By Toutatis, I Love Obelix and Asterix!

Of all the likings that I have developed since I was a kid, the one that endured the test of time is my love affair with the comic characters, Obelix and Asterix!

I was first introduced to these wonderful characters, created by Goscinny and Uderzo, at the age of 7. My friends had about 15 of Asterix's comic books. I borrowed these books two at a time and finished their collection of 15 books in no time. Asterix and Obelix were a good enough reason for me to run back home after school!

That was the beginning of an enduring love affair, that is still going strong after 3 decades.

Obelix, Asterix and their gang of quaint village folk from Armorica in the land of the Gauls enchanted me a great deal. There were all those exciting tales of how the rotund Obelix fell into a cauldron of the magic potion as a baby, which ended up giving him mythical powers. And how the druid Getafix concocts his magic potion that instantly transforms the tiny Asterix into a fierce warrior, good enough to beat an entire Roman legion or a pirate armada. 

And then there's the village chief, Vitalstatistix who is carried on a shield and is always paranoid about the skies falling on his head. Who can forget the village bard, Cacophonix, and the fishmonger, Unhygenix?

Asterix and Obelix have always made a great team bashing up the Romans, protecting Gaul pride and their village in Armorica, with Obelix's little poochie, Dogmatix. Now Dogmatix has an attitude that's disproportionately larger than his little size. No wonder, Dogmatix gets into a big sulk when berated by Obelix or Asterix.

Obelix is the one who thinks with his heart, pretty much straightforward. The little Asterix is smart but prone to getting into a big temper. Both of them complement each other - brawn with brain.

For me, the most interesting bits are the ones when the duo are back victorious, its time for a village feast. Obelix hunts down wild boars, afterall he's a foodie like me! And then when the boars' have been roasted, Obelix deserves a whole one, all for himself. Awww, by Toutatis, how much I envy Obelix!

Asterix and Obelix comic books are absolute stress busters. For the while that I read them, it's as though I am teleported to a different world altogether. Such is the magic of Asterix and Obelix! 

And now as I am browsing through Crossword's collection of Asterix comic books, I so wish I were in Armorica right now! I believe there is an Asterix themepark, Parc Astérix, on the outskirts of Paris, which makes me want to get to Paris right away!