Interesting but also very short comic. Art and story follow the path set by original authors (Goscinny and Uderzo). Art is very close to the original - everything including gags and character comments.

But story is rather ... bland might be the best word (although teeny weeny bit too harsh). This is where comic falls short for me. It just starts and ends - if it weren't Asterix comic it could be any other.

Nevertheless if you enjoy Asterix stories give it a try. ( )

not quite as good as the originals, but a fair likeness ( )

A sub-par Asterix adventure. At first, I thought this was just because of the absence of any nostalgia element: the first thing I noticed was the missing character page (where we usually get the recycled biographies of Asterix, Obelix, Getafix, Cacofonix and Vitalstatistix) and this is the first Asterix book without the recently retired Anthea Bell on translating duties. Nor is the album an 'adventure' as such, something for our heroes to achieve; just a sporting event with no real backstory to invest in.

But having quickly pushed this aside, I came to the conclusion that the storyline itself – and its execution – just isn't very remarkable. The titular race lacks any real drama or tension, and the Romans' conspiracy to fix the outcome lacked commitment. There's no real adventure or cunning on the part of Asterix and Obelix in the prosecution of the race, nor any explanation of how they worked their way through the stages and amassed points. (I also thought Asterix was a bit liberal with his magic potion – usually, he has to conserve it on his best adventures.) With one or two exceptions, the jokes don't land in English and the sightseeing on the race through Italy was a bit generic. The new characters were not fleshed out, and in truth, the motivations of Asterix and Obelix (and the chief) as to why the race is important was skirted over. Everyone just seems to have the impression that it would be a nice little bit of fun, and I suppose that's also the right approach for anyone looking to read Asterix and the Chariot Race. But I miss the depth and story development that characterize the best Asterix albums. This one felt as though it was rushing to the finish line. ( )