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Asterix and the Picts set for release despite family feud Asterix and the Picts set for release despite family feud
(35 minutes later)
In 50 years Asterix the Gaul has fought off far more than hordes of Roman invaders: a battle over publishing rights, a bitter family feud, the early death of one creator, the recent retirement of another, criticism over an advertising deal for McDonald's, scores of animation films and live-action mega-budget blockbusters and an amusement park, to remain one of France's biggest cultural emblems.In 50 years Asterix the Gaul has fought off far more than hordes of Roman invaders: a battle over publishing rights, a bitter family feud, the early death of one creator, the recent retirement of another, criticism over an advertising deal for McDonald's, scores of animation films and live-action mega-budget blockbusters and an amusement park, to remain one of France's biggest cultural emblems.
Now, the first new Asterix comic book in eight years is about to be released despite controversy about it being the work of a new writer-illustrator team. The cartoon hero will also finally be feted in an exhibition at the hallowed National Library of France, the first time a comic-book character has been the subject of a major show at Paris's foremost literary institution. France is braced for a new-round of Asterix-mania. Now, the first new Asterix comic book in eight years is about to be released despite controversy about it being the work of a new writer-illustrator team. The cartoon hero will also finally be feted in an exhibition at the hallowed National Library of France, the first time a comic-book character has been the subject of a major show at Paris's foremost literary institution. France is braced for a fresh round of Asterix-mania.
Asterix and the Picts, released next month, is set in Scotland and features the usual wry wordplay and satirical references to everything from the Scottish independence referendum to the Loch Ness monster. It is the 35th instalment in the series, which has already sold more than 350m books worldwide, and been translated into 111 languages, since the first album in 1961. Asterix and the Picts, released next month, is set in Scotland and features the usual wry wordplay and satirical references to everything from the Scottish independence referendum to the Loch Ness monster. It is the 35th instalment in a series that has sold more than 350m books worldwide and been translated into 111 languages since the first album appeared in 1961.
But the respected and carefully chosen new writer-illustrator team, Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad, are the first people other than the original creators to produce an Asterix story. This comes after a long battle over whether Asterix could live on after his makers, with echoes of the Belgian comic illustrator Hergé, who stipulated that no one else could draw Tintin after his death.But the respected and carefully chosen new writer-illustrator team, Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad, are the first people other than the original creators to produce an Asterix story. This comes after a long battle over whether Asterix could live on after his makers, with echoes of the Belgian comic illustrator Hergé, who stipulated that no one else could draw Tintin after his death.
Albert Uderzo, the illustrator who invented Asterix with his scriptwriter friend René Goscinny in 1959, announced his retirement in 2011 after producing the books alone after the death of Goscinny aged 53 in 1977. Now in his 80s, Uderzo has supervised the new book.Albert Uderzo, the illustrator who invented Asterix with his scriptwriter friend René Goscinny in 1959, announced his retirement in 2011 after producing the books alone after the death of Goscinny aged 53 in 1977. Now in his 80s, Uderzo has supervised the new book.
But in recent years, Uderzo's daughter Sylvie had publicly opposed his selling his Asterix stake to a French publishing house and allowing the little Gaul village to live on in other people's hands. She went to court to keep control of the comic, appealing to "all Asterix readers" in an open letter published in Le Monde in 2009, warning that the plucky Gaul needed protection from his "worst enemies: the men of industry and finance". Court cases are continuing and father and daughter are still not reconciled.But in recent years, Uderzo's daughter Sylvie had publicly opposed his selling his Asterix stake to a French publishing house and allowing the little Gaul village to live on in other people's hands. She went to court to keep control of the comic, appealing to "all Asterix readers" in an open letter published in Le Monde in 2009, warning that the plucky Gaul needed protection from his "worst enemies: the men of industry and finance". Court cases are continuing and father and daughter are still not reconciled.
But the Asterix machine grinds on, despite family rifts. Asterix and the Picts is slated for a print run of 2m copies in France alone and will be simultaneously released in English, Scots Gaelic and a host of other languages. The huge advertising drive by its publishing house will stress the magnitude of what French academics call the "Asterix phenomenon".But the Asterix machine grinds on, despite family rifts. Asterix and the Picts is slated for a print run of 2m copies in France alone and will be simultaneously released in English, Scots Gaelic and a host of other languages. The huge advertising drive by its publishing house will stress the magnitude of what French academics call the "Asterix phenomenon".
The head of the National Library of France believes it is the perfect timing to cement Asterix's place in the French literary canon. "This is the first time that the library has dedicated a major exhibition to a comic-book hero," said Jacqueline Sanson, the library's director general. "What's interesting in the Asterix phenomenon is that it was a character created for children which became just as much reading for adults."The head of the National Library of France believes it is the perfect timing to cement Asterix's place in the French literary canon. "This is the first time that the library has dedicated a major exhibition to a comic-book hero," said Jacqueline Sanson, the library's director general. "What's interesting in the Asterix phenomenon is that it was a character created for children which became just as much reading for adults."
The show stems from Uderzo's gift to the library of 120 storyboards from three key albums. The exhibition features more documents loaned by Uderzo, unseen storyboards, recreations of the creators' writing and drawing desks and an exploration of the myths around Gaul.The show stems from Uderzo's gift to the library of 120 storyboards from three key albums. The exhibition features more documents loaned by Uderzo, unseen storyboards, recreations of the creators' writing and drawing desks and an exploration of the myths around Gaul.
Jean-Pierre Mercier, scientific advisor at the Comics museum in Angoulême, said: "Asterix has gone beyond comic books to become a cultural phenomenon. One survey showed French people a drawing of Asterix's helmet alone and 94% knew what it was. He's as much a part of French general culture as the three musketeers and Victor Hugo: everyone knows the names of the characters even if they haven't read it. The catchphrases have entered the mainstream in French." Jean-Pierre Mercier, scientific adviser at the comics museum in Angoulême, said: "Asterix has gone beyond comic books to become a cultural phenomenon. One survey showed French people a drawing of Asterix's helmet alone and 94% knew what it was. He's as much a part of French general culture as the three musketeers and Victor Hugo: everyone knows the names of the characters even if they haven't read it. The catchphrases have entered the mainstream in French."
He said Asterix found success at a time in the early 1960s when frontiers were being toppled between high and low art. "Why has Asterix become a myth in himself? It's down to a very French dimension: the little guy who's not afraid of the big guys, a certain rebelliousness. It played on national cliches and stereotypes in a non-aggressive way, without being xenophobic. It addresses several audiences at once."He said Asterix found success at a time in the early 1960s when frontiers were being toppled between high and low art. "Why has Asterix become a myth in himself? It's down to a very French dimension: the little guy who's not afraid of the big guys, a certain rebelliousness. It played on national cliches and stereotypes in a non-aggressive way, without being xenophobic. It addresses several audiences at once."
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