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The 33rd Asterix book - Asterix
and the Falling Sky, is out now. This page collected all
the known information released about the album prior to its
release. I don't have a copy of the book yet, but soon as
I do I'll update this page. For now, it gives some hints and
speculation.
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- English Title: Asterix
and the Falling Sky
- French Title:
Le Ciel lui Tombe sur la Tete
- Book Number:
33 (Note: There has
been some confusion over this. Although not marked
on the spine, Asterix
and the Class Act is regarded as No. 32)
- Release Date:
Friday, 14 October 2005
- Initial ammount published:
8,000,000
- No. of Counties released
in: 27
- Number of Pages:
48
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What else do we officially
know about the book?
Very little is known about the
plot of the book, as Uderzo says: "I want
to keep the element of surprise for the readers
-- the pleasure of personal discovery."
- Asterix and Obelix will not be traveling to
another country. This goes against the formula
that one if one book is set at home the next
book is set abroad. Since the last Asterix and
the Actress is set at home, it was to be expected
that this book would be set in another country.
However, Uderzo "broke the mould"
and set this as a "Village under threat"
adventure.
- Uderzo took 15 months to come up with the
story, hoping it would be "exceptional
in every way"
Some Intriguing Information
A day before the books release, the Asterix
Missive 45 has the following information
- "the launch of the new album is bound
to set a benchmark for Gaul, insomuch as even
the Roman Gods (including the God of weather)
have put in their two cents" A clear
indication that Jupiter is directly involved
with the bad weather? Will the Roman Gods interact
with the Gauls?
- "The story will blow the socks off
of traditionalists"
- "It's clear that it's also going to
provoke a debate on the genre"
- "colourful caricatures in this new
album will amuse the youngest readers and whet
our appetites like the best moments in the past.
For the first time as well, this album is peppered
with codes which, once deciphered, will amuse
older readers. You'll be treated to a host of
astounding new characters who have never been
in any of the previous albums"
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The title and cover for the 33rd Album was released
on the 22nd September at Brussels and reveals some interesting
hints on the new album.
The English title "Asterix and the Falling Sky"
refers to the one thing that Gauls fear - that the sky
may fall on their heads. This phrase and idea has appeared
in many of the Asterix adventures, including Vitalstatistix's
bio in the "A few of the Gauls page":
"....Vitalstatistix
himself has only one fear; he is afraid the sky may
fall on his head tomorrow. But as he always says, 'Tomorrow
never comes."
It seems like tomorrow has finally come
for the village, judging from the title and album cover.
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The cover shows Asterix punching away some lightning... a
seemingly impossible occurrence. Uderzo is known for increasing
the fantasy aspects of the Asterix stories, so could Asterix
somehow be battling the Gods or have the Romans have gained
the power to create lightning? We don't know, but the cover
sure is interesting. The Magic Potion gives the drinker superhuman
strength, but it does not make you invulnerable. Asterix must
have somehow gained special powers to bat away lightning like
that.
The composition and style of this cover is very similar to
the first Asterix book's cover "Asterix the Gaul":
Uderzo specifically chose to model the cover for the new
album on the Gaul cover, as the similarities are striking.
You both have the grass and the sky, you both have Obelix
with his menhir in the corner, and you both have Asterix in
the center punching something in almost the exact same body
position. Uderzo explained his reasoning as thus: "This
album was the first, the character was not really well built
then. I always said that if I could redo the first album,
I would, but the answer has always been it wouldn't please
the readers, they prefer to keep their first feelings".
A redo of the Gaul cover would seem to suggest that this is
the last book in the series, but Uderzo says he hasn't finished
yet.
The title of the book in other languages is also interesting:
- German Title: Gallien in Danger (Gaul in
Danger): Emphasises that this is a "village under
threat" book.
- Dutch Title: Het Geheime Waren (The secret
weapon). We already have as "Asterix and the
Secret Weapon" title in english. Could it be
that the Romans have another secret weapon to try
and finally conquer the Gaulish village?
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The Official site is running teasers
that are accessible to everyone. These teasers have appeared
in the French section of the site:
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- What does it show?:
Obelix tossing a boar away in disgust. The text (loosely
translated) is as follows:
Why is Obelix in a dog of
a mood?
Obelix: Yuck! It is inedible like this!!
Isn't the wildboar roasted?
Doesn't Obelix like sushi?
The answer... the 14 October 2005.
- What does this reveal?:
The pun "dog of a mood" has obviously been chosen
for a reason. Dogmatix must be a reason for Obelix's anger
and already the Say 33 clues have shown that Dogmatix must
have an important part in the story. The reference to Sushi
either means Obelix does not like his meat raw... or that
the next adventure could be taking place in Japan! (More
on this in speculation).
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- What does it show?:
A stoned Fulliautomatix with hammer raised. The text (loosely
translated) is as follows:
Why would the blacksmith
want to smash Asterix?
Asterix: Hey! Oy! Can you hear me?
A light odour of fish?
A chronic lack of exercise?
The answer... the 14 October 2005.
- What does this reveal?:
The villagers are being physically affected by the strange
phenomena to do with the Magic Potion. The text at the top
seems to suggest that the Fulliautomatix is trying to harm
Asterix like he has been brainwashed or something. Very
strange. Quite possibly most of the villagers have drunk
a sabotaged potion which have caused them to act strangely.
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- What does it show?:
Asterix and Getafix running after someone. The text (loosely
translated) is as follows:
Why does ASTERIX panic?
Asterix: Hey! Wait! I would like to know a little more!
It is like us all?
He seeks the truth of his birth?
The answer... the 14 October 2005.
- What does this reveal?:
There have never been any suggestions that there are mysteries
surrounding Asterix's birth. (We have a short story on Asterix's
birth in Class
Act). Of course, this line might just try to throw us
and have no relevance to the story. However... Uderzo specifically
chose to go against the format and make this a non-travelling
adventure, this line would suggest that the reason he did
this was so the book would follow on from Asterix
and the Actress, which Asterix's parents of course heavily
featured. Perhaps he wanted to introduce them properly in
Actress, with the idea that they would play a role in his
idea for the next book?
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Each month the official Asterix site
is posting clues about this next Asterix album. But it isn't
easy to get them. You have to answer three riddles which were
very hard the first time and I am sure they are just going
to keep on getting harder. I won't tell you the answers to
these riddles, but I will tell you what they reveal.
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- What does it show?:
Dogmatix is sniffing an unconscious Dove outside Getafix's
hut as we see the silhouettes of Asterix and Getafix talking.
- What does this reveal?:
The translation of Getafix's speech bubble is quite
startling - he says he had just finished making some magic
potion when he felt a strange numbness all over his body.
What's happened to the Magic Potion? Sabotage? All very
mysterious... and poor bird!
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- What does it show?:
Asterix is pointing accusingly at Obelix. Loosely translated
he is saying "Obelix! Admit that you made Dogmatix
drink the magic potion!". Obelix replies "Oh!
They were only small drops, not all of it!" as
he looks innocent and holds up his fingers to indicate the
amount. Dogmatix is facing Obelix and barking.
- What does this reveal?:
Something is up with the Magic Potion. Dogmatix drinking
the potion has never been an issue before - we have seen
him drink it several times in past books. Poses more questions
than it answers.
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- What does it show?:
A new Roman Centurion character. He's bald, has his hands
on his hips, and looking confident and authoritative
- What does this reveal?:
That the Romans play a part in this adventure, although
that was pretty much guaranteed. Although his manner suggests
the Romans have something to pleased about.
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- What does it show?:
Asterix looks at Getafix saying "Do you understand
anything of that, Getafix?". Getafix is clearly
stressed, his face, hands on the side of his head. He replies
"No, Asterix! I don't know whether I'm dreaming
or having a nightmare!!! "
- What does this reveal?:
We haven't seen Getafix this stressed since he had a stroke
over the shortage of rock oil for the Magic Potion in Asterix
and the Black Gold. Something just as serious (or even more
so!) must have happened to get him in this state.
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- What does it show?:
Obelix and Dogmatix walking off in a huff.
- What does this reveal?:
Something must have made Obelix upset, perhaps after
Asterix's accusations in Clue 2b?
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- What does it show?:
Two beaten up Roman legionaries being literally booted out
of the the village.
- What does this reveal?:
These two legionaries must have been sent into the village
for a reason. What did they want? And how did they get in?
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The main source of information has been the
Official Site's Asterix Missives. The Missives have been dropping
hints about Asterix No. 33. If you can look past the marketing
hype you may find some interesting clues. More on this later.
- "this new story is going to raise those
thatched roofs, not to mention eyebrows!"
- Missive
27
- "This album is going to break the mould"
- Missive
27
- "This new opus (oh, what the heck, I'll
give in to the Empire on this one point) promises
to be vintage work. " - Missive
29
- "Albert Uderzo has signed a scenario that
marks a milestone in the universe of our favorite
anti-hero. " - Missive
29
- "I was really fired up by the story's humor
and storyline."- Missive
29
- "Graphically speaking, they are magnificent!"
(Response to first finished panels from colourers)
- Missive
31
- "a particular technical feature will mark
the new album: the first plate will be printed, for
the second time after "The Mansions of the Gods"
- Missive
32
- "I've never seen the Village
portrayed using such an original scenario"
- Missive
33
- "The drawings are amazing.
I laughed a lot. The author pushed his ideas to the
limit and our Gauls seem to be delighted. Obelix is
definitely a star. Asterix is marvellous. The new
characters are incredible!" -
Missive
37
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Christopher sends this in about his thoughts
on why Sushi was mentioned in Teaser One:
"A man from Japan arrives to help the
villagers, because their 'magic potion' is perhaps poissoned.
I heard of fish for Japan meal 'sushi'. [Blowfish] The
fish consists of poissoned parts inside. A cooking expert
is able to delete these poissoned parts. And maybe man from
Japan will be arriving to help the villagers. As a man from
Japan he must be samurai."
Prior to the official title launch, On the Polish
Egmont's publishers website they mentioned the book's title
would be "When the sky fall on one's head", and
also mentioned "Asterix and the Samurai" along with
it. The information was soon deleted.
(Drawing for the cover
of TéléPoche to celebrate the publication of
'Asterix and
the Actress'. Will be seeing more of this mysterious lady
in No. 33?)
Back before Asterix
and the Actress was published, much of the speculation
regarding the book was that it would see Asterix (and possibly
Obelix) being married off. Although this didn't eventuate,
the book still dealt with the subject. Asterix's mother invites
all of the "neighboring young ladies" to tea with
her and Asterix. After incessant, small talk, Asterix storms
out saying "No!! I'm not yet ready for the
responsibility of marriage yet!!!". It is interesting
that he says not that he doesn't want to be married but that
he is not ready.
At the end of the book, when he is kissed
by Latraviata it is obvious that Asterix is contemplating
what it would be like to have a girl of his own.
Perhaps the most telling clue about this subject
in Asterix and the Actress is the end panel when Dogmatix
returns with a wife and kids. If Dogmatix has succumbed to
woman it will only be a matter of time before Asterix and
Obelix do...
The quote "Albert Uderzo has signed
a scenario that marks a milestone in the universe of our favorite
anti-hero" possibly suggests that Asterix could be
getting married in No. 33. I don't however believe that he
will.
In the Brussel Press Conference revealing
Asterix 33, Uderzo said it would not be his last:
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"I enjoy what I'm doing
despite my age and as long as I can find a good idea
I will make another album"
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I think that having Asterix and Obelix marry will be a
good way to end the series but it appears that Uderzo hasn't
finished with the books yet. So I doubt we will see a wife
for Asterix in the next book but if there is indeed another
book after that, I think it would be quite probable. We
shall see.
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It is worth noting that the woman
in the take-off of the Mona Lisa Painting shown on the
"Say 33 Clue pages" looks very much like the
woman on the TéléPoche
magazine cover who Asterix supposedly will end up marrying.
Is this a clue? Will this woman be appearing in the
next book? I've given my reasons why I don't think it
will be this book, but this seems to indicate otherwise.
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Now to return to the quotes in the Just
the Facts section. We could take the hints at face value
but the quotes may contain more clues than may appear.
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"this new story is going to raise those thatched
roofs, not to mention eyebrows!"
Figurative language or something more? Perhaps the
thatched roofs may actually be raised somehow? Perhaps
one of Getafix's potions backfires?
"This album is going to break the mould"
This would be reffering to the fact that Asterix
does not travel to another country as expcted, but
instead stays home.
"This new opus (oh, what the heck, I'll give
in to the Empire on this one point) promises to be
vintage work. "
Vintage work? Could that be referring to wine? Does
Obelix get drunk again?
"a particular technical feature will mark
the new album: the first plate will be printed, for
the second time after "The Mansions of the Gods"
In The
Mansions of the Gods the "A few of the Gauls"
page was removed so that the double page brochure
could be included. This quote seems to suggest that
something similar will appear in this new Asterix
book.
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I would more than welcome YOUR predictions
and analysis about what the next Asterix book will be about.
Please send your thoughts and comments to wenleyix3@yahoo.co.nz
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