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Astérix #1
Astérix le Gaulois
1982 edition of ISBN 2205000969
Dans le camp fortifié romain Petibonum, on se pose des questions : comment les Irréductibles Gaulois du village d’Astérix font-ils pour ridiculiser encore et toujours la puissance romaine ? Décidé à percer à jour le mystère de la force surhumaine de nos héros, le centurion Caius Bonus envoie un espion déguisé en Gaulois.
C’est Caligula Minus qui s’y colle, et découvre bien vite l’existence de la potion magique préparée par Panoramix. Sans attendre, le centurion Caius Bonus fait enlever le druide pour s’emparer de la recette du fameux breuvage histoire, qui sait, de devenir César à la place de Jules ! Une première occasion pour Astérix de démontrer son courage et ses talents de stratège.
Dans le camp fortifié romain Petibonum, on se pose des questions : comment les Irréductibles Gaulois du village d’Astérix font-ils pour ridiculiser encore et toujours la puissance romaine ? Décidé à percer à jour le mystère de la force surhumaine de nos héros, le centurion Caius Bonus envoie un espion déguisé en Gaulois.
C’est Caligula Minus qui s’y colle, et découvre bien vite l’existence de la potion magique préparée par Panoramix. Sans attendre, le centurion Caius Bonus fait enlever le druide pour s’emparer de la recette du fameux breuvage histoire, qui sait, de devenir César à la place de Jules ! Une première occasion pour Astérix de démontrer son courage et ses talents de stratège.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1961
174 people are currently reading
9750 people want to read
About the author
René Goscinny
2,035 books1,243 followersRené 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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 908 reviews
January 20, 2016
A kindred spirit...
Family portrait.
Sport/recreation/favorite pastime.
=========
For those not familiar with the Asterix comics, let me give you a bit of background, both personal and general.
Let me start with Julius Caesar.
We all know him, eh? And most of us probably know that Ceasar defeated the Gauls, thereby incidentally Latinizing and unifying them.
After conquering and annexing Gaul with a two-year war, fought from 52 to 50 BC, he did actually see a small rebellion, though not quite of the kind we encounter in the Asterix comix.
The Asterix comics are funny, despite the violence depicted in them, for a few reasons. I normally don’t find slapstick comedy amusing at all, but here it is funny because of the wild improbability of a small little runt like Asterix - your typical weakling brainy nerd stereotype, beating up those brawny armored Romans.
What is his secret? Similar to Achilles who was dipped into the River Styx which gave him superhuman strength/invulnerability, Asterix’s friend Obelix had as a baby, fallen into a cauldron of magic potion as brewed by the village bard, Getafix; the same magic potion that gives Asterix and the rest of his village superhuman qualities for a limited time after consumption.
And so, Asterix’s village turns out to have been poor old Ceasar’s secret nightmare - the Gaulish village he couldn’t conquer! Of course this whole concept is pretty fun from a French-person’s point of view.
The authors riff on many things through the course of the comics. One of them, for example, the way that the French are always going : “Nos ancêtres les Gaulois!” [Our ancestors the Gauls!]
There is constant play with how the Gauls’ names ended in the suffix “ix” (for example, one of their great leaders was named Vercingetorix), hence, in the Asterix comics, the druid is named Getafix,
the big guy who carries a menhir or Obelisk around is called Obelix, the village bard is called Cacofonix, 
(poor old Cacofonix - nobody ever appreciates his art - those barbarians!)
The fishmonger who always has smelly fish, is called Unhygenix, and the little dog is called Dogmatix.
Asterix in front, Obelix at back, and Dogmatix - middle.
February 10, 2017
another UPDATE at bottom
I got this over Christmas 2014, when I saw some lying in a book store. There are (according to a list inside the front cover) 33 Books available in English translation, available singly or in Omnibus editions of 3 Books each.
I glanced at it, browsing a bit as it lay on the table in my family room for months. Amusing.
I had really picked it up for my grandson, who's just turned seven. But when I tried to interest him in it, he was not very enthusiastic. Perhaps he saw a bunch or words he didn't understand? Strange punny Latin character names, even Latin words? Whatever.
Finally a couple evenings ago I sat down and read it through. Of course that's what's intended, and it improved. Many laughs, though I'm sure I missed quite a bit because of the Latin stuff, even though I probably have more Latin than most Americans.
And maybe my grandson, when a little older, will want to read it. Though perhaps it's just as well that he didn't fall in love with it and want more, they're quite dear in the U.S.
If he'd liked it, I'd probably round up to a four.
And how about my granddaughter? She's older (ten), but not here so often. (Too many athletic interests.) I'll have to try it, and she is a reader. She says she's tried Harry Potter and didn't like it ... but loves the Hunger Games books. How would one predict re Asterix from that? Don't know.
UPDATE My grandson here with me tells me he DID like it, but there were some hard words in it. SO I'm updating it to 4 stars and we will be looking at it together in the future.
another UPDATE Grandson now 9. He'd rather play games (board & electronic) than read right now. He plays the viola, and before he turned 9 last month had most swimming records in MD-VA-DC for his age. He's very good, if I do say so. So is his 12-year old sister, though she might be a better runner than swimmer, and might be a more popular and more caring young girl than those accomplishments. I'm blessed.
January 22, 2020
Als Zehnjähriger habe ich die Asterix-Alben geliebt und jeder kommenden Neuerscheinung entgegengefiebert. Dass die Stories nach immer gleichem Muster ablaufen und immer wieder die gleichen running gags für Lachanfälle sorgten, hat mich überhaupt nicht gestört, war ganz im Gegenteil in seiner Zuverlässigkeit Teil des Erfolgsrezepts; anders hätte ich es nicht gewollt. Die Hefte wurden immer und immer wieder gelesen und haben mich über Jahre begleitet.
Nachdem ich gestern (19.01.2020) bei ARTE in der Mediathek ein Feature über Goscinny gesehen habe, habe ich mir das erste Album noch einmal geschnappt. Unglaublich, vor fast 50 Jahren habe ich es überall hin mit mir rumgeschleppt und unzählige Male gelesen, 30 Jahre später haben meine Kinder es gelesen, danach verbrachte es ein paar Jahre auf dem Dachboden, und nun liegt es wieder vor mir. Gleich vom ersten Panel an ist alles vertraut, der Mund verzieht sich zum Grinsen im Bewusstsein, dass im nächsten Panel der nächste Gag kommt, und da ist er. Zuverlässig wie immer.
Bis auf Idefix ist alles schon da, ganz erstaunlich: das Personal, der Zaubertrank und die Römer, die einem fast schon leid tun können. Das ist es, das klassische Asterix=Feeling.
Aber eine Frage stimmt mich doch ein wenig melancholisch: Wenn ich heute mein erstes Asterix-Comic lesen, würde es mir genauso gut gefallen wie damals, würde ich dem nächsten Abenteuer entgegen fiebern? Ich bezweifle es und der Zweifel macht mich ein wenig traurig.
Asterix war ein Begleiter meiner Kindheit. Es schmerzt, dass er einiges von seinem Charme eingebüßt hat.
Nachdem ich gestern (19.01.2020) bei ARTE in der Mediathek ein Feature über Goscinny gesehen habe, habe ich mir das erste Album noch einmal geschnappt. Unglaublich, vor fast 50 Jahren habe ich es überall hin mit mir rumgeschleppt und unzählige Male gelesen, 30 Jahre später haben meine Kinder es gelesen, danach verbrachte es ein paar Jahre auf dem Dachboden, und nun liegt es wieder vor mir. Gleich vom ersten Panel an ist alles vertraut, der Mund verzieht sich zum Grinsen im Bewusstsein, dass im nächsten Panel der nächste Gag kommt, und da ist er. Zuverlässig wie immer.
Bis auf Idefix ist alles schon da, ganz erstaunlich: das Personal, der Zaubertrank und die Römer, die einem fast schon leid tun können. Das ist es, das klassische Asterix=Feeling.
Aber eine Frage stimmt mich doch ein wenig melancholisch: Wenn ich heute mein erstes Asterix-Comic lesen, würde es mir genauso gut gefallen wie damals, würde ich dem nächsten Abenteuer entgegen fiebern? Ich bezweifle es und der Zweifel macht mich ein wenig traurig.
Asterix war ein Begleiter meiner Kindheit. Es schmerzt, dass er einiges von seinem Charme eingebüßt hat.
November 9, 2025
Com o lançamento recente de Astérix na Lusitânia, achei que seria interessante ler o primeiro volume deste clássico da banda desenhada franco-belga. E foi uma ótima leitura!
October 2, 2025
By Toutatis! Everyone should read this beginning book of a brilliant series! I started reading through this but didn't manage to finish the whole series, so here's a second attempt at it.
When a Roman soldier infiltrates the Gaulish village, he is able to provide information about the magic potion to the Romans, which leads to Getafix being kidnapped. Asterix sets out to free him all alone, without even the help of the magic potion. This story mainly involves Asterix and Getafix, who get into all kinds of adventures together.
There are only a very few characters in this book, and the village crowd have not yet appeared. We only meet Asterix, Obelix, Vitalstatistix, Cacofanix and Getafix. But we get to meet the Romans and Julius Caesar himself. Obelix does not really have much of a role yet and is just one of the characters in the village. It's also amusing that Cacofanix is actually allowed to attend the feast at the end. Wonder when his music becomes worse?
I am always left dazed by the brilliance of the puns in this series, and this first effort was no different. The English translation also complements the original French so effortlessly that it's a completely different level of genius.
Plan to read all the books in order again, this time in English.
When a Roman soldier infiltrates the Gaulish village, he is able to provide information about the magic potion to the Romans, which leads to Getafix being kidnapped. Asterix sets out to free him all alone, without even the help of the magic potion. This story mainly involves Asterix and Getafix, who get into all kinds of adventures together.
There are only a very few characters in this book, and the village crowd have not yet appeared. We only meet Asterix, Obelix, Vitalstatistix, Cacofanix and Getafix. But we get to meet the Romans and Julius Caesar himself. Obelix does not really have much of a role yet and is just one of the characters in the village. It's also amusing that Cacofanix is actually allowed to attend the feast at the end. Wonder when his music becomes worse?
I am always left dazed by the brilliance of the puns in this series, and this first effort was no different. The English translation also complements the original French so effortlessly that it's a completely different level of genius.
Plan to read all the books in order again, this time in English.
July 30, 2019
Prima avventura di Asterix ed i suoi amici Galli. Dopo l'invasione dei Romani in terra di Gallia, siamo nel 50 a. C., i nostri amici Galli "cercano" di resistere, in un piccolo villaggio. C'è anche Obelix, ma si vede poco, Panoramix e la sua storica pozione e soprattutto ci sono i simpatici disegni ed il romanaccio :-D
Ho visto decine di volte i cartoni animati, divertentissimi, mi mancavano i fumetti. Così ho voluto provare con il primo della serie ed il risultato è stato molto piacevole, anche se la storia la conoscevo già. Unica pecca è il formato dell'albo, troppo grande, ci si perde un po' troppo, preferisco il formato classico, tipo da Paperino o Topolino, per interderci!
La zuppa l'è pronta! La zuppa l'è pronta!
Ho visto decine di volte i cartoni animati, divertentissimi, mi mancavano i fumetti. Così ho voluto provare con il primo della serie ed il risultato è stato molto piacevole, anche se la storia la conoscevo già. Unica pecca è il formato dell'albo, troppo grande, ci si perde un po' troppo, preferisco il formato classico, tipo da Paperino o Topolino, per interderci!
La zuppa l'è pronta! La zuppa l'è pronta!
July 23, 2021
আমার পড়া প্রথম পশ্চিমা কমিকস 'ফ্যান্টম', ডায়মন্ড কমিকস থেকে যেটা 'অরণ্যদেব' নামে প্রকাশিত হতো। বেশি সুবিধার লাগেনি, শুধু 'জঙ্গলের প্রাচীন প্রবাদ' ফ্রেজটা নিয়ে আমরা বেশ হাসাহাসি করতাম। যেমন--জঙ্গলের প্রাচীন প্রবাদ, অমুক স্যারের চটকানা বাঘের থাবার চেয়েও জোরালো, ইত্যাদি। এরপর কয়েকটা আর্চি, তা-ও পোষায়নি। এখনো পোষায়না, সম্ভবত আমেরিকান টিনেজ কালচারটার সাথে কোন সম্পর্ক নেই বলেই। তারপর আনন্দ থেকে অনুদিত হার্জ-এর 'টিনটিন' পড়লাম আর মজে গেলাম। (আমি এখানে বাচ্চাকালের মত 'হার্জ' আর 'টিনটিন'-ই বলবো, পাকামি করে 'অ্যার্জে' আর 'ত্যাঁত্যাঁ' বলবো না)। এক বন্ধুর কাছ থেকে নিয়ে পড়তাম, ওরা চৌদ্দ গুষ্ঠী মিলে বই কিনতো, নয়তো টিনটিন-এর যা দাম ছিল (১৯৯৬-৯৭ সালের দিকেই ৬৫ টাকা যখন ১৬-১৭ টাকায় সেবার একটা বই পাওয়া যেত, আর ২-১ বছরের মাঝেই দামটা বেড়ে ৮৫ টাকা হয়ে গেল) তা স্কুলপড়ুয়া কারো পক্ষে কিনে পড়া সম্ভব ছিল না। তো, টিনটিন বলতে আমরা যখন পাগল, তখনই সে বন্ধুর বড় ভাই আনন্দ'র অনুবাদেই 'অ্যাসটেরিক্স' কিনে আনলেন একদিন, আর প্রথম বই 'গলযোদ্ধা অ্যাসটেরিক্স' পড়েই সেটা আমার কাছে টিনটিন-এর চেয়েও বেশি প্রিয় হয়ে গেল।
টিনটিন ভক্তরা তেড়ে আসতে পারেন, টিনটিন এখনো আমার খুব পছন্দের, কিন্তু অ্যাসটেরিক্সকে তারচেয়ে ২-১ পয়েন্ট হলেও এগিয়ে রাখি এখনো। রোমান সম্রাট সিজারের বাহিনী যখন পুরো গল জয় করে ফেলেছে, তখন গলের ছোট একটি গ্রামই তাদের ঠেকিয়ে রেখেছে। শত চেষ্টাতেও সিজার বাহিনী তাদের বাগে আনতে পারছে না, কারণ একে তো এরা স্বাধীনচেতা, তারওপর তাদের আছে পুরোহিত গেটাফিক্সের তৈরি জাদুর শরবত যা খেল�� গায়ে আসে হাতির শক্তি, আর আছে বুদ্ধিমান যোদ্ধা অ্যাসটেরিক্স আর তার জানি দোস্ত মহাশক্তিমান ওবেলিক্স। টিনটিন-এর গল্পগুলো যেখানে অনেকটাই সিরিয়াস, অ্যাসটেরিক্স ততটাই হালকা এবং মজার। গলদের ছোট গ্রামের বাসিন্দাদের, বিশেষত অ্যাসটেরিক্স আর ওবেলিক্সের অভিযান, তাদের শত্রুদের বিশেষ করে রোমানদের নিয়ে সারাক্ষণ মশকরায় মেতে থাকা, আর সবচেয়ে বড় আকর্ষণ ঐতিহাসিক বিভিন্ন ঘটনার অ্যাসটেরিক্সিয় ব্যাখ্যা (যেমন, মিশর অভিযানে গিয়েই ওবেলিক্স নাকি স্ফিংক্সের নাকখানা ভেঙেছিল), যেটা ইতিহাসপ্রিয়দের দারুণ আনন্দ দেবে। কিছুটা স্টিরিওটাইপিং আছে, কাহিনীর ধরণ এবং শেষটাও গৎবাঁধা খানিকটা, কিন্তু মাঝের ঘটনাবলী আর দুর্দান্ত আর্টওয়ার্ক, সেইসাথে ইংরেজিতে যাকে বলে ক্রমাগত 'পান' আর 'ওয়ার্ডপ্লে', সারাক্ষণই হাসতে হাসতে গড়াগড়ি দেয়ার অবস্থায় নিয়ে রাখে।
গ্রাফিক নভেলের একটা বড় সমস্যা হলো, এগুলোর দাম অত্যধিক বেশি, অথচ সফট কপিতে আর্টওয়ার্কের মাহাত্ম্যটা ঠিক বোঝা যায় না। টিনটিন আর অ্যাসটেরিক্স আনন্দ থেকে যেগুলো বের হয়েছিল, সেগুলো আমার সেই স্কুলের বন্ধুর কল্যাণেই হার্ডকপি পড়ার সুযোগ হয়েছিল, বাংলায় অবশ্যই। বছর দশেক আগে দু'টো সিরিজেরই সবক'টা ইংরেজিতে পড়ে ফেলি সফটকপিতে, কারণ মুদ্রাস্ফীতির জন্য এগুলোর ছাপা কপির দাম আরো বেশি নাগালের বাইরে চলে গিয়েছিল। বলাই বাহুল্য, ইংরেজিটায় ওয়ার্ডপ্লেগুলো আরো ভালভাবে ফুটে উঠেছে, বিশেষ করে অ্যাসটেরিক্স সিরিজে, যেখানে শব্দ নিয়ে খেলাটা মজা পাওয়ার একটা বড় অংশ। বছর দু'য়েক আগে থেকে বাতিঘর এবং আরো কয়েকটা দোকানে অ্যাসটেরিক্স ও টিনটিনের সম্পূর্ণ বক্সসেট কালেকশন দেখে আসছি, কিন্তু টিনটিনটা ১৯ হাজার আর অ্যাসটেরিক্সটা ৩৬ হাজার, কেনার প্রশ্নই আসে না। তবে মাস তিনেক আগে ছেলেকে কোনটা আগে পড়াবো ভাবতে ভাবতে অবশেষে অ্যাসটেরিক্সের প্রথম বই 'অ্যাসটেরিক্স দ্য গল' কিনেই ফেলি (৪৮ পৃষ্ঠা বইয়ের দাম ৮০০ টাকা দেখে বাসা থেকে আরেকটু হলেই বের করে দিচ্ছিল)। এরপর ৩ মাসে আরো ৩টা কিনেছি। প্রতিবারেই বের হওয়ার সময় পকেটে হাত দিয়ে বুকটা হালকা ব্যথা করতে থাকে, কিন্তু বাসায় পৌঁছানোর সাথে সাথে হাতের অ্যাসটেরিক্সটা দেখে ছেলের মুখটা যেভাবে হ্যালোজেন লাইটের মত উজ্জ্বল হয়ে ওঠে, সেটা দেখে মনে হয়, কিছু কাজের জিনিস কেনা বাদ দিয়ে হলেও বই কেনাটা খারাপ না।
বিঃ দ্রঃ যারা এই মুহূর্তে হার্ডকপি কিনতে পারছেন না, তারা সফটকপি হলেও পড়ে ফেলুন। সম্ভব হলে ইংরেজিটা। আর্টওয়ার্কে শতভাগ না পেলেও মূল মজাটা পাবেনই। কবে হার্ডকপি পাবেন এই আশায় এমন বস্তু না পড়ে রেখে দেয়া রীতিমত নিজের প্রতি অবিচার।
টিনটিন ভক্তরা তেড়ে আসতে পারেন, টিনটিন এখনো আমার খুব পছন্দের, কিন্তু অ্যাসটেরিক্সকে তারচেয়ে ২-১ পয়েন্ট হলেও এগিয়ে রাখি এখনো। রোমান সম্রাট সিজারের বাহিনী যখন পুরো গল জয় করে ফেলেছে, তখন গলের ছোট একটি গ্রামই তাদের ঠেকিয়ে রেখেছে। শত চেষ্টাতেও সিজার বাহিনী তাদের বাগে আনতে পারছে না, কারণ একে তো এরা স্বাধীনচেতা, তারওপর তাদের আছে পুরোহিত গেটাফিক্সের তৈরি জাদুর শরবত যা খেল�� গায়ে আসে হাতির শক্তি, আর আছে বুদ্ধিমান যোদ্ধা অ্যাসটেরিক্স আর তার জানি দোস্ত মহাশক্তিমান ওবেলিক্স। টিনটিন-এর গল্পগুলো যেখানে অনেকটাই সিরিয়াস, অ্যাসটেরিক্স ততটাই হালকা এবং মজার। গলদের ছোট গ্রামের বাসিন্দাদের, বিশেষত অ্যাসটেরিক্স আর ওবেলিক্সের অভিযান, তাদের শত্রুদের বিশেষ করে রোমানদের নিয়ে সারাক্ষণ মশকরায় মেতে থাকা, আর সবচেয়ে বড় আকর্ষণ ঐতিহাসিক বিভিন্ন ঘটনার অ্যাসটেরিক্সিয় ব্যাখ্যা (যেমন, মিশর অভিযানে গিয়েই ওবেলিক্স নাকি স্ফিংক্সের নাকখানা ভেঙেছিল), যেটা ইতিহাসপ্রিয়দের দারুণ আনন্দ দেবে। কিছুটা স্টিরিওটাইপিং আছে, কাহিনীর ধরণ এবং শেষটাও গৎবাঁধা খানিকটা, কিন্তু মাঝের ঘটনাবলী আর দুর্দান্ত আর্টওয়ার্ক, সেইসাথে ইংরেজিতে যাকে বলে ক্রমাগত 'পান' আর 'ওয়ার্ডপ্লে', সারাক্ষণই হাসতে হাসতে গড়াগড়ি দেয়ার অবস্থায় নিয়ে রাখে।
গ্রাফিক নভেলের একটা বড় সমস্যা হলো, এগুলোর দাম অত্যধিক বেশি, অথচ সফট কপিতে আর্টওয়ার্কের মাহাত্ম্যটা ঠিক বোঝা যায় না। টিনটিন আর অ্যাসটেরিক্স আনন্দ থেকে যেগুলো বের হয়েছিল, সেগুলো আমার সেই স্কুলের বন্ধুর কল্যাণেই হার্ডকপি পড়ার সুযোগ হয়েছিল, বাংলায় অবশ্যই। বছর দশেক আগে দু'টো সিরিজেরই সবক'টা ইংরেজিতে পড়ে ফেলি সফটকপিতে, কারণ মুদ্রাস্ফীতির জন্য এগুলোর ছাপা কপির দাম আরো বেশি নাগালের বাইরে চলে গিয়েছিল। বলাই বাহুল্য, ইংরেজিটায় ওয়ার্ডপ্লেগুলো আরো ভালভাবে ফুটে উঠেছে, বিশেষ করে অ্যাসটেরিক্স সিরিজে, যেখানে শব্দ নিয়ে খেলাটা মজা পাওয়ার একটা বড় অংশ। বছর দু'য়েক আগে থেকে বাতিঘর এবং আরো কয়েকটা দোকানে অ্যাসটেরিক্স ও টিনটিনের সম্পূর্ণ বক্সসেট কালেকশন দেখে আসছি, কিন্তু টিনটিনটা ১৯ হাজার আর অ্যাসটেরিক্সটা ৩৬ হাজার, কেনার প্রশ্নই আসে না। তবে মাস তিনেক আগে ছেলেকে কোনটা আগে পড়াবো ভাবতে ভাবতে অবশেষে অ্যাসটেরিক্সের প্রথম বই 'অ্যাসটেরিক্স দ্য গল' কিনেই ফেলি (৪৮ পৃষ্ঠা বইয়ের দাম ৮০০ টাকা দেখে বাসা থেকে আরেকটু হলেই বের করে দিচ্ছিল)। এরপর ৩ মাসে আরো ৩টা কিনেছি। প্রতিবারেই বের হওয়ার সময় পকেটে হাত দিয়ে বুকটা হালকা ব্যথা করতে থাকে, কিন্তু বাসায় পৌঁছানোর সাথে সাথে হাতের অ্যাসটেরিক্সটা দেখে ছেলের মুখটা যেভাবে হ্যালোজেন লাইটের মত উজ্জ্বল হয়ে ওঠে, সেটা দেখে মনে হয়, কিছু কাজের জিনিস কেনা বাদ দিয়ে হলেও বই কেনাটা খারাপ না।
বিঃ দ্রঃ যারা এই মুহূর্তে হার্ডকপি কিনতে পারছেন না, তারা সফটকপি হলেও পড়ে ফেলুন। সম্ভব হলে ইংরেজিটা। আর্টওয়ার্কে শতভাগ না পেলেও মূল মজাটা পাবেনই। কবে হার্ডকপি পাবেন এই আশায় এমন বস্তু না পড়ে রেখে দেয়া রীতিমত নিজের প্রতি অবিচার।
October 13, 2025
J’en suis encore à la moitié de Tintin. Peut-être que je me suis juste un peu ennuyé. Ce livre était loin d’être aussi passionnant que Tintin et était considerablement plus juvénile, mais j’ai beaucoup aimé l’humour et je l’ai lu assez rapidement. Je vais probablement lire la suite de la série quand j’aurai fini Tintin.
February 17, 2020
As far as I’m concerned this is a good news / better news scenario:
The Good News
Between the nostalgia and the clever wordplay, what’s not to like? The artwork isn’t as polished as later entries, but it’s still awesome. I particularly enjoyed the hair puns, and few artists can convey infectious laughter through their drawings like Albert Uderzo was able to. Of course, it helps if you have a bit of general knowledge, to more appreciate the satiric aspects of the comedy. This is the first Asterix book, and while a few characters are introduced, the only two characters that really feature are Asterix himself and Getafix the druid. Which brings me to…
The Better News
If you enjoyed this book, there are many more where it came from. Almost all of the Asterix books are really cool. Personally, I think Uderzo did a remarkable job keeping the series alive after Goscinny’s passing in 1977 (you may be surprised to see which entries were published with only Uderzo at the helm, even though Goscinny’s name still appeared on the cover).
It’s only toward the latter end of the series that there is a bit of a dip. In my personal opinion it’s only really in the mid-2000’s (with Asterix & The Falling Sky) that things went a bit awry.
Here’s to almost 60 years of Asterix!
5 stars and then some.
March 4, 2023
In een klein gallisch dorpje woont een gemeenschap die zich niet laat doen door de Romeinen. Dat komt doordat hun druïde een toverdrank gemaakt heeft, die iedereen beresterk kan maken. Het recept van de drank is natuurlijk geheim.
De Romeinen zijn het beu dat ze deze Galliërs niet kunnen verslaan, en zenden een spion naar het Gallisch kamp. Deze wordt ontmaskerd, maar niet nadat hij het geheim van de sterkte van de Galliërs te weten is gekomen. Hij kan zelfs ontsnappen omdat hij van de drank gedronken heeft.
De Romeinen willen nu natuurlijk kost wat kost die drank en het recept bemachtigen. Maar dat is buiten Asterix gerekend!
Heel goed verhaal. Humoristisch ook.
De Romeinen zijn het beu dat ze deze Galliërs niet kunnen verslaan, en zenden een spion naar het Gallisch kamp. Deze wordt ontmaskerd, maar niet nadat hij het geheim van de sterkte van de Galliërs te weten is gekomen. Hij kan zelfs ontsnappen omdat hij van de drank gedronken heeft.
De Romeinen willen nu natuurlijk kost wat kost die drank en het recept bemachtigen. Maar dat is buiten Asterix gerekend!
Heel goed verhaal. Humoristisch ook.
January 3, 2023
Im Jahr 2023 möchte ich ja alle Asterix-Bände rereaden und wie könnte ich da anders, als mit dem Ur-Asterix, Band 1: Asterix der Gallier, zu beginnen.
In diesem Band lernen wir unseren Helden und das kleine, unbeugsame gallische Dorf in Aremorica kennen. Der unbezwingbare Gallierstamm lebt umzingelt von vier Römerlagern. Den Besatzern begegnet man immer wieder bei Ausflügen in den Wald oder den regelmäßigen Wildschweinjagden. Wenig Spaß für die Römer, denn aufgrund des Zaubertranks werden sie bei diesen Begegnungen jedes Mal niedergeprügelt.
Deshalb beschließen die Römer, dass sie irgendwie an das Geheimnis der übernatürlichen Stärke der Gallier kommen müssen. Nach einem erfolglosen Spionageversuch entführen sie schließlich den Druiden Miraculix – doch der will selbst unter Folter nicht das Rezept für seinen Trank verraten.
_______________
Ja, war mal wieder ganz nett, diesen allerersten Asterix-Band zu lesen. Man merkt wirklich, dass hier alles noch nicht so ganz ausgereift ist: die Farben sind etwas anders als später, die Figuren noch etwas anders in ihrer Persönlichkeit als in den späteren Bänden, die Handlung noch sehr tell und weniger show.
Beispiele:
Miraculix: “Hier ist der Zaubertrank, der unbesiegbar macht und für bestimmte Zeit gewaltige Kräfte verleiht.“
Das sind halt irgendwie komische Sprechblasen, die man in den späteren Asterix-Heften nicht mehr so hat, weil das dann bekannte Informationen sind. Ich versteh schon, warum man das zu Beginn einmal einführen muss, aber irgendwie wirkt es trotzdem etwas hölzern.
Die Story selbst ist ziemlich basic, aber das finde ich in Ordnung: Wir lernen erstmal die Standardsituation kennen, das Dorf, die Römerlager, die zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen. Für mich ein solider erster Band, 3 🌟.
Notizen: Der Barde Troubadix ist hier zwar schon eher unbeliebt im Dorf, darf aber am abschließenden Festmahl teilnehmen.
In diesem Band lernen wir unseren Helden und das kleine, unbeugsame gallische Dorf in Aremorica kennen. Der unbezwingbare Gallierstamm lebt umzingelt von vier Römerlagern. Den Besatzern begegnet man immer wieder bei Ausflügen in den Wald oder den regelmäßigen Wildschweinjagden. Wenig Spaß für die Römer, denn aufgrund des Zaubertranks werden sie bei diesen Begegnungen jedes Mal niedergeprügelt.
Deshalb beschließen die Römer, dass sie irgendwie an das Geheimnis der übernatürlichen Stärke der Gallier kommen müssen. Nach einem erfolglosen Spionageversuch entführen sie schließlich den Druiden Miraculix – doch der will selbst unter Folter nicht das Rezept für seinen Trank verraten.
_______________
Ja, war mal wieder ganz nett, diesen allerersten Asterix-Band zu lesen. Man merkt wirklich, dass hier alles noch nicht so ganz ausgereift ist: die Farben sind etwas anders als später, die Figuren noch etwas anders in ihrer Persönlichkeit als in den späteren Bänden, die Handlung noch sehr tell und weniger show.
Beispiele:
Miraculix: “Hier ist der Zaubertrank, der unbesiegbar macht und für bestimmte Zeit gewaltige Kräfte verleiht.“
Das sind halt irgendwie komische Sprechblasen, die man in den späteren Asterix-Heften nicht mehr so hat, weil das dann bekannte Informationen sind. Ich versteh schon, warum man das zu Beginn einmal einführen muss, aber irgendwie wirkt es trotzdem etwas hölzern.
Die Story selbst ist ziemlich basic, aber das finde ich in Ordnung: Wir lernen erstmal die Standardsituation kennen, das Dorf, die Römerlager, die zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen. Für mich ein solider erster Band, 3 🌟.
Notizen: Der Barde Troubadix ist hier zwar schon eher unbeliebt im Dorf, darf aber am abschließenden Festmahl teilnehmen.
Want to read
December 28, 2015+++ BREAKING +++
(Berlin) Is this the end of the indomitable Gauls?
Ehapa publishing house announced on Wednesday, that all volumes of the popular Asterix series of author René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo will be immediately removed from trade. The publisher responds to an inquiry by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in Germany, who was able to demonstrate years of extensive doping of the popular cartoon characters. At the end of last week, the NADA had published their results. According to those, NADA inspectors were able to proof the use of an illegal substance, euphemistically called "Magic Potion", in all of the booklets. The infamous doping doctor Getafix (a.k.a "Magigamix", a.k.a "The Druid") has apparently manipulated blatantly and unabashedly all the beatings and battle results of the Gauls against Roman patrols, field camps and legions. This is considered gross unsporting conduct with no trace of a fair competition. In a statement issued by the agency it's said: "We fear that the glorification of the doping agent as 'magic potion' without side effects decreases the threshold for the use of performance-enhancing substances and especially younger readers are at risk". Particularly shocking: A character is said to have fallen into the doping substance as a child and since then had superhuman powers. Ehapa publishing meanwhile remains contrite and leaves the future of the popular comics open. According to a spokesman a re-launch of the series is planned, but whether or not the new volume, tentatively called "Asterix and the destruction of the small village by obviously vastly superior Romans", will make its way to the German books shops is still open.
[this is a free translation of an article from German news channel Der Postillon (honest news, independent, fast, since 1845)]
______________________________
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
(Berlin) Is this the end of the indomitable Gauls?
Ehapa publishing house announced on Wednesday, that all volumes of the popular Asterix series of author René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo will be immediately removed from trade. The publisher responds to an inquiry by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) in Germany, who was able to demonstrate years of extensive doping of the popular cartoon characters. At the end of last week, the NADA had published their results. According to those, NADA inspectors were able to proof the use of an illegal substance, euphemistically called "Magic Potion", in all of the booklets. The infamous doping doctor Getafix (a.k.a "Magigamix", a.k.a "The Druid") has apparently manipulated blatantly and unabashedly all the beatings and battle results of the Gauls against Roman patrols, field camps and legions. This is considered gross unsporting conduct with no trace of a fair competition. In a statement issued by the agency it's said: "We fear that the glorification of the doping agent as 'magic potion' without side effects decreases the threshold for the use of performance-enhancing substances and especially younger readers are at risk". Particularly shocking: A character is said to have fallen into the doping substance as a child and since then had superhuman powers. Ehapa publishing meanwhile remains contrite and leaves the future of the popular comics open. According to a spokesman a re-launch of the series is planned, but whether or not the new volume, tentatively called "Asterix and the destruction of the small village by obviously vastly superior Romans", will make its way to the German books shops is still open.
[this is a free translation of an article from German news channel Der Postillon (honest news, independent, fast, since 1845)]
______________________________
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
August 28, 2016
Well, *have* you read all the Asterix books? It's a fair question. We've read these, but these aren't all. There are, in fact, at least 8 not identified here. Quick quiz Asterix fans - can you name them without resorting to internet memory? [image error]
I had the tremendous good fortune to find all but a few of the published volumes in one of our local libraries, and to be able to borrow the remainder of those I could not find from a friend who collects them. If you've yet to be introduced to these intrepid Gaulish warriors, you really owe it to yourself to run out and find one of these books.
For starters, if you have kids who can read, having one of these to hand will make you their temporary hero. But the artwork on display is tremendous (see, e.g., [image error] - this is a page from "Asterix & the Laurel Wreath" and -- in the second row -- pulls off the amazing task of stopping and running your mental camera backward. Behold, the semiotic power of comics!); the humor unabating; and the social, political, and historical satire merciless and timeless.
It's a pity author Goscinny died so young. His creative partner Uderzo, while a wonderful artist, was not that much of a plotter or writer. The books he completed in the 30 years following his partner's tragic demise in the mid-70s aren't nearly as powerful as their predecessors. Since 2001, Pathe has taken to making live-action extravaganzas out of these (at least three to date), and starring no less a thespian than Gerard Depardieu, but as of this writing they are yet to be released in the states, nor does Netflix carry them. Somebody with pull fix this!
Seriously, I can't rave about these books enough, whether written in Latin, their original French, or here in these hysterical English translations. Here's my nutshell summary of the complete Asterix and Obelix bibliography.
Asterix the Gaul – introducing A&O in their milieu, facing Caesar for the first time
Asterix the Golden Sickle – A&O go to Lutetia (Paris) to buy Druid Getafix a new sickle (takes on protection rackets)
Asterix the Goths – endless early Germanic intratribal warfare explained when the Goths take Getafix hostage across the Rhine
Asterix the Gladiator – A&O go to Rome to free captured bard Cacofonix; a terrific spoof of Spartacus, among other things
Asterix the Banquet – A&O do the first Tour de France to win a culinary/military bet against the Romans
Asterix Cleopatra – A&O in Alexandria when an Egyptian architect enlists Getafix’s help proving to the Romans that Egyptian culture is still all that
Asterix the Big Fight – the Romans have a Gaulish chieftain-collaborator challenge Chief Vitalstatistix to a winner-takes-all bare-knuckle brawl… and Getafix is out of magic potion! Terrific send up of proxy warfare (to say nothing of professional wrestling)
Asterix in Britain – A&O find nothing better to do than help their cousin Celts beat back the Roman suppressing forces
Asterix the Normans – teenaged Justforkix helps teach the Norse the true meaning of fear. Extremely clever investigation into the psychology of thrill-seeking
Asterix the Legionary – A&O enlist to rescue Panacea’s impressed beau. Shades of Billy Budd?
Asterix the Chieftain's Shield – Turns out Chief Vitalstatistix has been riding around on Vercingetorix’ forfeited shield; what alternate proof can Caesar use in a Gaulish triumph?
Asterix at the Olympic Games – was use of the magic potion at the original games the first instance of doping?
Asterix the Cauldron – A&O learns the economics of labor as they are forced to earn back a cauldron of sesterces stolen on their watch; bright spoof of Milton Friedman’s and John Maynard Keynes’ theories (see also “Obelix & Co.,” below)
Asterix in Spain – A&O travel to raise a Roman siege against a small Spanish village on behalf of an Iberian chieftain’s son
Asterix the Roman Agent – the denizens of our favorite village have to contend with an insidious new Roman tactician: a rumor-mongering, scandalous slanderer! A marvelous study of envy and petty jealousy
Asterix in Switzerland – A&O are off to Helvetia to pluck some much-needed Edelweiss
The Mansions of the Gods – As the Roman’s sponsor a neighboring suburban development, can our favorite villagers resist the corrupting temptations of modernity? Terrific satire of assimilation and upward-mobility
Asterix the Laurel Wreath – A&O become Roman house slaves in an attempt to steal Caesar’s laurel’s for soup flavoring (to help Vitalstatistix save face from a stupid wager); a clever look at the household economy of your average well-to-do Roman citizen
Asterix the Soothsayer – Asterix sets out to expose a peripatetic fraud playing on the credulity of his friends
Asterix in Corsica – A&O provide an escaped Roman hostage safe passage back home. A spoof of either Corsican tribalism or the mafia… probably both.
Asterix Caesar's Gift – big spoof of the political “silly season” as several candidates campaign to be the village’s next chief, sparked originally by Caesar’s mischievious deed of the village land to a no-account legionary (see also “Great Divide,” below)
Asterix the Great Crossing – a freak storm blows A&O (on an impromptu fishing trip) and a longboat full of Norse explorers across the Atlantic Ocean
Obelix Co. – an excellent companion to “Cauldron,” flipping the premise to the side of capital; as a recent Roman business school grad prompts Obelix to mass-produce menhirs for Roman consumption
Asterix in Belgium – A&O set off to Belgica to determine whom the local legionaries less like to fight, Gaulish or Belgian warriors
Asterix the Great Divide – an excellent companion to “Caesar’s Gift,” this one analogizes two-party governance to a Romeo & Juliet-style feud, as Druid Getafix calls upon a village that’s literally split right down the middle by competing co-chieftains
Asterix the Black Gold – A&O nearly die of exposure in the Arabian desert trying to obtain some “rock oil” for Getafix; prompting modern readers to ask, what good is this petra oleum, anyway?
Asterix Son – the best and least muddled of artist Uderzo’s solo attempts, Cleopatra secretly hides newborn baby Caesarion from Caesar’s adopted son Brutus among our Gaulish friends
Asterix the Magic Carpet – a mediocre Uderzo plot that serves as an excuse for exquisite artwork (the ancient world from above); Cacofonix is flown by magic carpet from Gaul to a parched land of the Ganges in the hopes his horrible singing will summon a delinquent monsoon
Asterix the Secret Weapon – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet!
Asterix Obelix All at Sea – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 2
Asterix the Actress – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 3
Asterix the Falling Sky – a disaster of an Uderzo story; the Gaulish village is visited by competing alien races respectively intended to represent Disney and manga cartoon styles (evenly-matched, you see)
Asterix the Class Act – republication of separately published short stories in a single volume, including a spoof of the fashion trade, a tour de force Mad-style parody of various art/illustration styles, and a hysterically slapstick Christmas joke for which mistletoe plays the catalyst (and told without dialogue!)
Asterix vs. Caesar – “novelization” of the ‘60s cartoon, itself derived from a combination of the plots of “Legionary,” “Gladiator,” and “Laurel Wreath.” Nothing to see here, move along.
The Twelve Tasks of Asterix – “novelization” of the ‘60s cartoon, based on an original (and funny) plot which spoofs game shows; the Roman Senate challenges A&O to perform 12 Herculean tasks to determine if these Gauls be Gods. Best of the bits is the one that pits Asterix’s wits against bureaucratic futility, but there are other good ones as well.
Asterix Conquers America – “novelization” of the ‘60s cartoon, itself derived from “Great Crossing.” Nothing to see here, move along.
Operation Getafix – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 4, but I understand it to be another “novelization” that combines the plots of “Golden Sickle” and “Goths.” If so, can probably be bypassed without harm.
How Obelix Fell into the Magic Potion When he was a Little Boy - – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 5
I had the tremendous good fortune to find all but a few of the published volumes in one of our local libraries, and to be able to borrow the remainder of those I could not find from a friend who collects them. If you've yet to be introduced to these intrepid Gaulish warriors, you really owe it to yourself to run out and find one of these books.
For starters, if you have kids who can read, having one of these to hand will make you their temporary hero. But the artwork on display is tremendous (see, e.g., [image error] - this is a page from "Asterix & the Laurel Wreath" and -- in the second row -- pulls off the amazing task of stopping and running your mental camera backward. Behold, the semiotic power of comics!); the humor unabating; and the social, political, and historical satire merciless and timeless.
It's a pity author Goscinny died so young. His creative partner Uderzo, while a wonderful artist, was not that much of a plotter or writer. The books he completed in the 30 years following his partner's tragic demise in the mid-70s aren't nearly as powerful as their predecessors. Since 2001, Pathe has taken to making live-action extravaganzas out of these (at least three to date), and starring no less a thespian than Gerard Depardieu, but as of this writing they are yet to be released in the states, nor does Netflix carry them. Somebody with pull fix this!
Seriously, I can't rave about these books enough, whether written in Latin, their original French, or here in these hysterical English translations. Here's my nutshell summary of the complete Asterix and Obelix bibliography.
Asterix the Gaul – introducing A&O in their milieu, facing Caesar for the first time
Asterix the Golden Sickle – A&O go to Lutetia (Paris) to buy Druid Getafix a new sickle (takes on protection rackets)
Asterix the Goths – endless early Germanic intratribal warfare explained when the Goths take Getafix hostage across the Rhine
Asterix the Gladiator – A&O go to Rome to free captured bard Cacofonix; a terrific spoof of Spartacus, among other things
Asterix the Banquet – A&O do the first Tour de France to win a culinary/military bet against the Romans
Asterix Cleopatra – A&O in Alexandria when an Egyptian architect enlists Getafix’s help proving to the Romans that Egyptian culture is still all that
Asterix the Big Fight – the Romans have a Gaulish chieftain-collaborator challenge Chief Vitalstatistix to a winner-takes-all bare-knuckle brawl… and Getafix is out of magic potion! Terrific send up of proxy warfare (to say nothing of professional wrestling)
Asterix in Britain – A&O find nothing better to do than help their cousin Celts beat back the Roman suppressing forces
Asterix the Normans – teenaged Justforkix helps teach the Norse the true meaning of fear. Extremely clever investigation into the psychology of thrill-seeking
Asterix the Legionary – A&O enlist to rescue Panacea’s impressed beau. Shades of Billy Budd?
Asterix the Chieftain's Shield – Turns out Chief Vitalstatistix has been riding around on Vercingetorix’ forfeited shield; what alternate proof can Caesar use in a Gaulish triumph?
Asterix at the Olympic Games – was use of the magic potion at the original games the first instance of doping?
Asterix the Cauldron – A&O learns the economics of labor as they are forced to earn back a cauldron of sesterces stolen on their watch; bright spoof of Milton Friedman’s and John Maynard Keynes’ theories (see also “Obelix & Co.,” below)
Asterix in Spain – A&O travel to raise a Roman siege against a small Spanish village on behalf of an Iberian chieftain’s son
Asterix the Roman Agent – the denizens of our favorite village have to contend with an insidious new Roman tactician: a rumor-mongering, scandalous slanderer! A marvelous study of envy and petty jealousy
Asterix in Switzerland – A&O are off to Helvetia to pluck some much-needed Edelweiss
The Mansions of the Gods – As the Roman’s sponsor a neighboring suburban development, can our favorite villagers resist the corrupting temptations of modernity? Terrific satire of assimilation and upward-mobility
Asterix the Laurel Wreath – A&O become Roman house slaves in an attempt to steal Caesar’s laurel’s for soup flavoring (to help Vitalstatistix save face from a stupid wager); a clever look at the household economy of your average well-to-do Roman citizen
Asterix the Soothsayer – Asterix sets out to expose a peripatetic fraud playing on the credulity of his friends
Asterix in Corsica – A&O provide an escaped Roman hostage safe passage back home. A spoof of either Corsican tribalism or the mafia… probably both.
Asterix Caesar's Gift – big spoof of the political “silly season” as several candidates campaign to be the village’s next chief, sparked originally by Caesar’s mischievious deed of the village land to a no-account legionary (see also “Great Divide,” below)
Asterix the Great Crossing – a freak storm blows A&O (on an impromptu fishing trip) and a longboat full of Norse explorers across the Atlantic Ocean
Obelix Co. – an excellent companion to “Cauldron,” flipping the premise to the side of capital; as a recent Roman business school grad prompts Obelix to mass-produce menhirs for Roman consumption
Asterix in Belgium – A&O set off to Belgica to determine whom the local legionaries less like to fight, Gaulish or Belgian warriors
Asterix the Great Divide – an excellent companion to “Caesar’s Gift,” this one analogizes two-party governance to a Romeo & Juliet-style feud, as Druid Getafix calls upon a village that’s literally split right down the middle by competing co-chieftains
Asterix the Black Gold – A&O nearly die of exposure in the Arabian desert trying to obtain some “rock oil” for Getafix; prompting modern readers to ask, what good is this petra oleum, anyway?
Asterix Son – the best and least muddled of artist Uderzo’s solo attempts, Cleopatra secretly hides newborn baby Caesarion from Caesar’s adopted son Brutus among our Gaulish friends
Asterix the Magic Carpet – a mediocre Uderzo plot that serves as an excuse for exquisite artwork (the ancient world from above); Cacofonix is flown by magic carpet from Gaul to a parched land of the Ganges in the hopes his horrible singing will summon a delinquent monsoon
Asterix the Secret Weapon – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet!
Asterix Obelix All at Sea – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 2
Asterix the Actress – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 3
Asterix the Falling Sky – a disaster of an Uderzo story; the Gaulish village is visited by competing alien races respectively intended to represent Disney and manga cartoon styles (evenly-matched, you see)
Asterix the Class Act – republication of separately published short stories in a single volume, including a spoof of the fashion trade, a tour de force Mad-style parody of various art/illustration styles, and a hysterically slapstick Christmas joke for which mistletoe plays the catalyst (and told without dialogue!)
Asterix vs. Caesar – “novelization” of the ‘60s cartoon, itself derived from a combination of the plots of “Legionary,” “Gladiator,” and “Laurel Wreath.” Nothing to see here, move along.
The Twelve Tasks of Asterix – “novelization” of the ‘60s cartoon, based on an original (and funny) plot which spoofs game shows; the Roman Senate challenges A&O to perform 12 Herculean tasks to determine if these Gauls be Gods. Best of the bits is the one that pits Asterix’s wits against bureaucratic futility, but there are other good ones as well.
Asterix Conquers America – “novelization” of the ‘60s cartoon, itself derived from “Great Crossing.” Nothing to see here, move along.
Operation Getafix – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 4, but I understand it to be another “novelization” that combines the plots of “Golden Sickle” and “Goths.” If so, can probably be bypassed without harm.
How Obelix Fell into the Magic Potion When he was a Little Boy - – haven’t gotten my hands on this one yet, part 5
March 16, 2025
“Und wir beide bilden dann ein Triumvirat.“
So flüstert’s der machthungrige Centurio Gaius Bonus seinem Untergebenen Marcus Ecus zu, und man merkt, daß er wohl kaum Gaius Mathematicus hätte heißen können, denn wenn es zwei Männer gibt, die zusammen ein Triumvirat bilden könnten, dann sind dies Asterix, der Gallier, und sein Freund Obelix – oder vielleicht doch besser der Szenarist René Goscinny und der Zeichner Albert Uderzo, denen wir Asterix und Obelix zu verdanken haben.
Mit Asterix, der Gallier beginnt die Serie der albenfüllenden Abenteuer der beiden Freunde, die in einem kleinen gallischen Dorf in der Bretagne leben, das sich im Jahre 50 v. Chr. unbeugsam gegen die Herrschaft der Römer zur Wehr setzt und die bis heute immer wieder ihre treue Fangemeinde mit neuen Heldentaten erfreuen. Selbstredend sind Asterix und Obelix auch ein Teil meiner Kindheit gewesen, wenn ich auch immer Lucky Luke den Vorzug gegeben habe, und da meine Tochter aufgrund einer Erkrankung ihres Geschichtslehrers in den letzten Wochen die Geschichtsstunden mit dem Schauen von Asterixfilmen verbracht hat, nahm ich dies zum Anlaß, die alten Hefte mit ihr (neu) zu entdecken. In diesem ersten Band ist einerseits vieles schon ausgereift, was später für die Reihe so bezeichnend werden sollte, doch andererseits gibt es auch noch Unterschiede, vor allem, was den Zeichenstil und die Figuren betrifft. Auffällig ist beispielsweise, daß das Dorf der Gallier nur über männliche Bewohner zu verfügen scheint und daß auch viele der anderen Nebenfiguren – wie etwa Verleihnix oder Methusalix – noch nicht auftauchen. Auch Idefix wird erst später zu den beiden Freunden dazustoßen, nämlich im fünften Band, Tour de France. Wo wir gerade von den Bänden sprechen, neu für mich war auch, daß die Numerierung der Bände 2 bis 7 in Deutschland von der des französischen Originals abweicht, was vielleicht interessant für diejenigen sein dürfte, die die Abenteuer des listigen Galliers in der originalen Reihenfolge lesen möchten.
In Asterix, der Gallier werden wir zunächst einmal in das Dorfleben der Gallier eingeführt und lernen dann ihr großes Geheimnis, den übermenschliche Kräfte verleihenden Zaubertrank, kennen. Letzteres verbindet uns mit den Römern, die einen unfreiwilligen Spion, den Legionär Caligula Minus, losschicken, um zu ergründen, was den Galliern ihre Unbesiegbarkeit verleiht. Schnell kommt Caligula hinter den Ursprung der Kraftquelle, und bald haben die Römer denn auch den Druiden Miraculix entführt, den sie zwingen wollen, ihnen einen Kessel Zaubertrank zu brauen. Doch sie haben nicht die Rechnung mit Asterix gemacht, der sich, allerdings ohne Obelix – auch der Status von Obelix als einer besseren Nebenfigur ist noch ein Charakteristikum des ersten Bandes –, aufmacht, den Druiden aus den Händen der Römer zu befreien, denen Miraculix inzwischen manches Haar in die Suppe geworfen hat.
Alles in allem erzählt Asterix, der Gallier bereits ein sehr unterhaltsames und witziges Abenteuer, auch wenn wir in der zweiten Hälfte der Geschichte ohne Obelix auskommen müssen und das Ende mit dem plötzlich als deus ex machina auftauchendem Cäsar ein wenig unbefriedigend wirkt. Mir hat es trotz allem jedenfalls wieder großen Spaß gemacht, in die Tage meiner Kindheit einzutauchen.
So flüstert’s der machthungrige Centurio Gaius Bonus seinem Untergebenen Marcus Ecus zu, und man merkt, daß er wohl kaum Gaius Mathematicus hätte heißen können, denn wenn es zwei Männer gibt, die zusammen ein Triumvirat bilden könnten, dann sind dies Asterix, der Gallier, und sein Freund Obelix – oder vielleicht doch besser der Szenarist René Goscinny und der Zeichner Albert Uderzo, denen wir Asterix und Obelix zu verdanken haben.
Mit Asterix, der Gallier beginnt die Serie der albenfüllenden Abenteuer der beiden Freunde, die in einem kleinen gallischen Dorf in der Bretagne leben, das sich im Jahre 50 v. Chr. unbeugsam gegen die Herrschaft der Römer zur Wehr setzt und die bis heute immer wieder ihre treue Fangemeinde mit neuen Heldentaten erfreuen. Selbstredend sind Asterix und Obelix auch ein Teil meiner Kindheit gewesen, wenn ich auch immer Lucky Luke den Vorzug gegeben habe, und da meine Tochter aufgrund einer Erkrankung ihres Geschichtslehrers in den letzten Wochen die Geschichtsstunden mit dem Schauen von Asterixfilmen verbracht hat, nahm ich dies zum Anlaß, die alten Hefte mit ihr (neu) zu entdecken. In diesem ersten Band ist einerseits vieles schon ausgereift, was später für die Reihe so bezeichnend werden sollte, doch andererseits gibt es auch noch Unterschiede, vor allem, was den Zeichenstil und die Figuren betrifft. Auffällig ist beispielsweise, daß das Dorf der Gallier nur über männliche Bewohner zu verfügen scheint und daß auch viele der anderen Nebenfiguren – wie etwa Verleihnix oder Methusalix – noch nicht auftauchen. Auch Idefix wird erst später zu den beiden Freunden dazustoßen, nämlich im fünften Band, Tour de France. Wo wir gerade von den Bänden sprechen, neu für mich war auch, daß die Numerierung der Bände 2 bis 7 in Deutschland von der des französischen Originals abweicht, was vielleicht interessant für diejenigen sein dürfte, die die Abenteuer des listigen Galliers in der originalen Reihenfolge lesen möchten.
In Asterix, der Gallier werden wir zunächst einmal in das Dorfleben der Gallier eingeführt und lernen dann ihr großes Geheimnis, den übermenschliche Kräfte verleihenden Zaubertrank, kennen. Letzteres verbindet uns mit den Römern, die einen unfreiwilligen Spion, den Legionär Caligula Minus, losschicken, um zu ergründen, was den Galliern ihre Unbesiegbarkeit verleiht. Schnell kommt Caligula hinter den Ursprung der Kraftquelle, und bald haben die Römer denn auch den Druiden Miraculix entführt, den sie zwingen wollen, ihnen einen Kessel Zaubertrank zu brauen. Doch sie haben nicht die Rechnung mit Asterix gemacht, der sich, allerdings ohne Obelix – auch der Status von Obelix als einer besseren Nebenfigur ist noch ein Charakteristikum des ersten Bandes –, aufmacht, den Druiden aus den Händen der Römer zu befreien, denen Miraculix inzwischen manches Haar in die Suppe geworfen hat.
Alles in allem erzählt Asterix, der Gallier bereits ein sehr unterhaltsames und witziges Abenteuer, auch wenn wir in der zweiten Hälfte der Geschichte ohne Obelix auskommen müssen und das Ende mit dem plötzlich als deus ex machina auftauchendem Cäsar ein wenig unbefriedigend wirkt. Mir hat es trotz allem jedenfalls wieder großen Spaß gemacht, in die Tage meiner Kindheit einzutauchen.
February 23, 2019
Reading so much serious literature lately, this old classic felt like a fun indulgence on a beautiful spring day in the balcony. It took me back to my childhood when I would read and reread the series. It was just as good, I actually laughed out loud a few times and my neighbor turned my way wondering if I had a few screws loose.
November 11, 2025
PT Com o lançamento do novo álbum de Astérix, surgiu uma nova vaga de leituras da série — e, claro, quis juntar-me a ela. E que melhor forma de o fazer do que começar precisamente pelo livro que deu início a toda esta série clássica?
Aqui encontramos a base de tudo o que viria a tornar-se icónico: o confronto entre Romanos e Gauleses, a aldeia que resiste estoicamente, o segredo da poção mágica, entre outros elementos que definem este universo.
O traço ainda não está totalmente amadurecido — não é ainda aquele que reconhecemos dos volumes mais recentes —, mas grande parte das características das personagens já se encontra bem estabelecida.
Em suma, uma leitura divertida e leve, como não poderia deixar de ser.
E claro, nunca esquecer o Caius Feiradaladrus! *risos*
--
EN With the release of the new Asterix album came a fresh wave of readers revisiting the series — and of course, I wanted to join in. And what better way to do so than by starting right at the book that began this entire classic series?
Here we find the foundation of everything that would later become iconic: the clash between Romans and Gauls, the village that stands firm in resistance, the secret of the magic potion, and other elements that define this universe.
The artwork isn’t fully mature yet — it’s not quite the style we recognise from the later volumes — but most of the characters’ defining traits are already well established.
All in all, a fun and lighthearted read, just as it should be.
And of course, let’s not forget Caius Fleemarkus! *laughs*
Aqui encontramos a base de tudo o que viria a tornar-se icónico: o confronto entre Romanos e Gauleses, a aldeia que resiste estoicamente, o segredo da poção mágica, entre outros elementos que definem este universo.
O traço ainda não está totalmente amadurecido — não é ainda aquele que reconhecemos dos volumes mais recentes —, mas grande parte das características das personagens já se encontra bem estabelecida.
Em suma, uma leitura divertida e leve, como não poderia deixar de ser.
E claro, nunca esquecer o Caius Feiradaladrus! *risos*
--
EN With the release of the new Asterix album came a fresh wave of readers revisiting the series — and of course, I wanted to join in. And what better way to do so than by starting right at the book that began this entire classic series?
Here we find the foundation of everything that would later become iconic: the clash between Romans and Gauls, the village that stands firm in resistance, the secret of the magic potion, and other elements that define this universe.
The artwork isn’t fully mature yet — it’s not quite the style we recognise from the later volumes — but most of the characters’ defining traits are already well established.
All in all, a fun and lighthearted read, just as it should be.
And of course, let’s not forget Caius Fleemarkus! *laughs*
May 18, 2015
Ah! Asterix and his picturesque little village in Gaul with its stubborn yet hilarious bunch of residents gave me such a heavy dose of enjoyment during my high school vacation days.
Each volume of this series is supremely rich in wonderful cartoon sketches, lots of humor and superb characters. Full marks goes to René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo for creating a bunch of such loveable characters and an exciting series of humorous adventures based on political & historical references. The translations of the original French volumes are done with love and care to make them highly enjoyable.
The plots of most of the books in the series revolve around the adventures of Asterix and his fellow villagers – who reside in an unnamed small coastal village in Armorica – against the invading Roman Legionaries; and their village is the last bastion standing in the entire region of Gaul against the mighty Roman Invaders under Julius Caesar. The adventures are set either in the locations around this small village or foreign locations. These adventures of the indomitable Gauls – mainly involving adventures of Asterix and his friend Obelix – thwarting schemes brewed by the Roman forces lead in to one hilarious situation after another, which are portrayed in rich and amazing illustrations and tongue-in-cheek text.
In ‘Asterix the Gaul’ the reader is introduced to the little village of Asterix and it’s assortment of eccentric, funny yet furiously tough residents with witty names. There is the shrewd, cunning little warrior with super human strength named ‘Asterix’; his close buddy ‘Obelix’, who is literally a giant of man with an insatiable appetite for wild boars and massive physical power; the village chief named ‘Vitalstatistix’, who is mighty brave and hot-tempered and widely respected by his people; the village bard named ‘Cacofonix’ whose music is divine for his ears only; the druid of the village named ‘Getafix’, who’s magic potion is the secret behind the superhuman strength of the villagers and ‘Fulliautomatix’ – the village blacksmith; their names along with their antics can make you burst with laughter. When these indomitable villagers are not fighting against the Romans or going on with their daily life which involve a lot bashing each others head, they are busy involved in sumptuous feasts and enjoying the heavenly music of ‘Cacofonix’ by either running away from him or tying him up.
If you haven’t yet met Asterix and his bunch of friends then taking up his adventures wont disappoint you.
Each volume of this series is supremely rich in wonderful cartoon sketches, lots of humor and superb characters. Full marks goes to René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo for creating a bunch of such loveable characters and an exciting series of humorous adventures based on political & historical references. The translations of the original French volumes are done with love and care to make them highly enjoyable.
The plots of most of the books in the series revolve around the adventures of Asterix and his fellow villagers – who reside in an unnamed small coastal village in Armorica – against the invading Roman Legionaries; and their village is the last bastion standing in the entire region of Gaul against the mighty Roman Invaders under Julius Caesar. The adventures are set either in the locations around this small village or foreign locations. These adventures of the indomitable Gauls – mainly involving adventures of Asterix and his friend Obelix – thwarting schemes brewed by the Roman forces lead in to one hilarious situation after another, which are portrayed in rich and amazing illustrations and tongue-in-cheek text.
In ‘Asterix the Gaul’ the reader is introduced to the little village of Asterix and it’s assortment of eccentric, funny yet furiously tough residents with witty names. There is the shrewd, cunning little warrior with super human strength named ‘Asterix’; his close buddy ‘Obelix’, who is literally a giant of man with an insatiable appetite for wild boars and massive physical power; the village chief named ‘Vitalstatistix’, who is mighty brave and hot-tempered and widely respected by his people; the village bard named ‘Cacofonix’ whose music is divine for his ears only; the druid of the village named ‘Getafix’, who’s magic potion is the secret behind the superhuman strength of the villagers and ‘Fulliautomatix’ – the village blacksmith; their names along with their antics can make you burst with laughter. When these indomitable villagers are not fighting against the Romans or going on with their daily life which involve a lot bashing each others head, they are busy involved in sumptuous feasts and enjoying the heavenly music of ‘Cacofonix’ by either running away from him or tying him up.
If you haven’t yet met Asterix and his bunch of friends then taking up his adventures wont disappoint you.
December 27, 2025
O início de uma aventura!
September 1, 2017
This is a goody from my childhood that I haven’t read in years. I guess I felt a little sentimental picking this up.
The Asterix & Obelix comics started being published in 1959 by French authors Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo and Jean-Yves Ferri. Since then over 30 books in this series were translated into over 100 languages today. I myself read the German translations as a kid. To this day, boys and girls in Europe are still reading and enjoying these comics as well as the adaptated movies which are great - those I want to re-watch as well, but guess what, I have them on Beta Max tapes and no player!
Asterix and his friends live in a small village in the Roman occupied Gaul around 50 BC. All the occupants of this village are holding out from being invaded by the Roman legions of Julius Caesar. They do this by making a potion that gives them super power, strength and speed. They are already very clever and can outwit anyone before they know it.
As the Romans are trying to conquer this last village, they realize something isn’t right about these Gauls that retaliate them albeit being outnumbered. So, they send in a spy to find out what the Gauls are doing to be so strong. But Asterix and his friends are not from yesterday. They know how to fool the Romans and embarrass them at the same time.
I enjoyed this clean classic graphic novel. The print of my copy had the original sketches, nothing enhanced, and it was a super quick read. This would be fun for any kid that isn’t addicted to electronics yet or has had a lot of exposure to that. Who doesn’t want to have super powers and play Asterix in the back yard!
The Asterix & Obelix comics started being published in 1959 by French authors Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo and Jean-Yves Ferri. Since then over 30 books in this series were translated into over 100 languages today. I myself read the German translations as a kid. To this day, boys and girls in Europe are still reading and enjoying these comics as well as the adaptated movies which are great - those I want to re-watch as well, but guess what, I have them on Beta Max tapes and no player!
Asterix and his friends live in a small village in the Roman occupied Gaul around 50 BC. All the occupants of this village are holding out from being invaded by the Roman legions of Julius Caesar. They do this by making a potion that gives them super power, strength and speed. They are already very clever and can outwit anyone before they know it.
As the Romans are trying to conquer this last village, they realize something isn’t right about these Gauls that retaliate them albeit being outnumbered. So, they send in a spy to find out what the Gauls are doing to be so strong. But Asterix and his friends are not from yesterday. They know how to fool the Romans and embarrass them at the same time.
I enjoyed this clean classic graphic novel. The print of my copy had the original sketches, nothing enhanced, and it was a super quick read. This would be fun for any kid that isn’t addicted to electronics yet or has had a lot of exposure to that. Who doesn’t want to have super powers and play Asterix in the back yard!
April 25, 2023
Somehow I never got the chance to read this series. In Elementary school all our comics were in French! Tin Tin, Asterix... actually there probably weren't any other comics available besides those two. But they were both just in French!
So finally, decades later I get to read this and it's fantastic! The cartooning is wonderful, the story is goofy and simple but gets elevated by the fun word play.
I enjoy that they play with historical legend - they have a gag about how spaghetti hadn't been brought back from China by Marco Polo yet. It seems silly, but there is some attempt at faithfulness to history.
So finally, decades later I get to read this and it's fantastic! The cartooning is wonderful, the story is goofy and simple but gets elevated by the fun word play.
I enjoy that they play with historical legend - they have a gag about how spaghetti hadn't been brought back from China by Marco Polo yet. It seems silly, but there is some attempt at faithfulness to history.
October 6, 2022
Cărticica aceasta e printre cele mai drăguțe povești pentru copii citite în ultima vreme. Nici nu mai țin minte de când nu m-a mai amuzat atât o carte. Personaje simpatice foc, replici haioase și inteligente, multe aventuri, lecții despre prietenie și solidaritate. Nu degeaba rezistă de atâtea decenii! Cu siguranță o să îmi iau toate volumele și o să le păstrez pentru zilele mai proaste. Scurtă recenzie aici: https://bit.ly/3RFss8b.
March 7, 2015
آستریکس یه نوستالژیه
همیشه عاشق طریقه ی نقاشی کاراکترها و رنگ های زنده تصاویرش بودم
خود کاراکترها و طنز داستان هم جالب بود
خوب بود در کل
همیشه عاشق طریقه ی نقاشی کاراکترها و رنگ های زنده تصاویرش بودم
خود کاراکترها و طنز داستان هم جالب بود
خوب بود در کل
January 17, 2019
Νομίζω από τα καλύτερα της σειράς. Ιδιαίτερα ο Καιους Δώρους με μαλλί Ραπουνζέλ, όλα τα λεφτά!
November 15, 2019
This wasn't my first-time read of Asterix #1.
To date, I thank my father for introducing me to Asterix and gang, though I watched the movie, at the time. Same concept, different representation.
To date, I thank my father for introducing me to Asterix and gang, though I watched the movie, at the time. Same concept, different representation.
July 25, 2017
Of course I've read all of these as a kids, in Dutch. I even read a couple in Latin whilst in high school (yes, the adventures of Asterix are available in Latin, just like several other comic books. You can even read Harry Potter in Latin...)
I must say, I had a bit of difficulty adjusting to the English names. After 25+ years of Abraracourcix, Assurancetourix and Panoramix, it's a bit strange seeing them being named Vitalstatistix, Cacofonix and Getafix... (I know it's because the word plays don't work the same in English, but still. It's weird.)
Storywise, this is just really entertaining. A great introduction for a great set of characters.
I must say, I had a bit of difficulty adjusting to the English names. After 25+ years of Abraracourcix, Assurancetourix and Panoramix, it's a bit strange seeing them being named Vitalstatistix, Cacofonix and Getafix... (I know it's because the word plays don't work the same in English, but still. It's weird.)
Storywise, this is just really entertaining. A great introduction for a great set of characters.
November 1, 2020
Asterix The Gaul was first published in French in 1961 and in English only in 1969.
The first of the Asterix books , it is a very clever and witty piece of work on the Roman occupation of Gaul in 50 BC-with a fair amount of Latin quips in too -read Asterix and you'll soon become familiar with 'Quid' , 'Vae victo , vae victus' and 'Morituri te salutant'.
It begins with the familiar scene of well thumped Roman legionnaires reporting their defeat to an incensed Roman centurion (in this case Crismus Bonus) who then hatches a plan to deal with the Gauls which our heroes always in the end foil.
It also includes such recurring themes as Cacofonix and his hated singing , the magic potion (and why Obelix cannot have any ) and a guest appearance by Julius Caesar.It ends as always without he Gauls feasting their heroes 'under a starry sky...victorious over their enemies , thanks to magic the protection of the gods and low cunning'.
Unlike all of its successors in this book , Obelix does not even offer to accompany Asterix on his adventure (which is so unlike the Obelix we know from all of the other Asterix books).
There are some gaps in the dialogue and there is unusually not one woman or girl in the first book . drawbacks which will be made up for in the other Asterix books.
Nevertheless it is a great start to your Asterix collection and an amusing little book.
The first of the Asterix books , it is a very clever and witty piece of work on the Roman occupation of Gaul in 50 BC-with a fair amount of Latin quips in too -read Asterix and you'll soon become familiar with 'Quid' , 'Vae victo , vae victus' and 'Morituri te salutant'.
It begins with the familiar scene of well thumped Roman legionnaires reporting their defeat to an incensed Roman centurion (in this case Crismus Bonus) who then hatches a plan to deal with the Gauls which our heroes always in the end foil.
It also includes such recurring themes as Cacofonix and his hated singing , the magic potion (and why Obelix cannot have any ) and a guest appearance by Julius Caesar.It ends as always without he Gauls feasting their heroes 'under a starry sky...victorious over their enemies , thanks to magic the protection of the gods and low cunning'.
Unlike all of its successors in this book , Obelix does not even offer to accompany Asterix on his adventure (which is so unlike the Obelix we know from all of the other Asterix books).
There are some gaps in the dialogue and there is unusually not one woman or girl in the first book . drawbacks which will be made up for in the other Asterix books.
Nevertheless it is a great start to your Asterix collection and an amusing little book.
July 18, 2014
Oh man. I grew up reading these. Facts gleaned from Asterix still probably constitute the majority of my admittedly scant knowledge of European geography and history. Vitalstatistix! Cacophonix! Whoever did the translations was a genius.
December 23, 2022
Lo he disfrutado igual que cuando era niño...
June 9, 2021
El primero de toda la saga!
Que lindo disfrutar de esta historieta, me recuerda a mi infancia. ❤️
A modo de introducción está muy bien, se lee súper rápido y es muy divertido. 😆
Que lindo disfrutar de esta historieta, me recuerda a mi infancia. ❤️
A modo de introducción está muy bien, se lee súper rápido y es muy divertido. 😆
June 23, 2015
Asterix was where I first started reading comics. My dad had them, and they seemed cool...I remember it was so long ago that they put out a new one with the Original Goscinny and Uderzo, and it was a big treat, a Father's Day present for him.
This is where it all starts. The art improves from here, and our heroes look a bit different before they evolve...
The puns, the play on words, the names, slapstick violence, history, this series has it all.
You grew up with Tin Tin or Asterix. Both French, but one was an androgynous twat with a stupid Dog, and the other was a Gallic warrior who fought the Romans as a Guerilla...yup.
This is where it all starts. The art improves from here, and our heroes look a bit different before they evolve...
The puns, the play on words, the names, slapstick violence, history, this series has it all.
You grew up with Tin Tin or Asterix. Both French, but one was an androgynous twat with a stupid Dog, and the other was a Gallic warrior who fought the Romans as a Guerilla...yup.
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