Asterix has been running since 1959 and remains one of the best-selling comic series in the world, which is remarkable for something built entirely on puns about the Roman Empire. Goscinny wrote it and Uderzo drew it, and the partnership produced work that functions at every age.

The premise is a small Gaulish village that refuses to be conquered because their druid brews a strength potion. That single joke - an empire defeated by one holdout with better chemistry - is enough to power over forty albums and a lot of very satisfying Roman legionaries flying out of frame.

Obelix is the best character in it and the books are careful about why: he fell in the cauldron as a baby, so he doesn't need the potion, and he is deeply sensitive about not being allowed any. He is also not fat, he is well-built, and he will discuss it with you.

The name puns survive translation astonishingly well, which is a credit to the translators as much as the writers.

This collection covers Asterix, Obelix, Getafix and the cauldron.