All other comics reading had stopped tonight cos NEW ASTERIX.
Now I approach a new Asterix with a delight and equal fear. Asterix hasn't aged well. Its dated in both tone and detail and the new volumes haven't been brave enough to push beyond what they were to what they could be and have just tried to emulate the past. This will never work as the past was Goscinny and Uderzo and no one is as good as them. So to try to emulate them is foolish. To not move the tales forward and re-invent leaves it bound in dangerous shorthands of old.
In that context, this book is still a triumph however, and just like the previious volume The Cheftain Daughter it works really well for what it is - even if what it is is time bound and unable to live up to its past. The art is glorious, just glorious as Conrad does his damnest to ape Uderzo. The story is also strong. Its funny, sharp and if again it relies on the same jokes rolling around they are still decent jokes.
The story has some really brilliant touches too. The magic potion is fantastically sidelined pushing other strengths of our Gallic hero to the fore. The Romans are given more time and space and are developed well. I also adore the reveal of the Griffin at the end - I'll not spoil but its based on historical theory quite superbly.
Yeah overall this does feel dated and treads a very conservative line BUT its also very good comics in that context.
