The pint-sized hero Asterix returns in his first new adventure in five years, ready to delight old fans and win armies of new ones. In his latest adventure the diminutive hero and his less-than-diminutive friend Obelix are celebrating with a joint birthday party back in their Gaulish village and there are some surprising faces among the guest list. Their celebrations are cut short however when their fathers come into possession of a sword and shield belonging to Pompey, expelled from the Roman Senate by Julius Caesar. Now Pompey is thirsting for revenge, Asterix and Obelix have what he wants and only the charms of a beautiful woman who isn"t all that she appears can get the weaponry back. Will Asterix fall for her womanly ways and signal the downfall of Caesar in the process? It"s a joy to see Asterix back in action after all these years and this is a worthy adventure. The great Asterix ingredients are all present and correct--great artwork, a funny script and some great gags--all leading to a satisfying conclusion. Fans will love this book and if you weren"t a fan before, you"ll fall head over heels for Asterix now. --Jonathan Weir