Asterix and the Class Act
Encyclopedia
Asterix and the Class Act is officially the thirty-second album of the Asterix
comic book series, by René Goscinny
(stories) and Albert Uderzo
(illustrations and some stories), published in 2003. Unlike the other Asterix books it is a compilation of short stories, rather than one long story. Each story has an introductory page giving some of its original history.
“Pilote
”.
The majority of these stories were written by Goscinny. Chanticleerix, The Lutetia Olympics and The Birth of Asterix were written by Uderzo after Goscinny's death. Springtime In Gaul and Asterix as you've never seen him were also written by Uderzo alone.
Most of these stories have had only very limited distribution prior to this publication. In 1993 there was an earlier, smaller collection also called La Rentree Gauloise which was only available in French. It also contained a story called ‘L'Antiquaire’(The Antique Dealer) as filler which was not by Goscinny nor Uderzo, does not fit with the other stories and contains two recycled and out-of-character villains. That story has not been reprinted, but otherwise Class Act is an expanded, updated version of this.
Even earlier, in the mid-1980s, a promotional collection of some of these stories appeared in a number of translations (but not English) as Astérix mini-histoires (Asterix Mini-Stories).
– the village chief holds a modern press conference for the up-coming stories (parodying the contemporary press conferences of then-president Charles de Gaulle
). – 1 page. First published in Pilote #260; Appeared in “Astérix mini-histoires”
and Obelix
catch the village children for the start of the school year, but Obelix is put back in class too when he shows ignorance of current affairs. – 2 pages. First published in Pilote #363; Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”
began in the first issue).
for an article on the history of Celtic people. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”
helps the village rooster (national bird of France) defeat an eagle (symbol of Rome
) that is terrorizing the local animals, Dogmatix stealing Asterix's gourd of potion to provide the rooster with the necessary 'boost'. – 5 pages. New with this album.
(ancient Paris) win the chance to host the ancient Olympic Games by acting as security for the event. – 4 pages. Done to aid the 1992 Paris Olympic bid and originally published in the bid's promotional materials.
. – 4 pages. First Published in Pilote “Super Pocket 1”. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”
This was later included in the book Asterix and Obelix's Birthday: The Golden Book
. – 3 pages. First published in French literary magazine “LiRE” for the 45th anniversary of the Asterix comics.
Asterix
Asterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
comic book series, by René Goscinny
René Goscinny
René Goscinny was a French comics editor and writer, who is best known for the comic book Astérix, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris and Iznogoud with Jean Tabary.-Early life:Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, to a family...
(stories) and Albert Uderzo
Albert Uderzo
Albert Uderzo is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. He is best known for his work on the Astérix series, but also drew other comics such as Oumpah-pah, also in collaboration with René Goscinny.-Early life:...
(illustrations and some stories), published in 2003. Unlike the other Asterix books it is a compilation of short stories, rather than one long story. Each story has an introductory page giving some of its original history.
History
Only one of these stories (Chanticleerix) is completely original in this album, the remainder are reprinted from earlier sources, most notably the French comicComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
“Pilote
Pilote
thumb|Cover of the first Pilote teaser issue, #0.Pilote was a French comics periodical published from 1959 to 1989. Showcasing most of the major French or Belgian comics talents of its day the magazine introduced major series such as Astérix le Gaulois, Blueberry, Achille Talon, and Valérian et...
”.
The majority of these stories were written by Goscinny. Chanticleerix, The Lutetia Olympics and The Birth of Asterix were written by Uderzo after Goscinny's death. Springtime In Gaul and Asterix as you've never seen him were also written by Uderzo alone.
Most of these stories have had only very limited distribution prior to this publication. In 1993 there was an earlier, smaller collection also called La Rentree Gauloise which was only available in French. It also contained a story called ‘L'Antiquaire’(The Antique Dealer) as filler which was not by Goscinny nor Uderzo, does not fit with the other stories and contains two recycled and out-of-character villains. That story has not been reprinted, but otherwise Class Act is an expanded, updated version of this.
Even earlier, in the mid-1980s, a promotional collection of some of these stories appeared in a number of translations (but not English) as Astérix mini-histoires (Asterix Mini-Stories).
Introduction
Originally an announcement page for Asterix and the Big FightAsterix and the Big Fight
Asterix and the Big Fight is a French comic book, the seventh in the Asterix comic book series. It was written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Its original French title is Le Combat des chefs and it was first published in serial form in Pilote magazines, issues 261-302, in 1964...
– the village chief holds a modern press conference for the up-coming stories (parodying the contemporary press conferences of then-president Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
). – 1 page. First published in Pilote #260; Appeared in “Astérix mini-histoires”
Asterix and the Class Act
AsterixAsterix
Asterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a series of French comic books written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo . The series first appeared in French in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959...
and Obelix
Obelix
Obelix is a fictional character from the French comic book series Asterix. He works as a menhir sculptor and deliveryman, and is Asterix's best friend. Obelix is noted for his fatness, the menhirs he carries around on his back and his superhuman strength...
catch the village children for the start of the school year, but Obelix is put back in class too when he shows ignorance of current affairs. – 2 pages. First published in Pilote #363; Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”
Birth of Asterix
Story of the village on the day of Asterix's and Obelix's birth. ) – 4 pages. Published in the 35th anniversary special of Pilote (the first Asterix storyAsterix the Gaul
Asterix the Gaul is the first volume of the Asterix comic strip series, by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo .-Plot summary:...
began in the first issue).
In 50 BC
Introduction to the stories (done for the American market). – 3 pages. First published in the May 1977 issue of National Geographic MagazineNational Geographic Magazine
National Geographic, formerly the National Geographic Magazine, is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded...
for an article on the history of Celtic people. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”
Chanticleerix
DogmatixDogmatix
Dogmatix is a fictional character, a tiny white dog who belongs to Obelix in the Asterix comics. Dogmatix is a pun on the words dog and dogmatic. In the original French his name is Idéfix, itself a pun on the French expression idée fixe meaning an obsession...
helps the village rooster (national bird of France) defeat an eagle (symbol of Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
) that is terrorizing the local animals, Dogmatix stealing Asterix's gourd of potion to provide the rooster with the necessary 'boost'. – 5 pages. New with this album.
For Gaul Lang Syne
Obelix tries to use Gaulish customs to get a kiss from Panacea, but things don't work out for him. – 2 pages. First published in Pilote #424. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”Mini Midi Maxi
A fashion show quickly turns into an all-out brawl. – 2 pages. Done for French women's magazine “Elle” #1337. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”Asterix as you've never seen him
Send up of the more outrageous reader "suggestions", allowing Uderzo to show his facility with different styles. – 3 pages. First published in Pilote #527.The Lutetia Olympics
For the honour of Gaul Asterix and Obelix help LutetiaLutetia
Lutetia was a town in pre-Roman and Roman Gaul. The Gallo-Roman city was a forerunner of the re-established Merovingian town that is the ancestor of present-day Paris...
(ancient Paris) win the chance to host the ancient Olympic Games by acting as security for the event. – 4 pages. Done to aid the 1992 Paris Olympic bid and originally published in the bid's promotional materials.
Springtime In Gaul
Asterix helps a tiny anthropomorphic personification of Spring overcome Winter. – 2 pages. First published in Pilote #334. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”The Mascot
Some unlucky Romans try to take Dogmatix as their "lucky" mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
. – 4 pages. First Published in Pilote “Super Pocket 1”. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”
Latinamania
A dig at modern French anxiety over the bastardization of the French language, cf Franglais, showing the Gauls using Latin loanwords. – 1 page. Where it was actually first published is not certain. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise” and “Astérix mini-histoires”Obelix's Family Tree
The authors find a modern descendant of Obelix. – 5 pages. First serialized as strips in Pilote #172–186. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise”Birth of an Idea
A brainstorming session with the authors. – 1 page. First published in Pilote #157. Appeared in the original “La Rentree Gauloise”Obelix: As Simple as ABC
Obelix tries to learn to read after he receives a letter from Panacea for his birthday which he does not want to share with anyone else.This was later included in the book Asterix and Obelix's Birthday: The Golden Book
Asterix and Obelix's Birthday: The Golden Book
Asterix and Obelix's Birthday: The Golden Book is the thirty-fourth episode of the Asterix comic book series, designed and written by Albert Uderzo. The usage of previous Asterix stories led to co-creator Late René Goscinny also being credited...
. – 3 pages. First published in French literary magazine “LiRE” for the 45th anniversary of the Asterix comics.
In other languages
- Dutch: Het pretpakket
- Finnish: Gallialainen kertomataulu (The Gaulish Multiplication Table)
- German: Asterix plaudert aus der Schule
- Greek: Ο Αστερίξ και η επιστροφή των Γαλατών (Asterix and the return of the Gauls)
- Italian: Asterix tra banchi e... banchetti
- Portuguese: Astérix e o regresso dos Gauleses (Portugal) / Astérix e a volta às aulas (Brazil)
- Polish: Galijskie początki
- Swedish: Åter till Gallien