Asterix and Obelix's Birthday
| Company type | Comic book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comics |
| Founded | October 22, 2009 |
| Founder | Albert Uderzo |
| Products | Comic book |
Asterix and Obelix's Birthday: The Golden Book represents the thirty-fourth installment in the Asterix comic book collection, both illustrated and scripted by Albert Uderzo. This volume, which includes tales co-developed with René Goscinny, commemorates the series' 50th anniversary and was published on 22 October 2009.
The opening segment features Uderzo responding directly to critiques of his solo projects, particularly addressing concerns about Asterix and the Falling Sky. He clarifies that The Golden Book consists of a compilation of short episodes honoring the hero’s half-century milestone rather than a conventional full-length story.
Plot summary
The narrative begins in 1 AD, fifty years beyond the usual 50 BC setting, portraying the characters as having aged five decades. Descendants of various artisans, merchants, and fighters are introduced. Uderzo makes a cameo appearance within the strip, provoking Obelix who retaliates with a blow; subsequently, Uderzo admits that depicting the Gauls as older was an ill-advised choice.
Returning to 50 BC, Asterix and Obelix mark their shared birthday with celebrations. They receive correspondence from acquaintances including Panacea, the pirates, and Edifis. Obelix experiences difficulty deciphering Panacea’s letter despite consulting an ancient alphabet guide provided by Getafix, which leads to frustration and tension. Geriatrix offers a disparaging critique supported by an image resembling a Magnetic resonance imaging scan.
During a lavish banquet, numerous prominent figures from diverse backgrounds appear, each presenting gifts to the protagonists—such as Ekonomikrisis who offers a guide named Coquelus (Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield), Cacofonix presenting his musical compositions, and Valueaddedtax introducing new magical brews. Suggestions for future innovations are also made, including alterations in attire, matrimonial customs, amusement parks, theatrical arts, and visual creativity.
Eventually, Cleopatra and Julius Caesar make their entrance. Caesar initially hesitates but consents to join after Cleopatra reminds him of Asterix and Obelix’s protection of Caesarion (as seen in Asterix and Son). In retaliation, Caesar dispatches centurions bearing wine tainted with Ricin, but Getafix cleverly avoids ingestion by discreetly discarding his drink before the centurions eagerly consume theirs—resulting in their enduring severe digestive distress throughout the remainder of the tale.
Notes
- This edition showcases over 80 characters—the largest assembly featured in the series—including principal figures, female legionnaires, children from the village, and even a chicken fascinated by Vitalstatistix's helmet plumes.
- It integrates personalities from earlier volumes—both identified and anonymous—such as former foes like centurions, legionaries, and notably Julius Caesar himself. Gaulish traitors like Clovogarlix (from Asterix and the Golden Sickle), Prolix (Asterix and the Soothsayer), and Codfix (Asterix and the Great Divide) also appear, forming a "best of" anthology drawn from the preceding 33 albums.
- Some illustrations are repurposed from promotional content, supplementary releases, and prior albums—for instance, the character proportion study on page 17 is derived from The Twelve Tasks of Asterix.
- The pirate leader Redbeard is officially named for the first time in this volume.
- Aside from probable relatives of Asterix and Obelix, Caesar’s apothecary Choleramorbus is introduced as the sole new character.
- The concluding two-page spread uniquely depicts Voluptuous Arteriosclerosus twice: once as a centurion patting Prolix on the shoulder and again as a demoted soldier sweeping under his former Optio’s supervision.
- Unlike most entries in the series—which typically end with a feast—this album does not conclude with such a banquet (except for brief stories found in Asterix and the Class Act), though a celebration honoring Asterix and Obelix’s birthday is implied later on.