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I've known about the French comic book series Asterix and Obelix for a long time, but I've never actually read any of it. Are there any fans here? I became interested in this series after I listened to a podcast interview with some people from the Philadelphia Animation Society and one of them mentioned that he was a big fan of Asterix and Obelix (and also Malto Cortese, a series that seems to be pretty much unknown in the US).

Where would be the best place to start? Amazon has lots of Asterix and Obelix books, but it appears that most of them are really short.

I would really like to read more French comics (I also think that I should probably read some Tintin one of these days), but it really seems like they're much more of a "cult" thing in the U.S. than American comics or manga. I think pretty much the only French comics I've ever read are the small number of Moebius comics released by Dark Horse and Epic/Marvel and some stuff in Heavy Metal.

Hi!

I started "reading" Asterix and Obelix at the age of 2 or 3, being a lucky child, whose parents knew Mickey Mouse etc., when they were young... So each new A&O-book was bought, when it was available.

But where to start reading today? There was a very big changing in the quality of the stories, when the genius 1/2 part Goscinny (scenarios) died in 1977, and the other Uderzo went on solo with the A&O stories. So my first advice would be: Choose one of the earlier books, please!

Imho very good stories are:

5. Le Tour de Gaule d’Astérix
6. Astérix et Cléopâtre
16. Astérix chez les Helvètes
19. Le Devin

Maybe you start with one of them, if you like them, go on!

Greetings,
Jens

(For futher questions: don't hestitate to ask!^^)

edit:

@"short"
if they are in the same format as in europe, they are quite bigger than the us-comics, so usually the number of the pages is less. about 48 pages is normal.

Asterix and Obelix fan? < waves a hand> Me, me, me...

I can say I've been raised with those!

Where to start? Well, the stories are pretty much self-contained; so, since you don't actually have to know previous material, you could pick up any volume you'd like. But, as TigerRider pointed out already, the latest lack a lot in the story department...

I think I stopped buying them after "Der Große Graben" (don't know neither French nor English title for it), which was as low storywise as I cared to go.

I discovered Asterix in about 1971. It was my first introduction to European comics. I have the first 20 or so volumes, but have read a few of the current ones. The earlier ones were much better (when Goscinny was still alive).

I was very disappointed with the latest one, which was an editorial about the influx of American and Japanese comics into the French BD market.

Corto Maltese is also terrific, though in a different way. NBM had published many of the album in English in an oversize format. I have many of the Tintin books, but am not a big fan. The stories seem to meander a bit too much for me. However, I know people who are tremendous fans.

Corto Maltese is also terrific, though in a different way. NBM had published many of the album in English in an oversize format.

It looks like I did a little "spoonerism" with Corto Maltese! I called it "Malto Cortese!"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoonerism

According to the Wikipedia entry, Corto Maltese is the source of the name for an island in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, so I guess the series isn't quite as unknown in the US as I thought it was. Of course, it helps to have the right name to Google!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corto_Maltese

@Corto

I didn't realize it at all!^^

Dear Readers,
I am looking for Asterix et Obelix : Mission Cleopatre with english subtitles.
Any help locating this dvd will be gratefully appreciated.
Best wishes to all!
go

go wrote: I am looking for Asterix et Obelix : Mission Cleopatre with english subtitles.

Do you mean the live-action version? If so, there's a pretty good copy of it on YouTube with English subtitles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kfkBaMg4h8

Konichiwa! I like the artwork on this comic. I'm also fond of another european comic called "Lucky Luke". It's a "western" themed comic.

Abayo!

The cartoons and the comics are great!

I love Asterix and Obelix.
Both books and cartoons are great.

I haven't seen the live action movies but from what i have heard i aren't missing much

go wrote:Dear Readers,
I am looking for Asterix et Obelix : Mission Cleopatre with english subtitles.
Any help locating this dvd will be gratefully appreciated.
Best wishes to all!
go

Good taste, the only two good adapation in animation were : Cléopatre and les 12 travaux (12 works)