Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield
| Company type | Comic book volume |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comics, Graphic novels |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo |
| Products | Comic book, Graphic novel |
Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield (, "The Arvernian Shield") represents the eleventh installment in the Asterix comic series, crafted by writer René Goscinny and artist Albert Uderzo. Initially appearing in serialized form within Pilote issues 399–421 during 1967, the narrative takes inspiration from the historical battle of Alesia, where the Gaulish leader Vercingetorix capitulated to Julius Caesar. The plot unfolds after this pivotal event, adopting a detective story format that culminates in the resolution of a central mystery.
Plot summary
The tale begins with the surrender of Vercingetorix to Caesar, leaving his weapons displayed beside Caesar’s seat. A Roman archer subsequently steals Vercingetorix’s shield but loses it through a sequence of wagers and trades, eventually leading to its possession by a Gaulish innkeeper.
At the same time, Chief Vitalstatistix develops liver troubles after overindulging at a feast. The druid Getafix recommends a hydrotherapy cure at a spa in Arverne, where Vitalstatistix is accompanied by Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix. Their travels include stops at inns offering rich fare that worsens Vitalstatistix’s condition. Upon arrival in Arverne, Vitalstatistix imposes dietary restrictions on Asterix and Obelix, sending them onward to Gergovia.
During their journey, they confront Roman envoy Noxius Vapus and his guards before making friends with tavern proprietor Winesanspirix, who provides them lodging. Caesar intends to stage a triumph featuring Vercingetorix’s shield as a symbol of conquest and instructs Vapus to recover it. After initial setbacks, the Romans dispatch spy Legionary Pusillanimus, who unintentionally divulges Caesar’s intentions following excessive drinking at Winesanspirix’s tavern.
Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix conduct inquiries by interviewing former archer Lucius Circumbendibus (now operating a wheel business), legionary Marcus Carniverus (turned restaurateur), and centurion Crapulus. Meanwhile, Roman soldiers fruitlessly search for both the shield and the Gauls, humorously soiling themselves with charcoal dust near Winesanspirix’s coal supplies.
Their investigation leads back to Winesanspirix, who confesses that he handed the shield to a disheartened Gaulish warrior—later revealed as a recovered Vitalstatistix—who confirms he has kept it all along. When Caesar arrives in Gergovia, Asterix and local inhabitants orchestrate a triumphal procession with Vitalstatistix carried on Vercingetorix’s shield. Caesar punishes Vapus and his men by exiling them to Numidia, while promoting Crapulus and Pusillanimus for remaining "clean," despite their drunken escapades.
The Gauls return home to celebrate as Vitalstatistix regains his customary weight from earlier feasting but is soon ordered into moderation by his wife Impedimenta.
Commentary
- A recurring joke involves Vitalstatistix and Winesanspirix pretending ignorance about Alesia's location, referencing Vercingetorix's defeat. The probable site of Alesia was identified only after this volume's release.
- The combination of wine and coal shops in Gergovie nods to the Bougnats—Arvernian immigrants in Paris known for selling wine alongside wood and coal.
- This edition establishes that Vitalstatistix’s shield originally belonged to Vercingetorix.
- Unlike typical entries in the series, bard Cacofonix actively joins the feast instead of being gagged.
- This album marks the first time Vitalstatistix's wife is named as Impedimenta.
- The reference to a wheel factory alludes to Michelin, headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, historically Nemessos. Clermont-Ferrand’s main square features a statue of Vercingetorix, contrasting with Caesar’s statue depicted in this story.
- Obelix’s enthusiasm for success at the wheel factory foreshadows themes explored later in Obelix and Co..
- Although Vitalstatistix’s hydrotherapy is set at Aquae Calidae (modern-day Vichy), page 10 also mentions Source Eugénie and thermal springs in Royat, which Romans historically used for such treatments.
- The map of Gaul notes that by 50 B.C., Roman occupation was complete; however, since the Battle of Alesia occurred around 52 B.C., the story is positioned about 15 years later—placing Asterix roughly in the mid-30s B.C., despite recurring character Julius Caesar having died historically before then.
- On page 9, Vitalstatistix quotes 1 Timothy 5:23 regarding moderate use of wine for digestive health.
- This volume loosely inspired the Sega Mega Drive title Asterix and the Power of the Gods.
- Except for English editions, Arvernian characters pronounce "s" as "sh," reflecting dialects from France’s Auvergne region; humor arises when an Arvernian youth pronounces "s" normally and is teased for having a lisp.
In other languages
- Arabic: أستريكس والدرع المختفي
- Bengali: অ্যাস্টেরিক্সের হারানো ঢাল
- Catalan: L'escut dels arverns
- Croatian: Štit iz Arvernije
- Czech: Asterix a slavný štít
- Danish: Asterix og Obelix, romernes skræk ("Asterix and Obelix, The Romans' Terror")
- Dutch: Het ijzeren schild
- Finnish: Asterix ja kadonnut kilpi ("Asterix and the Lost Shield")
- German: Asterix und der Schild der Arverner
- Greek: Η ασπίδα των Αρβέρνων
- Hungarian: Asterix és az auverni pajzs ("Asterix and the Auvergne Shield")
- Italian: Asterix e lo scudo degli Arverni
- Latin: Clipeus Arvernus
- Norwegian: Asterix og Obelix, romernes skrekk! ("Asterix and Obelix, The Romans' Dread")
- Polish: Tarcza Arwernów
- Portuguese: O Escudo dos Arvernos
- Romanian: Asterix și scutul căpeteniei
- Russian: Астерикс и щит арвернов
- Serbian: Štit iz Arvernije
- Spanish: El escudo arverno
- Swedish: Romarnas skräck ("The Romans' Terror")
- Turkish: Asteriks Galya Kalkanı