Asterix and the Chariot Race. The third entry by the new writer and illustrator team. Definitely up there with the worst of Uderzo's solo efforts. Shame there is no equal to Rene Goscinny.
Obelix and Asterix are taking Geriatrix to a dentist at a travelling market in another town... Why? Doesn't Getafix the druid cure toothaches?
A fortuneteller accosts Obelix and says she sees him as a winning charioteer. So what's the point of reading the bloody book then? And since when were soothsayers legit in Asterix books? They are lying frauds -- but the new team gives them credibility. Stupid.
So Obelix packs in the menhir business and buys a sports chariot on credit. And immediately overhears an announcement of the Trans-Italic Chariot Race (which was concocted by a Roman senator to prove the roads aren't shit). No one tries to talk Obelix out of joining the race. So off they go to the race and eventually win. Along the way, there are a few good jokes, but not enough to compensate for dire lack of spontaneous clever plot. Everything feels forced and staid.
Also, the new translator is not in the league of Anthea Bell (and the late Derek Hockridge). There's a serious error when the obviously British team in the race is referred to as Bretons. Bretons come from Brittany in France (Armorica in Gaul). Gah! Bloody hopeless.
Also, there is talk of chariot races in the Colosseum! No, no, no! The Colosseum was for gladiatorial combat and theater. Chariot races took place in the Circus Maximus. People who don't know basic dick about ancient history ought not to be writing/translating Asterix. Or at least the publishers should have someone with a f**king brain to spot and fix such egregious errors.
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