Albert Uderzo, most beloved French comic book artist, best known for creating the Asterix series with writer René Goscinny, passed away last week at 92. The duo created a marvellous world around the pint-sized hero Asterix, his pot-bellied buddy Obelix, and his dog Dogmatix, and their adventures. "The year is 50 B.C. Gaul (France) is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely! One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders" heralded a series of laughing fits. And their characters' names were delicious puns: the village chief Vitalstatistix, the bard Cacofonix, the blacksmith Fulliautomatix, the fishmonger Unhygienix and his wife Bacteria. Two Romans were even called Nefarius Purpus and Crismus Bonus. Part of the series' popularity is due to the terrific English translation by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge.

Created by Goscinny and Uderzo in 1959, the cult Asterix comic series is billed as France's most lucrative literary export. It has been translated into over 100 languages, and sold over 380 million copies worldwide. Also a major film franchise with 14 animated and live action films, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, starring Gerard Depardieu, was one of the biggest French box office successes. There are also 40 Asterix video games, and Parc Astérix, a theme park with over 50 million visitors.