Comic book cover

Asterix and Cleopatra: The Epic of an Iconic Comic Strip

The "Asterix and Cleopatra" comic strip is a true masterpiece that has captured the hearts of readers the world over. Created by the two talented authors René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, this iconic work is the sixth in the Asterix series. Their fruitful collaboration produced 34 comic book masterpieces, spanning the period from 1961 to 2009. However, even after the death of these two masters, the Asterix saga has continued thanks to the efforts of Jean-Yves Ferri on the script and Didier Conrad on the drawings, who have already created six new comics since then.

René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo creator of Asterix and Obelix

The Evolution of the Asterix Saga

"Asterix and Cleopatra, published by Hachette, first appeared in the magazine Pilote No. 1 in 1959. However, the first edition in album form was published in 1961. The popularity of this comic strip quickly propelled it around the world, and it was translated into more than 15 different languages, including English, Spanish and even Korean. The album was a resounding success, giving rise to an animated film adaptation in 1967, and later a live-action film adaptation in 2002, directed by Alain Chabat,becoming a French box-office staple under the name Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra. Asterix comics are so popular that the originals have become collector's items, sometimes selling for hundreds of euros. In a fascinating anecdote, an original Asterix plate sold at auction for an impressive 319,500 euros.

Our two heroes, Asterix and Obelix

Summary:

The plot of Asterix and Cleopatra revolves around Edifis, an Egyptian architect commissioned by the Queen of Egypt to build a palace in just three months. The queen wants to prove to Julius Caesar that the genius of her people is still intact. This timeframe, imposed on an inexperienced architect, is incredibly short for a palace of this scale. To achieve this feat, Edifis must redouble his efforts, as failure would mean an unpleasant encounter with the crocodiles. To save his life, he embarks on a journey to Gaul in search of his old friend Panoramix, a wise old man with magical powers. Panoramix has a potion that gives superhuman strength to those who drink it. Edifis' plan is to give this potion to his workers to ensure that the building site is completed on time.

Woman in an Egyptian temple

The Eternal Influence of Asterix and Cleopatra

"Asterix and Cleopatra is a captivating adventure story that skilfully blends humour, action and history, while celebrating the ingenuity of the iconic Asterix and Obelix characters. This comic strip, born of the ingenuity of Goscinny and Uderzo, lives on thanks to the work of Ferri and Conrad. It has become a veritable legend in comics and cinema, and its influence transcends generations. The adventures of Asterix continue to delight readers and viewers alike, and the saga remains a pillar of popular culture the world over.