Asterix and the Big Fight

I've positive memories of the Asterix series - which I raced through as a wee kid - and after having flicked through the modern printing of this adventure, having bought it for someone else, I can honestly say this is an ideal way to get reluctant kids started on reading if my own experience is anything to go by. You might also want to consider buying it for learners of English. There's abundant colour on each page, and the visual storyline will in most cases keep kids positively distracted. The print quality of the modern edition is better than what I remember it to be, which at times could leave a powdery feel across your fingers. I'm really thinking of the hardback compendiums here, but there are no problems with the current print run.

A strong contender for best adventure (1/1 people found this helpful)

My comments are on the original books, not the new reprints, although this does sound like a really good idea to me, and I might even be tempted to buy one to see how good a job they've done. If there was one thing the books suffered from (all mine were purchased in the 70s) it was the printing quality. I remember one in particular, Cleopatora, that was in double vision, just like the former short lived newspaper 'Today', and it made me a bit dizzy after reading it all.
Also the quality of stories did range from very weak to very strong, but overall an excellent children's comic book, and without question, the most educational. They gave me both a love for history, and more importantly, a love for language, as they are beautifully written indeed, and quite challenging even for literate 10 year olds, as the author did love a multisyllabic word or two. The latin references and play on words are plenty, and they are drenched in witty, wordy humour. They are also quite satirical and loved poking gentle fun at the inhabitants of the country they were set in. Also, importantly, they were never infected with any of this politically correct nonsense (unless they've been re-edited, which I hope sincerely hope not). Not that they are in any way harsh or mean at all, they just loved the humour of being culturally aware, if you like. The books are very proudly French, don't forget, and are quite an insight into what they, comically, think of other nationalities. 'Spain' had a gentle dig at their neighbour's laziness, and 'Britain' portayed us all as simple minded eccentrics with bizarre rituals like tea time. If you want to know their view of the Germans, then The Goths will not disappoint or surprise you. If I had kids, I would make sure they got this whole reprinted collection, but one by one as I did, making them look forward to the next arrival with an intense anticipation. (Sorry, obviously parents don't need telling this.) They are all very collectable, and most of them very re-readable. They do range from weak to quite magnificent in quality of adventure, but the varying of quality is random, and can't be correlated with a particular stage in the series they were created in, as you could get two brilliant stories in a row, followed by a very flat one, followed by another strong one and so on. Also, as you will see from the reviews, judging them is a personal and subjective thing, as some people's number one favourite has surprised me greatly, while one or two I think are great aren't getting 5 stars. But this just adds to the fun of owning them and having to re-read them again. An essential collection for kids, and especially ones who love learning and are inquisitive about the world. They are great fun for all children, with their colourful cartoons, but they are so well written they will probably, I think, be most appreciated by the more homely, bookish type of kid.

This book was my own favourite, a great story with magical scenes, a lot of humour, funny modern day references and parodies, and always sat on top of the pile just above Switzerland, and The Golden Sickle.

Chiefs fight for control of the Gaulish Village (6/7 people found this helpful)

'Asterix and the Big Fight' is the 7th of 31 adventures published between 1961and 2001; This adventure is from 1966. Set in and around the village, Chief Vitalstatistix is challenged to single combat for control of the Gaulish village. Druid Getafix has lost his memory and cannot brew the magic potion. Highlights include the boxing match between Vitalstatistix and Cassius Ceramix; The very funny attempts to brew magic potion by random chance; The unfortunate Roman spy Infirmofpurpus and his accompanying Owl (who thinks he is a tree); The patient of Druid Psychoanalytix who thinks he is Napoleon. This is a good story, presented in a new re-inked and re-coloured edition. Tidied up in this edition are inconsistencies in Vitalstatistix's clothing and a general polish of ink and colour.

René Goscinny

Reader Reviews:

Seconds out, round One ! (0/0 people found this helpful)

A strong contender for best adventure (1/1 people found this helpful)

Chiefs fight for control of the Gaulish Village (6/7 people found this helpful)

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