Book Review: Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield by R. Goscinny et al.

Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo

Chief Vitalstatistix has had one too many banquets, so the druid orders him off to a spa for a healthy dose of exercise and boiled vegetables. Asterix and Obelix go for the journey, if not for the treatment. They run into a Roman envoy whom they beat up. The envoy reports that the Gauls are as rebellious as ever. Julius Caesar decides to come show who's boss, especially by showing off the Shield of Vercingetorix, the Gaulish chieftain who was the last to surrender, thus completing the conquest of Gaul (never mind Asterix's village). But the shield is missing. The envoy is sent in search of it. When Asterix and Obelix get wind of the scheme, they also search for the shield.

The plot runs around in a great big circle with plenty of comedy along the way. This particular volume has lots of Latin puns (one drunk fellow is always going, "Hic, haec, hoc!"). It's a lot of fun.

Recommended.