Since the first book edition appeared in 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 UK. 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 & 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), such as the clever, brave if rather petite protagonist Asterix, his canine companion Dogmatix, his strong, huge and not to bright best friend Obelix, the village Chieftain Vitalstatistix, the Druid Getafix, the bard Cacafonix, etc. Romans sport outrageous Latinate appellations with the exception of real historical characters such as Julius Caeser, including the alcoholic Tremensdelirious, the Centurion Gymnasticapparatus, the Prefect Bogusgenius and the merchant Fastandfurius.

The plot of Asterix & 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 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 & 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 & 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 2,000 years ago so compelling to its followers.

[ by Amy Harlib ]
Rambles: 15 September 2001