one.

I admit the big part of my rating is made of nostalgia. Not only do I adore author's specific art style, but historical setting and comedy that these stories bring to readers are definitely the best. The Gaul village that's resisting Roman occupation by using magical elixir? Yes, please. And not only that. Goscinny created some of the most memorable and funniest characters ever (not only iconic duo of Asterix and Obelix, but also some of the side characters).

Asterix and the Banquet focuses on bet between Gauls and Romans. Gauls are supposed to make a big feast out of products made all over the France. Asterix and Obelix are sent on an epic journey with Romans in tow, trying to sabotage their effort. Every part of the story brings different shenanigans that you'll definitely laugh at. Compared to other Asterix stories, it's definitely one of the more light-hearted ones.

don't have to any previous knowledge of the plot to start Asterix comics. You are free to start whenever you like and I think this omnibus is a great way to try.

4/5*

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun with adventure and humor. A must read.

MY GRADE: A minus.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Michael Emond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is volume 2 of Papercutz fine reprinting of the classic Asterix comics. It contains one of my favourite stories of all time Asterix and Cleopatra and reading it again - it still holds up. I hold this up as one of my top 5 Asterix tales because things started clicking in this story. Dogmatix (the adorable dog) was added to the cast and plays a big role. The comedy between Asterix and Obelix was firing on all cylinders. Goscinny was starting to take the gang to foreign places to great comedic effect. We have the running gag of the pirates. We have some nice foils for our heroes but our heroes always nicely triumph. A really perfect story.

The Gladiator is well done too. We have the development of one of the village side characters Cacofonix - the Bard nobody likes to hear sing.

And the Banquet is one I missed reading before (I have no idea why - maybe my local library never had it). It was fun and has the first appearance of Dogmatix which is a running gag (literally) throughout the story as he follows our heroes throughout the land on their journey to get foods from all the neighboring towns to prove to the Romans "nothing can stop them". The premise is a bit weak (A new Roman General, walls in the Gaul village - Why wouldn't the Gauls just smash the wall and him down with their strength potion?) but it is a fun traveling romp.

Overall I love these collections. They are affordable and the art looks great. My continuing "complaint" is these are slightly undersized compared to how these stories were originally printed so the words are a strain on my eyes AND the new translation isn't as good as the original one I read.

But still - well worth it. A must have for lovers of comics.

[Kellen Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can European history be fun?
Well, you should just travel around with little gallic Asterix, his mighty friend, Obélix and their puppy companion, Ideafix. Along their travelling adventures, the reader will discover the ancient world, their dynamics, social an politic interactions, the rule (or not) of the Roman Empire and much more, all setup with a little felt gallic magic.

This comic will bring joy and knowledge to both young and all. An all time favourite that should be present in each school and house hold!

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Excellent display of what Asterix is all about. Humor, hijinks, plenty of adventure. And more Dogmatix! That little sweetheart instantly boosts the score of any volume he appears in. What I liked most in this was the art and the color palettes. Every character was crafted in great detail, and I appreciated the differing skin tones and proportions that made things lighthearted as well as distinctive. Recommended for anyone willing to have a little fun and experience that childlike reminiscence.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love Asterix and Obelix? In this Omnibus you'll find three adventures of the Gauls and the Roman conquerers. It's perfect for anyone who loves revisiting the duos adventures over and over.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

These three did not hold up as well. Partly it was the way the drawings of nonwhite people relied on stereotypical caricature way too often. But not only that. I still love the fake rebus
hieroglyphics though.

[Meepelous · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kind of felt sorry for the pirates who kept running into the Gauls

[Metin Yılmaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maceralar kronolojik sırayla devam ediyor. Çocukluğumuzun kahramanlarını yeniden okumak çok güzel bir duygu. Remzi kitabevinin güzel baskısıyla tam evladiyelik bir çizgi roman.

[Darius Ostrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, as part of the release of Asterix Omnibus #2, I was given a preview of the one of the stories (out of the three) covered in this volume, Asterix and the Banquet. This review refers to that story.

For those of us unfamiliar with the Asterix series: The Romans have invaded and conquered all of Gaul with the exception of one village holding out. How do they do it? By a combination of intelligence, cunning, and (of course) a secret potion that gives them strength. Our main character, Asterix, is the one with most of the cunning and intelligence. His constant companion, Obelix, is the brute force (he fell into a cauldron of the magic potion as a child and has perpetual strength) who is always hungry for boar.

This time Roman General Overanxious decides that since he can’t beat this Gallic village, he will build a stockade and isolate them. Asterix, of course, is offended and vows to escape the stockade and travel throughout Gaul as is his right, picking up local specialties, and have a banquet at the end with the bounty he picked up. And so Asterix and Obelix take off across Gaul (France), quickly stopping at each town and outwitting whatever Roman/traitorous Gaul/pirate/etc. they run up against.

As this is a whirlwind tour, the stops are rather short and the story moves from place to place rapidly, feeling rushed and not leaving much time to develop a story. And if you haven’t read the previous four stories, some of the people/jokes will not make much sense (for example, if you haven’t read about their pirate encounter previously). But still fun - enjoyable quick read, the puns, names, and Latin exclamations will make you laugh.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Papercutz via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Ivan Jovanovic (Valahiru) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pred nama je druga knjiga (omnibus) avantura Asteriksa i Obeliksa. Kao i u prošlom delu, scene su prepune humora. Ilustracije su odlične, apsolutno magične. Ilustrator nam prikazuje sve do najsitnijih detalja, koji lepo upotpune doživljaj. Dopada mi se što ide do te krajnosti da piše sitne nazive i razne tekstove na radnjama, prikazuje sitne detalje likova, zgrada, okoline, hrane... što jednostavno dočarava sve. Mislim da mi ovaj serijal nikada neće dosaditi.

Da se osvrnem malo i na radnju u tri epizode ovog dela. U prvoj epizodi, galski bard Tamburiks našao se u nevolji, kada je odveden u Rim kao poklon Cezaru. Naši junaci polaze na put, kako bi spasili svog prijatelja.

U drugoj epizodi naši junaci putuju Galijom, zbog opklade sa Rimljanima. U ovoj epizodi autori su nam prikazali ostatak Galije i naroda koji tu žive. Svako mesto bilo je unikatno i zanimljivo na svoj način.

Konačno, dolazimo i do vrhunca ovog dela. Pod vrhuncem podrazumevam na dobro poznatu avanturu u Egiptu, koja je i ekranizovana. Ovo je ujedno i najveća avantura ikad preneta u strip. U ovom delu naši junaci pomažu svom prijatelju i Kleopatri da pobedi u opkladi sa Cezarom. Za izradu ove epizode bilo je potrebno 14 litara tuša, 30 četkica, 62 meke grafitne olovke, 1 tvrda grafitna olovka, 27 gumica za brisanje, 38 kilograma papira, 16 traka za pisaću mašinu, 2 pisaće mašine i 67 litara piva.

Avaj, došao je kraj i ovom delu. Meni ostaje da uskoro kupim i treći, a vama da nabavite prva dva. Asteriks i Obeliks čekaju na vas. Tutatisa mi, nećete se pokajati! Samo da nebo ne padne na vaše glave...

[Sara SR · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down to 3 stars.
The Gladiator is perhaps one of the best A&O stories. The game with the helmets, the name of the Romans, the beginning of the prate arc...I've always liked the time given to Obelix in this one and the spa/thermae scene.
The Banquet is the most repetitive story and this directly translates into my low enjoyment. The stakes seemed too low and there were too few flashbacks to the village for my taste. Another thing I noticed, and this might be a translation issue, is that almost half of the local specialties mentioned are sausages of some kind.
Mission Cleopatre is a great movie and although the comic is also good, it shows much fewer interactions with Cleopatra. The pyramid scene is sure to be many people's favourite, yet I prefer the bit where Cleopatra tells Cesar off.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Трудно може да дадеш под 5 звезди точно на история за Астерикс и Обеликс. Два от 3-те комикса в томчето (Астерикс Гладиатор и Астерикс и Клеопатра) ги бях чел още през 90-те години, когато бяха издавани от Егмонт (приключението в Египет ми е може би и най-любимата история от поредицата). Третата история (до колкото видях, издадена през 2019 и на български от Артлайн) беше нова за мен и доста ми допадна - забавна обиколка на цяла Галия от нашите любимци включваща сблъсъци (къде директни, къде не толкова) с местните жители и злощастни римляни (до колкото видях, на български е преведена като Астерикс: Обиколката на Галия, което поне на мен ми звучи доста по-добре от Астерикс и Банкета).

[Tom Darrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read a lot of these Asterix books, you begin to see a lot of repeated elements and jokes, and that, for the most part, is ok. Part of the charm of the series. Asterix and Cleopatra and the Gladiator books are solid, introducing new characters, locations and plot elements. The Banquet, on the other hand, is kind of a let down. Asterix and Obelix take a tour around Gaul, but spend no more than 2-3 pages in each city they visit, so the plot doesn't develop as well.
Overall, still a good book, but not as good as some of the others.

[molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friends gifted me these about a decade ago when a bar conversation revealed that Americans seem to be missing out on the global phenomenon that is Asterix and Obelix. I read a few and promptly forgot about them, but my four year old discovered them this year and is OBSESSED. I don't get it because she certainly isn't getting the jokes, but they are mostly entertaining and only occasionally problematic (anything about the Nubians...) And maybe lightly educational?

[Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This omnibus collects three Asterix stories: Asterix the Gladiator, Asterix and the Banquet and Asterix and Cleopatra. (For my reviews of "...the Gladiator" and "...Cleopatra", see those specfic titles.)

Asterix and the Great Banquet: When the romans lay seige to the Gaulish Village, Asterix and Obelix go on a big tour of France as part of a bet with the Romans, collecting food from each city to prove they were there. It's fun adventure, complete with the puns that Asterix is known such as Centurian Gracchus Armisurplus, Inspector General Lucius Overanxious and the gaul Unpatriotix.

As for the omnibus itself, it's pages hold the same material as in the single releases, just smaller. There are also translation footnotes scattered about, and, when comparing this with the single release of Cleopatra, there are slight differences in the text that don't make sense to me, but are only apparant when comparing the two. So, a good release and a good way to collect if you're short on space.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asterix in translation is interesting because it is like the Bobsey Twins or Hardy Boys series in that it gets updated every few years to keep up with in jokes and cultural references. So the jokes hit differently in different editions. And the European view of history skews older and more arcane, with different prejudices as well.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m officially obsessed with this little guy and his friends. Their travels are colorful enough to keep the reader interested, but goofy enough to be light and enjoyable for readers of all ages. If you see me collecting every volume of Asterix’s adventures…mind your business.

[Tara Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, such a fun time. Asterix and the Banquet is my favourite out of these three.
The word-plays/puns are strong in this comic series. I didn't pick up on many of them when I was younger, which makes reading these now even more amusing.

[Mark Isaak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun as a handful of Gauls refuses to be conquered by the Roman Empire. The puns seem not to be as plentiful in this omnibus, but other running gags get plenty of exercise. Asterix the Gladiator in particular has an amusing plot plus some well-placed puns.

[David Schwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures continue, although the basic story line is mostly the same. The stories have to do with Roman Coloseum, the foods of France, and lastly Cleopatra. The first two have the Romans as the bad guys, while the last one has a rival of Cleopatra as the duo's foil. Nice Graphics.

[Suhailah Iskandar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good adventure with these three.. the banquet was hilarious but their journey to Egypt was rather a funny one especially when Obelix slips the nose if the sphinx..

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't think much of the 'banquet' one.

[Nial · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun!