Customer Reviews

Asterix and the Great Crossing (Asterix (Darguard))

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Great Crossing is definitely my favorite episode, the image of Asterix as the Statue of Liberty is just amazing. If you've never read Asterix, this is maybe the episode to start with.

First published in French in 1975 as La Grande Traversée, it was first published in English in 1976.

Asterix and Obelix volunteer to go fishing, as Getafix needs fresh fish, which Unhigienix, the fishmonger, as usual, cannot provide.

Stormy weather blows them to a strange destination where they meet up with a strange people who they cannot quite identify (of course we have the benefit of hindsight and know that this is America and these people are Native Americans.) Before the end of the voyage they also get to run into Vikings (A slightly different breed it seems, to those we met in `Asterix and the Normans').

As usual our friends voyage to interesting places and upside down. In the Asterix albums we have met parodies of figures such as Boadicea, The Beatles, Napoleon, Laurence Olivier and 007. In this one we get to meet up with a spoof of Harold Wilson, British Prime minister when this book was published.

Of course the theme of food also comes up quite a lot. It seems the authors of the Asterix albums had quite an obsession with food!

Rene Goscinny, Asterix and the Great Crossing (Dargaud, 1975)

Getafix is out of fish, and Unhygenix's shipment has been delayed. You wouldn't think this a problem, with our favorite Gaulish village being on the sea and all, but somehow it is, and Asterix and Obelix are off to the rescue again. Except that while they're out fishing, a storm brews up and sends them halfway around the world to a place where the boars have been replaced by "gobblers" and the Romans wear facepaint. Yes, this is the volume upon which Asterix Conquers America is (very loosely) based. Lots of Indians, some Danish vikings (so Goscinny could play with Hamlet, naturally), and the usual mix of punning and mayhem ensue. Another good one. ***

I won't write a plot summary here, as many people have already done that, but I will say that this is probably one of the best Asterix adventures out there. Parts of it are laugh-out-loud funny, and the artwork is beautiful. If you are new to the series, or are already a fan and haven't read this particular adventure, I highly recommend it. I have read it about a dozen times myself.

Another clever, funny and creative classic from R. Goscinny. Every one of the original series (with Goscinny & Uderzo) is a classic and a must read. Some of the references are bit deep and this is not really a book for young kids (although most will enjoy some of the slapstick humor) but the real "juice" is in the puns in the language which are very clever. The artwork too is beautiful, although *some* of the recent paperback editions tend to have some "bleeding" (the ink is outside and offset a bit from the sketches outline). Especially noticed this in the entire Lucky Luke and Tintin collections - a pity because the colors are really rich and the artwork quite splendid, otherwise.

Finally, once you've read the originals, which were all written by Goscinny, you will find the newer stories, which were written by Uderzo after Goscinny had passed away, quite disappointing. The humor is not that clever at all, nor are the plots very elaborate. They're really much lighter sketches. The overall "feel" of the stories by Uderzo are also more modern and less ... enchanting is the best way to put it. I stopped after reading a couple of the new ones and didn't bother with the rest. Whereas, the old series I revisit and re-read and savor each story still. Enjoy.

In Gaul, Getafix needs fish, it's vital for the magic potion they use to fend off the Romans. Unhygenix the fishmonger hates fresh fish, so Obelix and Asterix go exploring on Geriatrix's boat for some. Where will they go?

"The Great Crossing" (1975) is the 22nd Asterix comic, for Dogmatix it's number 18, and it sees Oumpah Pah (a character from a comic by the same guys) make a guest appearance. I really like this one. It's funny, drawn well. Everything to like about Asterix is here.

I think I had this Asterix comic book, but with another title which is "Asterix Conquers America" but I lost it, that's why I bought it again. As the rest of Uderzo & Goscinny's masterpieces, this adventure has the same fun loaded atmosphere but being taken by our friends to the New World ! ! ! Yes, just a small trip to catch some fresh fish, ended up in Asterix, Obelix & Dogmatix discovering America :D, much to the amazement of Asterix with the new people there, Obelix was so disappointed that he didn't find any boars, just alot of "Gobblers". They also meet some passing by "Vikings" trying to discover a new land ! ! ! ... Great adventure with lots lots of fun as always :D :D :D ...

Asterix in America this album could have been called, as a storm leads Asterix and Obelix's ship out to the open ocean, and eventually to the new continent. There they met native americans, there is a clash of cultures at the beginning, but they finally are received as friends. They are finally brought back to Europe by vikings (this was centuries before the real vikings are believed to have reached North America, but one does not read Asterix to learn history). The viking's intention to hold them as slaves will not be successful, of course, as A&O have the magical potion at their side. All in all, a very good album by Asterix.

Another fascinating adventure by Asterix and Obelix! Worth to have it in your collection!!

My kids LOVE the Tintin books. I have many of them. When I saw this book I thought it would be similar to Tintin. However, my kids did not like it at all. There is no comparison. Sorry!