Asterix and the Magic Carpet
| Industry | Comics |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Albert Uderzo |
| Products | Comic book |
Asterix and the Magic Carpet represents the twenty-eighth installment in the Asterix comic series, originally crafted by René Goscinny (story) and Albert Uderzo (artwork). Released first in 1987 and translated into English by 1988, it stands as the fourth album created exclusively by Uderzo after Goscinny's passing in 1977.
The French title, Astérix chez Rahàzade ou Le compte des mille et une heures, alludes to Queen Scheherazade from the renowned 1001 Nights collection.
Plot summary
Following the reconstruction of their village after Brutus' assault in Asterix and Son, Chief Vitalstatistix is interrupted by bard Cacofonix, whose singing induces rainfall. This event summons Watziznehm, a fakir arriving on a flying carpet, who seeks assistance to bring rain to his realm in the Ganges Valley within 1001 hours. Without precipitation, Princess Orinjade is destined for sacrifice—a scheme masterminded by Grand Vizier Hoodunnit to usurp control.
Vitalstatistix sends Cacofonix, Asterix, Obelix, Dogmatix, and Watziznehm on the flying carpet to India. Their trip encounters setbacks due to Obelix’s frequent food breaks, Cacofonix’s attempts at singing, and a lightning strike that damages the carpet. They reach their destination with just over 30 hours remaining but discover Cacofonix has lost his voice. Rajah Wotzit’s physicians recommend an overnight bath composed of elephant milk, dung, and hair to restore it.
While preparing this remedy alongside elephant trainer Howdoo, Hoodunnit’s agents abduct Cacofonix and take him to an elephant graveyard for execution. Watziznehm, Asterix, and Obelix pursue but are impeded by Hoodunnit’s fakir assistant Owzat. After a confrontation between fakirs, Asterix and Obelix reach Howdoo and set out to rescue Cacofonix amid challenges including tigers, monkeys, rhinoceroses, and hostile henchmen. They locate Cacofonix unharmed; his scent calms the elephants. Watziznehm defeats Owzat and rescues the party using the flying carpet.
At the site of execution, Asterix saves Princess Orinjade while Watziznehm confronts Hoodunnit. After drinking the magic potion, Cacofonix regains his voice and sings to summon rain. The palace hosts a celebratory feast contrasting with the Gaul village’s banquet missing Cacofonix—leading villagers to contemplate retrieving their bard to prevent drought despite blacksmith Fulliautomatix’s usual antagonism toward him.
Introducing
- Watziznehm – fakir
- Wotzit – rajah
- Orinjade – princess
- Hoodunnit – scheming Grand Vizier
- Owzat – Hoodunnit's fakir henchman
- Howdoo – elephant trainer
Commentary
- An audiobook adaptation of Asterix and the Magic Carpet by Anthea Bell, narrated by Willie Rushton, was released on EMI Records' Listen for Pleasure label in 1988.
- This edition marks the initial mention of India within an Asterix story, blending historical elements such as Rigvedic gods with Islamic architectural and clothing influences despite Islam’s arrival in India occurring only in the late 11th century CE.
- The narrative adopts a notably serious tone as protagonists must save an innocent from death.
- The princess’s name plays on the beverage Orangeade; in French she is Rahàzade—a pun referencing Scheherazade from Arabian Nights.
- The gag that Cacofonix’s singing causes rain debuts here and recurs later; singing indoors triggers indoor rain while outdoors it causes rainfall over the village.
- In French, Cacofonix performs an aria from Faust, referencing The Adventures of Tintin.
- The princess’s question to her handmaiden about visitors alludes to the fairy tale Bluebeard.
- Asterix, Obelix, and Cacofonix consuming caviar humorously contrasts its modern luxury image with its depiction here as a humble food.
- Hoodunnit references another Goscinny character, Iznogoud, proclaiming he will be Rajah instead of the Rajah.
- Upon regaining his voice, Cacofonix sings Singin' in the Rain, replaced by Feste’s Song from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in English versions.
- Orinjade is among few characters who appreciate Cacofonix's music alongside Justforkix and Pepe from other albums.
- Obelix’s "Not out" call halting Watziznehm nods to cricket, a sport popular in India.
- The countdown until Orinjade’s execution references ancient India’s invention of zero.
- Watziznehm’s ascetic lifestyle contrasts with Obelix’s indulgence; at one feast Obelix consumes an entire camel while Watziznehm is content with a single caviar egg.
- The name Watziznehm may be an allusion to Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, where "whatsitsname" is a verbal tic used by a character.
In various languages
- Ancient Greek: Αστερίκιος παρά Σακχαραζάδι
- Catalan: Astèrix a l'Índia
- Croatian: Asterix i leteći sag
- Czech: Asterix a Rahazáda
- Danish: Asterix i Østens fagre riger
- Dutch: Asterix in Indus-land
- Finnish: Asterix Intiassa – Tuhannen ja yhden tunnin matka (Asterix in India – The Thousand-and-One-Hour Journey)
- German: Asterix im Morgenland
- Greek: Ο Αστερίξ και η Χαλαλίμα
- Indonesian: Asterix dan Putri Rahazade
- Italian: Le mille e un'ora di Asterix
- Latin: Asterix Orientalis
- Norwegian: Asterix og det flygende teppet
- Persian: استریکس و قالیچه ایرانی
- Polish: Asteriks u Reszehezady
- Portuguese: As 1001 horas de Astérix
- Russian: Астерикс и Волшебный ковер
- Serbian: Asteriks kod Šećerlemade (a wordplay merging Scheherazade and šećerlema, which means sweet candy)
- Spanish: Astérix en la India
- Swedish: Asterix i Indien