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English Title: Asterix and the Big Fight French Title: Les Combat des Chefs Asterix Book Number: 7 First Published: 1966 First Published in English: 1971 Written by: Rene Goscinny Illustrated by: Albert Uderzo Translated By: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge

It seems the Gauls could get out of any danger by simply taking a drop of Magic Potion. But what happens when the magic potion is taken away? This was the premise for Asterix and the Big Fight. Thanks to some well intentioned Menhir throwing by Obelix, Getafix gets amnesia and forgets who he is... not to mention the secret of the Magic Potion. With a crafty plan by the Romans... it seems that the village really is in danger of being defeated.

Prior to this book, the Chief of the village Vitalstatistix had only popped up occasionally to make a few speeches. Readers didn't know much about him. This was to change in "Asterix and the Big Fight" when Vitalstatistix gets a a starring role. In the Pilote magazine they even printed a page where Vitalstatistix announces to a press conference that he will play a major role in the next adventure.

Asterix and the Big Fight was later adapted (along with Asterix and the Soothsayer) into a cartoon film version of the same name.

"A collaborator in ancient Gaul? Chief Cassius Ceramix has gone over to the Roman Enemy. There's something very fishy going on, as Legionary Infirmofpurpos discovers when he is sent to spy on the Gaul's disguised as a Crab Apple Tree. But is that just a red herring? And what about the two concussed druids brewing colourful potions? One way or another, the fight for control of the village between Vitalstatistix and his rival is bound to be a knockout."

Cassius Ceramix

• What it means: Ceramics (baked clay). Refers to Mohammed Ali's birth name Cassius Clay.
• About : Cassius Ceramix is the chief of the Gaulish tribe Linoleum... or should I say Gallo-Roman village. Ceramix has embraced the Roman invaders, insisting on villagers wearing Toga and unnecessary Aqueducts. This, combined with Ceramix's great strength made him the perfect choice to challenge Vitalstatistix in an attempt to become the new chief of Asterix's village.

• What it means: Nebulous (fuzzy) nimbus (cloudy radiance)
• About: Nebulus Nimbus is the imposing Centurion of the fortified Totorum camp. He would probably be in serious need of throat lozenges, as he is always shouting. In fact, he only talks normally a total of three times!

  Although he is Centurion, the real brains of the operation is his right hand man Felonius Caucus. Caucus had been stationed in Gaul for a number of years and had come to understand Gaulish Custom. It was his idea to use the custom of the "Big Fight" to unseat Chief Vitalstatistix.

Legionary Infirmofpurpus

• What it means: Infirm of purpose (has doubts)
• About: Poor Infirmofpurpus. Bad things just keep seem to happen to him. First during a routine patrol a cauldron falls on his head! Then he is made to spy on the Gauls, during which an owl seems to take a special interest in him. Then the Gauls grab him to taste a series of potions with very strange results!

Psychoanalytix the Druid

• What it means: Psychoanalytics (theory of personality developed by Freud)
• About: Psychoanalytix's specialty is curing mental illnesses. He has a clinic set up in the forest near the village. When he learns that Getafix is unwell he tries to help... but so does Obelix!

• Napoleon Bonaparte
• An Ancient Rollercoaster!
• Another comic book character, Marsupilami.
• Asterix and the Big Fight Mistakes