The Asterix series, created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, is one of the most widely translated comic book franchises in the world. Each title carries a blend of historical references, clever puns, and linguistic nuances. This guide lists all canonical albums in original French publication order, explaining the French title and offering noteworthy translations where they offer interesting cultural or linguistic differences.

1. Asterix the Gaul (1961)

French title: Astérix le Gaulois
Explanation: “Asterix the Gaul.” A simple introduction to the protagonist and his tribe.

2. Asterix and the Golden Sickle (1962)

French title: La Serpe d’or
Explanation: “The Golden Sickle,” an essential tool for druids like Getafix.

3. Asterix and the Goths (1963)

French title: Astérix et les Goths
Explanation: Refers to the Germanic tribes. Satirizes historical tensions between Gaul (France) and its eastern neighbors.

4. Asterix the Gladiator (1964)

French title: Astérix gladiateur
Explanation: “Asterix Gladiator.” A concise and dramatic title.

5. Asterix and the Banquet (1965)

French title: Le Tour de Gaule d’Astérix
Explanation: A pun on Le Tour de France, portraying a culinary and geographic tour of Gaul.
Noteworthy Translation (Dutch): De Ronde van Gallië — emphasizes the parody of the famous bicycle race.

6. Asterix and Cleopatra (1965)

French title: Astérix et Cléopâtre
Explanation: A straightforward title set in ancient Egypt.

7. Asterix and the Big Fight (1966)

French title: Le Combat des chefs
Explanation: “The Fight of the Chiefs.” A satire of leadership and tribal disputes.

8. Asterix in Britain (1966)

French title: Astérix chez les Bretons
Explanation: “Asterix among the Britons.” “Chez” implies comic hospitality.
Noteworthy Translation (Italian): Asterix e i Britanni — maintains historical accuracy.

9. Asterix and the Normans (1967)

French title: Astérix et les Normands
Explanation: Refers to Norsemen (not medieval Normans). Explores bravery and fear.

10. Asterix the Legionary (1967)

French title: Astérix légionnaire
Explanation: “Asterix Legionary.” Highlights Roman military satire.
Noteworthy Translation (Swedish): Asterix drar i fält — means “Asterix goes to war,” a more active and military tone.

11. Asterix and the Chieftain’s Shield (1968)

French title: Le Bouclier Arverne
Explanation: “The Arvernian Shield.” Based on Vercingetorix’s symbolic shield.

12. Asterix at the Olympic Games (1968)

French title: Astérix aux Jeux olympiques
Explanation: A comedic look at ancient sporting traditions.

13. Asterix and the Cauldron (1969)

French title: Astérix et le Chaudron
Explanation: Involves taxes and treasure. A metaphor for moral complexity.

14. Asterix in Spain (1969)

French title: Astérix en Hispanie
Explanation: Uses the classical name “Hispania” for Spain.

15. Asterix and the Roman Agent (1970)

French title: La Zizanie
Explanation: “Discord.” A brilliant term for internal division and manipulation.

16. Asterix in Switzerland (1970)

French title: Astérix chez les Helvètes
Explanation: “Asterix among the Helvetians,” with jabs at Swiss stereotypes.

17. The Mansions of the Gods (1971)

French title: Le Domaine des dieux
Explanation: “The Domain of the Gods.” A critique of Roman real estate projects.
Noteworthy Translation (German): Die Trabantenstadt — “The Satellite Town,” with a modern urban twist.

18. Asterix and the Laurel Wreath (1972)

French title: Les Lauriers de César
Explanation: “Caesar’s Laurels.” Centers on imperial symbolism and satire.

19. Asterix and the Soothsayer (1972)

French title: Le Devin
Explanation: “The Soothsayer.” Mocks superstition and fraud.

20. Asterix in Corsica (1973)

French title: Astérix en Corse
Explanation: Reflects Corsican culture and vendetta traditions.

21. Asterix and Caesar’s Gift (1974)

French title: Le Cadeau de César
Explanation: Probably the title translated most straight-forward in most languages.

22. Asterix and the Great Crossing (1975)

French title: La Grande Traversée
Explanation: “The Great Crossing,” parodying transatlantic voyages.
Noteworthy Translation (Norwegian): Asterix oppdager Amerika — explicitly references America.

23. Obelix and Co. (1976)

French title: Obélix et Compagnie
Explanation: Critiques capitalism and market psychology.

24. Asterix in Belgium (1979)

French title: Astérix chez les Belges
Explanation: Goscinny’s final volume, full of culinary and cultural jokes.

25. Asterix and the Great Divide (1980)

French title: Le Grand Fossé
Explanation: “The Great Ditch.” A metaphor for social division.

26. Asterix and the Black Gold (1981)

French title: L’Odyssée d’Astérix
Explanation: “The Odyssey of Asterix.” References Homer and Middle Eastern oil.

27. Asterix and Son (1983)

French title: Le Fils d’Astérix
Explanation: An unexpected parental twist in Asterix’s life.

28. Asterix and the Magic Carpet (1987)

French title: Astérix chez Rahàzade
Explanation: References Sheherazade and Indian settings.
Noteworthy Translation (Dutch): Asterix in Indusland — cleverly invokes the Indus Valley and ancient India.

29. Asterix and the Secret Weapon (1991)

French title: La Rose et le Glaive
Explanation: “The Rose and the Sword.” Explores gender roles and feminism.
Note on Dutch Translation: The Dutch title of The Falling Sky is Het Geheime Wapen — easily confused with this title.

30. Asterix and Obelix All at Sea (1996)

French title: La Galère d’Obélix
Explanation: “Obelix’s Galley” and a pun on being in trouble (galère).

31. Asterix and the Actress (2001)

French title: Astérix et Latraviata
Explanation: A nod to La Traviata, identity disguises, and family drama. La Traviata is an opera by Giuseppe Verdi that tells the tragic love story of Violetta, a Parisian courtesan who sacrifices her happiness for the man she loves, set against the backdrop of 19th-century societal hypocrisy.

32. Asterix and the Class Act (2003)

French title: Astérix et la Rentrée Gauloise
Explanation: “The Gaulish Back-to-School.” A collection of short stories.
Noteworthy Translation (Dutch): Pretpakket — literally “Fun Package,” highlighting its variety. Pretpakket is also a term used by the Dutch for students who pick the easiest subjects to pass their middle school exams.

33. Asterix and the Falling Sky (2005)

French title: Le Ciel lui tombe sur la tête
Explanation: “The Sky Is Falling on his Head.” The only thing the Gauls are afraid of, the sky falling on their head.
Noteworthy Translation (Dutch): Het Geheime Wapen — “The Secret Weapon,” which may confuse readers with the earlier album La Rose et le Glaive.

34. Asterix and Obelix’s Birthday: The Golden Book (2009)

French title: L’Anniversaire d’Astérix et Obélix – Le Livre d’or
Explanation: “The Golden Book.” A celebratory anniversary issue.

35. Asterix and the Picts (2013)

French title: Astérix chez les Pictes
Explanation: The Picts were a confederation of tribal peoples who lived in what is now northern and eastern Scotland during Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages, known for their distinctive symbol stones and resistance to Roman conquest.

36. Asterix and the Missing Scroll (2015)

French title: Le Papyrus de César
Explanation: “Caesar’s Papyrus.” Caesar’s commentaries were probably written on papyrus.

37. Asterix and the Chariot Race (2017)

French title: Astérix et la Transitalique
Explanation: “The Transitalic.” A road-race across Italy.
Noteworthy Translation (Dutch): Race door de Laars — “Race through the Boot,” referring to Italy’s shape.

38. Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter (2019)

French title: La Fille de Vercingétorix
Explanation: “The Daughter of Vercingetorix.” Vercingetorix was a chieftain of the Arverni tribe who united the Gauls in a major revolt against Roman rule and was ultimately defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Alesia in 52 BCE.

39. Asterix and the Griffin (2021)

French title: Astérix et le Griffon
Explanation: Our friends encounter a griffin, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, symbolizing strength and vigilance in ancient and medieval mythology.

40. Asterix and the White Iris (2023)

French title: L’Iris blanc
Explanation: The white iris, a flower with ancient roots and rich cultural symbolism from Egypt to medieval France, has long represented guidance, hope, and transformation—making its role in Asterix and the White Iris a fitting symbol of subtle influence and psychological change.

41. Asterix in Lusitania (upcoming, 2025)

French title: Astérix en Lusitanie
Explanation: Set in ancient Lusitania (modern-day Portugal), this upcoming volume explores new lands and cultures for the indomitable Gauls. Scheduled for release in October 2025.