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Asterix and the Great Crossing
Background
  • English Title: Asterix and the Great Crossing
  • French Title: La Grande Traversee
  • Asterix Book Number: 22
  • First Published: 1974
  • First Published in English: 1977
  • Written by: Rene Goscinny
  • Illustrated by: Albert Uderzo
  • Translated By: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
 Asterix and the Great Crossing

At this point in time Asterix was popular in most parts of the world and had been translated into many languages. However, there was one big market that yet to be cracked - America.

Sending Asterix and Obelix to America in Asterix and the Great Crossing was seen as a way to appeal to America readers. A special short story "In 50 BC" was made especially by Uderzo for the National Geographic magazine to serve as an introduction to the world of Asterix.

"In 50 BC" National Geographic magazine

It was printed in the National Geographic magazine in May 1977 and was reprinted in Asterix and the Class Act in 2003.

Newspaper versions of Asterix and the Great Crossing and some other adventures followed, but the panels had to be reduced, making the results less than satisfactory. This book (and several others) were even given special American english translations starting in 1984, where characters names were changed (for example, Getafix becomes Magigimmix). You can find out more about the American English translations at Asterix International.

Asterix and the Great Crossing was then made into the cartoon movie Asterix Conquers America in 1994 and dubbed with American accents for the english release.

Depsite these efforts, Asterix never really caught on in the United States.

Plot

"When Legionary Tresmensdelirius gets the title deeds to the little Gaulish village as a bonus, he swaps them with a tavern landlord Orthopaedix for a drink. Funnily enough, Asterix and his friends aren't keen to hand over their village to anyone else. After a chieftancy election campaign and a showdown with the Romans, both events fiercly contested, can all still end well?"

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You can view Images from Asterix and the Great Crossing here.
Notable Characters

Herendethelessen

Herendethelessen
  • What it means: Here endeth the lesson
  • About: A Viking explorer 1000 years before his time who believes there is a new world just waiting to be discovered. When he and his crew arrive in what he thinks is that new land he encounters Asterix and Obelix.
The Indian Chief
The Indian Chief
  • What it means: He wasn't given a name!
  • About: After the Gauls prove themselves by defeating the two Indians who challenged them, the Chief warmly welcomes the Gauls into his tribe and invites them to go hunting. He also wants the Gauls in his family, encouring his daughter's advances on Obelix, bmuch to the well covered Gaul's disgust!
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Review

Goscinny and Uderzo bent the rules for this one, having Asterix and Obelix travel to a country unknown in Gaul at the time. Opportunies for a send up of American culture are sadly missed (although Uderzo would include this much later on in Asterix and the Falling Sky which bends the rules much further than Great Crossing ever did!).

Its a solid adventure story, but not particularily funny (or clever).

Buy Asterix and the Great Crossing