“Asterix in Lusitania”, the new comic book comes out in the autumn

The new register will constitute the second work written by the French screenwriter Fabcaro for the series and the seventh for the French designer Didier Conrad. The plot will present a reference to the 1971 album “asterix and the kingdom of the gods” created by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny, the creators of the comic book series, who from the debut in 1959 has sold about 400 million copies with translations in 130 languages ​​in the world.

“Asterix in Lusitania” is set in the South-West extreme of the Roman Empire, anticipates the French publisher Editions Albert René (Hache Livre), “a country known for the richness of its historical monuments, its gastronomic specialties and above all for the generosity of its inhabitants”. In this new adventure, ancient Lusitanian slave, already present in “Asterix and the kingdom of the gods”, will require the intervention of Asterix and Obelix to reject the Roman siege on a portion of the Iberian peninsula. Fabcaro explained the choice of Portugal by citing the sunny climate and the novelty of the location for the adventures of Asterix.

The temporal setting, 44 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, places the narrative in a period in which Rome had conquered much of the ancient world, including France, with the exception of the hometown of Asterix, according to the legend invented by Uderzo and Goscinny. The conquest of the ancient Portugal represented a strategic objective for the Romans, aimed at accessing rich mining resources, such as gold and pond.

Fabcaro said: “First of all it was necessary to find a destination where our friends had never been. And, given that they are granters, the field of possibilities is reduced more and more! And then, I wanted a sunny, bright register, set in a Mediterranean country, which suggested the idea of ​​the holiday. And so, quite quickly, the idea of ​​Lusitania (today’s Portugal) arrived. Holiday several times and I loved it! The inhabitants are very hospitable and warm.

According to anthropologist Manuel Neves, as reported by the publisher in a press release, the conquest of the ancient Portugal represented for Rome access to rich mining resources, such as gold and tin. The register turns, in high probability, to the consistent Portuguese community in France. In this regard, Fabcaro reported the words of his publisher: “‘Ah, this will make them happy because they have asked for such a book for quite a while”. Meanwhile, the applause of José Augusto Duarte, Ambassador of Portugal in France has already arrived: “Asterix and Obelix leave at the adventure in Lusitania! Like the Gauls, the courageous Lusitans, commanded by the Viriato Pride, fought against the Roman Empire, in defense of their values, their traditions and their freedom. The alliance with Asterix and Obelix is ​​in this clash. Very welcome news!