Remco de Groot and the Plastic Asterix Figures of the 1970s
In our ongoing showcase series, we speak with Asterix fans who have found their own unique ways of celebrating the world created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Some collectors focus on albums and translations, others hunt down rare merchandise, and many combine both. Remco de Groot, however, has taken a different path entirely. His passion lies in the small plastic Asterix figurines that circulated across Europe in the 1970s—and in bringing them to life with paint.
A Lifelong Asterix Fan
Remco de Groot was born in 1962 in Amsterdam and now lives in Almelo in the eastern Netherlands. Like many readers of his generation, he discovered Asterix as a child and quickly became captivated by the adventures of the indomitable Gauls. Over the years he collected all the albums, and during the 1980s and 1990s his interest in comics expanded to many other series.
Humorous stories and expressive artwork remain his favorites, and today his home contains several meters of shelving filled with comic books from a wide range of series. Yet while his comic collection is broad, his Asterix-related collecting has become increasingly focused.
Discovering the Figures
Remco’s journey into miniature painting began through his son, who painted historical miniatures of tin, particularly Napoleonic soldiers. After attending events together, Remco gradually became involved in the hobby as well. Rather than painting battle scenes, however, he preferred something less violent.
At a fair in Antwerp he discovered a set of tin Asterix miniatures. Their comic-style appearance immediately appealed to him, and he bought several to paint himself. The experience proved addictive, but there was one problem: the tin figures were expensive and no longer widely available. Completing the series would be difficult.
That was when Remco remembered the plastic Asterix figures from his own childhood.
The “Dunking” Figures of the 1970s
In the 1970s, small plastic Asterix figurines were distributed across Europe as promotional items with chewing gum. The figures were sealed in small plastic bags, making the character inside a mystery. Children often tried to guess the contents by feeling the bag—though the result was not always the figure they hoped for.
Today these toys are commonly referred to by collectors as “Dunking” figures. Many survived in attics, toy boxes, and forgotten collections, and they occasionally resurface when people begin clearing out old belongings. For Remco, they offered the perfect alternative to the rare tin miniatures: authentic vintage items that could still be found if one searched carefully enough.
From Vintage Toy to Painted Figure
Before painting, each figurine undergoes careful preparation. Remco begins by cleaning the plastic, sometimes soaking it for several days to remove old paint or dirt. Because the legs of the figures can be fragile, he drills two small holes under the feet and inserts pieces of paperclip wire through the legs to strengthen the structure.
Once reinforced, the figures are mounted on a cork and sprayed with a grey primer. The painting itself is done with water-based acrylic paints, which are odorless, dry quickly, and allow precise work. Using a very fine 5×0 brush, Remco recreates the bold colors of the original comic style.
While many miniature painters focus on advanced shading techniques and realistic effects, Remco deliberately follows the visual language of the Asterix albums. The figures are painted in strong, recognizable colors that immediately evoke the world of the comics.
Painting a single figure can take time. Some colors require several layers before they cover properly, and Remco usually works only when he feels in the right creative flow. Most painting happens on weekends, when he may complete anywhere from two to eight figures. At other times the project may pause for several weeks while he works on something else.
Building an Army of Romans
What began as a small project has gradually grown into an ambitious goal. Among the plastic figures are several Roman soldiers—only five different Roman poses exist, along with two Egyptian soldiers. Remco paints all of them in green Roman uniforms, subtly varying the details so that they appear different when placed together.
Originally he planned to collect one hundred soldiers. That target soon grew to 250, then 500. Today his ultimate aim is to gather and paint one thousand Roman soldiers.
The reason becomes clear when he explains his long-term vision. Remco intends to build a large diorama of the famous Gaulish village, complete with its wooden palisade. On the outside of that fence will stand an enormous Roman force—his painted army preparing, perhaps unwisely, to challenge the indomitable Gauls.
When the milestone of one thousand soldiers is reached, he plans to begin constructing the village itself.
A Collection That Draws a Crowd
Because Remco often buys complete sets while searching for the Roman soldiers, he ends up with many duplicate figures. These extras sometimes find new life through conversions or creative variations.
When displayed together at fairs and events, the figures create an impressive sight. Rows of painted Romans attract curious visitors, and many are surprised to learn that the figures themselves are more than fifty years old. In the era of 3D printing, some assume the miniatures are modern creations—until Remco explains their vintage origin.
Favorite Characters and Albums
Despite his specialized collecting focus, Remco remains first and foremost a fan of the stories themselves. Asked to choose a favorite album, he finds it impossible. For him, every adventure offers something unique.
His favorite characters are the central duo: Asterix and Obelix. Their personalities and friendship form the heart of every story. Curiously, one character from the comics did not translate well into the 1970s toy line: the plastic version of Dogmatix (Idefix) bears little resemblance to the famous little dog, appearing much larger and somewhat unrecognizable. For that reason, Remco has not yet painted that figure.
Exhibitions and Events
Visitors will soon have an opportunity to see Remco’s work in person. On March 28 and 29, 2026, he will appear at a model-building exhibition in Lingen, Germany. There he will not only display his collection but also paint figures live so visitors can watch the process.
Later in the year he will organize his own event: FIGZ, a fair dedicated to miniature figures. The event will take place on June 7, 2026, in Arnhem at Dennenweg 106. Entry is free, and visitors can view the painted figures as well as browse through duplicate items from Remco’s collection.
Because he is organizing the event himself, Remco will not be painting during the fair—but the figures will still be there to admire.
An Ongoing Search
Remco’s project continues to grow, and he is always looking for additional Roman soldiers from the 1970s plastic series. Anyone who still has these figures tucked away and would like to contribute to the project can contact him by email at bfduel@gmail.com.
Each new soldier helps expand the growing Roman army that will one day surround the Gaulish village in his planned diorama.
Following the Project
Those curious to see the figures up close can follow Remco’s progress on his blog. There he documents individual figures, conversions, and creative experiments—including humorous variations such as holiday-themed characters and a special “Europaparix” figure inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest.
His blog can be found at: sjemco.blogspot.com
For Remco, the project is not just about collecting toys. It is a way of revisiting the world of Asterix through craftsmanship, creativity, and patience—one painted Roman at a time.
Remco de Groot and the Plastic Asterix Figures of the 1970s
In our ongoing showcase series, we speak with Asterix fans who have found their own unique ways of celebrating the world created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Some collectors focus on albums and translations, others hunt down rare merchandise, and many combine both. Remco de Groot, however, has taken a different path entirely. His passion lies in the small plastic Asterix figurines that circulated across Europe in the 1970s—and in bringing them to life with paint.
A Lifelong Asterix Fan
Remco de Groot was born in 1962 in Amsterdam and now lives in Almelo in the eastern Netherlands. Like many readers of his generation, he discovered Asterix as a child and quickly became captivated by the adventures of the indomitable Gauls. Over the years he collected all the albums, and during the 1980s and 1990s his interest in comics expanded to many other series.
Humorous stories and expressive artwork remain his favorites, and today his home contains several meters of shelving filled with comic books from a wide range of series. Yet while his comic collection is broad, his Asterix-related collecting has become increasingly focused.
Discovering the Figures
Remco’s journey into miniature painting began through his son, who painted historical miniatures of tin, particularly Napoleonic soldiers. After attending events together, Remco gradually became involved in the hobby as well. Rather than painting battle scenes, however, he preferred something less violent.
At a fair in Antwerp he discovered a set of tin Asterix miniatures. Their comic-style appearance immediately appealed to him, and he bought several to paint himself. The experience proved addictive, but there was one problem: the tin figures were expensive and no longer widely available. Completing the series would be difficult.
That was when Remco remembered the plastic Asterix figures from his own childhood.
The “Dunking” Figures of the 1970s
In the 1970s, small plastic Asterix figurines were distributed across Europe as promotional items with chewing gum. The figures were sealed in small plastic bags, making the character inside a mystery. Children often tried to guess the contents by feeling the bag—though the result was not always the figure they hoped for.
Today these toys are commonly referred to by collectors as “Dunking” figures. Many survived in attics, toy boxes, and forgotten collections, and they occasionally resurface when people begin clearing out old belongings. For Remco, they offered the perfect alternative to the rare tin miniatures: authentic vintage items that could still be found if one searched carefully enough.
From Vintage Toy to Painted Figure
Before painting, each figurine undergoes careful preparation. Remco begins by cleaning the plastic, sometimes soaking it for several days to remove old paint or dirt. Because the legs of the figures can be fragile, he drills two small holes under the feet and inserts pieces of paperclip wire through the legs to strengthen the structure.
Once reinforced, the figures are mounted on a cork and sprayed with a grey primer. The painting itself is done with water-based acrylic paints, which are odorless, dry quickly, and allow precise work. Using a very fine 5×0 brush, Remco recreates the bold colors of the original comic style.
While many miniature painters focus on advanced shading techniques and realistic effects, Remco deliberately follows the visual language of the Asterix albums. The figures are painted in strong, recognizable colors that immediately evoke the world of the comics.
Painting a single figure can take time. Some colors require several layers before they cover properly, and Remco usually works only when he feels in the right creative flow. Most painting happens on weekends, when he may complete anywhere from two to eight figures. At other times the project may pause for several weeks while he works on something else.
Building an Army of Romans
What began as a small project has gradually grown into an ambitious goal. Among the plastic figures are several Roman soldiers—only five different Roman poses exist, along with two Egyptian soldiers. Remco paints all of them in green Roman uniforms, subtly varying the details so that they appear different when placed together.
Originally he planned to collect one hundred soldiers. That target soon grew to 250, then 500. Today his ultimate aim is to gather and paint one thousand Roman soldiers.
The reason becomes clear when he explains his long-term vision. Remco intends to build a large diorama of the famous Gaulish village, complete with its wooden palisade. On the outside of that fence will stand an enormous Roman force—his painted army preparing, perhaps unwisely, to challenge the indomitable Gauls.
When the milestone of one thousand soldiers is reached, he plans to begin constructing the village itself.
A Collection That Draws a Crowd
Because Remco often buys complete sets while searching for the Roman soldiers, he ends up with many duplicate figures. These extras sometimes find new life through conversions or creative variations.
When displayed together at fairs and events, the figures create an impressive sight. Rows of painted Romans attract curious visitors, and many are surprised to learn that the figures themselves are more than fifty years old. In the era of 3D printing, some assume the miniatures are modern creations—until Remco explains their vintage origin.
Favorite Characters and Albums
Despite his specialized collecting focus, Remco remains first and foremost a fan of the stories themselves. Asked to choose a favorite album, he finds it impossible. For him, every adventure offers something unique.
His favorite characters are the central duo: Asterix and Obelix. Their personalities and friendship form the heart of every story. Curiously, one character from the comics did not translate well into the 1970s toy line: the plastic version of Dogmatix (Idefix) bears little resemblance to the famous little dog, appearing much larger and somewhat unrecognizable. For that reason, Remco has not yet painted that figure.
Exhibitions and Events
Visitors will soon have an opportunity to see Remco’s work in person. On March 28 and 29, 2026, he will appear at a model-building exhibition in Lingen, Germany. There he will not only display his collection but also paint figures live so visitors can watch the process.
Later in the year he will organize his own event: FIGZ, a fair dedicated to miniature figures. The event will take place on June 7, 2026, in Arnhem at Dennenweg 106. Entry is free, and visitors can view the painted figures as well as browse through duplicate items from Remco’s collection.
Because he is organizing the event himself, Remco will not be painting during the fair—but the figures will still be there to admire.
An Ongoing Search
Remco’s project continues to grow, and he is always looking for additional Roman soldiers from the 1970s plastic series. Anyone who still has these figures tucked away and would like to contribute to the project can contact him by email at bfduel@gmail.com.
Each new soldier helps expand the growing Roman army that will one day surround the Gaulish village in his planned diorama.
Following the Project
Those curious to see the figures up close can follow Remco’s progress on his blog. There he documents individual figures, conversions, and creative experiments—including humorous variations such as holiday-themed characters and a special “Europaparix” figure inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest.
His blog can be found at: sjemco.blogspot.com
For Remco, the project is not just about collecting toys. It is a way of revisiting the world of Asterix through craftsmanship, creativity, and patience—one painted Roman at a time.