Ranking Asterix Comics – Movie Reviews Simbasible

…………………………………………………

Ranking Asterix Comics

Asterix is an iconic Franco-Belgian comic book series that is renowned for its authentic historical time period and setting as well as a phenomenal sense of humor and adventure. From 1959 up until now, there were 39 volumes in the series. Through all its eras and changing people at the helm, the series for the most part retained its quality and is better than most others in the industry. For my list, I am going to try to rank properly both the adventure stories where the gang goes to another country as well as those stories that are more confined and set in the village. Without further ado, here is my ranking of all 39 Asterix volumes.

40. Asterix and Obelix All at Sea

In this volume, Caesar tries to retrieve his stolen galley from the slaves while Obelix drinks the potion and transforms into a child. Eventually, the Gauls go to Atlantis. There is no such thing as a truly bad Asterix story, and sure enough this one had a very funny Obelix and some beautiful illustration work throughout. However, the Atlantis parts were way too fantastical for this particular series and the entire storyline is messy with no discernible purpose, thus it gets the last spot on this list.

39. Asterix and the Actress

There is now a growing theme on this list, which is the fact that the Uderzo era when he both illustrated and wrote the stories is the weakest period in the series’ history. A better writer would have figured out what to focus on more in this comic, but he failed at that as he put the most focus on a tired spy plot with Panacea and failed to make more use of a hilarious subplot with Asterix and Obelix being visited by their mothers. Those moments were the only truly funny ones here.

38. Asterix and Obelix’s Birthday: The Golden Book

There were two Asterix compilation books and this is the inferior of the two. Getafix gets to have some fun with the Romans here. He was terrific. The section where the series goes to the future and we see the older versions of our favorite heroes was also a lot of fun. However, many other parts were either unnecessary filler or forgettable, rushed stories that didn’t quite work. Also, they tried to connect all of these stories into a coherent plot very unsuccessfully.

37. Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter

Now we arrive to the weakest Conrad/Ferri outing. This volume functioned as a sequel to ‘Chieftain’s Shield’, but what happened to Vercingetorix was brushed aside here. Instead, the comic focuses solely on his daughter, who is reasonably well developed, but hardly particularly interesting. This mostly humorless story is at its best when Obelix is hanging out with the teenagers. Unhygienix and Fulliautomatix also got meaningful parental roles. But other than those sporadic delights, Chieftain’s Daughter is overplotted and tedious.

36. Asterix and the Falling Sky

This might be a controversial placement as Asterix and the Falling Sky is usually regarded as the nadir of the series, but as a huge science-fiction fan, this was a solid volume for me. The very definition of a mixed bag, so many things here did not work and some worked very well. Uderzo’s disdain for manga was unfortunate to witness, the superhero clones were unnecessary to the story, and of course the story went into overly fantastical territory, making the Gauls themselves side characters in their own story. But on the other hand, the illustrations were gorgeous, the alien designs were quite memorable, the social commentary worked and the overall storyline was both fun and exciting. It’s, thus, far from Uderzo’s worst effort.

35. Asterix and Caesar’s Gift

Caesar plays a practical joke on one of his soldiers and he sends him with his wife to Gaul. But when they arrive there, an initial misunderstanding quickly morphs into an all-out political war with the chief’s position being in risk for the first time. This 1974 volume signaled the end of the golden age of Asterix comics as it had a very slight, far from interesting storyline and it lacked strong humor. Vitalstatistix and Geriatrix got terrific arcs, but others were seriously sidelined.

34. Asterix in Spain

Here we come to one of the most overrated Asterix volumes. Yes, Asterix in Spain is often regarded as one of the better volumes, but I firmly disagree with this assessment myself. Hispania is gorgeously illustrated for sure. Cacofonix is also quite memorable and funny in this story. But other than those small moments that worked, the story was tiresome and Pepe was a truly obnoxious kid. It’s one of the weakest travelogues, which is disappointing as Spain deserved better.

33. Asterix and the Great Divide

The Great Divide was the first volume that Uderzo wrote himself after the unfortunate passing of Goscinny. From this very first volume, you can see a dip in quality that was expected. There is also Uderzo’s tendency to overexplain things, which resulted in overstuffed dialogue balloons. The storyline is pretty solid and fun while the illustrations are gorgeous throughout, but this entry started Uderzo’s obsession with putting too many fantastical elements into Asterix.

32. Asterix and the Magic Carpet

This is one of the most ridiculous Asterix stories. Cacofonix actually was given superpowers here as he can bring rain with his singing. Undeniably, The Magic Carpet is immensely entertaining. It is also pleasingly adventurous and gorgeously drawn as each panel was beautiful to look at. But the overreliance on fantastical elements led to a story that simply did not fit this series whatsoever. It is one of the messiest Asterix volumes for sure.

31. Asterix in Britain

This is also going to be hugely controversial, but I just had to put Asterix in Britain in this low spot. This story includes a war and a typical travel adventure as the duo go to the British Isles, but it is so heavily reliant on dialogue and humor that reading it in English translation was totally incoherent. It just did not work as they had to translate these jokes that obviously worked better in French. I came to fully appreciate this actually pretty great and hilarious story when I watched the movie adaptation in French, but the comic itself remains inferior.

30. Asterix and the Banquet

Asterix and the Banquet was the fifth volume in the series and it introduced Dogmatix to the franchise, thus it was crucial in that regard. It was also the first entry where the illustration work significantly improved as it was colorful and fluid from beginning to end. This is basically a road trip story that has its adventurous and comedic elements that worked, but it’s so episodic in structure that this approach robbed it of any momentum. The slim plot was a problem too, and similarly to the above entry, it was too French in references for non-French readers to get it.

29. Asterix and the Laurel Wreath

Laurel Wreath starts off in such a strong way. Vitalstatistix here got some of his best roles and the same goes for Impedimenta. Those moments were so charming and very funny. But the second half is a total mess as it features a main storyline that ultimately went nowhere. Ultimately, this was a very similar book to the above comic as both feature a slim plot, an overly episodic structure and are more reliant on amazing illustrations than story to carry them through the finish line.

28. Asterix in Corsica

Once again an Asterix comic was better experienced for the illustrations than for the story as Asterix in Corsica looked impeccable with so many gorgeous, detailed panels, but it featured a story that was simply not great. The Corsicans were a lot of fun and the chief character was a terrific personality. But the reason why Asterix and Obelix had to go there was a weak one and they were sidelined so much so that they felt like afterthoughts in their own series.

27. Asterix and the Picts

Asterix and the Picts was the first volume written by Didier Conrad and illustrated by Jean-Yves Ferri after Uderzo left the series and it was a pretty good beginning of this new Asterix era. The storytelling was quite flawed, uneven and rushed at times, but the illustrations were gorgeous and the comic functions as a fun adventure to Scotland with the cave sequences being particularly entertaining.

26. Asterix and the Black Gold

The Black Gold is where Asterix and the crew got to visit The Middle East and it was mostly a delightful adventure with some caveats. Yes, the fantastical elements and spy references were overly abundant. The premise was also too convenient and the overall story was never as strong as their earlier adventure to distant lands. However, gorgeous illustrations coupled with some great character moments made for a pretty charming, though flawed read.

25. Asterix and the Class Act

Asterix and the Class Act was the first of two compilation volumes in the series and the better one of the two. Yes, it is as uneven as you’d expect from this type of material with bad structuring and some filler material, but those segments that worked were a delight – Asterix and Obelix as babies was fun, Obelix in class was very funny, the series being represented in other styles and genres was inventive and the final two stories starring the authors themselves were very charming.

24. Asterix and the Griffin

Sarmatia was a terrific location for the Gauls to visit in this recent volume that was overall surprisingly solid. The storytelling is messy – the Romans are badly used within the story itself and the ending was too anti-climactic. But the illustrations are gorgeous, especially the breathtaking and huge half-page panels. Obelix is also very funny and Dogmatix hanging out with a pack of wolves was so amusing. It’s a charming travel adventure.

23. Asterix and Son

Asterix and Obelix have to protect a baby left on their doorstep in this very strange story unlike any other in the series. The twist ending that the baby is Caesar and Cleopatra’s son was memorable, though difficult to believe. The illustrations are also far from memorable here. But the volume succeeds in its diverse tone as the first half is very light and comedic while the second half is brutal, unexpected and dark. Caesar has never been more interesting than he was here.

22. Asterix and the White Iris

Caesar sends his chief medical officer to the Gaulish village to conquer them with positivity and good vibes. Isivertuus is an instantly iconic one-off Asterix character and through him the new writer Fabcaro made fun of the self-help trend gloriously. This is a confined, comedic story set in the Gaulish village – one that failed to utilize its main characters properly, but one that made great use of Vitalstatistix, Impedimenta and Caesar. The illustration work is only fine, but the dialogue and humor are stellar, leading to one of the best modern entries in the series.

21. Asterix and the Missing Scroll

The second best Conrad and Ferri outing, The Missing Scroll is all about the importance of history and documents to preserve that history. It’s one of the most historical stories in the series refreshingly so. Asterix and Obelix were ridiculously sidelined in the story, but Getafix has rarely been better and meeting his mentor druid was so much fun. The illustrations are particularly detailed and mesmerizing in this volume.

20. Obelix and Co.

Obelix and Co. is one of the smartest books in the series for better and for worse. On the one hand, the emphasis on themes and dialogue led to a decreased amount of humor with the fun factor significantly lacking this time around. But on the other hand, Obelix starting a menhir delivery business was a catalyst for the creators to delve deeper into how economy and marketplace work, leading to a surprisingly sophisticated storyline.

19. Asterix in Belgium

In this story, Asterix and the rest of the gang travel to Belgium to find out why the Romans are so scared of them. There, after having a huge feast, they decide to compete who is the bravest by beating as many Romans as possible. This was the last Goscinny-penned Asterix comic before his untimely death and it’s a pretty good one. The main duo take a back seat here and the storyline isn’t particularly sophisticated, but the supporting characters are so well realized and the country of Belgium was wonderfully explored.

18. Asterix and the Chariot Race

Asterix and Obelix are racing other competitors from so many different countries and tribes throughout the entirety of Italy in Chariot Race, which is by far the best Conrad and Ferri outing to date and the only one that got into the top twenty on this list. While it is definitely episodic and too crowded in characters, most got a lot to do and the story is wonderfully adventurous, fun and very funny at times. The illustrations are exceptionally detailed and gorgeous here.

17. Asterix and the Roman Agent

Asterix and the Roman Agent features a very interesting story that hinges heavily on situational comedy. It has its weaker sections with the ending being less memorable, but the moments with the wives were hilarious. The characterization and the dialogue are the highlights in this volume. It is a very flawed comic, but it is worth solely for the hysterical interactions between Vitalstatistix and Impedimenta, who were never better than they were here.

16. Asterix and the Goths

Asterix and Obelix go to a druid conference, but then Getafix gets abducted by the Goths, which eventually leads into an all-out war between the various Gothic tribes. This was the third entry in the series and one that wasn’t particularly funny or comedic in approach, but what it did have is a terrific, very important story with an unforgettable conclusion. It’s not my favorite Asterix comic, but I do quite respect its seriousness and darkness.

15. Asterix and the Soothsayer

A prophet called Prolix arrives to the village to warn the Gauls of impending doom, trying to trick them to leave the village in order for the Romans to settle there. This is a terrific volume that isn’t particularly sophisticated as its scope is smaller, but the characterization was the driving force here. Getafix and Asterix being the smartest guys in the village made sense whereas Prolix remains one of the best developed and most memorable side characters in the history of the series.

14. Asterix and the Secret Weapon

A female bard by the name of Bravura comes into the Gaulish village, replacing Cacofonix. Eventually, she inspires the other women to rebel and replace the men in their ranks. This is easily one of the funniest Asterix stories as it makes terrific use of its very original, sophisticated premise. Many would complain about the sexism in this story, but the women were lampooned just as the men were, which was only fair. A weaker ending aside, this is by far one of the most underrated entries in the series.

13. Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield

When Julius Caesar wants to parade with his Gallic adversary Vercingetorix’s shield, Asterix and his friends race to find the hero’s shield before Caesar does. This 1967 comic had its rushed and inferior plot points, but for the most part it worked. Not only did it include numerous interesting characters, but it was also gorgeously illustrated and quite funny at times. The highlight was the whole mystery about the shield, adding a nice layer of detective genre to the series.

12. Asterix and the Great Crossing

In The Great Crossing, the village is out of fish, so Asterix and Obelix must make a seafaring voyage to find some. They get lost at sea, ending up in the Americas, where they first encounter Native Americans and then the Vikings. This volume has its flaws and it lacked sophisticated themes, but it is one of the most adventurous Asterix stories, being basically a spirited high seas adventure. The section with the Native Americans was surprisingly good while the Vikings’ part was the best and funniest one.

11. Asterix and the Golden Sickle

The Golden Sickle is the second entry in the series and it almost landed on the top ten. The druid needs a new sickle, so Asterix and Obelix set out to Lutetia (now Paris) to find one. There, they encounter a criminal underworld of sickle traffickers. While I still prefer the cozier original, this was the more ambitious story with a much larger scale. While a bit flawed in its pacing, the sense of adventure was intact throughout. The illustrations are stunning with Lutetia being fully realized. The humor and characterization were also top-notch in this wonderful early tale.

10. Asterix and the Normans

In this ninth volume, Normans arrive in Gaul with the intention of discovering the meaning of fear, but they stumble upon Gauls, who are just as fearless as the Normans themselves. This comic explores how humans experience fear through these ridiculous Normans who supposedly do not experience it themselves. The interactions between the two groups were consistently amusing while Cacofonix has rarely been better utilized than he was here. It’s such a funny comic that deservedly ended up in the top ten on this list.

9. Asterix the Gladiator

Asterix and Obelix must go to Rome to rescue Cacofonix, who has been kidnapped. Cacofonix is hilarious here and so is the bath sequence. In Asterix the Gladiator, Rome was gorgeously illustrated and it felt very much lived-in. Benefitting from superb action and humor throughout, it’s one of the more entertaining entries in the series. It is also important for introducing for the first time Obelix’s most signature line – “These Romans are crazy!”

8. Asterix and the Big Fight

The seventh volume in the series focuses on the proposed fight that the Romans propose against the village chief. The twist here is that Getafix got hit on the head and he cannot make the magic potion anymore. I do realize that this type of small-scale storytelling set in the village with a lot of childlike humor doesn’t appear to everybody, but to me these entries are among the best of the series. Not only is Getafix hilarious here, but the illustrations are wonderfully creative and trippy, making for such a fun, colorful time.

7. Asterix at the Olympic Games

Asterix and Obelix enter the Olympics, but the rules state that all potions are prohibited. Eventually, Asterix wins against Romans, but due to some hilarious and unexpected twists. While Asterix came across as an unlikable cheater here, all those twists and turns still worked and the story overall was terrific. Usually the series either chooses between a travelogue or a village story, but here both of those approaches were mixed into one mostly coherent, wonderful storyline.

6. Asterix in Switzerland

Asterix in Switzerland is a glorious travelogue that is among the very best in the series. It is easy to see why this one is often a fan-favorite and it deserves the sixth place on this list for how funny it really is. In the world of Asterix, the Swiss are all obsessed with banks, clocks, cheese and cleanliness. But all of this parodying was done with a wink and a clear affinity for the people, making for more of an homage than a parody. The gorgeous mountain panels coupled with terrific humor and excellent characters made this comic a timeless treat.

5. Asterix the Gaul

This might be a contentious placement, but I am sticking with it. Asterix the Gaul is one of my absolute favorite volumes in the series. Yes, it is much smaller in scale than the vast majority of entries in the series, but it works because it perfectly established this world and its characters from the get-go. Asterix and Getafix are phenomenal in this first story while the humor is constantly firing on all cylinders with the highlight being the hilarious beard-growing sequence. The Gauls making fools out of Romans never stopped being amusing in this stellar first outing.

4. Asterix the Legionary

In this book, Obelix is in love with a beautiful woman, but she is already engaged. Her boyfriend was conscripted into the Roman army, so it is up to Asterix and Obelix to go and save him. Asterix the Legionary worked across the board. Not only are the illustrations gorgeous and meticulously detailed, but the dialogue is sophisticated and the humor is outstanding. Obelix is very amusing throughout, but it is Asterix who received the best sequence where stupid bureaucracy is gloriously lampooned. That little scene is probably the best one in the entire series as it will prove highly relatable to everybody who’s experienced it.

3. Asterix and Cleopatra

The unforgettable Cleopatra, the memorable Edifis and the superbly utilized Dogmatix all made this book one of the best out there. Yes, Asterix and Cleopatra benefits from excellent character moments throughout, but it also helps that the drawings are so meticulously crafted, leading to Egypt that felt very much real. It is both a hilarious and grandly adventurous story that remains the quintessential and greatest travelogue in Asterix history. It would be number one had it not been for two volumes that earned their higher placement due to their sheer sophistication.

2. The Mansions of the Gods

Caesar employs an architect to build a modern housing estate in the forests of Gaul. Then, when Romans arrive to live there, they put the village at risk, so it is up to Asterix and Obelix to get rid of them and restore the natural balance. That is the premise behind The Mansions of the Gods, the seventeenth book in the series. Probably the smartest Asterix story, it is all about small town economy and how rapid urbanization can impact it. Every character got their moment to shine here, the illustrations were simply stunning and the dialogue was consistently phenomenal. This was the comic that showed the sheer genius and perceptiveness of Goscinny and the high artistry of Uderzo. It remains the most mature story to date.

1. Asterix and the Cauldron

And the number one spot goes to Asterix and the Cauldron, the thirteenth book in the series that is anything but unlucky. When local Chief Whosemoralsarelastix wants a cauldron full of money kept out of Roman hands, the cash disappears while Asterix is guarding it. He and Obelix must earn enough to repay it through many different means, each funnier than the last. This was the first time that the duo tackled serious subject matter as we see Asterix and Obelix failing to grasp the concept of economy and just how it works. The mid section is hilarious with the two genuinely trying to steal and even rob a bank, but the ending is also incredible as we saw Asterix finally don his sword, which almost never happens. Uderzo’s illustrations are diverse in style and coloring while consistently being gorgeous to behold. Expert pacing coupled with superb action and humor made this book a must read. It showcased that the series was at its best when it was dealing with the situational comedy format instead of a travelogue.