Asterix Omnibus #2: Collects Asterix the Gladiator, Asterix and the Banquet, and Asterix and Cleopatra

by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo (Illustrator)

Overview

Asterix mixes it up with everyone from Julius Caesar to Cleopatra in this outstanding Omnibus!

After conquering Europe, where this feisty, little warrior is a true pop culture super-star, Asterix is invading America with another three classic adventures, newly translated into American English. Asterix conquered Europe ironically by keeping his tiny village in Gaul from being conquered by the Roman Empire. Turns out, Asterix and his fellow villagers have a secret weapon, a potion that imbues them all with super strength. But the Romans aren’t about to give up no matter how many times Asterix and his friends fend them off. These classic comics are not only incredibly entertaining, filled with humor, adventure, and great characters, but the historic figures are brought to life in a way that’s exciting and humanizing, providing educational elements to each story, similar to the Geronimo Stilton graphic novels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781545805688
Publisher:	Papercutz
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Series:	Asterix Series
Pages:	152
Sales rank:	127,584
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	7 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926. After growing up in Argentina, he came to America where he shared a studio with future Mad magazine co-founder Harvey Kurtzman and collaborators Will Elder and Jack Davis, an association that would mark him for life. In 1959, he founded the magazine Pilote which premiered what was to become the most successful comic series anywhere: Asterix. He died suddenly and way too early of cardiac arrest in 1977 at the age of 51.

Albert Uderzo was born in France 1927 to Italian Immigrants. In 1959 Goscinny and Uderzo became editor and artistic director (respectively) of Pilote magazine. Their creation, Asterix became a runaway success. After Goscinny's death in 1977, 26 volumes of Asterix were complete, Uderzo continued to write and illustrate the Asterix books on his own, publishing 8 volumes. The cover credits still read "Goscinny and Uderzo.” He retired from drawing in 2011 but still oversees Asterix and the current publications by Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conra

Editorial Reviews

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