Anne also believes that her role as a rights holder should be more correctly stated “obligation holder”: “Because I feel that we have more obligations towards this work than rights. The future belongs to both of us and nothing can be done without us , unless we are completely in sync with the projects. And we are very active Parc Astérix invent, but if, for example, there is a film or an adaptation, which is derived from the work of our fathers, we are very proactive and reactive. Sylvie and I inherited this work and as long as we are here, and after us our children, it is up to us to protect and defend it, and no one can do that better than us.” Sylvie adds: “We live with this work.” And Anne concludes with: “And we will die with it.”
In any case, both agree that Asterix will continue to live on after their deaths, in the same way that Albert Uderzo had to continue on his own after René’s death.
Anne: “Asterix and I lost our father very suddenly. Well, my father and he lost one of his fathers. And I really wanted him and I to get over it. Asterix got over it pretty quickly, because Albert Uderzo took over and replaced my father.”
Sylvie: “You cannot replace your father. Mine had a huge challenge when René died. He was planning to quit and he received a mountain of letters saying: ‘This character no longer belongs to you, he belongs to us, so we ask you to continue.’”
Anne: “So then I thought: Asterix has survived my father, he will have to survive Albert too.”
Sylvie: “But we are happy that he survived. My father took over the script and it was a real challenge for him. But I didn’t see anyone taking the pencil and redrawing something that I had seen all my life. It was emotional very difficult and today everything is good. There is no discussion about continuing the work.”
Anne: “But it’s part of our job to make sure the albums are good.”
So it will be published in October 2025 Asterix part 41. It is the seventh album signed by Conrad. Jean-Yves Ferri wrote Asterix among the Picts, The Papyrus of Caesar, Asterix and the Race through the Boot, The Veldheer’s Daughter in Asterix and the Griffin. Fabcaro took over for one album because Ferri wanted to write and draw his own comic strip. The White Iris was Fabcaro’s first album. Because Ferri wanted to take more time, Fabcaro was asked to also write part 41.
The Legacy of Asterix: Family, Obligations, and Comic Continuity
Strap in, folks — we’re diving into the deeply personal world of Asterix, a beloved figure who’s had more iterations than some of us have had hot dinners! But let’s face it; how many of us consider the weight of legacy when we think about our favorite comic? Enter Anne and Sylvie, the daughters of Asterix’s co-creator, René Goscinny, who vividly describe their dual role as ‘rights holders’ and, more importantly, ‘obligation holders’. Who knew protecting a comic franchise was akin to a family therapy session?
Anne kicks things off with a strong point: “We have more obligations towards this work than rights.” Now there’s a concept—obligation. It’s like being stuck doing the dishes after a party when you’d rather just binge-watch your favorite show. They argue that maintaining the integrity of Asterix means being “very proactive and reactive.” Effective strategy, or just good PR? You decide! They’re fiercely determined that unless everyone’s singin’ from the same hymn sheet, the Asterix brand is on shaky ground.
And isn’t that a fine mix of drama and duty? It’s almost Shakespearean, minus the tights. One moment you’re basking in the glory of your father’s creations, and the next, you’re clutching a quill like it’s a sword ready for battle against those dastardly adaptations waiting to warp the story you’ve known all your life. As Anne unabashedly declares, “it is up to us to protect and defend it.” Phew! No pressure then.
Sylvie jumps on the bandwagon and adds her personal touch: “We live with this work.” Who needs a therapist when you have Asterix? I can’t help but admire their commitment. They’re not just the keepers of Asterix’s spirit; they’ve practically set up camp in the storyline itself. Sounds like a family reunion I’m keen to attend — just as long as there’s no awkward silence! And let’s be real: for every “We will die with it,” there’s a little panic about the future; will Asterix be left in the hands of someone more concerned about profit margins than the character’s actual soul?
Both sisters navigate the complex waters of legacy with the smoothness of an Asterix character skimming across an icy landscape. Anne reflects on the sudden loss of their father, and you can hear the heartache — the kind of writing that gives you goosebumps; it’s like appreciating the genius of Monty Python while simultaneously realizing their dark underbelly. Silly yet profoundly sad? Oh yes!
Sylvie gets real when she mentions the letters that poured in after René’s death. “This character no longer belongs to you, he belongs to us.” Talk about emotional blackmail in the gentlest of senses! She’s right though; characters sometimes feel more like family than the people around us. The stakes were high, and I just can’t help but picture a boardroom filled with emotional fans — think of them as the comic-book Avengers, assembling to ensure their beloved hero doesn’t end up in a box labeled “nostalgia.” Can someone bring the popcorn?
Now, forget the dramatic pauses; this isn’t a tragic play but rather a celebration. Soon, Asterix part 41 will grace us with its presence come October 2025. And let’s be honest, this isn’t just any chapter in the Asterix saga — it’s the seventh album signed by Conrad. Anne and Sylvie are steering this ship, and it’s not your average cruise; it’s a luxury liner of high stakes and even higher expectations. Jean-Yves Ferri and Fabcaro have put their own marks on the franchise — their work creates a legacy for future generations of Asterix fans. They’re essentially the Guardians of the Galaxy, only instead of saving the universe, they’re saving comic tradition.
So as we prepare for the new installment, let’s raise a glass to the women who won’t let the spirit of Asterix falter, while laughing at the hurdles they’ve had to jump. Who knew protecting a pop culture icon could be this riveting? Hats off to Anne and Sylvie for their tenacity, their emotional rollercoasters, and for bringing us along on this never-ending, delightful journey through the land of the Gauls. Asterix may just survive on, perhaps long after we’re all gone — but can we survive without the giggles and the oh-so-delicious nostalgia? Now that’s a thought to ponder!
Anne asserts that her position as a rights holder should be interpreted more accurately as an “obligation holder”: “Because I feel that our responsibilities toward this work far outweigh any rights we may claim. The future of Asterix belongs to both of us, and it’s clear that progress on any project cannot happen unless we are fully aligned and in sync. We are not only deeply involved in the creation process at Parc Astérix but also take a vigorous stance when it comes to adaptations that draw from our fathers’ original creations. Sylvie and I have inherited this profound legacy, and as long as we exist, and even beyond through our children, it is our duty to safeguard and champion it; there’s simply no one more equipped for this task than us.” Sylvie chimes in, “We live with this work.” Anne poignantly adds, “And we will die with it.”
Both sisters have a resilient belief that the beloved character of Asterix will persist beyond their lifetimes, much like how Albert Uderzo had to forge ahead alone following René’s passing.
Anne reflects on the losses they’ve faced: “Asterix and I lost our father unexpectedly. I lost my father, and Asterix lost one of his creators. I was determined that both he and I would find a way to move forward. Asterix managed to adapt rather swiftly, as Albert Uderzo stepped in and filled the void left by my father.”
Sylvie emphasizes the personal nature of this loss: “You cannot replace your father. Mine was confronted with a monumental task when René died. He had been contemplating retirement, yet he received an overwhelming deluge of letters urging him: ‘This character no longer belongs to you; he belongs to us, so we implore you to keep going.’”
Anne echoes this sentiment: “In that moment, I realized that Asterix had survived my father, and he must also endure beyond Albert.”
Sylvie expresses relief with a touch of nostalgia: “We are truly glad that Asterix has persevered. My father took on the challenges of scripting after René’s passing, and it was an immense undertaking for him. I still find it hard to envision someone picking up the pencil to redraw characters that have been part of my life for so long. It was an emotionally intense period; however, today everything is in a good place. We are all in agreement regarding the continuation of this work.”
Anne insists, “It is fundamentally our responsibility to ensure that the quality of the albums is maintained.”
Fans can anticipate the release of Asterix part 41 in October 2025. This upcoming installment will mark the seventh album co-created by Conrad, with the brilliant Jean-Yves Ferri previously writing Asterix among the Picts, The Papyrus of Caesar, Asterix and the Race through the Boot, and Asterix and the Griffin. For one album, Fabcaro stepped in to write during Ferri’s brief hiatus as he sought to focus on crafting his own comic strip. Fabcaro’s venture began with The White Iris, and due to Ferri’s desire to take more time for his work, Fabcaro was also entrusted with the writing of part 41.
Hasizes the emotional weight of this transition: ”You cannot replace your father. My father faced an immense challenge after René’s death. He had been considering retirement when a flood of letters from fans came in, insisting: ‘This character no longer belongs to you; he belongs to us, so we ask you to continue.’”
Anne reflects on this sentiment with determination: “Asterix not only survived my father; he must survive Albert too.” Sylvie adds wistfully, “We are grateful that he did, because my father having to take over writing the stories was no small feat. But it was far too personal for me; watching someone else draw Asterix and co. felt like taking a brush to a canvas that depicted my life. I had watched and appreciated it all my life, so seeing it reimagined by someone else was an emotional challenge. Nevertheless, today, everything feels right. We have an understanding that the work needs to continue without debate or hesitation.”
Anne reinforces their commitment: “It’s our responsibility to ensure that the new albums maintain the high standards set by our predecessors.”
Looking ahead, fans have much to anticipate with the scheduled release of Asterix part 41 in October 2025, which will mark Conrad’s seventh installment. Creative leadership has gracefully shifted, with Jean-Yves Ferri crafting stories like Asterix among the Picts and The Papyrus of Caesar, and Fabcaro, who made a distinct mark with The White Iris, stepping in to contribute to part 41 as Ferri takes a personal break to work on his own creations.
the sisters remain fiercely passionate about their role as protectors and advocates of Asterix, embodying the spirit of their fathers while navigating the delicate balance between maintaining tradition and embracing new creative directions. They stand united, poised to ensure that the little Gaul and his adventures continue to delight audiences for generations to come.
