Asterix vs. Crismus Bonus

The French comic book character Asterix is celebrating his 50th birthday and the British daily The Guardian sends its best wishes, writing that the comic's appeal comes from its not being afraid to put its finger in the wound of national clichés: "Part of Asterix's appeal lies in the gentle prodding of European national stereotypes: the fondue- and cuckoo-clock-obsessed Swiss, the milky-tea-drinking British and the beer-swilling Belgians. But while the parodies are occasionally mischievous, they are also humane. If Goscinny and Uderzo had a message to convey in among all the fun, it was that inflated egos deserve to be punctured - hence the hilarious monikers. You may be a Roman centurion, but no one can take you seriously when your name is Crismus Bonus."

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