Asterix Conquers Rome
| Company type | Comic book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Products | Comic book adaptation of The Twelve Tasks of Asterix |
Asterix Conquers Rome (original French title: Les 12 Travaux d'Asterix), first released in 1976, serves as the comic book adaptation of the animated feature The Twelve Tasks of Asterix. It is often regarded as the unofficial twenty-third installment in the Asterix series. The storyline closely mirrors the film's plot, but due to its limited print availability, it remains relatively obscure among enthusiasts. The English edition was published exclusively within the Asterix Annual 1980, which has resulted in its frequent omission from official volume counts, where Obelix and Co. is instead listed as the twenty-third entry. Additionally, an unauthorized English digital version titled The Twelve Tasks of Asterix circulates online.
Plot summary
Following numerous losses inflicted by the Gaulish villagers, a Roman centurion comes to believe they must be divine beings. In response, Julius Caesar challenges them with twelve Herculean trials designed to prove their mortality. He promises to surrender Rome should they succeed or to enslave them if they fail. Asterix and Obelix accept the challenge and accomplish every task, leading Caesar to concede their superiority. The narrative concludes with Caesar retired and wed to Cleopatra, underscoring the story’s lighthearted, cartoonish tone.
Publication history
This edition spans 28 pages, notably shorter than the standard 48-page length typical of Asterix albums. While Albert Uderzo is credited as the artist, the illustrations reflect the animation style of the film and are attributed to his brother Marcel Uderzo, who had previously contributed to Asterix the Gaul. The original French version was distributed in Belgium as a promotional item associated with a gas company. The English translation, closely following the film’s dialogue, was featured in Whitman’s 1979 Asterix Annual 1980. Other language editions include Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, and Serbo-Croatian.
The Danish translation appeared serialized in black and white within Seriemagasinet in 1983. The Dutch edition was issued as a free booklet in Eppo. In Germany, it ran in black and white across issues 24–29 of Comixene, with a similar approach for the Serbo-Croatian serialization. Italy saw both standalone booklets and serialized versions released. Norway’s colored edition was published in two parts within Fantomet volumes 1 and 2 in 1985.
Asterix Annual 1980
The Asterix Annual 1980 is a special compilation featuring games, condensed Asterix stories, and the complete Asterix Conquers Rome. After facing rejection from several publishers for standalone release, this annual was devised by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge to facilitate its publication by bundling it with other content and preventing separate sales of this title. Published by World and Whitman, it made its debut at a London comic convention in 1980.
Translations
- Danish: Asterix erobrer Rom
- Dutch: Asterix verovert Rome
- Finnish: Asterix valloittaa Rooman
- German: 12 Prüfungen für Asterix
- Italian: Le dodici fatiche di Asterix
- Norwegian: De tolv prøvene
- Serbo-Croatian: 12 podviga
- Spanish: Las doce pruebas de Asterix (Asterix conquista Roma)
- Icelandic: Ástríkur og þrautirnar tólf
- Russian: Двенадцать подвигов Астерикса