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Astérix #9

Asterix and the Normans

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Normans never feel fear—but they do believe that terror literally gives one wings, enabling a person to fly. Now they’re planning to test their theory on Vitalstatistix’s cowardly nephew Jusforkix by pushing him right off the edge of a cliff.

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

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About the author

René Goscinny

2,031 books1,229 followers
René Goscinny (1926 - 1977) was a French author, editor and humorist, who is best known for the comic book Asterix , which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris (considered the series' golden age).

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
Profile Image for Nandakishore Mridula.
1,327 reviews2,647 followers
January 31, 2016
This, or Asterix and the Cauldron, is the very first Asterix book I read: and I immediately became a fan. This is one of the books where one of my favourite characters, Cacofonix the village bard, plays a central role. As all Asterix aficionados know, opinion is divided as to his talents - Cacofonix thinks he is a genius, everyone else thinks he is unspeakable.



The fearsome Normans, who "don't know the meaning of fear", come to the Gaulish coast to learn it - to their chagrin they meet with Asterix's village of indomitable Gauls, who also don't know it! Well, not everyone;because Justforkix, the Chief's visiting nephew from Lutetia, is very much an expert in fear as far as the Normans are concerned. So they kidnap him. The only way to get the boy back alive is to teach the Normans the meaning of fear.

The situation seems hopeless until Cacofonix steps in and gives them a concert. Within hours, the Normans don't learn only fear - they graduate to sheer nail-biting terror.

--------------------------------

Well, here's another guy on whose musical talents opinion is divided.







(Well, they don't tie and gag me, but of late in our college alumni meetings I see that they never give me the microphone.)
Profile Image for Tristram Shandy.
861 reviews262 followers
April 11, 2025
Von einer -afenbande, die auszog, um das Fürchten zu lernen

Ganz oben, im hohen Norden, hausen die Normannen, ein kriegerisches Volk, welches Calva aus den Schädeln seiner erschlagenen Feinde trinkt, das aber auch die Weisheit der schwarzgefiederten Odinsraben Hugin und Munin in sich vereint. Eines jedoch kennen die Normannen nicht, nämlich die Angst, die ja bekanntlich Flügel verleiht. Die Schmach dieses Unwissens wollen die Nordmänner indes nicht auf sich sitzen lassen, und so bricht eine Rotte unter ihrem Häuptling Maulaf – die Gallier werden sich später weidlich über die komischen Namen der Normannen lustig machen – auf, um zu erfahren, was Angst eigentlich sei. Dabei verschlägt es sie ausgerechnet an die Gestade Armoricas, wo das unbeugsame Dorf der Gallier liegt, die immer noch den Römern trotzen. Dort wiederum gibt es einen unbequemen Gast, den jungen Halbstarken Grautvornix, ein Neffe Majestix‘, der aus Lutetia aufs Land geschickt wurde, damit aus ihm ein rechter Mann geschmiedet werde. Man kann sich schon denken, daß diese beiden Handlungsstränge flugs miteinander verknüpft werden zu einem der klassischen Asterix-und-Obelix-Abenteuer, in dem es wieder einmal zu einem wörtlich zu nehmenden Zusammenprall zweier Kulturen kommt.

Erneut zeigen sich Goscinny und Uderzo von einer etwas konservativen Seite, denn der Jüngling Grautvornix stößt mit seinen Großstadtsitten so manchem Gallier vor den Kopf und entpuppt sich zunächst einmal als ein echter Waschlappen, dem die Furcht vor den Normannen in die Glieder fährt, was ihn wiederum gerade für die ungebetenen Gäste interessant macht, denken sie doch, von niemand anderem als ihm das Fürchten lernen zu können. Nur dumm, daß da irgendwie ein Freiflug von der Klippe inbegriffen zu sein scheint, denn schließlich geht es ja auch darum, das Fliegen zu erlernen – eine etwas kindische Prämisse, die aber der insgesamt guten Story keinen Abbruch tut, denn nicht nur die Gallier haben ihre liebe Not mit dem halbstarken Grautvornix, der mit einem in Mailand gebauten weißroten Rennwagen (!) ins Dorf einfährt und dort gleich neue Tänze einführt, sondern auch eine römische Patrouille leidet unter einem jungen Grünschnabel, dem hochgeschossenen Gutzufus, der noch lernen muß, daß er mit seiner Dienstbeflissenheit bei unseren unerschrockenen Galliern an der falschen Adresse ist. Außerdem spielt wieder einmal Troubadix eine tragende Rolle, wird er doch genau in dem Augenblick von Grautvornix ermuntert, dem „barbarischen“ Dorf den Rücken zu kehren und im fernen, aber modernen Lutetia seine Sangeskunst darzubieten, wenn er im Dorf am dringendsten gebraucht wird. Nur so viel sei gesagt: Am Ende des Abenteuers darf er sogar mit seinen Freunden gemeinsam tafeln, während seine Nemesis Automatix mit Petersilie in den Ohren gefesselt am Baumhaus baumelt – aber warum das so ist, das muß der geneigte Leser selbst herausfinden.

Wo wir gerade bei Automatix sind: Dies ist zwar nicht das erste Album, in dem der Schmied auftritt, aber gleichwohl das erste, in dem er ein für allemal in seine graphische – das ist jetzt nicht normannisch gemeint – Form gegossen wurde, nämlich als blonder, ledergeschürzten, hünenhafter Hammerträger.

Mein Lieblingspanel findet sich auf Seite 19, wo die Normannen ihr Opfer Grautvornix durch einen Keulenschlag außer Gefecht gesetzt haben und sich folgender Wortwechsel zuträgt: „Hoffentlich hast du ihn nicht allzu sehr beschädigt, sonst dient er uns nicht einmal mehr als Geschirr.“ – „Ja, wenn er zu stark eins auf den Deckel gekriegt hat, kann man nicht mehr mit ihm anstoßen.“

Zum Abschluß noch ein konservatives Wort meinerseits zu dem neuen Cover: Ihm gegenüber gebe ich dem alten Cover auf ganzer Linie den Vorzug, denn das Bild, auf dem wir Grautvornix sahen, der einem sich erwartungsvoll die Hände reibenden Obelix und einem nachdenklichen Asterix am Strand ein am Horizont erscheinendes Drachenschiff zeigte, wirkt doch bedrohlicher und somit stimmungsvolle als das neue, etwas wuselige Titelbild.
Profile Image for Dirk Grobbelaar.
802 reviews1,220 followers
March 2, 2020

In which the Normans don’t invade Gaul…. not quite yet, at any rate. They arrive at Gaulish shores on an expedition to seek out anybody who can teach them the meaning of fear. Why? Because it lends us wings, fear does, (apparently) and therefore holds the secret to flight. You have to love these books!

The Normans (Vikings) are depicted as a tremendously fearsome and belligerent bunch (they drink apple brandy from the skulls of their slain enemies, a fact that in itself paves the way for some fantastic puns). Yet, the Gauls aren’t afraid either (except of the sky falling on their heads) so it’s a bit of an impasse when it comes to this sort of thing. In fact, the Gauls welcome the possibility of a confrontation. That is, all except one, the young nephew of Chief Vitalstatistix who is on a forced vacation of sorts (he has been sent from Lutetia by his father, who wants the Gauls to toughen him up a bit). It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what happens next (especially if you’ve been reading a few of these books): a kidnapping. Yes, because he is an ideal candidate, being frightened to death of the Normans and their terrible reputation.

I have to say, I found the names of the Normans hilarious. In the best tradition of the series, they all end the same, this time with “-af”, giving rise to such worthies as Riffraf, Firsthaf, Secondhaf, Timandahaf and by far my favourite, Psychopaf!

In the end it’s a bit of a surprise how the Normans succeed in their mission. Or is it?

Another splendid, and particularly funny, entry in an amazingly endearing series.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
689 reviews48 followers
January 18, 2023
Helle Aufregung im gallischen Dorf! Majestix‘ Bruder aus Lutetia schickt seinen Sohn Grautvornix in Ferien aufs Land, damit die Gallier einen echten Mann aus dem Buben machen. Das Stadtleben scheint den jungen Burschen etwas verweichlicht zu haben.
Die Erziehung des oberflächlichen und etwas prolligen Grautvornix wird kurzerhand Asterix und Obelix anvertraut – wem sonst?

Kurzer Sprung in nördliche Richtung: Die Normannen, das tapferste Volk der Welt, haben irgendwo aufgeschnappt, dass Angst Flügel verleiht. Menschen, die Angst haben, können also fliegen? Blöd nur, dass die Normannen keine Angst kennen. Und so machen sie sich auf, das Fürchten zu lernen. Ihre eher zufällige Wahl fällt auf Gallien – wo sie schon bald auf den Oberschisser Grautvornix treffen (dessen Name mal so gar nicht Programm ist), der ihnen gefälligst das Fliegen beibringen soll.

___________

Einer der Asterix-Bände, die ich bisher nur wenige Male gelesen habe. Fand ihn nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht besonders herausragend. Gibt meines Wissens einen eher trashigen Film dazu, wenn ich mich falsch erinnere.
Oberflächlich witzig, aber kein Highlight in meinen Augen. Geht halt viel um „die verweichlichte Jugend“. Der Witz, dass „Angst Flügel verleiht“, ist zu Beginn noch lustig, kann aber eben auch kein ganzes Buch tragen.

3.25 🌟
Profile Image for Ευθυμία Δεσποτάκη.
Author 29 books236 followers
June 24, 2020
ΠΛΑΦ!
"Παρών!"
"Μα όχι!"

(και μερικές σκέψεις ακόμη, σκόρπιες:

α) Αδυνατώ να βρω έστω ένα ψεγάδι στον Αστερίξ. Δεν μπορώ. Δεν ξέρω καν αν έχει, δεν μπορώ να το αντιληφθώ. Παρατάω κάθε προσπάθεια αντικειμενική ματιά. Ο Αστερίξ θα είναι πάντα ο Αστερίξ.
β) Ο Χοντρομπάφ είναι από τις πιο τρομακτικές μούρες. Μόνο ο Μάγος είναι πιο τρομακτικός από τον Χοντρομπάφ.
γ) Το ότι ο Ιντεφίξ κλαίει όποτε ξεριζώνουν ένα δέντρο, με έκανε να μην θέλω να βλέπω κομμένα λουλούδια μέσα στο σπίτι μου. Στεναχωριέμαι.
δ) Θέλω να τα διαβάσω όλα με τη σειρά. Όλα. Όλα! <3)
Profile Image for Tiyas.
438 reviews106 followers
August 25, 2023
নর্ম্যানেরা ভয় পায় না। ভয় শব্দটি তাদের অভিধানে নেই। ভয় নামক এই দুরুহ বস্তুটির খোঁজে তারা দলবলে হাজির হয় গলেদের দেশে। এবং এসেই হয় বিপত্তি! দারুণ সব ওয়ার্ড-প্লে সমৃদ্ধ এই বইটি সর্বসেরা অ্যাস্টেরিক্স নয়, বলাই বাহুল্য। তবুও ভীষণ মজাদার। বাংলার পাশাপাশি ইংরেজি তর্জমাতেও চোখ বুলিয়ে দেখলাম। একেক ভাষায় একেক ভাবে ফুটে ওঠে তীক্ষ্ণ হিউমার। কথা ও শব্দের কি মজার খেলা। এ জিনিসের সত্যিই কোনো বিকল্প নেই। মাঝেমধ্যে একটা দুটো এমন গল্প না পড়লে জীবনটাকে কেমন বর্ণহীন মনে হয়। এইতো।
Profile Image for Gary.
1,020 reviews246 followers
November 1, 2020
This album was first published in French ,in 1966 , as Asterix et les Normans
and in English , in 1978.
Vitalstatistix' brat nephew , Justfokix, is sent to our friends' village , to become a man.
Being not a particularly brave sort , it is particularly unfortunate for Justforkix that his visit coincides with a visit by the fierce Normans , who are on an expedition to learn the meaning of fear .
Thus another adventure begins (especially after the Normans kidnap Justforkix ) , pitting the wills of the fearless Gauls against those of the fearless Normans , with the hapless Romans thrown in the middle.
Two interesting cultural references in this book are to those of the warlike and doughty Normans , with their glasses made from their enemies skulls 'eek , their ale and their delicious cream sauce dishes , Boar in cream sauce ,chicken in cream sauce , sausages in cream sauce etc.
Also remember this book was written at a time when the Rolling Stones where hitting the world like a bolt of thunder-1966- and Justforkix brings some 50 BC rock music to the village .
Talking of music , it is Cacofonix ' singing that actually saves the day , but , then , I don't want to reveal too much of the plot.
Profile Image for Kavita.
841 reviews455 followers
July 2, 2020
This one is a pretty ingenious story. The Normans don't know what fear is and decide they need to learn it so they can fly. They know of nobody who can teach them, so they set off on a trip, ultimately landing in Gaul. In the meanwhile, Chief Vitalstatistix has his nephew sent to him to be toughened up. Of course, he turns out to be the only person who knows what fear is.

This was pretty brilliant. Though there wasn't much wordplay on the names, the Norman names were still funny. Cacofonix turns out to be a saviour for once, and gets to feast with everyone else at the end. The poor Normans ended up terrified and went back home more the 'scared' than the 'scaree'.

My favourite pun: The latest music band - "The Rolling Menhirs"!
Profile Image for Книжни Криле.
3,474 reviews201 followers
October 18, 2024
Очаква ни нова порция смях с галските герои, любимци на поколения читатели и икони на европейския комикс! "Астерикс и норманите" е деветата книга от класическата поредица на Рьоне Госини и Албер Юдерзо, издадена от „Артлайн“ и безупречно преведена на български от майстора Венелин Пройков. Този комикс е истинско бижу за всички почитатели на неповторимото дуо Астерикс и Обеликс, които отново се впускат в куп забавни приключения. Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
Profile Image for Nicolo.
3,349 reviews199 followers
September 8, 2013
This graphic album was a great find from a pile of clearance books at National Book Store in Centrio. There were a few other Asterix titles on sale but this was the only one was by it original creators Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. It was at half-price off so it was very hard not to buy.

Despite it being half-price off, truth be told, I was hesitating to getting it. It is not that I don't enjoy Franco-Belgian comics, I enjoy Herge's Tintin and Peyo's Smurfs. It was that the first few Asterix I read I didn't quite get the European style of humor. But that changed with this volume.

I thought the premise was idiotic, Vikings who wanted to know the meaning of fear. They were not even called Vikings here but Normans and although Normans may be related to Vikings, they didn't settle in France a few centuries later. Although since the word "Norman" actually means "northman" it was technically correct to refer to them here as Normans.

Another plot involved the city kid that is Asterix's chief's nephew. His father was worried that Justforkix was getting soft, sent him to Asterix's village to grow up a little.

I was initially puzzled how this two plots would merge as the story ends but it does beautifully. I thought it was corny at first but I ended up laughing at tbe last few pages as the graphic album winded down. It also helped that Uderzo has just a great comic style that blended seamlessly with Goscinny's plots and words.

This volume helped make me a believer. It was plain to see why Goscinny and Uderzo were considered legends of Franco-Belgian comics.
Profile Image for Daniel Calle.
288 reviews38 followers
October 3, 2022
Asterix haciéndole un guiño a la industria de la música, Asterix enseñando sobre el miedo, Asterix como siempre: genial
Profile Image for Mahatab Rashid.
107 reviews115 followers
October 19, 2018
কোনো একটা কারণে আগে অ্যাসটেরিক্স পড়া হয়ে ওঠে নাই, এই প্রথম পড়লাম। ভীষণ মজার, ছোটবেলায় পড়তে পারলে আনন্দের মাত্রাটা আরও বেশি হতো, সন্দেহ নাই।
গল্পটা একদল ভাইকিং (নর্ম্যান) যোদ্ধা দিয়ে, একদিন তারা আবিষ্কার করলো দুনিয়ার হেন কাজ নাই তারে পারে না, হেন জিনিস নাই তারা জয় করে নাই, কিন্তু এই দৈত্যাকার ভয়ংকর রাগী অকুতোভয় ভাইকিংরা কখনো ভয় পায় নাই। তারা শুনেছে, ভয় পেলে নাকি প্রাণপাখি খাঁচাছাড়া হয়ে উড়তে শুরু করে, অদম্য ভাইকিংরা কখনো সেই পাখি দেখবে না - তাতো হতে পারে না। তাই তারা হামলা করে অ্যাসটেরিক্সদের গল গ্রামে, আর তারপরেই সব মজার কাহিনী শুরু।
সবচেয়ে ইন্টারেস্টিং ছিলো নামের অনুবাদটা। টিনটিনের স্নোয়ি যেভাবে আনন্দ পাবলিশার্সের অনুবাদে কুট্টুস হয়ে যায়, বা থমসন অ্যান্ড থম্পসন হয়ে যায় জনসন ও রনসন - অ্যাসটেরিক্সের বেলায় সেটা আরও দুই কাঠি সরেস। এখানে গ্রামের ওঝা Get-a-fix হয়ে গেছে এটাসেটামিক্স, বাঁজখাই গলার গায়ক Cacophonyx হয়ে গেছে কলরবিক্স! খুবই চমৎকার ভাবানুবাদ হয়েছে নামগুলার। সেই তুলনায় দুই এক জায়গায় অন্যান্য মনোলগের অনুবাদ দেখলাম একটু আক্ষরিক হয়ে গেছে।
যাইহোক, এইবেলা অ্যাসটেরিক্সের একটা মোটা ভলিউম জোগাড় করে পুরোটা একটানে শেষ করে ফেলা লাগবে।
Profile Image for Sandy.
564 reviews24 followers
March 1, 2020
FINALLY.... The Northmen found their match.. And a little spoiled city brat learned to keep his gap tightly closed and grow the hell up..
Asterix does it again
Profile Image for Miku.
1,632 reviews21 followers
October 22, 2022
"Asteriks i Normanowie" mogą być przez wielu kojarzonych z filmem animowanym "Asteriks i Wikingowie". W mocnym skrócie - do wioski na wakacje ma przyjechać bratanek Wielkiego Wodza Draczniks. Celem jest, by Gallowie zrobili z niego mężczyznę, bo młody chłopak żyje po wielkomiejsku i staje się w oczach rodziny mięczakiem. Równocześnie na dalekiej północy żyją Normanowie - ludzie, którzy nie znają strachu. Ich wódz poszukuje sposobu, by zacząć się bać, bo podobno strach dodaje skrzydeł i dzięki temu będą mogli latać. Jak można przewidzieć wyruszą na wyprawę nad wybrzeże Galii.

No ocena nie może być inna. Świetny, zabawny, z fantastyczną kreską komiks. Może i mam słabość do Asteriksa, ale nic już na to nie poradzę. Przy każdej części bawię się kapitalnie oraz mam ochotę na coraz więcej, tym bardziej, że Asteriks i Obeliks to moje dzieciństwo. W tym przypadku film już mocno rozjeżdża się z komiksem, więc warto poznać bazę na której film powstał.

"To właśnie jest pouczające w podróżach.. dowiedzieć się jak żyją miejscowi, zanim się ich zmasakruje". No nic dodać, nic ująć :D.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,520 reviews66 followers
March 4, 2020
humor, history, superheroes, word play, satire, stereotypes

My French grandfather thoroughly enjoyed anything to do with word play, so this aspect of the book 'feels right.' BUT, what a challenge for the translators! What's punny in one language is probably not so in the other. One of these days, I'll read the original French version and hopefully my French is strong enough to appreciate the work of the translators.

I may pick up another volume in this series.
Profile Image for Naveen N. Bhat.
216 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2022
A Norman crew arrive in Gaul to discover "the meaning of fear". To teach the Normans fear, Asterix and Obelix fetch Cacofonix. Nothing extraordinary in this volume.
Profile Image for David Sarkies.
1,921 reviews372 followers
July 20, 2016
Resistance to modernism
29 September 2012

Once again this entire adventure takes place in the little village we know so well. One of Chief Vitalstatistix's nephews has been sent from Lutetia (Paris) out to Amorica to toughen him up, and as it turns out he comes across as one of those young people who do not understand the concept of work. He arrives in a sporty chariot (made in Milan, which made me think of the Ferarri) and in a way brings the idea of the city life out to the country. However, the album is more than this because way up north in Scandanavia the Norsemen, who are the Normans, want to learn the meaning of fear so that they might be able to fly, so they jump in a boat and sail to a random place (which happens to be this little village we know so well) to find out all about fear.
There are quite a few jokes about Normans and conquests here, and a part of me when I read this album about ten years ago thought it was wrong. However (and I have not researched this) I suspect that the Normans originally were Vikings that during the period of the Viking invasions, came and settled in the region known now as Normandy. The Vikings actually did that quite a lot. There was a period of English history when the Danes pretty much controlled a large chunk of central England which, at the time, was called the Dane Law. Further, there are a number of jokes about how the Normans were not actually supposed to arrive for a few centuries yet.
Now, I understand that Asterix is not necessarily supposed to be historically accurate, but one thing that it is is satire. As I read this one I came to understand what the whole basis of these albums are supposed to be. As I said, it is not necessarily political or social criticism but rather satire. The idea that I came across is that struggle that exists between the pastoral idealism of the country and the modernising influence of the city. Where the little village we know so well reflects the tranquil idealism of the country, the Romans reflect the modernising influence that is rolling out over our world.
Many of us on the modernising side like to see our ideas as being progress, however being on the intellectual, university trained side we fail to see the pleasant aspects of a rural setting where things do not change and have not changed for years. For instance we have the green grass, the singing birds, the communal feasts, and the general aspect where everybody knows everybody else. However there tends to be a resistance among such places against the modernising influence, as can be represented by Cacofonix the bard. The truth is that it is not that Cacofonix is playing modern music, it is simply that he cannot sing and cannot play music at all. When the Lutetian tells him that he will be a hit in Lutetia, it is not because he is any good, it is more because the variety of tastes that come about in the big city will mean that people will actually come to see that maybe this person that cannot play music for the life of him is simply somebody who is experimenting and trying something new.
Profile Image for Illiterate.
2,674 reviews48 followers
February 8, 2024
In which Dogmatix exhibits a devotion to trees and Cacofonix saves the day.
Profile Image for Jacques le fataliste et son maître.
369 reviews56 followers
November 14, 2010
La storia non è avvincente, ma i normanni che vogliono essere terrorizzati (perché non sanno che cos’è la paura e non desiderano passare da ignoranti) sono memorabili. Interessante l’impatto culturale del giovane Menabotte sul provinciale villaggio gallico. È poi bello vedere Assurancetourix finalmente in primo piano.
Profile Image for Mohammed Mortada.
316 reviews62 followers
November 27, 2015
Fear is essential and vital to know your strength limits of you abilities
Also this the first volume where Cacofonix is not beaten at the last page
Profile Image for F.R..
Author 37 books221 followers
June 4, 2023
An extended joke on knowing the meaning of fear which never runs out of steam.
Profile Image for Marcos Kopschitz.
382 reviews34 followers
February 21, 2017
Goscinny e Uderzo chegam em 1966 ao nono álbum de Asterix, desenvolvendo sua receita básica até ali: além das situações clássicas de quadrinhos (combates, socos, marretadas, etc.), brincadeiras com características dos próprios franceses, uma mistura geral de informações atuais e antigas que resulta da transposição de situações contemporâneas para a época romana e críticas sociais ou simples paródias. De todo modo, já era então um sucesso que se mantém em todo o mundo desde então! Tipicamente europeu, mas continuo me lembrando sempre de que, como leitores infantis, eu e meus irmãos, mesmo sem captar o humor mais fino, nos divertíamos muito lendo as aventuras dos gauleses!

Este álbum faz uma salada histórica espetacular, e por isso mesmo cômica.

Vamos aos fatos históricos: os gauleses de Asterix estão, como se sabe, na Armórica, região da antiga Gália romana que incluía a região que, na França moderna, é a Normandia. No século 9º começaram as invasões dos vikings na Europa (Irlanda, Inglaterra, França, etc.). Na França, chegaram a sitiar Paris. Depois, no século 10, chegaram a um acordo com o rei da França, receberam terras onde se estabeleceram, dando origem ao Ducado da Normandia. Estes invasores vinham da Escandinávia (Suécia, Noruega, etc.), ao norte da Europa, sendo portanto conhecidos como “homens do norte” (em inglês, “normans”, em francês, “normands”). A Normandia (“terra normanorum”, em latim), portanto, era a “terra dos homens do norte”. Os vikings eram de fato temidos guerreiros que invadiam e saqueavam, causando medo generalizado na Europa medieval. Já no século 20, a Normandia veio a ficar muito famosa na época da Segunda Guerra Mundial, pois as tropas aliadas ali desembarcaram no famoso “Dia D”, no que ficou conhecido como “o desembarque da Normandia”.

E agora, à história de Asterix que, note-se, se passa no ano 50 a.C, quase mil anos antes das invasões vikings. Então, é tudo uma grande brincadeira: além de transpor, como sempre, coisas da França moderna para o tempo dos romanos, o álbum transpõe também para lá situações medievais! E aí está a salada: os normandos (vikings), que nem tinham esse nome nem existiam na era romana, invadem a Gália (mil anos antes) e ainda desembarcam na Normandia (dois mil anos antes)! Só rindo!

Mais piadas ou referências no mesmo contexto

1. A canção que os normandos cantam durante o “desembarque” é uma referência a Ma Normandie , de Frédéric Bérat, de 1836, o hino da Normandia.

2. Os normandos dos quadrinhos têm os costumes dos normandos modernos: usam muito creme na culinária e tomam “calvados” (ou “calva”), bebida típica da Normandia, de maçã e cidra.

3. O chefe Olaf Abominaf diz “Não viemos fazer a guerra. Nossos descendentes cuidarão disso daqui a alguns seculos...”. Mais adiante, Asterix diz: “Não volte aqui por alguns séculos”

Algumas das piadas fáceis e referências imediatas da época vão ficando incompreensíveis para leitores de mais de cinquenta anos depois. Mas nem por isso os álbuns deixaram de ser engraçados e um grande sucesso. Porém, para apreciar todo o humor, é preciso estar a par de muita coisa – ou os álbuns se tornaram uma oportunidade para descobrir muita coisa, também!

Algumas dicas para captar detalhes interessantes

1. Continua a brincadeira de cada povo ter nomes com a mesma terminação: gauleses, “ix”, godos, “ic”, egípcios, “is” etc. Agora, os nomes normandos terminam todos em “af”. Tudo tem sempre uma referência real, o nome Olaf ou Olav existe na Noruega. O chefe é Olaf Abominaf, e os demais, Desabaf, Paragraf, Epitaf, Garraf, Autograf, Batiscaf e por aí vai. No original francês havia outros engraçados, como Dactilograf, Sténograf e Cinématograf. Quem não ri disso? Os gauleses riem, e muito!

2. O álbum é de 1969, então é preciso lembrar que eram os rebeldes anos 60, quando jovens de cabelos compridos amavam os Beatles e os Rolling Stones! O mundo mudava. Esta situação é representada pelo sobrinho de Abracurcix, que chega “cabeludo” (forma crítica de se referir aos jovens no Brasil na época) de Lutécia (Paris), em um carrão italiano, rebelde, frequentando a noite, dormindo até tarde e... tocando rock! Toma a harpa de Chatotorix e canta “O rock'n'rix” e “Ieeee”! Genial. Na edição de 1969 era “O monkix”, alusão a The Monkees, banda de sucesso entre 1965 e 1971 – que quase ninguém reconheceria hoje, claro. Os gauleses gostam e caem no rock – inclusive Obelix!

3. Chatotorix, que na história, por definição, canta tão mal que todos fogem, é considerado um sucesso pelo jovem “roqueiro”. Brincadeira ao contrário, pois na época os detratores do rock diziam que esta música nova era horrível! Como sempre, piadas com situações atualíssimas – nos anos 60!

4. Na apresentação de Chatotorix para os normandos, ele canta “Amo a Gália, a cerveja, Tutatis e as mulheres, as mulheres, as mulheres que têm olhos azuis...” É uma brincadeira com uma canção de 1941 de Charles Trenet, Un rien me fait chanter :
“J'aime la terre les fleurs la vie et le ciel bleu
Et puis les femmes les femmes les femmes qu'ont les yeux bleus”


5. Quando Calhambix finalmente se enche de coragem e manda os normandos embora, suas palavras se referem a “Fluctuat, nec mergitur”, que é a divisa de Paris, e quer dizer “É levado pelas ondas, mas não afunda”.

6. Quando um legionário diz “Eu não sei o que Júlio César disse, mas não ir e não ver é a melhor maneira de não ser vencido”, é uma brincadeira com a famosa frase de César, “Veni, vidi, vinci” (“Vim, vi e venci”).

E outros destaques do álbum

1. Aparece o carteiro da aldeia. No original e na primeira tradução brasileira era Pneumatix. Existia um sistema pneumático (com tubos de ar) de entrega de mensagens. Isso já poucos sabem, então, na nova versão é Telegrafix, boa escolha.

2. Pela primeira vez Chatotorix pode participar do banquete final, já que é o herói da história!

3. Estreia a grande preocupação de Ideiafix com as árvores.

No início, os álbuns não foram lançados aqui na mesma ordem dos originais franceses, o que resultou em diferentes numerações dos 36 álbuns. No Brasil, este foi o 14º álbum a ser publicado, já pela Cedibra , em brochura. O meu é este antigo, com a capa original.

Mas o álbum desta resenha é o novo, da série remasterizada. Esta série pode ser identificada pela silhueta vermelha de Asterix na parte inferior da lombada (veja na imagem da capa).

A Editora Record resolveu o problema da ordem, quando as edições passaram a ser as da chamada série remasterizada. A tecnologia de impressão e produção de quadrinhos, é claro, avançou muito em mais de cinquenta anos. A editora francesa produziu ótimos novos originais, sob orientação de Uderzo, que estão sendo publicados também no Brasil. A nova colorização é excelente, há ganhos enormes em todo o álbum – comparar os dois é muito interessante. E este é um dos que teve a capa refeita – ficou muito boa.

Referências para este álbum

1. Site oficial de Asterix
Quantidade enorme de informações históricas, sobre cada álbum, os autores, personagens, edições, etc., além de papéis de parede e mais.
Em francês e inglês, com algumas partes em outras línguas incluindo o português de Portugal.
Em www.asterix.com

> Autores: René Goscinny (1926 – 1977), roteiro, e Albert Uderzo (1927), desenhos
> Lançamento original na França
– Em formato seriado: na revista “Pilote” nº 34, em 28/04/1966
– Em álbum: 1966
> Lançamento no Brasil
– final dos anos 60 ou início dos anos 70, pela Cedibra (Companhia Editora Brasileira), em brochura.
– tradução de Eli Gomes
> Edição atual remasterizada: Hachette Livre, 1999. Editora Record, oitava edição em 2012 (primeira edição em 1985)
> Tradução: Claudio Varga

A série remasterizada de Asterix
(Volumes de 1 a 10)

número de ordem original na França e atual no Brasil, (ano de publicação original), título em português, (título original em francês)

1. (1961) Asterix, o gaulês (Astérix le Gaulois) *** R
2. (1962) A foice de ouro (La Serpe d'or) *** R
3. (1963) Asterix e os godos (Astérix et les Goths) *** R
4. (1964) Asterix gladiador (Astérix Gladiateur) *** R
5. (1965) Uma volta pela Gália com Asterix (Le Tour de Gaule d'Astérix) *** R
6. (1965) Asterix e Cleópatra (Astérix et Cléopâtre) *** R
7. (1966) O combate dos chefes (Le Combat des chefs)
8. (1966) Asterix entre os bretões (Astérix chez les Bretons)
9. (1967) Asterix e os normandos (Astérix et les Normands) *** R
10. (1967) Asterix legionário (Astérix légionnaire) *** R

Veja os dez volumes seguintes na resenha de

12. (1968) Asterix nos Jogos Olímpicos (Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques) *** R

*** R – Álbuns já resenhados por mim
Profile Image for Vigneswara Prabhu.
465 reviews43 followers
May 22, 2022
Normans, who some plebeians call Norse men, a race of warriors who know no fear. Unfortunately that's a problem for them; 'For fear gives one wings' as they say; and the Normans want to know fear and thus fly on those wings. So,what do they do? They decide to go and invade the nearby land of the Gauls to find an 'expert' who will teach them to fear and fly. Unfortunately, this also happens to be when our favorite Gaul village is visited by 'Justforkix', the bratty petulant nephew to chief Vitalstatistix. Now the group has to deal with a band of warriors who are tougher than the Romans as well as fix up a youngster going through the rebellious phase. And as usual, chaos ensues.

The Normans live up to their fearsome reputations; They might be dumb as a doorknob, but when it comes to fighting, they are more than a match, at least in tenacity to the invincible gauls.

ax9-3

And boy do they have some hilarious pun filled names, a shower of them in fact.
ax9-1
ax9-2
Which is not including the other hurricane worth of puns n this chapter

Postaldistrix
Doublehelix
Justforkix
Timandahaf
Selfservix
Toocleverbyhaf
firsthaf
secondhaf
psychopaf
epitaf
cenotaf
transportcaf
chiffcaf
nescaf
autograf


But the real MC of the day is Cacophanix, the not so secret nuclear deterrent of the Gauls, everyone's least favorite bard. If there ever comes a time when the village loses the recipe of the magic potion of invincibility, fear not, Cacophanix can single handedly make everyone, Romans, Gauls, Normans, a bunch of poor farm animals, everyone, run away in mortal fear. The single most powerful entity, who, literally put the fear of the good lord into the previously fearless Norman. That is how good (terrible) he is; be warned.
ax9-5
ax9-6

Finally, remember kids, don't uproot innocent trees, if you don't want sweet little dogmatix to weep.

ax9-4



Profile Image for Lucian Bogdan.
435 reviews21 followers
June 27, 2022
Mi s-a părut foarte bună.

Goudurix, nepotul șefului tribului de gali neînfricați, este un adolescent teribilist care trăiește în Luteția. Pentru a-l transforma dintr-un pierde vară într-un tânăr responsabil, tatăl său îl trimite la rudele de la țară. Doar că, fix în timpul sejurului său acolo, nordicii se trezesc că vor să debarce pe coasta galeză pentru a învăța ce este frica, deoarece este singurul lucru necunoscut lor.

Viața anilor șaizeci este transpusă în decorul antic, cu paralelisme inteligent construite, ca de obicei (muzica oribilă a bardului pare, în urechile adolescentului petrecăreț, ceva frumos, modernist). Numele nordicilor se termină toate în „af”, ceea ce constituie un delicios prilej de confuzii - de câte ori este spus un cuvânt cu acel sufix, un nordic se trezește să răspundă, crezând că fusese chemat pe nume. Există și o superbă acțiune secundară care implică o patrulă romană și un legionar ce nu știe cum stau lucrurile cu galii neînfricați și e mai zelos decât ar fi sănătos pentru el. Una peste alta, o aventură superbă. Iar finalul e, ei bine, inedit. I-am scăzut o stea printre altele pentru că... of, asta e când știi ce se întâmplă în unele dintre aventurile viitoare! Pentru că modul de a vorbi al nordicilor nu e redat într-un stil aparte, așa cum va fi în alt număr al seriei. Știu, probabil că nu le venise ideea la vremea aceea, dar găsiseră ceva similar când au avut egipteni și goți. Așa că îmi permit să fiu pricinos.
Profile Image for looneybooks79.
1,422 reviews40 followers
October 2, 2023
Abraracourix heeft bericht gekregen dat zijn neefje Hippix uit Lutetia naar hun dorpje wordt gestuurd om wat sterker te worden en vooral om wat te ‘vermannen’. Als hij aankomt blijkt al snel dat hij er een andere levensstijl op nahoudt dan Asterix en co.

Intussen komt een bende Noormannen aan in Gallië, op zoek naar angst en wat hen bang zou moeten maken want nu kennen ze totaal geen angst, net zoals de inwoners met hun toverdrankje.

Hippix schiet echter wel in een angstkramp bij het zien van de stoere noorderlingen. Als hij dan ook nog eens ontvoerd wordt door hen staat ie te rillen van angst. Perfect denken de Noormannen, Hippix zal heb wel het geheim van angst leren kennen. Maar Asterix en Obelix schieten te hulp!

Opnieuw een grappig verhaal waar twee volkeren elkaar bekampen, weliswaar met eigenaardige beweegredenen. Maar zoals altijd laten Asterix en co zich niet op het hoofd zitten, ook niet door een sterker en meedogenlozer volkje als Noormannen.

Het is wel een album waar veel minder Romeinen aan te pas komen. Hoewel ze wel in contact komen met de heren uit het Noorden is het echter maar heel kortstondig en met even pijnlijke gevolgen als zouden ze de inwoners van het Gallische dorpje ontmoet hebben.

De vele woordspelingen rond Hippix en zijn karretje zijn weer top natuurlijk! Geschiedenis was nooit zo leuk!
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