Asterix NZ

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Asterix and the Actress
Background
  • English Title: Asterix and the Actress
  • French Title: Asterix et Latraviata
  • Asterix Book Number: 31
  • First Published: 2001
  • First Published in English: 2001
  • Written and Illustrated by: Albert Uderzo
  • Translated By: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
 Asterix and the Actress Cover

Asterix and the Actress was based on a short story idea Uderzo had to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Asterix books (presumably a story where Asterix and Obelix celebrate joint birthdays as seen at the beginning of this book) but as Uderzo explained "As I got ahead in the story, I realized that this idea could be developed into a full length story"
Plot

"This book sees Asterix and Obelix celebrating their joint birthday party back in the Gaulish village - and some surprise guests have been invited! Meanwhile, Julius Caesar has to deal with his old enemy, Pompey, who is looking for supporters back in Gaul. And just what part do two old friends play in the story - Tresmensdelirius, from Caesar's Gift and the lovely Panacea, first encountered in Asterix and the Legionary? After many exciting adventures, all is finally revealed...."

So in Short: Asterix and Obelix are given a sword and a helmet for their birthdays and Pompey (Caesar's enemy) will do anything to get them back.
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You can view Images from Asterix and the Actress here.
Notable Characters

Latraviata & Panacea

Latraviata & Panacea

  • What it means: La Traviata (an Opera) and Panacea (A remedy for all diseases)
  • About : Latraviata is a great Roman Tragic Actress. Panacea is an ex-villager who went to study in Condatum and is now happily married to Tragicomix. But there is a look-a-like masquerading around in the village of her birth. The same village that Obelix lives in. Since Asterix and the Legionary, Obelix has had a crush on Panacea, and is fooled by the Look-a-like, with disastrous effects. It even seems that the friendship between Asterix and Obelix is at risk of breaking.
Decurion Fastandfurious

Decurion Fastandfurious

  • What it means: Fast and Furious
  • About : Decurion Fastandfurious tries to act tough like all the other Roman legionaries, but as he admits "Don't harm me, I'm just a coward". Fastandfurious pays a call on Asterix and Obelix's Dads, and it wasn't a house call, but an arrest call! After putting the two in the jail house, he accompanies Latraviata - the Panacea look-alike to Asterix and Obelix's village.
Asterix and Obelix's Mums and Dads

Asterix and Obelix's Mums and Dads

  • About : Asterix and Obelix's parents come all the way from Condatum to appear in this adventure. The Dad's own a "Modernities and Collectibles" shop and spend the evenings drinking barley bear. The Mum's just can't wait to have daughter's in law.
Deleted Scenes

The following panels were deleted from the final book:

These are taken from the Official Asterix Website.
Look out for...
Review
How should one rate this book? On one hand, the illustrations are the best yet, but on the other hand, the story, (in my opinion anyway) is quite a bit lacking. There isn't enough happening to make it an "adventure", and they are after all suppose to be "The Adventures of Asterix". But I think we can excuse Uderzo for this one, it does have its good points, and Uderzo, after all, isn't getting any younger. Yes, I would recommend getting this book, if only for the illustrations. I quite enjoyed it myself, the first time round, before really analyzing it.

With this considered, I give it
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