Asterix or The Adventures of Asterix (French: Astérix or Astérix le Gaulois), is a French comic book series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Although they are originally written and published in French their extreme popularity has resulted in the books being released in a wide range of languages. The series focuses around the adventures of the Gaulish warrior Asterix and his friend Obelix.
General Plot and Setting[]
The Adventures of Asterix is set in 50 BC, in a fictional village in northwest Armorica (a region of ancient Gaul mostly identical to modern Brittany). The village is surrounded by the ocean on the northern and western sides, and is ringed by a high wooden gate. The other sides of the village are on the edge of a thick forest, within which there are contains four Roman garrisons which are intented to keep an eye on the village.
This village is celebrated as the only part of Gaul not yet conquered by Julius Caesar and his Roman legions. This is achieved by the inhabitants gaining superhuman strength by drinking the magic potion brewed by the village druid Getafix, which allows them to confront and defeat any advancing Romans. The villagers lead a content, proud lifestyle, often getting into fights among each other for fun or against patrolling legionaries from the Roman camps.
Asterix's adventures range between a wide variety of locales, including the village itself, Gaul, Rome and other far-flung countries. Frequently, Asterix and friends must deal with the Romans' attempts to conquer the village, defend their pride as indomitable Gaulish warriors, or offer assistance to those in need.
Gallery[]
- Please see /Gallery
References in other media[]
Asterix is referenced in the Tintin story Tintin and the Picaros, in which one of the revellers in the Carnaval wears an Asterix costume, although no meeting of the two occurs. The reverse happens in Asterix in Belgium, where two characters resembling Thomson and Thompson from The Adventures of Tintin make a short appearance.
In the 1994 video game Teenagent Mark Hopper mentions even Obelix has friends besides being fat.
The series is also referenced in Larry Gonick's The Cartoon History of the Universe Volume 2. Asterix, Obelix and Vitalstatistix appear in several panels depicting the historical invasion of Rome by the Gauls.
Mister Bean reads an Asterix comic in the episode Goodnight Mister Bean.
In the live action adaptations of the series made in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Asterix is played by Christian Clavier in Asterix and Obelix take on Caesar and Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, while Clovis Cornillac portrays the character in Asterix at the Olympic Games.
There is a quest to get permit A38 in the Witcher 3 expansion pack Blood And Wine, referencing the "place that sends you mad" from The Twelve Tasks of Asterix.
Bakerix who is one of the akumatized forms of Rolland Dupain from Miraculous Ladybug is obviously modeled after Asterix.
In Transformice, Asterix's wing helmet appears in the shop.