Skip to main content

33. Asterix and the Falling Sky

Asterix and the Falling SkyThe Most Controversial Asterix Album

Asterix and the Falling Sky - French Cover - source: asterix.com

Asterix and the Falling Sky (French: Le ciel lui tombe sur la tête, “The Sky Falls On His Head”) is the 33rd installment in the Asterix comic book series, written and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. Released on October 14, 2005, this album marked a significant departure from the traditional historical comedy of the series, venturing boldly into the realm of science fiction. This unique experiment both intrigued and perplexed fans, as it became the only volume to include extraterrestrial elements.

The French title, Le ciel lui tombe sur la tête, directly references the Gauls’ legendary fear that the sky may fall on their heads. Chief Vitalstatistix’s oft-repeated reassurance—“Tomorrow never comes”—is tested as Asterix, Obelix, and their village face an unprecedented challenge: an alien invasion.

A Synopsis of Asterix and the Falling Sky

The story begins with an alien spaceship hovering ominously over the Gaulish village, paralyzing nearly all living beings except Asterix, Obelix, Getafix, and Dogmatix, who are shielded by the magic potion. From the spherical spacecraft emerges Toon, an alien from the planet Tadsilweny (an anagram of Walt Disney), accompanied by “superclone” security guards. Toon reveals that his mission is to confiscate the village’s “secret weapon”—Getafix’s potion—before it falls into the hands of the evil Nagmas, another alien race.

Simultaneously, a Nagma ship lands in the Roman camp of Compendium, where the alien seeks directions to the village. A chaotic battle ensues between Toon’s superclones, the Nagma’s “cyberat” robots, and the indomitable Gauls. Despite the Nagma’s attempts to seize Getafix and his potion, the villains are defeated. Toon discovers the potion’s effects are temporary and decides to abandon his mission. Before leaving, he erases all memories of the aliens’ visit, restoring the village to its peaceful state.

A Tribute to Disney and a Satire of Cultural Imperialism

Albert Uderzo dedicated the album to his late brother Bruno, who inspired his artistic career. The cover design, a mirror image of the first Asterix the Gaul album, sparked rumors that this might be the series’ final installment. Uderzo clarified this was not his intention, though it was the last volume he wrote before passing the torch to a new creative team.

Panoramix dans Le Ciel lui tombe sur la tête

The story is rich with satire, blending humor with commentary on the state of the French comics industry and global politics. Toon, resembling Mickey Mouse, is a nod to Walt Disney, while the Nagmas parody Japanese manga culture. Uderzo pokes fun at manga comics, which he admitted disliking, while subtly critiquing American cultural dominance and the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Critical Reception and Legacy

While Asterix and the Falling Sky achieved commercial success, breaking sales records with 2.4 million copies sold in two months, it was met with widespread criticism. Fans often consider it the weakest entry in the series. Ian Rankin described the volume as having “jumped the shark,” while St. Mag and Sling’s and Arrows criticized it as confused and lacking the charm of classic Asterix adventures. Despite its polarizing reception, some reviews acknowledged the album’s satirical ambition and its core Asterix elements.

The Latin Scholar: Pegleg and His Iconic Quotes

One memorable moment in the album features Pegleg, the erudite pirate, uttering the Latin phrase Nihil conveniens ad decretis ejus, meaning “Nothing is suitable for his decrees.” Pegleg, known as Triple-Patte in French, is the right-hand man of Redbeard. His wooden leg and white hair make him a respected figure among the pirate crew. His erudition and clever Latin commentary have become hallmarks of the pirates’ recurring comedic misfortunes.

Fun Facts About Asterix and the Falling Sky

  • The album features a tribute to Walt Disney at its conclusion.
  • Toon’s superclones are caricatures of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Superman.
  • The name Nagma is an anagram of “manga,” with their leader Akoaotaki referencing Takao Aoki, creator of the Beyblade manga series.
  • Despite fan disappointment, the album remains a testament to Uderzo’s willingness to take creative risks in the Asterix universe.

Asterix and the Falling Sky may not have soared to the heights of its predecessors, but it continues to spark conversations about the enduring legacy of one of the world’s most iconic comic book series.

My Collection

Next: 34. Asterix and Obelix’s Birthday