THE ASTERIX PHENOMENON First appearance: 29 October 1959 in Pilote magazine1st comic book: Asterix the Gaul in 1961: 6,000 copies370 million comic books sold worldwide: 8,880 Eiffel Towers laid flat. Laid end-to-end, the books would go round the Earth twice (and weigh 12,900 tonnes – or 400 lorries of 35 tonnes each.) 111 translations (languages and dialects) 9 animated films4 live action films1 theme park: “Le Parc Astérix” 100 licences'”If ever there was a magical comic, this is it – the most fantastic characters and the most bizarre adventures of any comic’ The Sunday Times’ Who can’t enjoy Asterix, My first – and still my favourite’ Daily Mail” Just about every aspect of our world can be found in Aste 2,00 years and still going strong, still going strong for part two of this very special collectible edition of “The Twelve Tasks Of The Asterix” !Containing 4 titles – “Asterix and the Big Fight”, “Asterix in Britain”, “Asterix and the Normans” and “Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield” – this is the perfect addition to any collection! And although the creative team in French has chauned to suit, we have to be infinitely thankful that the English adaptation has moved into most assuredly the most capable hands of Anthea Bell, who has translated to wit and to energy since day one’ – Daniel Hahn, Independent THE ASTERIX PHENOMENON First published in 29 October 1959 in Pilote magazine First appeared in English in 1961 in the now defunct magazine Children’s Digest World-wide sales to date: 370,000,000, copies of 34 titles: the first title has about 6,000 copies; 8,880 Eiffel Towers in weight of sales. The books stacked end to end, would re-encircle the Earth, and weigh 12,900 tonnes (that’s 400 35-ton lorries and we all know how heavy books are) 111 Translations (Languages and Dialects) 9 Animated Films4 Live Action Films1 Theme Park: “Le Parc Astérix” 100 Licenses “If there’s one thing that can transcend age it is my first pick, the small Gaulish warrior called Asterix. and despite the weight of dreams they do not fail… It’s a pleasure. And though the creative team in France may have changed, we should count ourselves lucky that the English version remains in the incomparably skilled hands of Anthea Bell, who has translated the books with wit and verve from the very beginning’ – Daniel Hahn Independent