Asterix Omnibus Vol. 4: Collects Asterix the Legionary, Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield, and Asterix and the Olympic Games

by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo (Illustrations)

In “Asterix the Legionary,” one of the three classic Asterix graphic novels collected here, Asterix and Obelix do as the Romans do and join the Roman Legion in hopes to get closer to Obelix’s big crush in the process. Instead, the troops are sent far from Gaul to North Africa. Then, in “Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield” with the village chief away, Caesar and his men come to play—and get their hands on a priceless Gaul shield! Asterix must foil their search and protect his village. Then Asterix heads to Greece to participate in the Olympic games. But how do the Gauls register themselves? As Romans? And is their powerful potion an ancient form of performance enhancers? It’s an international bout for the ages and just when you think you know what to expect in Asterix, the creators Goscinny and Uderzo throw things at you that you never could’ve imagined.
Includes a new afterword by Alexander Simmons providing historical and cultural context for Asterix, both in 50 B.C. and in the time the classic comics were made addressing various racial depictions

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Fiction

152 pages, Hardcover

Published April 20, 2021

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

[Michael Emond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will go on record as saying Asterix and the Legionary is one of the finest constructed Asterix stories. The humour, the plot, the payoff are all perfect. I love the intro to the adventure and how it is its own separate humour bit but it manages to advance us into the story. Obelix has fallen for a village maid and we get a series of comedic bits of him being shy, him trying to woo her, him finding out her true love has been forced to enlist as a Legionary in the Roman army and has been sent to Africa. To me it is perfection when you can use humour to advance the story and it also gives us insight into the main characters at the same time. From there the next humorous device is the recruits Asterix and Obelix interact with and the running gag that Asterix and Obelix are more anxious to get to Africa than their Captains. So as much as the Captains try to break their spirit it is they who are broken in the end. Finally we get the payoff of rescuing the young lover from where he is imprisoned and the nice comedy of him reacting like a person would to Obelix and Asterix's remarkable strength and courage. I had read this a long time ago and liked it but reading it now I appreciate who solid a story it really is.

The Chieftain's Shield and the Olympic games aren't as good as the first story but they are still worthy entries in this classic series. I like the Olympic games more because we get more interaction wit the rest of the village and it has a nice moral at the end. The Chieftain's Shield actually starts off VERY strong but I feel the chase for the shield didn't keep the comedy up as well as it could have. The payoff at the end is also a little strange. But still - two solid stories just not at the level of the Legionary.

This series remains one of my favourites ever and stands the test of time.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
I'm obsessed with the art in these and I always have been, always will be.
If I have sons one day, this series is something that will entertain us together.❤️