Written by: Goscinny – Drawings by: Uderzo
Original title: Le Combat des Chefs
Published by: Hachette Livre
First published by: Pilote no. 261 (22/10/1964)
First album edition: 1966
The film Operation Getafix was based on this album and Asterix and the Soothsayer
A collaborator in ancient Gaul? Chief Cassius Ceramix has gone over to the Roman enemy. There’s something very fishy going on, as Legionary Infirmofpurpus discovers when he is sent to spy on the Gauls disguised as a crab apple tree.
But is that just a red herring? And what about the two concussed druids brewing colourful potions? One way or another, the fight for control of the village between Vitalstatistix and his rival is bound to be a knockout.
What the druids have to say about the album
A fight between chiefs – just the occasion Vitalstatistix has been dying for so he can at last show off! And, as you can imagine, he makes the most of it, organising a press conference so he can announce in Pilote magazine that an adventure which he feels can at last measure up to him has begun.
Since then people have rather boringly tried to explain that Asterix had a lot to do with the French statesman Charles de Gaulle (who in fact made great use of press conferences to explain his policies). Here though, Goscinny and Uderzo are just having fun caricaturing the press conferences of the man. That’s all, folks!
The idea of a blow bringing on amnesia is a classic comic device, shown here by the use of the menhir and cleverly adapted to the Celts. Sheer delight.
Character profiles of the album
Various versions of the album
Le combat des chefs – Français – Editions Hachette
Le combat des chefs – Français – Editions Hachette – La Grande Collection
Der Kampf der Häuptlinge – Allemand – Egmont Ehapa Verlag Berlin
Der Kampf der Häuptlinge – Allemand – Egmont Comic Collection – Die Utimative Edition
El combate de los jefes – Espagnol – Salvat
El combate de los jefes – Espagnol – Salvat La colección
El combate de los jefes – Espagnol – Salvat La Gran Colección
El Combat dels Caps – Catalan – Salvat
O Combate dos Chefes – Portugais – ASA
O Combate dos Chefes – Portugais – A colecção – Salvat
Asterix and the Big Fight – Anglais – Orion
De Kampioen – Néerlandais – Editions Hachette
Päälliköiden ottelu – Finnois – Egmont Kustannus OY AB
Asterix e il duello dei capi – Italien – Panini Comics
Certamen Principum – Latin – Egmont Ehapa Verlag Berlin
아스테릭스와 대전투 – Asteriks maülui daegyeolto – Coréen – Moonji
Tvekampen – Suédois – Egmont AB
Asteriks Sefler Savasi – Turc – Remzi Kitabevi
Asterix e o Combate dos Chefes – Brésilien (Portugais) – Record
Walka wodzów – Polonais – Egmont Sp
Souboj náčelníků – Tchèque – Egmont ČR, Prague
Di Haibtling’ raffm’ s raus – Mundart 18 – Fränkisch I
Ozabfd is ! – Mundart 44 – Münchnerisch I
Då Boxe di Beudel – Mundart 61 – Meefränggisch III
The bookseller’s corner
N° ISBN : 978-0-75286-617-8
Format : 287 x 216 mm
Pages : 48
N° ISBN : 978-0-75286-616-1
Format : 287 x 216 mm
Pages : 48