Asterix the Gaul Totally Explained

Everything about Asterix The Gaul Book totally explained

Asterix the Gaul is the first volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations).

Plot summary

All Gaul is divided into three parts. No, four — for one small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the Roman invaders....

Centurion Crismus Bonus, keen to discover the secret of the Gauls' superhuman strength, sends a spy into the village. The Roman's identity is revealed when he loses his false moustache, but he discovers the existence of the magic potion brewed by the Druid Getafix. With that potion, Crismus Bonus believes that he could overthrow Julius Caesar, and become Emperor himself. So, he kidnaps Getafix to get the recipe.
When Asterix joins the druid in captivity, he and the druid demand a list of hard-to-find ingredients for the magic potion. Though magical, this turns out to be a very different brew — an extremely potent potion that causes the hair and beard of the drinker to begin growing at a rapid pace. The Romans eventually convince Getafix to make an antidote, and Getafix does make it. At the same time, he also prepares a small quantity of the real magic potion for Asterix to drink. The two then begin bashing their way out of the Roman camp. As they're attempting to escape, they're stopped by a huge army of Roman reinforcements and are captured again.
When Crismus Bonus returns to his tent, he finds Julius Caesar there checking on the condition of the area. Upon meeting Asterix and Getafix, he learns of Crismus Bonus' intentions. He then frees Asterix and Getafix for giving him the information, while reminding them that they're still enemies. As punishment, he sends Crismus Bonus away to Outer Mongolia, where there's a barbarian rebellion.

Characters

Introducing

Asterix - Gaulish warrior
Obelix - Gaulish menhir delivery man
Getafix - Gaulish druid
Vitalstatistix - Chief of the Gaulish Village
Cacofonix - Gaulish bard
Fulliautomatix - Gaulish blacksmith
Julius Caesar - Roman leader (historical)

Development

Because this is the first album, many story points and characterizations are still in their formative stages. In fact, due to its original, serial nature, some develop and change even as the story progresses:

The Roman second-in-command changes abruptly a few pages into the story.

Getafix begins the story living in a cave in the forest and looking much like a stereotypical caveman. He also uses a walking stick.

Obelix is seen carrying an axe in his first appearance. It is never seen again. He is satisfied with helping Asterix eat just one boar between them.

Asterix and other villagers appear to be using the potion constantly, yet seeing the potion being made is viewed as an event.

Fulliautomatix is seen working metal with his bare hands. He also bears no resemblance to his later appearances.

Cacofonix the bard plays and calls a dance, and at the end is seated at the table at the feast. Later albums established a running gag where he's never allowed to sing, and is tied up and gagged at feasts to prevent this.

One of the few books where we get to see some of Getafix's other tricks, namely, the hair-growth potion and its antidote.

When he's first introduced in the prologue, Caesar has a completely different look than he's in the rest of the series (NOTE: when he appears in the end of the album, he already has his new look; this can be seen as an error)

Publishing history

The story was first published as a serial in Pilote, a French comic magazine founded by Goscinny and a few other comic artists.
   The first page appeared in the promotional issue #0, distributed on June 1, 1959, and the story was serially published in the magazine from issue #1 (October 29, 1959) until issue #38 (July 14, 1960). A small head of Asterix first appeared on the cover of #9 (December 24, 1959), and a full Asterix cover was used on #21 (March 17, 1960).
   The next story, Asterix and the Golden Sickle, started in issue #42 (August 11, 1960). Asterix le Gaulois was published in July 1961 by Dargaud in the so-called "Pilote collection" with a print of 6000 copies. A Dutch translation followed in 1966, and other languages followed soon after.
   The English translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge was first published in 1969 by Brockhampton Press.

Further Information

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