Asterix Books In Order

Publication Order of Astérix Books

Publication Order of Asterix Adventure Games Books

The Asterix series is a popular French comic based on the comedy and satire genres. It is written by the well known French author Rene Goscinny. Albert Uderzo was chosen as the illustrator of the series. The series initially made its appearance in the Belgian-Franco comics magazine called Pilote in the year 1959. When author Goscinny died in 1977, Albert Uderzo took over the series for writing the series’ next books. The series is comprised of 36 books in total, which were released between the years 1959 and 2015. Over the course of the series, the authors have described the exploits of the indomitable Gauls at the time when they resisted the forceful occupation by the Romans. They did so with the help of a magical potion that was prepared by brewing by their Druid called Getafix. The recipient of the potion received superhuman strength for some time. All the protagonists mentioned by author Goscinny go through numerous adventures. Among the prominent ones were Asterix and Obelix. In the names of all the characters, the ‘ix’ ending is similar to the ‘rix’ suffix that means king and is seen in the real Gaulish names like Orgetorix, Vercingetorix, Dumnorix, etc. Most of the stories described in the books show the protagonists travel to the foreign countries, however, many of them are still shown as staying around their villages. Much of the historical portions of this exciting series are set abroad and in Gaul alternately. In fact, the even numbered volumes take place abroad, while the odd numbered volumes happen in Gaul, mostly in the rural regions. The Asterix series is also known by the name ‘The Adventures of Asterix’ in some parts of the world and is known to be included among the most famous Franco Belgian comics. It is believed that the series has been translated into more than 100 foreign languages, going on to become most popular in the European countries. After its tremendous success, the series was chosen to be adapted into as many as 13 movies. Nine of the movies are animated, while the remaining 4 are live action films. Several games have also been developed with the series’ characters. A theme park named Parc Asterix is also created in Paris, which resembles the setup of this series. By 2009, an estimated 325 million printed copies of the Asterix books were successfully sold worldwide. This established the authors Uderzo and Goscinny as the bestselling French novelists.

The debut novel of the Asterix series is entitled ‘Asterix the Gaul’. It was first released in 1959 and then re-released in 2004 by the Orion Books publication. Author Goscinny introduced the central characters in this book as Asterix, Panoramix, and Obelix. At the start of the book, it is depicted that all of the Gaul is under the control of Rome, except a tiny village in Armorica. The inhabitants of this village have become invincible by consuming the magic potion made by Druid Getafix. For discovering the secret behind the strength of the Gauls, a Roman commander plants a spy in Armorica dressed as a Gaul. However, the identity of the Roman soldier is revealed when the false moustache falls down. Before getting caught the spy becomes successfully discovers the secret and makes it known to his commander, Centurion Bonus. He intends to overthrow the rule of Julius Caesar and therefore, orders to capture Getafix. He wants Getafix to speak out the recipe so that he can make his soldiers like the Gauls. But, he does not find any success in spite of capturing Getafix. Asterix learns about the capturing of Getafix when a cart-seller informs him about it. Asterix infiltrates the camp and overhears Centurion Bonus telling his intentions about the rebellion to his second in command.

Then Asterix suggests Getafix to agree to the demands of Centurion to make the potion. Getafix asks for a false ingredient, strawberries, which Centurion orders his soldiers to bring as soon as possible. Till the time the strawberries arrive, both Getafix and Asterix relax with greater luxury and when they finally arrive, they eat them all and reveal that they can make the potion without using them. In the end, Getafix prepares a potion that causes the beard and hair of the recipient to grow excessively. Getafix also tricks the Romans into drinking the potion and they all soon have long hairs all over their body. Centurion begins to plead Getafix to prepare the antidote after seeing the miserable condition of his soldiers. While doing so, Getafix a small amount of the real potion and gives it to Asterix. The two escape from captivity and give the information of the rebellion to Julius Caesar when they are stopped by his army while escaping. Julius thanks them for giving the important information and lets them go, but reminds them that they will still remain his enemies. As for Centurion Bonus, Julius deports him to the Outer Mongolia along with his garrison.

The next installment written by Goscinny is called as ‘Asterix and the Golden Sickle’. It was published first in 1960 and then again in 2004. At the beginning of the novel, it is depicted that a Gaulish village faces disaster after Getafix breaks the golden sickle. Without the sickle, he will not be able to attend the yearly Druids’ conference. Also, he will be unable to cut the mistletoe, which he uses to make the effective potion for keeping the Romans at bay. To help Getafix, Asterix & Obelix set out on a journey to Lutetia for buying a new sickle from the cousin of Obelix. While on the journey, the two come across bandits, who get easily defeated by them. Soon, a fellow traveler informs them there is a short supply of sickles in Lutetia. And when Obelix & Asterix arrive in Lutetia, they find that Obelix’s sicklesmith cousin, Metallurgix, is missing. On inquiring to the neighbors, both of them are directed to the chief competitor of Metallurgix named Navishtrix. He offers them the sickle at a very high price. When they refuse to buy at the said price, Navishtrix tries to force them, but instead gets defeated in the fight with them. After getting pardoned by Surplus Dairyprodus, Asterix learns that Metullurgix was captured by the competitors. A drunkard informs him that the competitors can be found near the Boulone forest. As Asterix visits the hiding place of the competitors, followed by Obelix, he finds a large number of Golden Sickles in their storeroom. But, before they could take any, Navishtrix attacks them with his minions and Clovogarlix. Once again, he gets defeated and escapes. As Asterix follows Navishtrix to Dairyprodus, he learns that he had ordered Navishtrix to attack him and Obelix on both the occasions just to have some amusement. When the Centurion learns about this act of Dairyprodus, he imprisons him and Navishtrix and releases Metallurgix. He, in turn, gives Asterix the best lot of his sickles for free in gratitude. They become very happy at this gesture of Metallurgix and return to their village to help Getafix overcome his problems because of the absence of a sickle.