Asterix Marathon #21 - Asterix and Caesar's Gift

1974 was an election year in France, so Goscinny decided to turn his eyes towards political campaigning for his next album.

Perpetually-inebriated legionary Tremensdelirius is coming to the end of his twenty years of service, and is due to receive his obligatory land grant (which was actual practice in the Roman Army). However, because he had made some unsavoury remarks about Julius Caesar, he is given The Indomitable Village. He promptly trades the grant to an innkeeper named Orthopaedix in exchange for another drink. Orthopaedix travels to The Indomitable Village, but his claim is laughed off. Nonetheless, Vitalstatistix symapthises with the newcomer (owing to them both having domineering wives and financially successful in-laws in Lutetia), and allows him to open an inn. Unfortunately, his wife Angina persuades him to claim the village, and the elections cause significant divisions amongst the villagers. Meanwhile, Tremensdelirius has decided that he didn't get enough wine for the village and wants it back - seeking out his old friend Claudius Egganlettus, a fellow veteran who got bored of retirement and re-enlisted, now serving as an optio at the fortified camp of Laudanum.

The story is similar to Asterix and the Roman Agent, showing divisions within the village, but it doesn't re-tread the same ground. One of my favourite moments involves Vitalstatistix asking Cacofonix to conduct an opinion poll. The bard learns that most of the villagers don't really care (and gets a black eye from Fulliautomatix who thought he was going to sing), but when the incumbant chieftain insults his singing, he chooses to side with Orthopaedix and even acts as a very partisan mediator during a public debate. Angina canvasses the village by supporting the local businesses (buying fish from Unhygienix and then burying them in the back garden). Even Geriatrix tries to step in as third-party candidate (with an anti-immigration platform).

Yeah, there's plenty skewering of election campaigns, but there's also a strong sense of tension. The divisions get so heated that Getafix refuses to give anybody magic potion, and it isn't long before the Romans begin to suspect this. There's also a bad-ass moment from Asterix when he intervenes as Tremensdelirius confronts Orthopaedix and demands his village back. It's one of the few times we see our hero use the sword he carries around.

And because it was 1974, there's no mention of "Making Armorica Great Again". Speaking of which, I'll see you later today to look at Asterix and the Great Crossing.