Asterix Omnibus #1: Collects Asterix the Gaul, Asterix and the Golden Sickle, and Asterix and the Goths

by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo

Overview

Multi-million-selling Asterix is much loved across the world, and there is no better way to enjoy the antics of our indomitable hero and his friends than in this great value gift edition omnibus of the first three stories. Collect all of the Asterix omnibuses to build the fabulous artwork across their spines!

In ASTERIX THE GAUL, we join Asterix, Obelix and co. as they try to defend one small village in Gaul from the mighty legionaries of Rome who surround them.

Disaster strikes the Gaulish village in ASTERIX AND THE GOLDEN SICKLE, as Getafix the druid breaks his golden sickle - which means no more magic potion...

In ASTERIX AND THE GOTHS, Getafix is kidnapped by the Goths, so Asterix and Obelix have to ride to the rescue and save the day!

A perfect gift for both keen Asterix fans and those who have yet to join his hilarious adventures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781444004236
Publisher:	Asterix
Publication date:	10/04/2011
Series:	Asterix Series
Pages:	152
Sales rank:	1,090,980
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

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.

Editorial Reviews

A cartoon drawn with such supreme artistry, and a text layered with such glorious wordplay, satire and historical and political allusion that no reader should ever feel like they've outgrown it.—Andrew Mueller, TIME OUT

The Asterix books represent the very summit of our achievement as a literary race. In Asterix one finds all of human life. The fact that the books were written originally in French is no matter. I have read them all in many languages and, like all great literature, they are best in English. Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge, Asterix's translators since the very beginning, have made great books into eternal flames.—Giles Coren, THE TIMES

From the Publisher

"That’s the real reason for its continuing appeal across decades and national boundaries: It’s a masterpiece of cross-cultural borrowing and reinvention"

NPR

"When I was 6 or 7, around 1972, my father used to fill up in his car at a nearby petrol station. If you had enough fuel many times you got points to redeem for a special Asterix album. After reading the first book we got, I pestered my father for him to go and refuel ONLY at this location. There were four to collect: Astérix The Gaul, Asterix and the Big Fight, Asterix the Gladiator and Asterix the Legionary. It was my introduction to the world of Asterix and I never stopped to buy the albums from then on ... It was also the beginning of my addiction to the incredible world of comics."

Charles Adlard (Artist of The Walking Dead)

Totally silly and weird...really great for kids... if you read them as a kid, I think you will really enjoy revisiting them

Slate “Mom and Dad Are Fighting” Podcast

"I was ten years old on my first trip to Europe, where I discovered Asterix. The comics, with their incredible and vivid colors, stood out on the display. I loved the clever little warrior and his faithful companions, Obelix and Dogmatix. There were so many adventures, and I loved it!"

Terry Moore (Creator of Rachel Rising

07/24/2020

Gr 4–6—In the year 50 AD, the territory of Gaul is under occupation by Romans. Asterix and Obelix, a pair of Gauls empowered by a magic potion, defend their peaceful lives from Roman centurions with relative ease. Trouble arrives in the form of spies, intimidation, and the need to venture to other towns and countries for specialty goods. Asterix's cleverness keeps him one step ahead of his enemies, often leading them through one gag after another. No matter how loony the plot becomes, from searching for a golden sickle to concocting a hair-growth formula, the dust always settles with Asterix and his friends on top. The plot of any given arc in these new omnibus editions is merely a setup for oodles of slapstick anarchy and lighthearted reversals of fortune. Humor is sewn into every aspect of the cartooning, including name gags, puns, linguistic footnotes, historical references, and the sort of childish violence that results in stars spinning over people's heads. Despite an updated translation and some changes to the original artwork, the depiction of characters is rooted in the biases and stereotypes prevalent during their creation in the 1960s. Female characters are few and far between. Various nations and their peoples are caricatured, with the most racist stereotypes evident in the representation of Africans. Appearances of beer and wine, including a dopey drunk character, are the most mature scenarios. VERDICT While clever wordplay and wit are abundant in this historical romp, like many cartoons produced in the last century, it is also ripe with racist stereotypes and offensive visuals. For adult collectors and collections; not appropriate for school or public library collections serving young readers.—Thomas Maluck, Richland Lib., SC

School Library Journal