Synopses & Reviews
Set in 50 B.C., these hysterical historical tales follow the adventures of Asterix and his pals in the days of the Roman Empire. Normally, heand#8217;s concerned about protecting his town from the legionnaires (with the help of a magic potion), but here something else is on his mind: his surprise birthday party! Meanwhile, two old friends are about to turn up again...and theyand#8217;re up to something interesting. and#8220;Great for leading high-school students into discussion of history and literary devices.and#8221;and#8212;
Booklist Review
If there's anyone who can simply transcend age altogether it's my first choice, the little Gaulish warrior called Asterix ... This latest album comes to us from a new writer-illustrator team ... and despite the burden of expectations they don't disappoint ... It's a delight. And while the creative team in France has changed, we can be grateful that the English version remains in the incomparably skilled hands of Anthea Bell, who's translated the books with wit and energy since the very beginning--INDEPENDENT
Review
There are simple pleasures here for long-time fans and new recruits. The handover from Uderzo to the new duo shows few obvious joins. We are back with the characters we got to know and cherish. And, as a writer, the good news for me is that the Picts apparently respect their bards more than the Gauls do. It must be so - Asterix himself says it on page 29, by Toutatis!--GUARDIAN
Review
Just about every aspect of Caledonian life is gently lampooned - Nessie, whisky, kilts, caber tossing - in this loving continuation of the series, which cleaves so faithfully to the template that you would hardly know it was the work of others--FINANCIAL TIMES
Synopsis
Rejoice: the long-awaited next Asterix album has finally arrivedand#8212;written and illustrated by a brand-new team! And the hysterical historical character's next epic adventure takes place in Scotland, where he meets the Picts: fearsome warriors whose name literally means and#8220;painted men.and#8221; As always, Asterix's millions of fans will find plenty of fun, action, and humor to delight them.
Synopsis
The first book by the brand-new
Asterix team is now available in paperbackand#8212;and it's an epic adventure! This time, the hysterical historical character journeys to Scotland, where he meets the Picts: fearsome warriors whose name literally means and#8220;painted men.and#8221; As always, Asterix's millions of fans will find plenty of fun, action, and humor to delight them.and#160;
and#160;
Synopsis
Without the powerful potion whipped up by the Druid Getafix, Asterix and his fellow villagers would never have the strength to fight Caesarand#8217;s legions. Now Getafix has run short of rock oil, an essential ingredient in the concoction. Thereand#8217;s nothing left to do but have Asterix and Obelix prospect for black gold in the Middle Eastern desert. But the Roman secret agent, Dubbelosix, using his amazing folding chariot and new spy gadgets, is determined to stop them.
Synopsis
The wonderful village where Asterix and Obelix live has only one drawback: its bard is the worst musician in the ancient world. Whenever Cacofonix strikes up a tune, the sun hides behind the clouds and the rain begins to fall. But, then a fakir flies in on a magic carpet asking for help in ending a terrible drought in his kingdom. Otherwise, his daughter Orinjade will be sacrificed to the gods. Suddenly, Cacofonixand#8217;s talents come in mighty handy.
Synopsis
In ancient Rome, the slaves are rebellingand#8212;and theyand#8217;ve even stolen Julius Caesarand#8217;s own warship, the finest in the Roman navy. Under the heroic leadership of Spartakis, the former galley slaves make for the small town where Caesarand#8217;s old enemies Asterix and Obelix live. Now everyone must sail to the wonderful continent of Atlantis to find a cure. But, the Romans are on the ocean blue, too...and the battles are about to come fast and furiously.
Synopsis
Whoops, itand#8217;s happened again: Getaflix has been kidnapped, this time by a raiding band of Goths. So itand#8217;s onward and into Germania for Asterix and Getaflix. But in the process of saving their druid, the two Gauls set off a whole series of tribal wars.
Synopsis
The Romans have invaded Britain, but one village still holds out. Asterix and Obelix come to help, with a barrel of magic potion in hand. But to deliver the precious brew, the Gaulish heroes must face fog, rain, bad food, warm beer, and the Roman, too.
Synopsis
Oh no! The Romans have captured Cacofonix as a gift for Caesarand#151;and the Emperor plans to throw him to the lions. Thereand#8217;s only one way for Asterix and Obelix to rescue their bard: they have to become gladiators themselves.
Synopsis
To impress Julius Caesar, Queen Cleopatra promises to build the Roman Emperor a magnificent palace in just three months. Of course, Asterix has to get involved. By the time his feisty group from Gaul have finished, theyand#8217;ve outwitted the Roman army, too.
Synopsis
Getafix has broken his golden sickle, so Asterix and Obelix visit Lutetia to buy a new one for him. But the sicklesmithand#8212;a cousin of Obelixand#8212;has vanished without a trace. Where could he have gone? And can Asterix solve the mystery and bring Getafix what he needs?
Synopsis
When Roman Centurion Crismus Bonus finds out about Getafixand#8217;s magic potion, he kidnaps the druid to force him to reveal the recipe. So Asterix joins his friend in captivity and together they two plan to whip up a surprise with truly hair-raising effects.
Synopsis
When Asterix and Obelix rescue a mysterious Pict named MacAroon, they must journey to Caledonia, now Scotland, to return him to his lady love, Camomilla, the adopted daughter of the old king. However, the treacherous chieftain, MacCabeus, plans to marry her and claim the throne - with the help of the Romans!
What with caber-tossing, bagpipes, malted water and an enormous otter in the loch, can the Gauls reunite MacAroon and Camomilla and enjoy some Roman-bashing along the way?
About the Author
Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of PILOTE. ASTERIX THE GAUL, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 35 Asterix albums. Illustrator Didier Conrad was born in Marseille in 1959. He moved to America after his style got him noticed by Disney and Dreamworks, and in 1996 he designed the characters and storyboard for the 2000 animated film THE ROAD TO EL DORADO. Jean-Yves Ferri lives in the Ariège area of south-western France. Before writing the 35th Asterix album, he worked on the famous series Le Retour