Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 33 Asterix albums. Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977.
This latest volume featuring our Gallic friend Asterix has been a long time in the preparation, but his legion of fans will find it was well worth waiting for. As ever the cartoons are miniature works of art and the dialogue is both hilarious and pungently satirical. The story opens with a birthday celebration for Asterix and his pal Obelix. All is going riotously until the arrival of two matchmaking mothers bearing gifts. The gifts prove to be the problem - they're nicked from the somewhat disgruntled Pompey who aims to get them back. Soon the eponymous actress is on their trail - will Asterix fall for her luscious charms? Nothing about the riotous plot is simple and the ending comes with an especially witty twist. The illustrations are as detailed and inventive as we've come to expect, and this episode rightly takes its place among Asterix's many other classic adventures. (Kirkus UK)