30 Days of Scans meme Day 3: Les meilleurs amis

[icon_uk]

The heck with it, I want to post another classic example of friendship and since I won't be posting for every day, so be it! :)

I knew I wanted to pick an Asterix moment, and then I remembered "Asterix and the Roman Agent" which is all about friendship.

Since normal methods of waging war aren't working, Julius Caesar is convinced to try unleashing a uniquely talented agent called Tortuous Convulvulus on the Gaulish village. He is an otherwise unremarkable little man with an almost supernatural ability to create strife and discord, and poison friendship (When they threw him to the lions, the lions to ate each other instead). He sows the seeds of envy with every word he says, and the rest just escalates from there. (In a nice touch, those who have been "infected" by him, have their word balloons tinted varying shades of green depending on how deeply under his influence they are).

By destroying the unifying friendship of the Gaulish villagers (even those like Unhygenix and Fulliautomatix who spend most of their time arguing but will round on ANYONE who criticises the other in their presence), Caesar believes that their resistance will be undermined and they will be easilty conquered. It's a simple, but brilliant plan...

At this point in the story his influence is in full swing. By the simple act of bringing an expensive gift, announcing that he was going to give it  to the "most important man in the village" and then promptly giving it to Asterix rather than the village chief Vitalstatistix, he's instantly offended Vitalstatistix, who takes it out on the innocent Asterix, and then Impedimenta, the chiefs wife gets involved and it descends into acrimony, scowls and fights within hours.

Asterix attempts to calm the chief down by inviting him to supper, only to find that Obelix has sort of eaten them, this does not sit well with Vitalstatistix.





Awww.... true friendship overcomes any petty arguments, and knows no envy

Comments

[stig]

I was thinking you were going to post one of the bits from "The Cauldron" or the make-up scene from "The Chieftain's Shield".

This has become my favourite Asterix in recent years for the sheer psychological imbalance that Goscinny juggles around with, as well as a very realistic depiction of the jealousy that can easily arise in a small commnity - as evidenced by that last panel, wherein Fulliautomatix the blacksmith hears them making up, which escalates into his wife rumour-mongering that they've struck a deal with the Romans.

I also loved the little metaphor of Cacofonix the bard being the only one uninfected due to his treetop hut - the artist raising himself above petty squabbles, yet unable to interact with his fellow man.

(Or it could just be comics for kids. I'm not sure.)

[icon_uk]

Alas I don't have access to all my Asterix books, or I probably would have done. Since this one is about the core important of friendship it seemed to fit too, though the make up scene would be great.

Besides though, it can be found here too thanks to runespoor7's contribution to last years "One Perfect Moment"

[nezchan]

Well, the artist in this case has to raise himself above. The rest of the village would lynch him if he got any closer.

[ficticons]

LOL too true! Poor guy never catches a break. :P

[psychopathicus_rex]

Of course he IS an arrogant, self-obsessed diva whose music counts as sonic warfare, so it's not like there isn't a reason for it.

[icon_uk]

Hasn't the same been said about everyone from Presley, to Jagger to Eminem?

[psychopathicus_rex]

Has THEIR music caused virtually everyone who hears it to scream and run away in terror, or roll around on the ground covering their ears and sobbing 'STOP!' and "No more!'? Not often, I would guess.

[nezchan]

Now THAT, my friend, is the definition of "heterosexual life mates".

Jay and Silent Bob were pikers.

[icon_uk]

Laurel and Hardy
Asterix and Obelix
Morecombe and Wise

Jay and Silent Bob don't even get a look in IMHO.

[nezchan]

Don't forget Ronnies Corbett and Barker!

[icon_uk]

They were both excellent comedians, and Barker a marvellous character actor (and writer) too, but I never saw them as a couple the way that Morecombe and Wise or Laurel and Hardy were. The Two Ronnies played multiple characters, the others played themselves, pretty much, just in different scenario.

[lonewolf23k]

Aka "Brothers from Different Mothers".

[ficticons]

*makes mental note to pick this up ASAP*

You're correct about the green word balloons. :D What a difference small touches can make! Also, notice how Dogmatix joins in the making-up panel, too.

Wonderful moment all around - thanks for posting it.

[psychopathicus_rex]

Of course, they do spend an awful lot of time snapping and snarling at each other even when they're on the best of terms, but it is true that they never stay mad at each other for long.