Asterix and Son
| Company type | Comic book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo |
| Products | Comic book |
Asterix and Son () represents the twenty-seventh installment in the Asterix comic book collection, originally developed by writer René Goscinny and artist Albert Uderzo. This volume marks the third time Uderzo both penned and illustrated an Asterix story.
Plot summary
When a baby boy is found unexpectedly on Asterix's doorstep, rumors arise questioning whether Asterix is the child's father. Alongside Obelix, he embarks on a mission to discover the infant’s parents, guided solely by the finely embroidered linen of the child’s clothing, which suggests a connection to Roman nobility. Meanwhile, the Romans, led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Caesar’s adopted heir, attempt to abduct the baby. Getafix explains that the child was left in the Gaulish village to ensure his safety.
The infant accidentally ingests the magic potion twice, demonstrating remarkable strength by breaking down doors and overpowering Roman spies disguised within the village. In response, Brutus launches an assault, setting fire to the village with his legions. Before the villagers retaliate, they entrust the baby to the women for protection. With assistance from the pirates, Brutus manages to kidnap the child; however, Asterix and Obelix intervene and successfully rescue him.
The arrival of Caesar and Cleopatra reveals that the baby is their son, Caesarion. Brutus had intended to eliminate him in order to claim Caesar’s inheritance, so Cleopatra concealed him in the village for his protection. As a consequence, Caesar banishes Brutus to Upper Germania and vows to restore the damaged village. The narrative concludes with a celebratory feast aboard Cleopatra’s royal barge.
Trivia
- Uderzo received criticism for choosing not to hold the final banquet within the village itself.
- This edition is notable for portraying a rare successful Roman assault that results in the village's destruction, although Caesar pledges its reconstruction.
- Similar to Asterix in Switzerland, this volume adopts a more somber tone, exploring themes such as endangered innocence and an apparent Roman triumph.
- In its English translation, Caesar’s remark before exiling Brutus alludes to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar with the phrase Et tu, Brute?.
In other languages
- French: Le fils d'Astérix
- Catalan: El fill d'Astèrix
- Croatian: Asterixov sin
- Czech: Asterixův syn
- Dutch: De zoon van Asterix
- Finnish: Asterixin poika, also in Rauma dialect as Asteriksim boikkane mukul ("Asterix's boy tot")
- Galician: O fillo de Astérix
- German: Der Sohn des Asterix
- Greek: Ο γιος του Αστερίξ
- Indonesian: Bayi Asterix
- Irish: Asterix agus a Mhac
- Italian: Il figlio di Asterix
- Latin: Filius Asterigis
- Norwegian: Asterix & sønn
- Portuguese: O filho de Astérix
- Polish: Syn Asteriksa
- Russian: Сын Астерикса
- Serbian: Asteriksov sin
- Spanish: El hijo de Astérix
- Swedish: Asterix & Son
- Turkish: Asteriks'in Oğlu
- Welsh: Asterix a'r Pwt Bach Twt