Asterix and Obelix's Birthday: The Golden Book (French: Asterix et Obelix l'anniversaire - Le livre d'or) is the thirty-fourth episode of the Asterix comic book series, designed and written by Albert Uderzo. The usage of previous Asterix stories led to co-creator René Goscinny also being credited. The album, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the creation of the series, was released on 22 October 2009.
Plot[]
The album begins with a preface where Uderzo replies to the critics of his solo work, especially in regards to the previous album, Asterix and the Falling Sky. He also says The Golden Book is not a whole story, but a succession of short stories celebrating the 50th anniversary of the hero.
The story begins in the year 1 AD, fifty years after 50 BC, when all the other books are set. The characters are introduced, but aged fifty years. We then find some craftsmen, tradesmen or Gallic warriors surrounded by their children or grandchildren.
Then we go back in time to 50 BC, in the same village in which the birthdays of Asterix and Obelix, which happen to be the same day, are celebrated. We learn that they have received letters from their friends (Panacea, the Pirates, Edifis ...). Then Geriatrix jealous of the two Gauls make a rather negative description using an Magnetic resonance imaging picture.
Moreover, at a great feast, many recurring or important characters of the adventures of Asterix, from all nationalities, appear. Each one of them offers his gift to the hero (Ekonomikrisis offers a guide Coquelus, Cacofonix his sheet music, Valueaddedtax new magic potions ...) They also made some proposals for the future (clothes changing, marriage, amusement park, theater, art visual ...).
And finally, Cleopatra and Julius Caesar arrive. Caesar is reluctant to come to the birthday party. he, however, yields to the wish of his lady, reminding him of the assistance offered by Gauls in Asterix and Son. Caesar, ever the bad loser, decides to offer the Gaul a jar of poisoned wine as a present.Fortunately for our hero, the centurions, whom Caesar had entrusted the mission to, drink the wine, which had in fact been replaced by castor oil, and then win a nice trip to the latrine.