39. Asterix and the Griffin
A journey to the East
Asterix and the Griffin (French: Astérix et le Griffon) marks the 39th album in the Asterix series. Written by Jean-Yves Ferri and illustrated by Didier Conrad, it was released on October 21, 2021, in over 20 languages with an initial print run of more than 5 million copies. This volume is notable for being the first published after the death of co-creator Albert Uderzo and the last written by Ferri before Fabrice Caro took over as writer.
Plot Synopsis
The story begins in Rome, where the geographer Cartographus informs Julius Caesar about the legendary griffin, a mythical creature said to be part eagle, part lion, and part horse. Caesar, eager to boost his popularity, dispatches an expedition to capture the griffin and display it in Rome.
Meanwhile, in the snow-covered land of Sarmatia, Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix accompany the druid Getafix to visit his old friend, the shaman Fanciacuppov. The Sarmatians, whose society is led by nomadic warrior women while the men manage the households, are under threat from the Romans. Fanciacuppov reveals that the griffin is sacred to his people and asks for the Gauls’ help to protect it.
The expedition faces challenges as Getafix’s magic potion freezes, rendering it unusable. Fanciacuppov tricks the Romans into following him to a frozen lake where they encounter a Styracosaurus frozen in the ice, mistaken by the Romans for the griffin. Chaos ensues when wolves disrupt the Roman camp, forcing them to retreat. Back in Rome, with no news of the griffin, Caesar opts to display a giraffe instead.
Critics’ Opinions
Critics offered mixed reviews of Asterix and the Griffin.
Some praised the humor and creativity, such as the introduction of a matriarchal Sarmatian society and clever visual gags like the frozen potion and the mistaken griffin. Dominique Bry, writing for Diakritik, appreciated the album’s puns and commentary on fake news, conspiracy theories, and gender roles, noting that the adventure continues even without the magic potion.
Others, however, found the story lacking. Olivier Delcroix of Le Figaro called it “disappointing and boring,” lamenting the absence of the charm and magic of Goscinny and Uderzo. Critics like Myriam Perfetti of Marianne argued that Asterix himself faded into the background, with secondary characters taking the spotlight.
Another criticism centered on the narrative’s politically correct tone, which some felt was at odds with the series’ tradition of gently poking fun at cultural quirks. However, others welcomed the shift, noting the humor’s focus on universal themes and Vaudevillian comedy rather than cultural stereotypes.
Interesting Facts
- Cartographus, the Roman geographer, is a caricature of French novelist Michel Houellebecq.
- No pirates in this book.
- The Sarmatians’ speech features reversed “e” characters, resembling the Cyrillic alphabet.
- The Sarmatians’ society flips traditional gender roles, with warrior women and homemaker men, resulting in puns on the Amazon online marketplace.
- The frozen Styracosaurus is a nod to the theory that griffin legends were inspired by fossilized Protoceratops remains.
- The tearful owl in the final banquet panel pays homage to Uderzo, mirroring the crying rabbit in Asterix in Belgium.
Latin vocabulary
Because the pirates are missing in this book, we also have to without a nice Latin quote from Pegleg. Luckily for us, the Roman centurion takes over with “Omnia Flumina Roma Ducunt”. This is a humorous twist on the famous Latin proverb “Omnes viae Romam ducunt” (“All roads lead to Rome”). Instead of roads (viae), the joke swaps in rivers (flumina), implying that “All rivers lead to Rome.”
We also learn what a venator was, a gladiator who fought animals.
Final Thoughts
Asterix and the Griffin ventures into new territory both geographically and thematically. While it doesn’t replicate the iconic style of Goscinny and Uderzo, it offers a fresh take on the series with humor suited for modern times. The exploration of universal themes and witty commentary ensures that Asterix’s legacy remains vibrant for new generations.
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