A wonderfully done book in which Asterix, Obelix, and Getafix, must save a roman inspector that has been poisened by an evil roman governor. To save the inspectors life they must travel to the mountains in Switzerland to get a flower that can heal him.

First published in French in 1970 as Astérix chez les Helvêtes,
Asterix in Switzerland was first published in English in 1973.

A visitor from Rome interrupts Varius Flavus, the Roman Governor of Condatum (Rennes), from one of his depraved and revolting orgies.
Quaestor Vexatius Sinusitus has been sent by Julius Caesar, as a Treasurer for the Provinces, to audit the Governor's accounts.
As Flavus has been rather freely crooking the accounts, he poisons the Quaestor to get him out the way.

An ill Sinusitus secretly sends for the Getafix who is a famous healer, and Getafix of course takes with Asterix and Obelix, and our two heroes are sent to Helvetia (Switzerland) to fetch the one thing that can save his charge, the Silver Star (Edelweiss).
Varius Flavus is desperate to ensure that the Quaestor is not saved and sends word to his friend, the equally corrupt Governor of Genava (Geneva) that Asterix and Obelix are to be stopped at all costs.

Once more the author Goscinny writes a witty and satirical adventure, poking gentle fun at the customs of Switzerland, their punctuality and clocks, fondues and Swiss Cheese, yodeling and banks. We get to observe an ancient 'International Conference of Tribal Chiefs', almost as useless and hypocritical as the United
Nations of today and even get to meet the famous Michelin man when our friends stop off at a repair station to mend a broken wheel.
Once more a fantastic classic, from the famous Goscinny and Uderzo.

There is one thing that I like in this episode more than in any other - drawing! Landscapes of Switzerland in this book truly show Uderzo's talent.

The comic book I purchased was translated by a Robert Caron in the 1990s. I much preferred the version translated by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge in the 1970s. The newer translation is nowhere near as funny as the older one. I wish they had never tampered with the original English translation.

First published in French in 1967 as Astérix légionnaire , it was first published in English in 1970.

Beautiful , young , Panacea returns to the village , after two years studying in Condatum (Rennes) , and Obelix falls head over heels in love with her.
Panacea,however , is engaged to Tragicomix , who has been forcibly conscripted into the Roman army , as part of Julius Caesar' s war effort against the Romans who support Pompey.
Despite Obelix heart being broken by the news of Panacea's engagement,he nonetheless is enough of a gentleman to offer to bring Tragicomix back ...
Once more this is an interesting commentary on Europe at the time of writing , with the Roman Empire being something like the EU today.
In their regiment there is a Greek , a Briton , a Goth (German) , and An Egyptian , as well as a translator , much to the distress of the two Centurions.
This makes for a lot of fun.
Once more we get to see a guest appearance by Julius Caesar.

I wonder why Asterix is not better known in the US? Probably because Americans are not comics fans and also are generally ignorant of things European, including European history and culture, which play a big part in the Asterix books. Be that as it may, these comics are extremely well-known outside the US...and for good reason! They are witty, clever, funny, and educational. They are popular with all ages and I loved them as a university student. This one, "Asterix the Legionary," is one of the best. Other great ones are "Asterix the Gladiator," "Asterix and the Big Fight" (le Combat des Chefs), Asterix in Switzerland" (Asterix chez les Helvetes) and "Asterix in Britain" (Asterix chez les Bretons). The stories were written by Goscinny, one of France's best writers of witty children's books (e.g., "Le Petit Nicolas," "Lucky Luke" etc).

These comics have become classics and part of French culture. They were begun in the early 1960s and continue today, with story and drawings by Uderzo, Gosinny's partner. The newer books (the last six or so), written after Gosinny's death, generally lack the intellectual spice and wit of the earlier ones however. As classics, they compare to Herge's Tintin (basically begun in the 1930's) but Asterix is less based on exotic adventures and more concerned with tongue-in-cheek comic treatment of European peoples and history. The background of these adventures is the Roman Empire and Gaul (France) around the time of Julius Caesar. They are educational insofar as one can recognize the many literary, historical, political and cultural allusions in the adventures. Even university professors have written books on Asterix (for instance, "Asterix, the Whole Truth" and "Asterix auf Grosser Fahrt" from professors at the University of Amsterdam, explaining the accuracy of the historical background and the allusions to ancient art, religion, sport etc.).

I've only read Asterix in French and German, but I assume that they are adequately translated into English. In German there are also translations in about 20 different dialects, which are great fun to read! For the real "Romans" among us Asterix is also available in latin..."il sont fous ces romains!"

Every Asterix adventure is a fun read, so I loved all 5 adventures in this collection, viz., 'Asterix and The Laurel Wreath', 'Asterix in Switzerland', 'Mansion of the Gods', 'Obelix and Co', 'Asterix The Gladiator'.
However I thought the stories could have been arranged more thematically. None of the adventures in this book share any common theme. Eg, 'Asterix and the Laurel Wreath' and 'Asterix and the Chieftan's Shield' belonged together in one collection, or, 'Obelx and Co', 'Asterix and the Roman Agent', and 'Asterix and Caesar's Gift' belonged together, as they all deal with the Romans' attempts to sow discord in the Gaulish village we all know very well.
But, on the whole, no regrets with the stories themselves. All rate 5 stars!

This Bind-up contains the following stories: 1)Asterix the Gladiator 2)Asterix in Switzerland 3)The Mansion of the Gods 4)Asterix and the Laurel Wreath 5)Obelix and Co. This collection of stories complements the other bindup books namely: Absolutely Asterix and Asterix Forever. A fun read. Will keep you entertained.

In this book, the great Julius Caesar attempts once more to destroy the well-loved Armorican village on the seaside of Gaul. He sends a Roman agent to sow the seeds of strife between Asterix and his people.

Whether you're a newcomer to the world of Asterix and Obelix the Gauls, or an old fan, this particular book is one that is definitely worth owning. The way the authors so easily entwine history with fiction and comedy is priceless.

... you will love this book! The story is typical Asterix andthe color and puns are just as side-splitting as ever! Add this oneto your personal comedy library!

Well, its Asterix, so of course its wonderful. It certainly is not the best one, though. Rome has a new tack for conquering the village, one that causes even more dissension then usual. The addition of a rather annoying girl who seems to wrap all of the men around her finger is a sorry newcomer who just doesnt live up to the normally delightful characters. Of course it has all of the elements that make Astrix wonderful, and it is true no collection would be complete without it.

After a drunken Legionnaire is heard making insulting remarks about Julius Caesar, Caesar decides to give him a present-which he in turn sells to a Gaullish Innkeeper for a meal and some drinks.

The innkeeper, Orthopaedix, comes to the village, we know so well, with his wife and daughter, setting in chain a breakdown of cohesion there, as a dispute over the Chieftainship of the village, Obelix falling in love, and the refusal of Druid Getafix to make magic potion makes for another rollicking Asterix adventure.

Once more, a lot of fun.

If you have never readix an Asterix bookix you are in for a treat. Lots of material that is over the head of youngsters. Buy..read..enjoy..then read again. Timeless...And, if your copy falls apart, replace it...cheers

First published in French in 1983 as Le fils d'Astérix, and in English the same year.
Asterix and Obelix must deal with the strange phenomenon of a baby boy, dropped on Asterix' doorstep.
This is one particular challenge they have not dealt with before.
While we puzzle over the mystery of the baby's birth, the villainous, power-hungry, Brutus is hell-bent on getting his hands on the child, whatever it takes.
Meanwhile the cherub-like baby accidentally ingests some magic potion, which gives him super-human strength and a terror to whoever tries to interfere with him.

Not one of the best Asterix albums, but still worth adding to your collection.

For some one 48 and getting older, I thoroughly loved this one. Remarkable ending to the usual Asterix comic. Loved the character of Dogmatix the dog in this issue.

Asterix and Son is an exellent book about a gaul named Asterix who one day woke up and found that there was a baby next to his house. It's hillarious!

Look out, reading this book may make you hungry. The Belgians eat and eat, and then eat some more. The traveling gauls are in for a feast.

Vitalstatistix gets royally ticked off when he learns that Caesar has named the Belgians to be the bravest of all Gauls. He sets off to prove otherwise with a reluctant Asterix and Obelix in tow. The Belgians and our beloved gauls alternate between trying to best one another in contest and having a riotous good time together.

This is not one of my favorite Asterix books because the premise is a little weak; the chief's hot-headed stubbornness is not an interesting enough character trait to carry an entire adventure. It is however chock full of wonderful puns; look for the tribute to Belgium's famous little boy statue. There is also an interesting appearance by Herge's Thompson and Thompson as Asterix pays his respects to Tintin.

The humorous depiction of the adventures of the inhabitants ofone small village in Gaul, (modern day France) which defies romanoccupation in 50 BC with the superhuman power of a magic potion. Its full of beautiful visuals and excellent pun, especially the play of words in conversation and names of characters. Its gentle satire pokes fun on modern life, art and politics with caricatures of Napoleon, Shakespeare, Zorro and even James Bond. A comic that will reach out to kids and adults alike. A must for your collection. I recommend it with gusto!

The last story written by Goscinny! Fist written in French in 1979 as
Astérix chez les Belges, it was first published in English in 1980.

Chief Vitalstatistix is outraged upon hearing that Julius Caesar has referred to the Belgians as the bravest of all the Gaullish peoples, and immediately sets out for Belgium to prove him wrong.
At the suggestion of Druid Getafix, Asterix and Obelix accompany him, lest the whole venture come to a 'sticky end'.

What ensues is compensation between the Belgians and the Armoricans (Asterix and Co) to prove who can bash the most Romans, until Julius Caesar comes to Belgium with his army to intervene.

Our friends get to meet a robust and fiery people not unlike themselves, with curvaceous blond ladies, good beer and masses of good food.

There is a wonderful adaptation of one of those charming paintings by Dutch master, Pieter Breughel The Elder. The English translation uses to very witty effect, quotes by George Gordon, Lord Byron, William Shakespeare and John Milton.

I currently have all of the Asterix books and find them delightful, except this one. I used to have Asterix and the Normans, but I returned it. While this book is not bad, it has all of the usual elements that make every Asterix classic (the jokes, classical references, the beautiful artwork, and the entertaining stories), I really disliked one of the characters. This character (I forget his name now) is the young boy who comes to Gaul and is the character on the lefthand side of the cover. I found him extreemly annoying, to the point where I just couldn't stand to see him on the page (and thus I got rid of all of the pages). I felt that he was rather childish and idiotic, saying things and doing actions that I found extreemly irrating. But still, overall, the rest of the book is wonderful.

This album was first published in French ,in 1966 , as Asterix et les Normans
and in English , in 1978.
Vitalstatistix' brat nephew , Justfokix, is sent to our friends' village , to become a man.
Being not a particularly brave sort , it is particularly unfortunate for Justforkix that his visit coincides with a visit by the fierce Normans , who are on an expedition to learn the meaning of fear .
Thus another adventure begins (especially after the Normans kidnap Justforkix ) , pitting the wills of the fearless Gauls against those of the fearless Normans , with the hapless Romans thrown in the middle.
Two interesting cultural references in this book are to those of the warlike and doughty Normans , with their glasses made from their enemies skulls 'eek , their ale and their delicious cream sauce dishes , Boar in cream sauce ,chicken in cream sauce , sausages in cream sauce etc.
Also remember this book was written at a time when the Rolling Stones where hitting the world like a bolt of thunder-1966- and Justforkix brings some 50 BC rock music to the village .
Talking of music , it is Cacofonix ' singing that actually saves the day , but , then , I don't want to reveal too much of the plot.

No matter how many times you read these asterix comics, youfind something new each time! Thats what makes these bookspriceless. Its all in the clever plot and the excellent artwork. The best compliment I can give to the superb translation work by Anthea Bell and Derick Hockridge is that for the first few years when I read Asterix books as child , I never realised or noticed they were translated.

This is one of my favourite adventures: excellent puns and references to pop culture, these savages are a riot!

I'm a big fan of the Asterix series, but I kind of expected this to be a typic Asterix "comic book". Instead, it's a text with illustrations! Yes, it's a nice story about when they were all kids, but I like the comic book format! This is more like your typical children's book! I was disappointed with the overall result! Besides, all through the series they mention how Obelix fell into a cauldron of magic potion when he was a baby, and that's how he got his permanent strength. But this book implies he was more like a little boy of 6 or 7 years old --- NOT EXACTLY A BABY! Anyway, I can't recommend this one!

This is one of the best books in the Asterix Series. It is very funny too.I think Asterix and Oblex look very cute when they were small kids.

in this book it describes how obelix came to fall in the pot of magic potion made by Getafix.As usual, there is no end of fights in this book.I thought Obelix did this purposely so as to become the best fighter in the village.Obelix est tres amusant.

This a book that should keep you entertained. Asterix and Obelix must help a child from Spain get back to his village. On the way there they run into Roman soldiers, pirates, and plenty of adventures filled with laughter and comedy.

A funny and charming book in which Asterix must help Pepe get home to his father in Spain. A funny adventure that will you laughing