French comic series ‘Asterix’ back for 39th edition
The famous French comic series 'Asterix and Obelix' is back
The latest edition, 'Asterix and the Griffin,' has just hit the bookshelves in Paris
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FNAC MONTPARNASSE MANAGER, SOPHIE GREGOIRE, SAYING: "It's an eagerly awaited release, one of the most eagerly awaited of the year. Asterix, 60 years since its first publication, still enthuses our clients, young and old. It's an intergenerational phenomenon."
The story follows two central Gallic characters
who stand up to Roman occupiers
Asterix (arrow)
and Obelix (arrow)
have been entertaining readers since 1959
with more than 370 million editions sold worldwide
(SOUNDBITE) (French) ASTERIX FAN, DAVID BIDAUX, SAYING: "It represents our country, the rebellious Gaul, there's a comical aspect that I've always liked, this is our culture, it's completely French, always complaining... I like it."
