Asterix and the Normans

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Asterix and the Normans
(Astérix et les Normands)
Asterixcover-9.jpg
Cover of the English edition
Date1967
Main characters Asterix and Obelix
Series Asterix
Creative team
Writers Rene Goscinny
Artists Albert Uderzo
Original publication
Published in Pilote magazine
Issues340–361
Date of publication1966
LanguageFrench
Chronology
Preceded by Asterix in Britain
Followed by Asterix the Legionary

Asterix and the Normans ( French : Astérix et les Normands) is a French comic story, written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. It is the ninth story in the Asterix comic book series, and was originally published by Dargaud as a serial for Pilote magazine in 1966, before being released as a comic album in 1967.

The story focuses on Asterix and Obelix helping train up the nephew of their village chief, only to find themselves contending with a visit by men from the frozen north raiding their lands in search of learning about fear. [1]

Asterix and the Normans received favourable reviews following its publication. An adaptation loosely based on the story, Asterix and the Vikings , was released in 2006.

Plot summary

In the rebel village of Gauls in Armorica, Chief Vitalstatistix receives a message from his brother in Lutetia (present-day Paris) that his teenage nephew, Justforkix, is being sent to him in hopes he can be trained as a warrior. When he arrives in his chariot, Vitalstatistix holds a dance in his honor. Justforkix, unimpressed with the traditional music and dancing, snatchs the lyre from the village bard Cacofonix's lyre and proceeds to perform a more energetic performance resembling rock music. While Cacofonix breaks up the performance - and gets promptly struck down by Fulliautomatix, the blacksmith, for resuming his music - Justforkix suggests his talents would be better appreciated in Lutetia.

Meanwhile, a tribe of Normans in the frozen northern lands struggle to understand the "meaning of fear". Their chief, Tamandahaf, highlights a mistaken belief that knowing fear will give them the ability of flight, after mistakening the meaning of people "flying in fear". Seeking an answer, he arranges for a journey to lands that know fear to find the means of learning about it. Their ship eventually arrives in Gaul, and is spotted by Justforkix whilst he is being trained by Asterix and Obelix. When he attempts to warn the village about their arrival, he is shocked by the fact that everyone wants to fight them. When alone with Asterix and Obelix, he confides he is completely frightened by the presence of the Normans. Unknown to them, a Norman warrior overhears the conversation, and mistakenly believes Justforkix is an expert on fear.

After convincing Vitalstatistix to let him go home, Justforkix makes his way for Lutetia. But when his chariot breaks down thanks to a gift from Obelix, the Normans ambush him and bring him to Timandahaf. When the chief demands he teach the Normans fear, Justforkix fails to understand what he means in his frightened state, and is held prisoner. When Asterix and Obelix learn of his kidnapping, they promptly visit the Normans resulting in a fight with them, with a Roman patrol accidentally getting caught up in the moment when they investigate. Asterix eventually has a meeting with Timandahaf, who explains their mission to him, prompting him to send Obelix back to find Cacofonix. When he discover the bard has left the village, he smartly follows after him, suspecting he is heading for Lutetia. Finding him on the road, he swiftly convinces him to come back.

The pair return in time to find Asterix and Justforkix fighting against the Normans to prevent being thrown off a cliff. With Cacofonix amongst them, Asterix encourages the bard to sing for the Normans, which leads to the group being frightened. Although they thank the group for teaching them fear, Justforkix has the Gauls refuse his offer of a banquet. Angered, Timandahaf orders his men to attack, but the Gauls fight them off and make them return home, with a better understanding of fear. Returning to the village, Justforkix proves to have become a lot stronger and braver from the adventure, with Obelix offering to teach him more. Asterix later questions Getafix about the Normans' interest in fear, leading to the druid pointing out that to understand fear is to understand how to overcome it and experience true courage.

Characters

Cultural references

Adaptations

In 2006, an adaptation of Asterix and the Normans was produced under the title of Asterix and the Vikings . The film, a joint production between Danish and French film companies, loosely adapted the plot, adding new characters, including anachronistic references about modern technology, and featuring cover versions of pop songs.

Unlike previous animated adaptation, production was done in English first, rather than in French, with its cast including Paul Giamatti and Brad Garrett; while the French cast included Roger Carel and Jacques Frantz. The film received mixed reviews upon release, with praise on its animation quality and voice cast, but criticism of the script.

In other languages

Alongside the French and English version, Asterix and the Normans has been translated into the following languages (complete with title translations):

Reception

On Goodreads, it has a score of 4.12 out of 5. [2]

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References

  1. "Asterix and the Normans – Asterix – The official website". www.asterix.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  2. "Asterix and the Normans (Asterix, #9)". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.