The Catalan Misprint of Asterix and the Falling Sky

When Asterix and the Falling Sky (Le ciel lui tombe sur la tête, 2005) was translated into Catalan, it inadvertently became the source of one of the most curious publishing errors in the long history of the series. The first edition of the Catalan version was released under the title El cel s’ens cau al damunt! — a phrase that contains a notable grammatical mistake. The correct form, used in the revised and now standard edition, is El cel ens cau al damunt!

The Mistake

The mistake, s’ens, is a nonstandard and incorrect combination of pronouns. In Catalan grammar, “ens” is a personal pronoun used for “us,” while “se” (or its elided form s’) is reflexive. The two are not meant to be fused in this way. It is likely that the error occurred due to confusion during the editorial process, possibly influenced by interference from other Romance languages where similar constructions are valid, or perhaps a misinterpretation of spoken Catalan. Regardless of the origin, the incorrect form passed proofreading and made it to the cover of the printed album.

The Recall

Shortly after its release, the publisher Salvat became aware of the mistake and acted quickly. The faulty edition was recalled from bookstores and distributors, and a corrected version — with the simple and grammatically correct title El cel ens cau al damunt! — was issued in its place. However, a number of misprinted copies had already been sold or otherwise made their way into circulation before the recall was completed.

Wanted item

Although Asterix and the Falling Sky is often regarded as one of the weaker entries in the Asterix series — due in part to its sci-fi storyline and departure from the traditional tone — the misprinted Catalan edition has become a sought-after collector’s item. Its rarity, combined with the notoriety of the mistake and the unusual circumstances of its recall, have made it highly desirable among Asterix collectors and comic book enthusiasts alike.

Today, finding a copy of the original s’ens edition is difficult. It occasionally surfaces on second-hand websites such as eBay, TodoColección, or through specialized comic dealers in Spain. Collectors looking for this version should verify the cover and title page before purchase, as the title error is the primary distinguishing feature.

Mistakes can happen

The incident stands as a reminder of the challenges involved in translating and localizing comic books — even globally recognized franchises like Asterix. Despite tight editorial controls, mistakes can happen, and when they do, they sometimes turn into unexpected treasures.