Bertelsmann Content Alliance Celebrates “Asterix” Comics
The companies in the Bertelsmann Content Alliance are accompanying the publication on October 21 of "Asterix and the Griffin," the latest "Asterix" volume, with specials including magazine articles, a weekly comic series, a podcast, feature films, and the new TV series “Idefix und die Unbeugsamen” ("Dogmatix and the Indomitables"). Like most of the previous volumes, the work is being printed by Mohn Media in Gütersloh.
In 1959, the first volume of the "Asterix" comic series created by author René Goscinny and illustrator Albert Uderzo was published in France. To this day, the adventures of the two indomitable Gauls Asterix and Obelix are among the most successful comic series ever. Volume 39, “Asterix and the Griffin,” will be published in Germany on 21 October, and the media of the Bertelsmann Content Alliance are taking this as a good occasion to honor the vast success of the iconic Asterix brand with extensive content and product offers for readers, listeners, and viewers.
Starting today, Thursday, G+J´s "Stern" magazine will publish weekly comic strips telling a six-part serialized story entitled “Asterix and the Great Journey.” On October 21, the last part of the series will be published in a big “Asterix” special issue of “Stern.” A podcast is also planned, with as many as ten episodes about the Asterix phenomenon. “Asterix – the Podcast” will feature the insights of many experts and prominent Asterix fans, impart a great deal of useful knowledge about Gauls and Romans, and shed light on the long-lasting success of this unique comic series. The podcast will be available from mid-October on platforms including Audio Now.
Dogmatix, Obelix’s little dog, will serve as the mascot of a sustainability week under the heading “Packen wir’s an! – Damit es auch morgen noch läuft” (Let’s do this – so that things will keep going tomorrow” (October 4 – 10).
The two TV broadcasters RTL and Super RTL will cover the release of the new “Asterix” volume in their various magazine-show formats. Super RTL will also be bringing the first animated series from the Asterix universe to screens from November 5: “Idefix und die Unbeugsamen” (Dogmatix and the Indomitables) will air daily at 7:45 p.m. The CGI format, designed as a prequel, focuses on the adventures of Dogmatix the dog before he became Obelix’s faithful companion. Its 52 eleven-minute episodes take the hallmark wit and motifs from the adventures of the dauntless Gauls and transfer them to the animal world. Fans young and old can also look forward to cameo appearances by well-known characters from the comic and film series. Super RTL holds all licensing rights to the Asterix animated and feature films and will broadcast a number of films from November 5 – 11 to accompany the launch of the series. As reported, the broadcaster had acquired the marketing rights from the French publisher Hachette last year, and is developing an extensive licensing and merchandising program featuring the Asterix characters.
Since 2001, nearly all of the “Asterix” volumes published by Egmont Ehapa Media have been printed by the Bertelsmann Printing Group – or more precisely, by Mohn Media – and the new volume “Asterix and the Griffin” is no exception. The comics are distributed by DMV, Gruner + Jahr’s media distribution arm.
