Top Ten Best Asterix Books by Goscinny and Uderzo

Top 10 Best Asterix Books by Goscinny and Uderzo

From Asterix the Legionary, Asterix and Obelix go off on a boar hunt

My Top Ten Asterix Books
by Goscinny and Uderzo

by Augie De Blieck Jr.

Of the 24 books they did together, which ten Asterix titles stand out? Which are the so-called “best Asterix books”?

Part of me is critic and part of me is raging Asterix fanboy. This list combines those two halves.  It’s the best I can do.  Your list will likely be different.  We will disagree, and that’s OK.  This is a good place to start the discussion, though.  I can only promise to be transparent and give you my reasons for these choices.

The list is also in no particular order.  This is a hard enough job as it is.  In all likelihood, an ordered top ten list would show very little difference between any two books.  If any stand out, in particular, along the way, I will point them out.

Let’s get to it.

Asterix and Economics

Asterix v17, "The Mansions of the Gods" cover Asterix v23 Obelix and Co cover by Albert Uderzo

I appreciate these two books, in particular, for their thinly-veiled lessons in economics and human behavior.

Also, their titles don’t fit the usual “Asterix and” formula.

With “Mansions of the Gods,” Caesar hits upon a new way to force Asterix’s people out of their Village: He’ll build big apartment buildings right next door. Who’d want to live next to those? The Villagers, of course, nearly fall for it, despite Asterix’s begging and pleading not to.

It’s a story so good that they made a great animated movie out of it!

In “Obelix and Co.,” Obelix discovers a brilliant money-making scheme related to his menhir delivery business. It nearly destroys the village, of course, as he creates a new industry, drives the town into a single economic model, and then floods the market with sub-par crap.

It becomes an economic battle for the Village, as Caesar and Obelix throw new wrinkles into the business model to tilt the flow of money to their own businesses.  

Goscinny’s script is super perceptive of human behavior and economic swings.  Everything makes sense.

The best part of it all is that Asterix sees it coming, and opts to stand out of its way to let nature takes its course.  This might be the only case ever where I’m OK with the star of the story taking no part in its resolution, on purpose.

It’s one of the most clever stories in the series, and was the first book I thought of for this list.

 

Asterix’s Tour of Europe/Africa/Asia/America

Asterix v6 Asterix and the Cleopatra cover by Albert Uderzo Asterix in Belgium cover by Albert Uderzo

I have a feeling that this might be slightly controversial.  And I admit my personal feelings get in the way of my critical ones here.  But, like I said at the top, these are my favorite books, not necessarily the most darling of my critical faculties.

I wrote 4000 words about Asterix in Belgium already.  It’s not Goscinny’s best book.  It’s, sadly, his last and comes with a certain weight because of it.  But my personal connection to Belgium — having had grandparents come to America from there — no doubt lifts the book in my eyes.  I can’t help it.

Asterix and Cleopatra is where it felt like the series was hitting its stride.  In my initial review of the book, I wrote, “The book is chock o block packed with gags, both verbal and visual. It’s like a Best Of book for all the previous jokes in the series, with a helpful scoop of brand new, Egypt-themed gags.  It’s arguably the best book in the series so far.”

And that’s why it makes the list.  All the elements are established in previous books, and now they’re running with it.  The character designs are still morphing about a little bit, but they’re pretty close to finalized.

And, from a historical perspective, you get Cleopatra and Caesar in a story together.  That’s pretty cool.

Honorable mention in this category goes to “Asterix the Goths,” mostly for the border skirmish scenes.

 

A Village Invader

Asterix and the Roman Agent cover Asterix and the Soothsayer (volume 19) cover by Albert Uderzo

These two books follow very similar paths: someone comes into the Village from the outside and disrupts everything.  The Villagers’ natural human emotions get the better of them.  

This is Goscinny firing on all cylinders as an observer of humanity and its foibles, but the books also work as strong character-based stories.  Those jealousies and disagreements come out of pre-existing characteristics.

I might give “Soothsayer” a slight leg up if you asked me to choose between the two. The clash of characters feels a little more natural in it, and there’s a larger commentary on how easily people can be misled by empty promises of charlatans.  It’s a lesson we continuously need to be taught, sadly.

For a close third place runner-up in this category, check out “Asterix and Caesar’s Gift,” where Caesar gives The Village as a gift to a Roman citizen, who shows up and darn near takes over the place.  The election is a predictably silly affair, and then the Romans attack. 

Vaudeville at Its Finest

Asterix the Legionary is volume 10 of the series Asterix v2 Asterix and the Golden Sickle cover by Albert Uderzo

I love a good Marx Bros. movie. It captures a lost era now of the classic Vaudeville comedy acts, but those bits of humor continue to trickle down in entertainment to this day. Much of the classic Warner Bros. animated shorts are echoes of that era, and those continue to be the high point in American animation to this day.

I don’t know how direct the influence was on Goscinny and Uderzo, but they channeled that same energy often across the “Asterix” books.  You can compare Asterix and Obelix to Laurel and Hardy at times, then Groucho and one of his brothers at others.  It’s not an exact 1:1 relationship, but it’s close enough.

These two books have plenty of great moments and running gags that you could easily see in one of those old black and white early Hollywood movies inspired by travelling comedians on stages before then.

Asterix the Legionary” is a particular favorite of mine. Asterix and Obelix’s turn in the Roman armed forces is a bravura performance, antagonizing the Romans  at every turn and sowing chaos amongst the other troops.

There are so many brilliant bits of comedic showmanship in this book, just from putting the pair in such a ridiculous situation. The two dismantle the Romans so quickly, you almost start to feel badly for them.  That goes for everyone from the cook to the tailor to the military leaders.

Asterix and the Golden Sickle” is only the second book in the series, but there’s so much already in the book. It’s amazing how fully formed the series came out of Goscinny’s head at the start.  Asterix and Obelix have their snappy banter down, and the off-handed beatings they game the Romans along their way are always hilarious, too. 

And, of course, this is the book with the running gag of the drunkard from jail proclaiming Vercingetorix’s glory repeatedly.

Fits No Convenient Categories

Asterix v4 Asterix and the Gladiator cover by Albert Uderzo "Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield" cover by Albert Uderzo

Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield” might be a controversial pick.  I even said it in my review: the plot is not the strongest in this book. The Romans are after the Gauls, and the Gauls are after the Romans, and ne’er the twain shall meet yet all will be resolved.  I include it in this list because, as you can see in the review, it’s heavy on the ancient Roman history.  I had a field day explaining some of the historical references for this book in my review, so it holds a special place for mt.

Asterix the Gladiator” might be best remembered for being the first book in which Obelix said, “These Romans are crazy”.

But I like it for more than that. It’s Asterix versus Caesar, with Cacofonix, of all people, at the center of everything. This is the book where I had to rethink Cacofonix’s character.  You can’t hate him — he’s a victim of early bullying.

Again, though, Asterix is able to think his way out of trouble and impress Caesar to the point of winning the day. 

Those Are My Top Ten Asterix Books

Ask me again in a month and I might tweak a choice or two, but I’m generally very happy with this list.  I’ve thought about doing this write-up for months, and most of the books above were no-brainers for me.  They didn’t budge from the list at all.

I know you’ll have other books you feel like I left off eggregiously. You may even be right.  I still can’t shake the feeling like I’m forgetting an obvious one.  And one or two choices I think a lot of people would have been happier with had little faults that removed them from the list for me.

That’s half the fun of these kinds of lists, though. They just instigate trouble controversy internet feuds participation discussion.

The comments are below. What’s your favorite book that didn’t make my list here?


What do YOU think? (First time commenters' posts may be held for moderation.)

25 Comments

  1. For tour of Europe I would replace Belgians (which is tediously repetitive) with the more fun Laurel Wreath (which covers the two greatest cities in the world).
    For economy Cauldron seems to offer deeper insight and more humor than Obelix and Co.
    For invader the roman agent is pretty normal/predictable compared to the Normans, which offer the best village invader, another “bard”.

    1. From a critical point of view, I agree with you on “Belgium.” “Laurel Wreath” is a good replacement for it. And I’m not sure I gave “Normans” its proper due when I put together this list. I could listen to arguments in favor of it, though it was still relatively early on, so the art style was still coming together. Maybe that’s why I went with a later volume…

  2. For me the top ten is based entirely on sentimental aspects, the Shield has always been my favourite, because it takes place in the region where I was born and because it is the very first one I ever read as a kid, then reread so many times. The Roman Agent and the soothsayer had a big emotional impact on me as my first peek into a world of adults full of deception. After that, pretty much all the Goscinny ones have a special place in my heart, as yearly birthday gifts, the series evolved as I grew up from kid to teen. In 77 I was only 12 and only after reading the Great Divide I realized that, as the wise man said, part of the journey is the end. At times, when I have one of those in my hands, I can hardly open it, for the emotional charge of becoming a kid again is so strong. Even though I know that each time I will see things in a different perspective, that will bring more and more depth to that exceptional work from these two creators. I have to thank you Augie, for this trip down memory lane, all these past few months, discovering some of the highlights from the english versions was a new level for me, that definitely adds even more to the experience.

  3. For me:
    Asterix and the Roman Agent 5/5
    The Mansions of the Gods 5/5
    Obelix and Co. 5/5
    Asterix in Britain 5/5
    Asterix and Caesar’s Gift 4.5/5
    Asterix and the Golden Sickle 4.5/5
    Asterix in Switzerland 4.5/5
    Asterix and the Soothsayer 4.5/5
    Asterix The Gaul 4.5/5
    Asteroid and Cleopatra 4.25/5 / Asterix and the Cauldron 4.25/5

  4. Not going to try a top ten list, because I’m probably screwing it up. But I really like to add to the list of great jokes for me are the Egyptian soldier’s messages to his surroundings (legionnaire) and the discussion about what to do with the mushrooms (I sadly always forget the issue)

  5. In Tours of Europe you chose Belgium – understandable because you have Belgian ancestry – and…. Egypt??? Definitely a case of heart over head.

    1. Which European tour book(s) would you pick? I thought Egypt was a safe pick. It seems to be one of the most beloved from the series. That’s not why I picked it, but it seemed to be a nice bit of alignment. I’m always curious to see which ones other people prefer. =)

      1. Don’t get me wrong, Cleopatra’s a great album, it’s just that for a tour of Europe book, I’d choose somewhere in Europe.

  6. Ha! You know, when I recorded the podcast version of this, I realized that and made that joke at my own expense. And it’s only just now that I realize I didn’t recognize that when I posted this article in the first place. Whoops. I might just go ahead and change that header now. I hate to look stupid.

    1. Ah, don’t mind me too much Augie, I’m just being a bit of a smart ass with you. You’re a good sport with your comment section, plenty of others wouldn’t even have published my comment, it’s a great site in general. Kudos to you.

      1. It’s OK. I don’t mind being called out on stupid stuff like that. I’m more amused with myself for not realizing it in the first place. But thanks for the kind words. Just keep me honest, it’s all I ask. =)

  7. Thanks so much for sharing your list! Myself and my friend recently set up an Asterix Cycling Cafe Club whereby we ride out to a great coffee shop and then sit in the sun reading an Asterix book before riding home. Recapturing our youth! Love Asterix in Britain ( my homeland) and the passion of the rugby game plus The Big Fight with the druids trying to concoct the magic potion! RIP Uderzo! Merci Maesrto

  8. I came looking for a best of list after (re)reading the ‘Mansions of the Gods’ recently to my kids. I was cracking up at the stone brochure advertising the Mansions flatlets. “Only three weeks from Rome”. “Regular ‘Parents-Slaves Association’ meetings to give feedback on your children’s academic progress.” “Either the slave or your children get whipped.”

    Mansions of the Gods was definitely one of the best.

  9. I have all of the omnibuses up to 5. my personal favorite of them is 5 itself, and I have alot of the comics you mentioned.

  10. Hey, thank you for that interesting list with all the explanations! I can pretty much agree to about everything 🙂

    Just my absolute favorite is not contained, which is “Asterix in Korsika”. Maybe it is because I read it when we were in fact on vacation on Korsika. I found the display of the properties of the inhabitants absolutely hilarious.

    Also, the translation into German, my mother language, is absolute brilliant, which might be different with the english version 🙂

    Thanks again for the fun read!

    1. Thanks for reading! Glad you liked the list! =).

      I thought I read somewhere that the Corsica book is one of the best-selling Asterix books. Honestly, I knew very little about Corsica until I read the book, so most of it was probably lost on me. Having learned a lot about Corsica after reading this book, I get it now. Also, I think Uderzo does some of his best work in Corsica, particularly with the backgrounds. For me, it still wouldn’t be in the top ten, but I definitely appreciate it more now than when I first read it. It’s a great book.

  11. Yes Corsica is one of the most popular because, one, it’s the peak of the series, and two, the humor is so spot on, yet so respectful of regional culture, paradoxically out at a time Corsica was mostly known in the news for its independentist terrorists faction ETA blowing up symbols of the state like the residence of the préfêt or the holiday mansions of rich metropolitans.

  12. Nice list, but…. I am absolutely, totally flabbergasted by one ommission: Asterix in Britain! Definitely one of the very, very best books. Also, Asterix and the Normans might also qualify as top 10 material.