View source for Asterix and the Missing Scroll (Album 36) by Jean-Yves Ferri

{{infobox1
|title=Asterix and the Missing Scroll (Album 36)
|author=Jean-Yves Ferri
|reviewer= Rachael Spencer
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A brilliant addition to the Asterix family by Jean-Yves Ferri and illustrated by Didier Conrad. Perfect for children and adults alike, it's a book which I have no doubt will have you clutching your sides with laughter as you follow Asterix and Obelix on their latest adventure.   
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=48
|publisher=Orion
|date=October 2015
|isbn=9781510100459
|website=
|video=
|cover=1510100458
|aznuk=1510100458
|aznus=1510100458
}}
Asterix is those rarest of book series; one designed for kids which is actually even funnier when you are an adult. I used to love Asterix as a child, but now that I reread them I can't help but wonder why, because they are so full of hilarious jokes that I definitely wouldn't have understood when I was younger. I laughed loud and hard to myself twice within the first two pages of Asterix and the Missing Scroll, so I'd definitely say that this was a hit.

It's great to see because the Asterix series had turned towards a bit of a slump, but this one really does head back to the standard of the brilliant originals. I love the premise, and I think it's one which works well in 2015, with Caesar writing a history of his campaign in Gaul. The problem though is that he's written all about his defeat by Asterix and his usual crew, which really doesn't make him look good. His publisher doesn't think he should include that chapter in the book and so he cuts that part out, thinking that the Gauls will never find out. But what happens when the scroll disappears and finds its way to that little village in Gaul? The usual hilarity and hijinx, is what. 

It makes for a great and also relevant story which I was very lucky to get a chance to review. It also opens up the interesting debate about how much of history is accurate given that it's usually written by the victors, though this is obviously reading a lot into what is essentially a funny romp with some favourite characters. I really appreciate little nods and winks which break the fourth wall a little, like the Druid Getafix saying ''Yes, strange as it may seem, people often do believe the written word!'' and it's lines like this which once again work on so many levels for different reading audiences. Writing so many different layers into a book is no easy task, and I absolutely have to tip my hat to Jean-Yves Ferri for that.

As usual, the parts which made me laugh the hardest were the names of all the various different characters,  such as Libellus Blockbustus, which is probably one of the best examples of the jokes that a lot of children won't get but which will make grown up hold their stomach laughing. It's brilliant that children reading these comic books aren't being talked down to, because it makes it a more rewarding read for them as well as ensuring that they don't have to be a flash in the pan phase for any kids that do get into them. As I've already said, the more they're read, the more can be found in these books which gives even the post [[Asterix Omnibus 9 by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo|Goscinny and Uderzo titles]] in the series a real sense of longevity not easily achieved.

I love that the style of the art work hasn't changed at all from the original publications. I get tired of publishers reinventing classic characters in new ways to try and cater to a 'modern' audience when that often doesn't need to happen at all, so it's great to see the latest author and illustrator of Asterix take what was great and stick to it. 

I'm reviewing this in the books for sharing category, but I would happily tell anybody to buy it and enjoy, whether tapping into their inner child or just looking for a good laugh. This definitely makes an excellent addition to any Asterix collection and I know it's going to be read and enjoyed by everyone in my house equally. 

This is not the first Asterix book penned by Ferri, so if you enjoyed this one then why not also take a look at [[Asterix and the Picts by Jean-Yves Ferri, Rene Goscinny, Albert Uderzo and Didier Conrad]]? 

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[[Category:Humour]]