Asterix

DwayneA · Jul 1, 2009

Anyone remember this comic book series published in France? It's the story of a Gaul named Asterix, his friend and companion Obelix, their dog Dogmatix, and how with help from a magic potion that gives them superhuman strength, fight back against the Romans.

I've only read a few books in the series. I have only two at home: The Great Crossing and In Corsica.

Most of the characters have funny or strange names that are a play on words such as Getafix, Vitalstatistix, Boneywasawarriorwayayix, Instantmix, etc. And according to a map of Roman camps and towns, there are names such as Chewingum and Sodium.

Still it makes for some funny reading and good for a few chuckles.

Vespertilion · Jul 1, 2009

Yeah, I had them as a kid, and I've been re-collecting them. The new bindings are kind of crap, but most of the humor has aged well, despite some ethnic caricatures that I didn't notice when I was little. I just went and counted, and I now have thirteen of them.

Mumut · Jul 1, 2009

My kids loved them - about twenty-five years ago. They were good fun.

Enzo · Jul 1, 2009

I bought all of them growing up, most of them in French. The names of the characters - apart from Asterix and Obelix - were different though to allow for puns on French words.
The stories fit in well with the interest I held then in Mediterranean history and archeology.

blacbird · Jul 1, 2009

DwayneA said:
Anyone remember this comic book series published in France? It's the story of a Gaul named Asterix, his friend and companion Obelix, their dog Dogmatix, and how with help from a magic potion that gives them superhuman strength, fight back against the Romans.

For historical reference, the goofy names are flake-offs from the real historical Frankish barbarian named Vercengetorix, who gave the Romans a good deal of trouble.

To be utterly truthful, I hated this comic as a kid, found it entirely unfunny and stupid (though the art was pretty good). For me, it fell in that category with Nancy and Sluggo, and Marmaduke. Just simply not funny. The Death Zone for a cartoon.

But then, the French think Jerry Lewis is a comic genius.

caw

Asterix

DwayneA

Vespertilion

Flying blind on a rocket cycle.

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

Enzo

blacbird