Asterix the Historian

Book Jacket for: Asterix the GaulBook Jacket for: Asterix and the Roman agentBook Jacket for: Asterix and the big fightBook Jacket for: Asterix and the cauldron

Who doesn’t love a good Asterix comic? Originally written and illustrated by Goscinny and Uderzo, there’s loads of them to love too – over 30! But did you know that reading Asterix comics is a great way to learn about all that ancient history that you thought was boring (go on, admit it!)? And you can still manage a good laugh while you learn! Remember though, that these books were written a long time ago and do contain some outdated views and understandings of the ancient world and its people. Despite their historical settings, the Asterix comics are still fictional tales – so take any historical lessons with a grain of salt!

In 51 BC the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and his troops successfully conquered a huge area of modern Europe know as Gaul. Gaul is now known as France, but also extended out to Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, Switzerland, and even some of Italy. The Roman Empire was the largest and most powerful in the world at that time, and the empire grew year by year by invading and conquering other countries – often with bloody battles. The Romans were known for their skill at warfare.

The world of Asterix explores the question: What if one village in Gaul kept its freedom and never gave in to the Roman army? That’s the village Asterix and his friends live in and constantly defend. But how can this one village successfully fight off the might of the Roman empire? Well…they have a druid, Getafix, who makes a magic potion that gives the drinker super strength for a short time. The Roman army, as good as they are, can’t compete against such strength. So although we’re talking history, this bit is very much fiction!

Each Asterix volume is a new adventure, told with a healthy dose of every kind of comedy you can imagine. There’s plenty of puns, word play and historical references. There are two types of stories in the series. In the first type, the main character, Asterix and his best buddy since childhood, Obelix, wind up on the road visiting another country. The entire book is then centred on what they find there. The book has loads of references to that country and its people. The other half of the stories are set in the village itself, usually as they defend themselves from Caesar’s latest scheme to conquer them!

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A lot of links in this blog go to the Encyclopaedia Britannica for kids. This is accessible to all Wellington City Libraries users. But to access this wonderful resource, you’ll need to login using your library card number (on the back of your card) and 4 digit pin (last FOUR numbers of the phone number listed on your library account), and the link will take you straight there.


So let’s jump straight in and explore just a few of these wonderful comics. I think you’ll agree that this is a pretty groovy way to learn a thing or two about the Roman empire and life in ancient Europe and beyond…

Asterix and Cleopatra: Album 6 - The Rocketship BookshopAsterix and Cleopatra / Goscinny
“To impress Julius Caesar and to convince him that Egypt is still a great nation, Queen Cleopatra promises to build the Roman Emperor a magnificent palace in just three months. Of course, Asterix has to get involved. By the time his feisty group from Gaul have finished, they’ve outwitted the Roman army, too.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Asterix and the Goths / Goscinny
“Getafix has been kidnapped, this time by a raiding band of Goths. So it’s onward and into Germania for Asterix and Getafix. But in the process of saving their druid, the two Gauls set off a whole series of tribal wars.” (Adapted from Catalogue)


Asterix the gladiator / Goscinny
“The Romans have captured Cacofonix as a gift for Caesar and the Emperor plans to throw him to the lions. There’s only one way for Asterix and Obelix to rescue their bard: they have to become gladiators themselves.” (Catalogue)


Asterix in Britain / Goscinny
“The Romans have invaded Britain, but one village still holds out. Asterix and Obelix come to help, with a barrel of magic potion in hand. But to deliver the precious brew, the Gaulish heroes must face fog, rain, bad food, warm beer, and the Romans, too.” (Catalogue)

Asterix and the Normans : Goscinny and Uderzo present an Asterix adventure / Goscinny
A Norman invasion of the Gaulish village! But only trendy teenager Justforkix, visiting from Lutetia, fears them, for the Gauls have their magic potion. But the Normans themselves want to learn the meaning of fear: can Asterix and his friends teach them? Another secret weapon is brought into play…and at long last the bard Cacofonix wins the appreciation due to him.

Asterix at the Olympic games / Goscinny
“The athletes of the ancient world assemble in Athens for the Olympic Games. Asterix and the Gauls enter too, but they’re due for a setback. As an artificial stimulant, magic potion is banned. Can our friends win at the Games without it? And what’s the special ingredient of the other potion, the one in the cauldron in the shed with the door that doesn’t close properly?” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

 

Top 10 Children’s comics December 2016

Summer is here! So it’s time to take a pile of comics, find a big shady tree and spend some time letting the gentle breezes turn the pages for you. What would you take with you? Pages of Pokémon? Will you giggle at Garfeild and Titter at Tintin? Some more serious adventuring with Amulet?

There are other really cool titles with great illustrations, we have new titles coming in all the time so come in for a browse or have a look with ComicPlus online.

If you use a tablet or other device you can download so you can read them when you’re you’re out of wifi range or stream them while you’re connected.

1. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka and Satoshi Yamamoto

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Garfield, by Mark Evanier and Jim Davis, Cedric Michiels

4. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

5. Adventure time, by Ryan North and Chris Hastings

6. Tintin, by Herge

7. The Smurfs, by Peyo

8. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

9. Asterix, by Goscinni and Udzero

10. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

Top 10 children’s comics for November 2016

The Pokemon phenomenon continues…

The animation, comic and app have captured the hearts and minds of many, so if you’re coming to the library for comics, reserve your copies to make sure you won’t be disappointed.

Did you know that Lord Evil has written an Adventure Time Encyclopaedia?!  Anything you want to know from about the land of Ooo (from the perspective of Lord Evil) can be found in it’s pages.  Luckily Finn, Jake and Marceline have put notes in the book when Lord Evil gets a bit over the top!

 

Here’s your November Top 10:

1. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka and Yamamoto Satoshi

2. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

3. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

4. Garfield, by Mark Evanier

5. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

6. Tintin, by  Herge

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Adventure time, by Ryan North

9. Chi’s Sweet Home, by Kanata Konami

10. My Little Pony, by Ted Anderson

 

 

Top 10 Children’s Comics for October 2016

Springing into action –  Pokemon the stand out favourites in the comic section.  Did you know that for the school last school holidays over 7000 comics were issued from Wellington Libraries!  You guys really love comics, huh? The first Monday of the holidays was a massive day for the comic collection when over 500 went out on the one day.

 

Here’s your Top 10 list for October 2016:

1. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka

2. Tintin, by Herge

3. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

4. Big Nate series, by Licopln Peirce

5. Garfield, by Mark Evanier

6. Adventure Time, by Ryan North

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

9. Chi’s Sweet Home, byKanata Konami

10. The Smurfs Anthology, by Peyo

Top 10 children’s comics for September 2016

Big name favourites are at the top of the list this month!

The lovable fat cat Garfield has been around since 1978! Think you know your Garfield? Did you know that this food obsessed cat has his own TV award? That’s right in 1985 his show bagged an Emmy! Take a look and see!

Our other top cat comic is receiving the 3D treatment, with a spruced up anime version showing in Japan from early next month.

 

1. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka, art by Satoshi Yamamoto

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Garfield, by Jim Davis and Mark Evanier

4. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

5. Tintin, by Herge

6. Adventure time, by Ryan North

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. The Smurfs anthology, by Peyo

10. Asterix omnibus, by Goscinny and Udzero

 

 

 

Top 10 children’s comics for July 2016

 Garfield is sooo comfortable in the middle of the the Top Ten.  Cozily squished between Pokemon and the strange world of Adventure Time.

Has your life been affected by Pokemon Go? The app that has got everyone hunting all around Wellington to add to their collection?

The library is a hotbed for Pokemon activity. The rare Meowth was found at the Central Library only a few days ago! Who have you found at a library? Let us know in the comments.

1. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Tintin, by Herge

4. Pokemon by Hidenori Kusaka

5. Garfield, by Jim Davis, adapted by Cedric Michiels

6. Adventure time, by Ryan North

7. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

8. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

9. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

10. The Smurfs anthology, by Peyo

Top 10 Children’s Comics for May 2016

Join Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Snoopy and the rest of the gang in their crazy adventures in and out of school and throughout the baseball season.  Come fly with Snoopy and Woodstock as they battle the Red Barron once again!  Other school capers in Big Nate’s adventures are ready for winter adventures. Prepare your snowball skills online

1. Tintin, by Herge

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Big Nate series, by Lincoln Peirce

4. Pokemon series by Hidenori Kusaka

5. Garfield, by Jim Davis

6. Adventure time, By Ryan North

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. Babymouse, by Jennifer M. Holm

10. Asterix omnibus, by Goscinny and Udzero

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Children’s comics April 2016

Asterix and Obelix have new creators, Conrad and Ferri!   With the blessing of the remaining Asterix creator Albert Udzero, these two are creating some great new adventures for our Gaulish heroes.

Where do you think they will send our heroes next? Where would you set an adventure for Asterix and Obelix? Let us know in the comments.

1. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

2. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka

3. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

4. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

5. Tintin, by Herge

6. Garfield, by Mark Evanier

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Adventure time, by Ryan North

9. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

10. Sonic Saga series, by Ian Flynn

 

Top 10 Children’s comics February 2016

Ready for a new Sonic caper? A new order is on the way.  Place your reserve to be first in line.

Adventure time comics are a great adaptation of the series.  The illustrators Braden Lamb and Shelli Paroline do a great job of translating the TV series characters to their 2 dimensional comic book format.

Want to build your own Adventure Time character? Thought you might! Take a look at this Cartoon Network page where you can down your very own character and with a bit of cutting and gluing create your very own 3 dimensional Adventure Time character.  Who will you choose? Will you let us know? Are your cutting and sticking skills up to the challenge? Let us know in the comments and see what other kids down loaded.

Here’s your top 10 comics for February 2016:

1. The complete Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

2. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

3. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka

4. Tintin series, by Herge

5. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

6. Adventure time series, by Ryan North

7. Garfield, by Jim Davis

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi

10. Sonic saga series, by Ian Flynn

Top 10 Childrens comics for January 2016

Summer holiday reading has introduced a lot of children to the popular characters of the comic universe.  Classics and new comers have been celebrated in the first top 10 for 2016. The characters from Peanuts, Asterix and Batman have inspired movie makers.  Take a look in the children’s dvd collection for the latest Asterix adventure, The Mansion of the Gods in French and English, and head to the movies for Peanuts.

1. The complete Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

2. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

3. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka and illustrated by Satoshi Yamamoto

4. Garfield, by Mark Evanier and Jim Davis

5. Adventure time, by Ryan North

6. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

7. Asterix omnibus by Goscinny and Udzero

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. The Batman adventures, by Kelley Puckett

10. Warriors, by Dan Jolley