Comic hero Asterix is 50 years old

Kids
Oct 26, 2009 /

Comic hero Asterix is 50 years old

MUMBAI: Comic hero Asterix is celebrating its fiftieth birthday this month. The character first appeared in the magazine Pilote on 12 October, 1959.

Incidentally, the character also known as Astérix le Gaulois in France was invented by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Though Goscinny passed away in 1977 when he was 51, Albert Uderzo kept the stories running by writing as well as illustrating them.The series of stories follows the exploits of a village of ancient Gauls as they resist Roman occupation.

They are aided by a magic potion, brewed by their druid, which gives them super human strength.

Asterix, along with his friend Obelix have various adventures taking to various countries around the world, while some are set in and around their village.

The Asterix series, one of the most popular Franco-Belgian comics in the world, has been translated into over 100 languages and its success has led to the adaptation of the stories into 11 films; eight animated, and three with live actors.
 

A number of games and even a theme park near Paris have been based on Asterix.

Till date, 325 million copies of the 33 Asterix books have been sold around the world making co-creators Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo France‘s bestselling authors abroad.

As part of its 50th anniversary there will be a series of exhibitions and special events as well as a new album

of stories.

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