| Title | Asterix and the Big Fight (1966) |
| Category | Asterix Comics |
| Mangaka | Goscinny and Uderzo |
| Read Online | Click Here |
Plot summary
The Romans have once again been humiliated by the Gauls. Felonius Caucus, right hand man of Centurion Nebulus Nimbus, head of the fortified camp of Totorum, suggests a Big Fight. This is a Gallic tradition where two Gallic chiefs fight and the winner becomes leader of both tribes.
To fight Vitalstatistix, chief of Asterix’s tribe, the Romans enlist a Gallo-Roman Chief, Cassius Ceramix of Linoleum. Vitalstatistix would surely win with Getafix’ magic potion of invincibility, but the Romans plan to dispose of the druid long beforehand. In an effort to rescue him, Obelix accidentally puts Getafix out of action with a menhir, the impact of which causes amnesia and insanity.
Cassius Ceramix’ challenge therefore comes at the worst possible moment, and Asterix and Vitalstatistix desperately attempt to restore Getafix’s mind by consulting Psychoanalytix (original French name is the very appropriate “Amnesix”), a druid who specializes in mental disorders. But during an explanation of the cause of the problem, Obelix decides to physically demonstrate with a menhir, leaving Psychoanalytix in the same state. As the two crazed druids concoct a number of skin-coloring magic potions, Asterix tries to bring Vitalstatistix into good physical shape for the upcoming fight.
As the fight begins, Getafix accidentally makes a potion which restores his mind, and quickly proceeds to brew a supply of magic potion. Cassius Ceramix looks sure to win, but Getafix’ recovery gives Vitalstatistix the courage to win despite not having any potion. After another tussle with the Romans, who do not accept this victory, and Cassius Ceramix himself getting “menhired”, Vitalstatistix returns home victorious to the inevitable feast. Psychoanalytix returns to business despite his current state, but he remains professionally successful (a wry comment on the state of psychiatry).
Puns
In the original French version, Vitalstatistix’s opponent is called Aplusbégalix. In the English translation, his name Cassius Ceramix is a reference to the boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, who was world heavyweight champion when the story was written. Vitalstatistix’s strategy of wearing down his opponent (rope a dope) and his victory dance (the Ali shuffle) is a parody of Ali’s style.
When a Roman envoy is sent to Linoleum to inform Ceramix that Getafix has been disposed of, he asks a resident where the chief is and is told that he is inspecting Professor Berlix’s school for modern languages, a play on Maximilian Berlitz and his International Language Schools.
In the scene in which an amusement park is set up, one ride is called the ‘Slavic Mountain’. This is a pun on the French name for roller coaster, “Russian mountain”. A book store called “W. H. Smix” can be seen in the same scene, which is a pun on the chain W. H. Smith. In the same panel is a tent with a sign, “Menagerix — See The Fabulous Animals.” A billboard outside of this tent has a picture of the Marsupilami, a famous Belgian comics character.
In the part where Pschoanalytix’s nurse introduces the conditions of his patients to Asterix and Obelix, there is one whom she says is impersonating someone but nobody knows who. He is in fact behaving like one of the Gauls’ most famous descendants: Napoléon Bonaparte.
Relationship with other Asterix books
In the issue of Pilote #260, which preceded the publication of the actual story, Vitalstatistix was depicted hosting a press conference to announce that Asterix and the Big Fight would be the next adventure and that he would play a leading role in it. This scene was reprinted in Asterix and the Class Act (2003) as its introduction.
In this story we see Vitalstatistix’ (as yet unnamed) wife for the first time, fussing over him when he is preparing to meet Cassius Ceramix.
Film adaptation
An animated film bearing the comic’s title was released in 1989. However, the plot is in fact closer to Asterix and the Soothsayer; only the subplot involving Getafix’s amnesia is retained from Big Fight.
In other languages
- Bengali: Dui Pradhane Dhundumar
- Catalan: Astèrix i el combat dels caps
- Czech: Asterix a Souboj náčelníků
- Dutch: De strijd van de stamhoofden, formerly De Kampioen
- Finnish: Päälliköiden ottelu (The Match of Chiefs)
- German: Der Kampf der Häuptlinge
- Greek: Ο αγώνας των αρχηγών
- Hindi: Estriks aur barii laraaii
- Hungarian: Főnökfőtörők
- Italian: Asterix e il duello dei capi
- Norwegian: Tvekampen
- Polish: Walka wodzów
- Portuguese: O Combate dos Chefes
- Serbian: Судар Главешина
- Spanish: El combate de los jefes
- Swedish: Tvekampen
- Turkish: Şefler Savaşı
- Danish: Tvekampen
