Asterix’s 50 and everyone’s invited for a special bash

NEW DELHI: Comic book hero Asterix, the indomitable Gaul who with his friend Obelix, has been keeping the Romans at bay, turns 50 this week and the creators have something for millions of their readers throughout the world ��� a special issue containing many of their exploits including in India.

Created by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo, Asterix le Gaulois, as he is known in France, first appeared in the ���Pilote��� magazine on October 29, 1959.

After Goscinny���s death, Uderzo has been writing as well as illustrating the stories of Asterix and Obelix, whose favourite pastime is wild boar hunting.

Asterix series is one of the most popular Franco-Belgian comics in the world and has been translated into 107 languages.

The stories, which are exploits of a village of ancient Gauls as they resist Roman occupation, have been adapted for 11 films, three of them being non-cartoon.

The Gauls are aided by a magic potion prepared by their druid Getafix which gives them superhuman strength.
In the 28th volume of the comics named ���Asterix and the Magic Carpet���, the two Gauls with their dog and village bard Cacofonix visit India and save princess Orinjade, daughter of Rajah Wotzit, from being sacrificed on the altar.