Asterix in Switzerland (1970)
Asterix in Switzerland Review
Asterix in Switzerland is the sixteenth volume of the Asterix comic strip series that was written by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo. It was published in 1970 and it is one of the best travelogues in the series.
Quaestor Vexatius Sinustitis, who is about to expose the Roman governor’s creative accountancy, has been poisoned. Getafix has to help him, but for his potion to work he needs a certain flower that only grows in Helvetia, which is current-day Switzerland. Asterix and Obelix then go there in search of the flower and of course they experience many adventures while on the road. How this country was portrayed here is among the most glorious homages you can think of.
Yes, this series has always dealt with stereotypes, but in the case of Switzerland, these are mostly positive stereotypes. They portrayed these people in such an endearing light that it’s hard to argue about it. Apparently, they are all obsessed with banks, clocks, cheese and cleanliness. The latter two made for the most entertaining sections in the story. The panels where the cheese was everywhere were hilarious and yet appetizing. The nation’s neutrality is also hinted at in a very funny way. It’s an all around phenomenal representation of a culture and the best one so far in the series.
The first part of the story set in Rome is overly extended. In trying to parody the movies of Fellini the story became overly adult and repetitious. The orgies and overly indulgent debauchery were true for the era, but still this depiction came out of nowhere in this particular story and it rendered the beginning unappealing.
The best moments are in the second half. The hotel manager is an instantly iconic side character and him cleaning all the time was hilarious. The bank scene was so memorable too. Asterix skiing on Obelix’s fat belly was so funny and it was the most iconic action scene so far in the franchise. The ending was also superb as it represented the only banquet where a Roman was invited. Add to this excellent adventure story wonderful dialogue, playful humor, excellent characterization of our heroes and the supporting players and you’ve got an instant classic. The illustrations were also stupendous with the mountain panels being gorgeous.
