Asterix in Romainville
Recently I purchased Asterix a Romainville from Le Grenier d’Astérix. Grenier means attic, thus the site’s name can be translated as Asterix’s Attic. A webshop where fans of Asterix can buy many Asterix collector items. Have a look around when you are a fan of Asterix. I’ve got nothing but good experiences with them. You can also find them on Vinted, under the name suitenumerix.

Anyway, I am not here to promote a their webshop, but to tell you something about Asterix a Romainville. It is a small album, 13x18cm, that contains three comics were obscure for a long time, until the publication of Asterix and the Class Act. The three comics are Asterix and the Class Act, Springtime in Gaul and The Mascot. The text of How Obelix Fell into the Magic Potion When He Was a Little Boy be be read as well, with a few illustrations by Uderzo. Last but not least there is also an interview with Asterix, Obelix, Goscinny and Uderzo and it also contains advertisements for Asterix-themed items, such as plastic figurines, a set of 24 markers, and the “fantastique Calcorama d’Astérix.”. The book was made for a cracker brand Biscottes Pelletier in 1970.
Given its promotional nature and limited distribution, Astérix à Romainville has become a sought-after collector’s item among Asterix enthusiasts.
Scans
I’ve taken the liberty of scanning some pages from the album. You can read the cartoons yourself by purchasing the aforementioned albums.










Translation
With the help of AI I have translated the interview as well.
What is true in Asterix?
To answer this question (and in world exclusive), we interviewed… Asterix and Obelix.
While the latter was enjoying a portion of wild boar (“with a lot of sauce, please!”), the former attacked:
“Everything (or almost) is true. We have given very precise information to the authors…”
- That is to say, to your “fathers”, Messrs. Goscinny and Uderzo.
“Our fathers!” interrupted Asterix. “We find it curious that these gentlemen are always presented under this appellation, whereas finally we are their… ancestors!”
The dialogue was tied. René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo were pouting. A little. Obelix was eating. A lot. Asterix continued:
“The starting data is absolutely true. All our adventures are set about fifty years before the beginning of the Christian era. Now, fifty-two years before JC, it was the taking of Alesia by Caesar. One year later, all Gaul was submitted to the exception of some islands of resistance. In these “pockets”, some desperados continued a fight which, to be without hope, was not lacking in allure.
“We will see later how, on this historical base, have been grafted the different adventures which animate the adventures that we have lived a little bit everywhere across the world…”
**In support of this thesis that everything (or almost) is true in our adventures, here are a few examples taken from already published albums. For example, this street in Rome. Drawing it from our indications, Albert Uderzo has perfectly rendered its aspect, its atmosphere. These streets were mostly narrow, bordered by shops and buildings of an average of five stories and sometimes even ten. They were often paved and special passages were provided for pedestrians wishing to cross. These passages, made of raised slabs, were mainly used on rainy days.
About Roman buildings, it is amusing to remember that at a certain period of his life, Caesar occupied the third floor of one of them, in one of the most popular districts of the city. For an “apartment” without much comfort, he paid – which annoyed him – a very expensive rent…
At this precise moment, Obelix intervened in the conversation. Beginning his eighth wild boar, he made a “Mmmmm…” full of warmth. Misunderstanding the meaning of this interjection, René Goscinny served him a large glass of beer. Obelix did not protest.
Observe now this strange musical instrument (opposite). Despite appearances, it is perfectly exact in its aspect, like most of the accessories which surround us. This explains why, before setting to work, René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo meet us, so that we furnish them directly with the precisions they will need…
Ignoring the interruption, Asterix…
Asterix continues:
“Now, whoever says struggle and invaders, necessarily says battles. Thus, very often, in our adventures, you have seen the Roman legion maneuver. Apart from the retreats as disorderly as they are rapid caused by the fear of Obelix’s slaps…”
Various noises coming from the latter. Obviously, he remembers with jubilation certain particularly successful (slap) distributions…
“…these maneuvers are therefore true, continues Asterix. Notably, one of the most spectacular, the turtle tactic (below). Surrounded by their shields, the legionnaires advanced sheltered from the projectiles launched by the enemy. It was in short what you later baptized armored. It wasn’t armored enough for us who, with some stones (I am thinking in particular of our tribulations in Egypt), often managed to disperse them. There, it must be admitted, in reality, things went a little differently. The barbarians had a hard time resisting the military science of Caesar’s armies. It is true that…”
Asterix continues:
“It is true that we have the magic potion! Panoramix, whom we see here in full action, is precisely the one who makes this potion. By multiplying your strength, it allows you to overcome all difficulties. However, no historian has ever mentioned the existence of such a drink in ancient Gaul. We have therefore reached the moment where, in the adventures of Asterix, imagination takes over from history…”
“Yes, but with his white beard and white clothes, Panoramix also conforms to historical truth. He ceases to be so when he starts stirring his mixture.”
“Your question will allow us to address the second part of this interview. As we have seen in our adventures, all the details, the setting, the “environment”, as you say, are exact. The adventures remain…”
At this moment, René Goscinny raised his hand. With a good smile and while smoothing his mustache, Asterix gave him the floor.
“With your permission, my dear ancestor, I believe I can provide some interesting details in this area…”
“Go ahead, my dear “father”…
“Well, here it is… Like in all resolutely turned towards the technologically singing tomorrows, we start with some meetings, some seminars. We don’t have a computer yet, but that shouldn’t be too late.
“We all meet. Sometimes, Panoramix and Abraracourcix, the chief of the tribe of Asterix, join us. More rarely, Assurancetourix, the bard, because we are wary of this habit of ringing the bell all the time.
“At these meetings, I present to these gentlemen a summary (or synopsis) of what the planned story will be and this one is submitted to the test of their criticism which often proves to be constructive.
“Then, I just have to write the story, image by image, page by page. With, each time, a description of the action, of the characters, of the decor and finally the dialogues. At this moment, the work of Albert Uderzo begins, who has the task of translating all these indications into drawings.
“How long does it take you, René Goscinny, to write an Asterix adventure?
“And you, Albert Uderzo, to draw it?
“Several months.
“Each page – or plate, in the professional jargon – takes me about a week of work.
“Do you ever “dry up”, René Goscinny, not find a gag?
“Of course… … I would no longer be able to write Asterix! That would be the end of it!” exclaimed Obelix, “If you stopped writing, no more wild boars! So, by Toutatis, don’t even mention such a possibility. You would end up ruining my appetite!”
A last word, Asterix. To conclude.
“Yes… Obelix and I would like to thank all those who, compensating for our memory lapses, help us guide René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo (respectively on the right and on the left in the document above), so that they can put a maximum of truth in their little stories. I am thinking of Jérôme Carcopino, Paul-Marie Duval, Régine Pernoud, Henri-Paul Eydoux, Charles-André Julien and so many others, without forgetting the eyewitness number 1, that good old Jules…”
René Goscinny, what is your dominant feeling when you publish a new Asterix album?
“I am afraid, I am worried. Will I succeed once again in making the public smile? I am also happy to feel this anxiety. Without it, I would not be able to do anything.
In circles that claim to be well-informed, it was said that it was the President of the Republic who suggested that you send Asterix to Helvetia. True or false?
Asterix intervenes:
“My ancestor will only answer in the presence of his lawyer! Neither Obelix nor I wish to be suspected of any political commitment…”
Why this evasion?
Goscinny:
“But no, it’s not an evasion! Our only goal is to entertain readers.
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