the information, while reminding them that they are still enemies. The two Gauls then return to their village, where their neighbors celebrate their return. Characters Introducing Asterix – Gaulish warrior Obelix – Gaulish menhir delivery man and warrior Getafix – Gaulish druid Vitalstatistix – Chief of the Gaulish Village Cacofonix – Gaulish bard Fulliautomatix – Gaulish blacksmith Julius Caesar – Roman leader (historical) Development Because this is the first album, many story points and characterisations are still in their formative stages. In fact, due to its original, serial nature, some develop and change even as the story progresses: The Roman second-in-command changes abruptly a few pages into the story. Getafix begins the story living in a cave in the forest and looking much like a stereotypical caveman. He also uses a walking stick. Obelix is seen carrying an axe in his first appearance. It is never seen again. He is satisfied with helping Asterix eat just one boar between them. Obelix is only a peripheral character in the first album, and doesn't truly become Asterix's sidekick until the next album. He is also seen carrying much larger amounts of rock than in later stories. Asterix and other villagers appear to be using the potion constantly, yet seeing the potion being made is viewed as an event. Fulliautomatix is seen working metal with his bare hands. He also bears no resemblance to his later appearances. Cacofonix the bard plays and calls a dance, and at the end is seated at the table at the feast. Later albums established a running gag where he is never allowed to sing (except in Asterix and the Normans, The Mansions of the Gods and Asterix and the Magic Carpet), and is tied up and gagged at feasts to prevent this. When he is first introduced in the prologue, Caesar has a completely different look than he has in the rest of the series, including at the end of this album. Publishing history The story was first published as a serial in Pilote magazine, a Franco-Belgian comics magazine founded by Goscinny and a few other comic artists. The first page appeared in the promotional issue #0, distributed on 1 June 1959, and the story was serially published in the magazine from issue #1 (29 October 1959) until issue #38 (14 July 1960). A small head of Asterix first appeared on the cover of #9 (24 December