Following the 45th anniversary festivities for Asterix, those industrious Gauls at Editions Albert René are already hard at work, preparing the banquet for the 33rd opus - no, that's too Latin - the 33rd album - ahem. Well, you know. The banquet for the next Asterix adventure!
So, get out your calendar, take your stylus and mark the historic date of Friday, 14 October 2005! On that day, by Doubleclix, it will be a Gaul's world or no world at all, should the sky ever fall on our heads. Jules is already trying to weasel information out of his spy network, but our lips are sealed…almost, as only initiates at the Asterix virtual village will enjoy some hints if they read between the lines.
This new opus (oh, what the heck, I'll give in to the Empire on this one point) promises to be vintage work. Albert Uderzo has signed a scenario that marks a milestone in the universe of our favorite anti-hero. By "Fiddlestix," that famous Celtic god of surprise, I was really fired up by the story's humor and storyline. This is the first time Albert has taken 15 months to wrap up a story and he admits that he wanted it to be exceptional in every way.
At the age of 77, Albert still loves his job as much as he did on the first day. He has a blast at his drawing board - yesterday he was drawing the fifth half-plate with as much relish as a little kid. His wife Ada could not even get him to come downstairs to have lunch. "Lunch is ready, 'Piggywiggy'," she called. Ten minutes later, "The wild boar is getting cold, Albert!" At last, while she was polishing off her cheese all alone, Albert came downstairs and scolded her, "Since when do you eat without me, woman?" With a wink, Ada gave up the fight, confirming that such intense concentration is a good sign. I promise you, the 2005 adventure is an excellent vintage!
Since I know you are bristling with impatience while I sardonically beat around the bush just to tease you, I'll drop a hint by telling you the code name for the project: "Say 33!" So if you ever hear this cryptic message, be forewarned that one of Dubbelosix's spies is trying to get secret information out of you. I will try to let you know more very soon. Meanwhile, say 33!

The jetset all turned up on the Champs Elysées (in Lutetia, Gaul, for the less savvy among you) for an exclusive autograph session. On the podium, Albert Uderzo was surrounded by luminaries Eric Fottorino and Alexandre Jardin as they signed copies of the special issue of Lire Magazine that was devoted to Asterix. In the space of ninety minutes, each one of them signed more than 250 copies of this issue, already a cult item, for fans who had braved the cold to line up in front of the Virgin Megastore on the Champs Elysées. Albert, who has not practiced this sport since well before the demise of René Goscinny, enjoyed the moment. But he confessed privately that he would not be making a habit of it. To wrap things up with another Latin word, Nota Bene: the book sale was a benefit for the Lire et Faire Lire association (an association for the promotion of reading).


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From Bayonne to Bilbao, Christmas shopping is going to be easier this year! The first six animated Asterix films in Basque will finally be available in DVD and videocassette. Whazzat? Even if Obelix is confused, Basque children will have no trouble drawing up their wish lists… "Okay, Dad, you wanted me to learn Basque, so let's talk about that…"

For the fifteenth annual festival of Amadora, in the suburbs of Lisbon (Lusitania), a jury of specialists came together to select the top 100 comic books of the century! No kidding! And they didn't even tell us! Fortunately, your favorite website is bringing you this vital information: Asterix ranks among the top ten comics of the century despite heavy competition from our American friends. Along with Asterix, the other top ten were: Krazy Kat, Little Nemo, Peanuts, Maus, Spirit, Batman, Tintin, Corto Maltese and Blueberry!