Asterix and the Black Gold
| Company type | Comic book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Albert Uderzo |
| Products | Comic book |
Asterix and the Black Gold (original French title: L'Odyssée d'Astérix) represents the twenty-sixth installment in the Asterix comic book collection, released in 1981. This volume marks the second occasion on which Albert Uderzo undertook both writing and illustrating responsibilities.
The narrative centers on Asterix and Obelix embarking on an expedition to the Middle East, drawing creative influence from James Bond cinema and biblical stories.
Plot summary
The tale opens with Asterix and Obelix overcoming a Roman patrol during a wild boar hunt. Subsequently, Julius Caesar commands M. Devius Surreptitious, chief of M.I.VI, to infiltrate the Gaulish village using Dubbelosix, a druid of mixed Gaulish and Roman heritage equipped with espionage gadgets. Meanwhile, Getafix faces a shortage of rock oil, a crucial ingredient for his magic potion that empowers the Gauls’ resistance.
When the Phoenician trader Ekonomikrisis arrives empty-handed, Getafix suffers a stroke. Asterix and Obelix encounter Dubbelosix, who revives Getafix with an alcoholic remedy. Charged with securing rock oil from Mesopotamia, Asterix, Obelix, Dogmatix, and a reluctant Dubbelosix set sail aboard Ekonomikrisis’ vessel. During their voyage, they repel attacks from pirates and Roman naval forces while Dubbelosix covertly arranges a Roman blockade.
Upon reaching Judea, they enter Jerusalem aided by friendly merchants despite Dubbelosix’s attempts to alert local authorities. Meeting Samson Alius, Ekonomikrisis’ supplier, they discover that Jerusalem’s rock oil reserves have been destroyed and must continue onward to Babylon.
Traversing the Syrian Desert, they encounter hostile groups representing ancient civilizations such as Sumer, Akkadians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Medes. Despite obstacles like damaged waterskins, they locate rock oil and return to Jerusalem. Capturing Caesar’s ship along with Surreptitious and Dubbelosix, they make their way back to Gaul.
Close to home, Dubbelosix attempts to seize the rock oil but accidentally spills it into the sea. Disappointed, they return to find their village flourishing; Getafix has substituted beetroot juice for rock oil in his potion. After recovering from a stroke triggered by this revelation, Asterix endorses further experimentation with the new formula. The Gauls dispatch Dubbelosix and Surreptitious as an unsuccessful gift to Caesar, who punishes them at the Circus Maximus by smearing them with honey and releasing bees upon them, followed by their lovesick carrier fly.
Commentary
- The Black Gold omnibus edition features a dedication “à René” honoring René Goscinny, who passed away in 1977—four years prior to the French release—likely penned by Albert Uderzo.
- An audiobook adaptation of Asterix and the Black Gold, translated by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge and narrated by Willie Rushton, was issued under Hodder and Stoughton's Hodder Children's Audio label.
- The character Dubbelosix serves as a clear tribute to Sean Connery, famed for early James Bond portrayals. Uderzo based his design on Connery’s appearance during production. Dubbelosix employs archaic versions of Bond’s gadgets; his name is a pun on "006," aligning with Gaulish name endings "-ix" and reflecting Connery’s six Bond roles at that time.
- The cure Dubbelosix administers to Getafix is called "Caledonian," an allusion to ancient Scotch, acknowledging Connery’s Scottish roots.
- The secret service M.I.VI., led by Surreptitius, plays on both the Roman numeral VI (6) and Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency.
- Surreptitius caricatures actor Bernard Blier and resembles early James Bond superiors—the character M—portrayed by Bernard Lee and later Robert Brown (British actor).
- The self-destructing papyrus references communication methods from Mission: Impossible.
- Saul ben Ephishul, the Jewish guide escorting the heroes from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, is inspired by series creator René Goscinny’s Jewish heritage.
- During their visit to Jerusalem, Asterix and Obelix encounter biblical elements: Economikrisis refers to it as "the promised land," they lodge in a Bethlehem stable, and Saul narrates the story of David versus Goliath.
- The Roman procurator dubbed "Pontius Pirate" (a play on Pontius Pilate) habitually washes his hands; he visually resembles French actor Jean Gabin, who portrayed Pilate in the 1935 film Golgotha.
- In the desert sequence, Asterix and Obelix face warrior factions from historical Mesopotamian cultures—Sumerians, Assyrians, Hittites, and Medes—who mistakenly attack them. Although historically inaccurate for Roman-era settings, this episode alludes to contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts.
- The Herodian Kingdom is referred to as Palestine anachronistically; this term only emerged in the 2nd century CE despite the story being set around 50 BCE.
- When rock oil is spilled into the sea near the conclusion, a seabird’s remark alludes to oil spills such as the 1978 Amoco Cadiz disaster off Brittany—the region of Asterix’s village.
- The portrayal of Jerusalem closely mirrors the second temple model displayed at Israel Museum’s Holyland hotel exhibit.
- Jews are depicted as Yemenite Jews, paying homage to painter Marc Chagall, whose depiction of King David hangs in Israel’s Knesset.
- Uderzo incorporates subtle references to Jewish customs throughout the narrative.
- The Gauls leave Jerusalem via Lions' Gate—accurately illustrated though constructed over 1,200 years later. The lions symbolize Baibars’ imperial emblem; this gate remains part of Sultan Suleiman's wall today.
- Characters express skepticism about rock oil’s importance, contrasting sharply with modern reliance on petroleum.
- In Norwegian translations, the substitute ingredient for rock oil in Getafix's potion remains unspecified.
Translations
- Catalan: L'odissea d'Astèrix
- Croatian: Rimski druid
- Czech: Asterixova odysea
- Dutch: De odyssee van Asterix
- Finnish: Asterixin harharetket
- German: Die Odysee
- Greek: Η οδύσσεια του Αστερίξ
- Hebrew: אסטריקס וירושלים של זהב שחור
- Indonesian: Perjalanan ke Mesopotamia
- Italian: L'Odissea di Asterix
- Latin: Odyssea Asterigis
- Norwegian: Asterix' Odysse
- Portuguese: A odisseia de Astérix
- Polish: Odyseja Asteriksa
- Serbian: Asteriksova Odiseja
- Spanish: La odisea de Astérix
- Turkish: Asteriks ve Kara Altın
- Swedish: Asterix på irrvägar
References