The last story written by Goscinny! Fist written in French in 1979 as
Astérix chez les Belges, it was first published in English in 1980.
Chief Vitalstatistix is outraged upon hearing that Julius Caesar has referred to the Belgians as the bravest of all the Gaullish peoples, and immediately sets out for Belgium to prove him wrong.
At the suggestion of Druid Getafix, Asterix and Obelix accompany him, lest the whole venture come to a `sticky end'.
What ensues is compensation between the Belgians and the Armoricans (Asterix and Co) to prove who can bash the most Romans, until Julius Caesar comes to Belgium with his army to intervene.
Our friends get to meet a robust and fiery people not unlike themselves, with curvaceous blond ladies, good beer and masses of good food.
There is a wonderful adaptation of one of those charming paintings by Dutch master, Pieter Breughel The Elder. The English translation uses to very witty effect, quotes by George Gordon, Lord Byron, William Shakespeare and John Milton.