Asterix the Gladiator
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| Asterix the Gladiator | |
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| French Title: | Astérix gladiateur |
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| Story: | René Goscinny |
| Illustrations: | Albert Uderzo |
| French Edition: | 1964 |
| English Translation: | 1969 |
| Preceded by: | Asterix and the Goths |
| Followed by: | Asterix and the Banquet |
Asterix the Gladiator is the fourth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was first serialized in Pilote issues 126-168 in 1962.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Prefect Odius Asparagus wants one of the indomitable Gauls as a present for Julius Caesar, so his men capture Cacofonix the bard. By the time the other Gauls know he is gone, he is on his way to Rome. But Asterix and Obelix are hot on his heels, taking ship with Ekonomikrisis the Phoenician merchant...
Highly unimpressed by his present, Caesar decides to throw the bard to the lions. Asterix and Obelix enlist as gladiators in order to rescue him, and, in the course of their training, teach their colleagues some interesting tricks. The next Games in Circus Maximus turn out to be the most unusual yet...
[edit] Introducing
- Geriatrix (unnamed) - Obelix asks him to run his menhir delivery service while he is away
- Ekonomikrisis - Provides transport to and from Rome
- Brutus - Featuring an amusingly ironic exchange with Julius Caesar at the circus.
- The Pirates - parodying French comic "Barbe-Rouge" which was also serialized in Pilote at the time.
- Obelix' helmet game - for the first time he collects helmets from the Romans he bashes, trying to outdo Asterix (who never has much interest in it).
[edit] Film Adaptation
This story was blended with Asterix the Legionary for the animated movie Asterix Versus Caesar.
[edit] In other languages
- Catalan: Astèrix Gladiador
- Spanish: Asterix Gladiador
- Finnish: Asterix gladiaattorina
- German: Asterix als Gladiator
- Dutch: Asterix als Gladiator, formerly Asterix en de gladiatoren
- Polish: Asterix gladiator
- Portuguese: Astérix o Gladiador
- Swedish: Asterix som gladiator
