This is evidently a quarterly magazine of unique, Astérix-related goodies and games that’s been running since 2016. I’ve only seen samples so far, not a full issue.
The Balloon-Romans
I think the idea above is that our heroes previously tricked the Romans in to consuming one of Getafix’ other potions that they really shouldn’t have, setting up this bizarre panel. Was it from one of Uderzo’s solo albums? (I forget)
A couple more covers, above. Some pretty good ideas there, I thought, for example the left one collecting many of the junior guest stars.
The idea above (as you can see) is that Obelix is trying to use the hanging mistletoe to his advantage, and it keeps backfiring hilariously.
EDIT: Whoops! I initially thought this was some post-Uderzo work, and was properly amazed, but nope-- it’s from the golden age. I wonder when and where it might have originally been published, though.
Anyway, there are many more samples from the issues here:
https://asterix.com/actualites/asterix-max-le-gros-magazine-de-vos-heros-preferes/
Now does the mag make it all the way to French Canada? I wonder…
I’m similar, but morbidly can’t help but keep reading the newer ones, hoping for lightning to strike, or something like that. It’s rather a shame, since the art has been quite impressive IMO.
Same here but I found the white iris to be actually ok. Lots of jokes on French modern society.
Ah, that’s cool. I’m not sure how much of such humor came across in English.
Me, I had two issues: 1) Conceptually, White Iris was too derivative of earlier albums like Mansions, Soothsayer, Caesar’s Gift, Roman Agent, and Obelix & Co, and 2) the jokes and commentary about faddish nutrition choices were pretty stale by modern American standards.
I’m curious about the humor I missed in the French version, tho…