Since the first book edition appeared in its country of origin, France, in
1961, the comic (in every sense of the word), and graphic stories about
Asterix the Gaul and his fellow villagers singularly and heroically
resisting the Roman occupation of Gaul (in 50 B.C.), have been a hugely
successful pop cultural phenomenon in Europe and the U.K. In the USA, the
series (of at least 30 volumes), boasts an ardent following of undeservedly
lesser proportions.
Following the death of co-creator Rene Goscinny in 1977, Albert Uderzo on
his own, continued to successfully devise Asterix adventures, albeit recently
at the slower pace of one every four or five years. This most recent
effort, Asterix and the Actress, exemplifies the winning blend of comedy,
satire and accurate history that makes the series so appealing. The
chuckles begin with the system of naming characters. All male Gauls'
monikers define personalities by making puns that end in 'ix' (inspired by
the historical personage Vercingetorix), examples: the clever, brave if
rather petite protagonist Asterix; his canine companion Dogmatix; his
strong, huge and not too bright best friend Obelix; the village Chieftain
Vitalstatistix; the Druid Getafix and his magic potions; the bard Cacafonix,
etc. Romans sport outrageous Latinate appellations with the exception of
real historical characters such as Julius Caeser, examples: the alcoholic
Tremensdelirious; the Centurion Gymnasticapparatus; the Prefect Bogusgenius;
and the merchant Fastandfurius, etc.
The plot of Asterix and the Actress opens with the joint birthday party
celebration enjoyed by Asterix and his buddy Obelix back in their Gaulish
village with their mothers as surprise guests. The protagonists
expectations for carefree feasting soon get interrupted by the consequences
of maternal matrimonial plans for their beloved offspring who are also the
recipients of gifts of glorious gold Roman armor, meant to distract them
while the mothers find wives for their bachelor sons. Unbeknownst to the
birthday boys, the armor was purloined from Pompey, chief conspirator
against Caesar, and to retrieve it, the aggrieved intriguer has sent the
famous and
talented actress Latraviata. She disguises herself as the Gaulish gal
Panacea, Asterix's former flame, now married and with her husband
Tragicomix, a friend of Asterix, living in the garrison town Condatum where
they sell Gaulish goods. The false Panacea's charms and close connection
with the hero's pal nearly succeeds until the real Panacea shows up with
her husband Tragicomix and then the fun begins for all this is connected to
Julius Caesar's plans to deal with his old foe Pompey who seeks supporters
from among the legions stationed in Gaul. Beloved re-occurring characters,
a bumbling crew of comical corsairs manage to put in an appearance too.
Asterix adventures never fail to resolve without the uniquely charming blend
of absurd humor and historical accuracy featured in every volume in the
canon. The lead characters, for all their zaniness, have enough depth to
their motivations and desires to arouse empathy in the reader yet their
antics always amuse for they fit into their ancient and classical time
period while cleverly satirizing attitudes and trends of the present day.
The artwork in the Asterix books delights with richly detailed drawings that
skillfully render the comical and cartoonish characters against meticulously
researched backgrounds that depict architecture, clothing, everyday objects
and historical personages with archeological correctness. Asterix and the
Actress embodies these fascinating and fun qualities by successfully
inserting its imaginative plot into very real historical events familiar to
any student of the classical period. The visuals, equally up to
par---colorful, lively and intricate, prove perfect for the requirements of
the story even though not quite as spectacular compared to those in Asterix
and Cleopatra or Asterix the Legionary. Still, long time lovers
of the Asterix series will welcome and newcomers will be won over by this
most recent and worthy addition to the oeuvre that offers the extraordinary
offbeat version of events of 2000 years ago so compelling to its followers.
