40. Asterix and the White Iris
A New Era for the Series

Asterix and the White Iris (French: L’Iris blanc) is the 40th installment in the iconic Asterix series. Published on October 26, 2023, this album marks a fresh chapter, introducing Fabcaro as the new writer and continuing the illustrative brilliance of Didier Conrad, who has now contributed to six Asterix books. The result is a story that captures the essence of the classic Asterix adventures while adding a modern twist.
Plot Overview
Julius Caesar faces a new crisis: widespread desertion in the Roman army. Seeking an innovative solution, he entrusts his chief medical officer, Isivertuus, with implementing a psychological strategy known as “White Iris” to boost morale. Isivertuus sets up operations in Camp Totorum, adjacent to the indomitable Gaulish village, and begins his mission to undermine the villagers’ resistance with charm, poetry, and psychological finesse.
Under Isivertuus’ influence, the Gaulish village transforms. Traditional brawls and boar hunts give way to tranquility, as even the Romans and wildlife lose their fear of the Gauls. Concerned by these unsettling changes, Asterix, Getafix, and Chief Vitalstatistix expel Isivertuus. However, the cunning sage convinces Impedimenta, the chief’s wife, to accompany him to Lutetia, where Caesar hopes to use her as leverage against the Gauls.
Asterix, Obelix, and a despondent Vitalstatistix embark on a daring rescue mission. They track Isivertuus and Impedimenta to a theater in Lutetia, where a dramatic showdown unfolds. The Gauls triumph, reuniting Vitalstatistix with Impedimenta. Caesar, furious at Isivertuus’ failure, sentences him to galley slavery instead of execution, thanks to Asterix’s intervention. The Gauls return to their village, which soon regains its lively and combative spirit.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Formula
Critics have noted that Asterix and the White Iris follows the familiar Asterix formula: a single interloper causes chaos in the village. From the soothsayer in Asterix and the Soothsayer to the Roman agent in Asterix and the Roman Agent, these characters have historically sown discord. However, Isivertuus takes a different approach by promoting self-worth and peace, ironically creating as much disruption as his predecessors.
This story is also a clever critique of the modern self-help industry. Fabcaro humorously skewers the parade of motivational gurus, blending this commentary seamlessly into the Asterix universe. Isivertuus—a mix of silver-tongued manipulator and self-styled sage—feels authentic and absurdly relatable, drawing comparisons to figures like Paulo Coelho and parodies like Saturday Night Live’s Stuart Smalley.
Critical Reception
Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool hailed the album as his “favorite Asterix book since original writer and co-creator René Goscinny died.” Fans and critics alike praised Fabcaro’s ability to channel the humor and heart of classic Asterix stories while introducing fresh ideas. The satire of modern trends, combined with the traditional Asterix spirit, resonated deeply.
Didier Conrad’s illustrations were equally celebrated. His authentic portrayal of the beloved characters, action-packed sequences, and vivid details—from Roman battles to Cacofonix’s infamous concert—captured the essence of Asterix’s world. Highlights included the depiction of Lutetia, with its nods to modern transportation like chariot services resembling the TGV and early kick scooters.
Fun Details for Fans
This album is packed with delightful Easter eggs and cultural references. Isivertuus bears a striking resemblance to French intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy, though Fabcaro revealed that the character’s inspiration came from Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. The story also marks the return of Impedimenta’s brother, Homeopathix, and his wife Tapioca, last seen in Asterix and the Laurel Wreath.
In one memorable scene, a museum visit by Isivertuus and Impedimenta showcases a quartet of Caesar busts in different colors, humorously referencing Andy Warhol. These touches add layers of enjoyment for attentive readers.
Why This Album Matters
Asterix and the White Iris reaffirms the series’ timeless appeal. By blending classic story elements with contemporary satire, Fabcaro and Conrad have created a tale that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The combination of sharp humor, engaging storytelling, and dynamic artwork ensures that this latest adventure will delight long-time fans and newcomers alike.
As the village returns to its boisterous normalcy, one thing is clear: the magic of Asterix endures, thanks to the passion and creativity of its new custodians. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or discovering the series for the first time, Asterix and the White Iris is a must-read that promises laughter, adventure, and a touch of thought-provoking commentary.
Latin quotes
Again the number of Latin quotes are meager in this album:
- Veni, Vidi, Wifi
Uttered by a Roman legionair, this is of course a modern play on Caesar’s famous line “Veni, Vidi, Vici”. Vici is here replaced by wifi. I came, I saw, I wified? - Sic itur ad astra
Ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “to the stars,” originating from Virgil’s Aeneid, where he wrote: “sic itur ad astra” (“thus one journeys to the stars”) and “opta ardua pennis astra sequi” (“desire to pursue the lofty [or hard-to-reach] stars on wings”).
The Significance of the White Iris
The white iris, a flower with roots stretching back to the Cretaceous period some 80 million years ago, carries profound historical and cultural significance. In ancient Egypt, it symbolized Horus, the god of sunrise and sunset, representing transitions and the cycles of life. In Greek mythology, the iris was closely associated with the goddess Iris, Hera’s favored messenger, who traveled to earth on rainbows to deliver good news. The flower’s name, meaning “rainbow” in Greek, reflects this connection and the iris’s vibrant palette of colors.
Among its many varieties, the iris florentina—a white iris—was particularly widespread around the Mediterranean in ancient times. Its prominence made it familiar to both the Greeks and Romans. The flower gained symbolic importance in the Sixth Century when Clovis, King of the Franks, adopted it as a military emblem, a precursor to the fleur-de-lys. According to legend, during a war with the Visigoths, Clovis’s army was guided to safety across the river Vienne by a deer, which revealed a ford reinforced by the rhizomes of wild irises. This act not only saved his forces but forever entwined the iris with themes of guidance and protection.
The white iris thus serves as a bridge between the natural world and human history, embodying messages of hope, resilience, and transformation across cultures and centuries.
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