Asterix in Belgium
| Company type | Comic book volume |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comics, Graphic novels |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | René Goscinny (story), Albert Uderzo (artwork) |
| Products | Comic book |
Asterix in Belgium () represents the twenty-fourth installment in the Asterix comic series, created by René Goscinny (story) and Albert Uderzo (artwork). This volume is significant as it marks the final Asterix narrative completed by Goscinny before his passing during its development.
Plot summary
Following confrontations with the Belgians in northern Gaul, Julius Caesar proclaims them the most courageous adversaries he has encountered. His legionaries even joke that their assignment near Asterix's village feels more like a vacation.
Chief Vitalstatistix, angered that his own village—historically dreaded by Romans—is perceived as less valiant, resolves to demonstrate his people's bravery. Acting on Getafix’s counsel, he sets out for Belgium accompanied by a hesitant Asterix and Obelix.
Upon arrival, they encounter a Belgian settlement governed by chiefs Beefix of the Nervii and Brawnix of the Menapii, whose formidable strength and hearty diet of meat and beer intimidate Roman forces. To determine which group is braver, Vitalstatistix proposes a challenge involving raids on Roman encampments. Both factions succeed in destroying an equal number of camps, revealing their identities to the surprised soldiers.
Concurrently, the Pirates’ vessel is wrecked due to Obelix’s involvement, leading to exaggerated rumors reaching Rome about a large Gaulish force and a neutral fleet. Caesar travels to Belgium to restore discipline, unaware that this is all orchestrated as a test of courage.
To resolve the dispute peacefully, Asterix advises Caesar to declare both sides equally valiant. Feeling slighted at being an arbitrator rather than an emperor, Caesar demands battle. Initially, Roman forces gain ground using catapults; however, when the Gauls join the Belgians with their magic potion, they secure a joint triumph.
With defeat looming, Caesar prepares to depart for Rome but is confronted by the chiefs seeking to know who is braver. Frustrated, Caesar dismisses them all as "crazy" before leaving. Vitalstatistix and Beefix share a laugh over this, embracing their shared valor and parting amicably after celebrating with a feast.
Commentary
- Goscinny’s death occurred midway through this story’s creation; as a tribute, Uderzo illustrated darkened skies and rainfall from that point forward, simultaneously poking fun at Belgian weather.
- An additional homage to Goscinny appears in the closing panel: beneath the banquet scene, a rabbit gazes sorrowfully toward his signature.
- Bonanza (Nicotine in French), Beefix’s wife, caricatures Belgian entertainer Annie Cordy.
- Beefix humorously proposes preparing french fries, musing on how they would complement fish and chips, despite potatoes arriving in Europe centuries later.
- On page 31, detectives Thomson and Thompson from the Belgian comic Tintin make a brief appearance, mispronouncing Julius Caesar’s name; this scene is rendered in Hergé’s characteristic ligne claire technique.
- Page 39 includes a cameo of renowned cyclist Eddy Merckx acting as a messenger.
- The climactic battle between Gallo-Belgian and Roman troops satirizes the historic Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. The text scrolls in the French edition imitate Victor Hugo’s Les Châtiments, while both versions reference this battle. The Roman commander recites "La garde meurt mais ne se rend pas," echoing General Pierre Cambronne’s famed phrase and adopting a pose reminiscent of Cambronne’s statue in Nantes. Julius Caesar’s mistaken expectation of reinforcements parodies Napoleon’s anticipation of General Emmanuel de Grouchy’s arrival but instead encountering Prussian forces under Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.
- This volume contains more literary allusions than any other Asterix book, including references to Plutarch's Lives, Caesar's Gallic Wars, and Shakespeare's Tragedy of Julius Caesar (in English).
- The celebratory feast at the Belgian village parodies Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Flemish masterpiece The Peasant Wedding (De Boerenbruiloft), which was painted by Marcel Uderzo, Albert Uderzo's brother.
- Botanix's young son running off to relieve himself alludes to Brussels' famous statue Manneken Pis.
In other languages
- Catalan: Astèrix a Bèlgica
- Croatian: Asterix u Belgiji
- Czech: Asterix u Belgů
- Danish: Styrkeprøven
- Dutch: Asterix en de Belgen
- Estonian: Asterix Belgide juures
- Finnish: Asterix Belgiassa
- Galician: Astérix na terra dos belgas
- German: Asterix bei den Belgiern
- Greek: Ο Αστερίξ στους Βέλγους
- Icelandic: Ástríkur í Belgíu
- Italian: Asterix e i Belgi
- Norwegian: Styrkeprøven (The test of strength)
- Polish: Asteriks u Belgów
- Portuguese: Astérix entre os Belgas
- Serbian: Asteriks među Belgijancima
- Slovenian: Asterix pri Belgih
- Spanish: Astérix en Bélgica
- Turkish: Asteriks Belçika'da
- Indonesian: Asterik Di Belgia
- Swedish: Asterix i Belgien