René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix the Gladiator — First UK Edition, 1969 — Brockhampton Press

René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo — Asterix the Gladiator — First UK Edition, 1969 — Brockhampton Press

GOSCINNY, René; UDERZO, Albert.
Asterix the Gladiator.
Leicester: Brockhampton Press, 1969. First UK edition, first impression. Quarto. Illustrated throughout in colour. Original publisher’s pictorial laminated boards. Translated into English by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge.

Description

A scarce first UK edition of Asterix the Gladiator, published by Brockhampton Press in 1969, retaining its original pictorial laminated boards and the celebrated English translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge. Originally published in France as Astérix gladiateur in 1964, this is the fourth adventure in the original Asterix series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. However, it was among the earliest Asterix albums published in Britain and was the third title to appear in Brockhampton Press’s initial British publication sequence.

The book follows Asterix and Obelix on an extraordinary journey to Rome, where they attempt to rescue their village bard, Cacofonix, who has been abducted by the Romans and presented to Julius Caesar. The adventure is particularly important in the development of the series because it establishes several recurring characters, situations and running jokes that would become familiar to generations of readers. It also introduces the unfortunate pirates whose encounters with Asterix and Obelix would become one of the most enduring comic traditions of the albums.

The Story: Asterix the Gladiator

The story begins when the Roman prefect Odius Asparagus visits one of the fortified Roman camps surrounding the indomitable Gaulish village. Determined to impress Julius Caesar, the prefect demands that the Roman soldiers capture one of the inhabitants of the village and send him to Rome as a present. The unfortunate choice falls upon Cacofonix, the village bard, whose enthusiasm for music is matched only by his extraordinary inability to sing pleasantly. Although his performances are usually greeted with dismay by his fellow villagers, Cacofonix is nevertheless a valued member of the community. When Asterix and Obelix discover that he has been abducted, they immediately set out to rescue him. Their journey takes them aboard a Phoenician merchant ship, where they encounter a group of pirates whose subsequent misfortunes establish one of the great recurring jokes of the Asterix series.

On arriving in Rome, Asterix and Obelix discover that Cacofonix has been condemned to appear in the gladiatorial games. In order to reach him, the two Gauls infiltrate a school for gladiators, where their unconventional approach to military training produces increasingly disastrous consequences for their Roman instructors. Instead of preparing the gladiators for mortal combat, Asterix introduces word games and other harmless activities, much to the exasperation of their trainer, Caius Fatuous.

The adventure culminates in a spectacular sequence in the Roman arena, where Julius Caesar discovers that his carefully organised entertainment has been transformed into complete chaos. The story combines slapstick comedy, elaborate wordplay and affectionate satire of Roman customs, military organisation and public entertainment. It is one of the particularly successful early examples of the partnership between Goscinny’s inventive scripts and Uderzo’s energetic illustrations.

Condition

Good. First UK edition, first impression, 1969. Quarto. Original publisher’s pictorial laminated boards. Illustrated throughout in colour by Albert Uderzo. The binding remains nice and tight, although there is wear to the head of the spine, together with rubbing to the edges and minor general signs of handling. The original pictorial boards retain their distinctive colour illustrations and remain attractive overall. Internally, the pages and illustrations are generally very nice and clean.

A good, tight and clean copy of the scarce first British edition of Asterix the Gladiator, retaining its original illustrated publisher’s binding.

Bibliographical Details

Authors: René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Illustrator: Albert Uderzo
Title: Asterix the Gladiator
Original French Title: Astérix gladiateur
Translators: Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge
Publisher: Brockhampton Press
Place of Publication: Leicester
Date: 1969
Original French Publication: Dargaud, 1964
Edition: First UK Edition, First Impression
Series: An Asterix Adventure; Fourth French Album
Format: Quarto
Pagination: 48 pages of colour comic-strip illustrations
Illustrations: Illustrated throughout in colour
Binding: Original pictorial laminated boards
Printed Price: 12/- (60p)
ISBN: 0 340 10479 1
Condition: Good
Catalogue Number: 004227

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