Asterix and the Golden Sickle

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Asterix and the Golden Sickle
(La Serpe D'or)
Asterixcover-the golden-sickle.jpg
Cover of the English edition
Date1962
Main characters Asterix and Obelix
Series Asterix
Creative team
Writers René Goscinny
Artists Albert Uderzo
Original publication
Published in Pilote magazine
Issues42–74
Date of publication11 August 1960–1961
LanguageFrench
Translation
Publisher Brockhampton Press
Date1975
Translator Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
Chronology
Preceded by Asterix the Gaul
Followed by Asterix and the Goths

Asterix and the Golden Sickle (also known as "The Golden Billhook" - translated from French : La Serpe D'or) is a French comic story, written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. [1] It is the second story in the Asterix comic book series, and was originally published by Dargaud as a serial for Pilote magazine in 1960, [2] before being later being published as a comic album in 1962.

The story focuses on Asterix, accompanied by his friend Obelix, as they attempt to acquire a golden sickle for their druid, only to find themselves dealing with a criminal consortium trying to profit from an illicit trade in them.

Following its publication, The Golden Sickle received favourable reviews, with Dargaud later planning an animated adaptation of the story; though they were forced to scrap the project after Goscinny and Uderzo blocked production following the company's animated adaptation of the previous comic story.

Plot summary

In the forest outside the village of Gauls in Armorica (present-day Brittany), Druid Getafix breaks his golden sickle. He explains to the villagers that this will prevent him not only attending the annual conference of druids in the Forest of the Carnutes, but also from making the magic potion that provides superhuman strength the Gauls use to resist the Romans. Determined to resolve his dilema, Asterix and his friend Obelix vow to travel to Lutetia (the predecessor of present-day Paris), ands secure a new golden sickle from Obelix's cousin Metallurgix, a renowned sicklesmith. On the journey to the city, the pair learn that Lutetia is currently suffering a shortage of golden sickles for unknown reasons.

Upon arriving in the city, Asterix and Obelix learn that Metallurgix has gone missing, and decide to spend the next day searching for information. This causes them to encounter Clovogarlix, a local rogue, who brings them to a club run by his superior, Navishtrix. After refusing to buy a golden sickle from him at an exorbitant price, the pair are forced to fight off Navishtrix's men. When the Romans raid the club, Navhistrix and Clovogarlix escape, while Asterix and Obelix are promptly arrested for their actions. When brought before the city's Prefect, Surplus Dairyprodus, they are surprised when he releases them for providing him with good entertainment. As they leave his palace, his centurion informs the pair that Metallurgix may have been kidnapped by sickle traffickers, who have taken advantage of the sickle shortage in Lutetia.

Seeking answers, the pair track down Clovogarlix's house to search it for clues, but are arrested by the Romans again and thrown into jail. To their surprise, they encounter a drunkard in their cell who reveals that Navishtrix has a hideout in the Boulogne forest. After Dairyprodus releases the Gauls once again, they head to the forest and find a trapdoor to an underground hideout, which contains a vast hoard of golden sickles. Before they can explore further, Navishtrix discovers them, and orders his men to apprehend them as he escapes. Following the fight, the pair interrogate Clovogarlix, who admits his boss is working for someone else. Tracking down Navishtrix, which results in another run-in with the Romans, the pair are shocked to discover the mastermind behind the sickle shortage is Dairyprodus.

The prefect freely confess to them and his centurion that he did so for his own amusement, sponsoring Navishtrix's illegal sickle operation. Dairyprodus and Navishtrix are arrested, while Asterix and Obelix are released. Learning Metallurgix had been held in the Prefect's dungeon, the pair rescue him, whereupon he greatly rewards them with one of his best golden sickles for Getafix. With this in hand, the pair return home to their village, which holds a banquet to celebrate the success of their adventure.

Characters

A caricature of French cartoonist Jean Graton makes an appearance as a ox cart competitor in one panel. [4]

Cultural References and Development Notes

Cancelled Adaptation

Following the release of their first animated film adaptation of Asterix the Gaul , Dargaud had planned to create a second film based on The Gold Sickle. However, Goscinny and Uderzo were not impressed with their first film, which they reluctantly allowed to be released, and firmly rejected any work to be done on the proposed film with the company's animation team. As a result, Dargaud scrapped the project at the pair's request. [7]

In other languages

Apart from French and English, the comic was published in the following languages (which includes the title translation):

Reception

On Goodreads, Asterix and the Golden Sickle has a score of 4.13 out of 5. [8]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Asterix and the Black Gold</i> Comic book album

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References

  1. ↑ "La Serpe d'or – Astérix – Le site officiel". www.asterix.com (in French). 20 June 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  2. ↑ "the golden sickle hatchette – Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  3. ↑ "Surplus Dairiprodus". Asterix The Official Website. LES ÉDITIONS ALBERT RENÉ. Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "2. Asterix and the Golden Sickle". Asterix Around the World. HJH & SLLS. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  5. ↑ Matthew Screech (2005). Masters of the Ninth Art: Bandes Dessinées and Franco-Belgian Identity. Liverpool University Press. pp. 79–. ISBN   978-0-85323-938-3.
  6. ↑ "Asterix, tome 2 : La serpe d'Or". Coin BD. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Asterix the Gaul adventures Vol. 2 – Asterix and the Golden Sickle". Asterix The Official Website. LES ÉDITIONS ALBERT RENÉ. Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Asterix and the Golden Sickle (Asterix, #2)". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
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