The Asterix series is best known for its wordplay, historical parody, and caricatures of contemporary society. Less often discussed—but equally deliberate—is its tradition of visual homages to famous cultural figures. One of the most recognizable examples appears in Obelix and Co., where two Roman legionnaires unmistakably resemble the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
Laurel and Hardy: Masters of Slapstick Comedy
Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) were among the most influential comedians in film history. Rising to fame during the silent era and transitioning successfully into sound films in the late 1920s, they defined cinematic slapstick comedy through precisely choreographed physical humor and contrasting screen personas.
Laurel played the naïve, childlike instigator, while Hardy embodied exaggerated dignity and misplaced authority. Together, they appeared in more than 100 short films and features. Their best-known works include The Music Box (1932), which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Subject, and Way Out West (1937). A recurring comic device in their films is what critics often describe as “polite incompetence”: escalating disasters met with exaggerated courtesy and wounded pride, frequently punctuated by Hardy’s trademark reproachful glance at the camera.
Laurel and Hardy in Obelix and Co.
In Obelix and Co., two Roman legionnaires unmistakingly resemble Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Uderzo draws them in their signature pose.
The protagonist in this album is a famous politician. Do you know who?
