Asterix Marathon #17 - The Mansions of the Gods

Something tells me that Goscinny wasn't too fond of urban planners.

In Caesar's latest scheme to achieve ultimate victory in Gaul, he commissions architect Squaronthehypotenus to cut down the forests surrounding The Indomitable Village and replace them with a planned community known as 'The Mansions of the Gods'. Caesar's hope is that by surrounding the village with high-rise flats inhabited by Roman families, he will slowly absorb the Gauls into Roman culture. The Gauls initially sabotage the project by replanting the felled trees using acorns enhanced with one of Getafix's magic potions, but their concern for the welfare of the slaves soon complicates matters.

In addition to the skewering of urban planning, there's also a satire of the French labour movement of the time. When they believe the Romans intend to work the slaves to death, the Gauls give the slaves magic potion and persuade them to revolt. But instead of revolting, they go on strike, demanding wages, better working conditions, and their freedom once the first block of flats is completed. When they get what they want, they end up being paid more than the legionaries, who go on strike upon learning this.

However, this means that the slaves end up telling the Gauls to stop replanting the trees, meaning that the first block of flats gets built. Soon enough, the Roman families start moving in, and end up buying fish from Unhygienix and ornamental weapons from Fulliautomatix, which in turn prompts the other villagers to start setting up their own businesses catering to the Romans.

This story probably contains the most overt social commentary to date. It's easy to understand, but it was probably a lot more relevant when the album was released in 1971. I think my favourite joke involves Asterix, Obelix, and Getafix having a celebratory meal after replanting a set of trees. Obelix realises he still has an acorn left, and throws it away, giving our heroes a tree-house. And Obelix is reluctant to uproot it because Dogmatix will get upset.

And I won't dare spoil the method Asterix uses to get rid of the Mansions. You have to check it out for yourself.