Asterix
From The Asterix Project
Template:Infobox comics character
Asterix (Template:Lang-fr) is a fictional character, created in 1959 as the titular hero of a series of French comic books by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). Uderzo has continued the series since Goscinny's death in 1977.
[edit] Main character and background
Born in 85 B.C. (Before Caesar), Asterix is a tiny but fearless and cunning warrior, ever eager for new adventures. He lives around 50 BC in a fictional village in northwest Armorica (a region of ancient Gaul mostly identical to modern Brittany). This village is celebrated as the only part of Gaul not yet conquered by Julius Caesar and his Roman legions. The inhabitants of the village gain superhuman strength by drinking a magic potion prepared by the druid Getafix (Template:Lang-fr). The village is surrounded by the ocean on one side, and four unlucky Roman garrisons on the other, intended to keep a watchful eye and ensure that the Gauls do not get up to mischief.
Asterix is one of the smartest (and sanest) members of the village, and so he is usually chosen for any dangerous, important or exotic mission. Unlike most of the other villagers, he does not start or join brawls for the fun of it, although he does enjoy a good fight when there's cause. He rarely resorts to weapons, preferring to rely on his wits, and when necessary, his (magic potion enhanced) fists — though he carries his sword with him wherever he goes, he is shown to be only an average swordsman. What he does for a living is never truly known, though he is often shown running errands or out shopping and hunting. In Asterix and the Cauldron however, it is clearly stated that neither he nor Obelix have ever done anything of the sort to 'earn' money.
Although no romantic interest has been introduced for Asterix as of yet, it seems obvious that Asterix is more susceptible to the charms of women than his best friend, Obelix. He seems 'lovestruck' after receiving a kiss from Panacea towards the end of Asterix and the Legionary and remains so till the last strip. He also seems similarly affected by a kiss from Latraviata, the female protagonist in Asterix and the Actress, although then it seems that Latraviata's effect on Asterix may have gone deeper, as he reflects on her (or maybe something else) during the journey back to their village. Again, while many may agree that both Asterix and Obelix share the same feelings for the same woman, Panacea (judging from the way Asterix often looks at her, trusts her, obeys her, and even goes as far as to kiss her in a hypnotic trance which may be symbolic for love-sickness itself) it may simply be an act of instinct rising out of loneliness, as both Asterix and Obelix do not get close to women.
Asterix' parents are former villagers who now live in the city of Condatum (Rennes), and he has cousins in Britannia (Britain). He shares his birthday with his clumsy, oversized, but extremely strong and good-hearted best friend, Obelix.
An occasional running gag is that his age is 'indeterminate'. However, the series is set only a few years after the Battle of Alesia (52 BC) according to the date given on the inside front cover of each issue. In Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield it is quite obvious that he did not fight in the battle, so it is entirely likely he was too young at the time. However, there is a paradoxical situation : according to history, Julius Caesar was born in 100 BC, so if Asterix was born 35 years before Caesar was, and the Asterix storyline is based in 50 BC (Before Christ, evidently), that put's Asterix's approximate age at 85 years, and that of Julius Caesar at 50 years. However, in the illustrations of the storyline, it is Julius Caesar who looks older instead. Another aspect may be that the phrase "Before Caesar" refers to the time Caesar's reign began, in October 49 BC. In this scenario, Asterix's age can be placed approximately at 35 years.
One of Asterix's most recognizable features is his winged helmet, the wings of which mirror his expressions.
[edit] References in other media
Asterix is referenced in the Tintin story Tintin and the Picaros, in which one of the revellers in the Carnaval wears an Asterix costume, although no meeting of the two occurs. The reverse happens in Asterix in Belgium, where two characters Thomson and Thompson from The Adventures of Tintin make a guest appearance.
The series is also referenced in Larry Gonick's The Cartoon History of the Universe Volume 2. Asterix, Obelix and Vitalstatistix appear in several panels depicting the historical invasion of Rome by the Gauls.
In the live action adaptations of the series made in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Asterix is played by Christian Clavier in Asterix and Obelix take on Caesar and Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, while Clovis Cornillac portrays the character in Asterix at the Olympic Games.
