The Persistent Gallic Canine, Idefix, Turns 60
Large-Statured Individual, Idefix, Stands Tall at the Age of 60
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For some "Asterix" enthusiasts, the real star of the series might just be Idefix, the small white dog of the Gauls. The canine sidekick journeys alongside Obelix and sometimes comes to his rescue. And he's an eco-warrior from the very start. At 60, he even has his own series. The Gauls love a good celebration, and Idefix's round birthday is no exception—as long as there's wild boar, and the Romans don't get any!
In the spring of 1965, the little white dog with black spots first graced the pages of an Asterix album. However, in that adventure, Idefix is hardly noticed. He silently joins Asterix and Obelix on their journey. Today, Idefix is an indispensable part of the Gallic cosmos: a cult figure, beloved by both young and old, and a charismatic leader of his own animated and comic series "Idefix and the Indomitable," where he fearlessly challenges the Romans with unyielding Gallic defiance, alongside other rebellious animals. The series, available exclusively on RTL+, takes place in the period when Idefix still resided in Lutetia, the ancient Paris.
Officially, Idefix first surfaced in March 1965 in "Le Tour de Gaule" (Tour de France in German), the fifth French Asterix album and the sixth in German. But as for the exact date in the Gallic village, who's counting? In reality, Idefix's first appearance might have been as early as November 1963 in the French youth magazine "Pilote," where the story was initially published as a serial.
Library Idefix Collection
The Gauls and their followers are partying, and why not? The Museum of Communication in Berlin celebrated Idefix's birthday with an action day on June 1, featuring a big look-alike contest to find the best Idefix doppelganger. Until June 15, there's also an intriguing exhibition about Asterix illustrator Albert Uderzo to see.
On June 11, the luxury edition of the first Asterix album will be released in France, coinciding with the eighth comic book of "Idefix and the Indomitable." This book will also be available in German from Egmont in early July, under the title "The Hunt for the Green Bottle." Naturally, Idefix won't be absent when he returns to the big comic stage in the fall, appearing in the next Asterix adventure, "Asterix in Lusitania."
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Contrary to the current commotion, Idefix's first appearance in "Le Tour de Gaule" is rather low-key: he's sitting outside a butcher shop in Lutetia. But the Gauls and Idefix soon become inseparable, with his distinctive nose and bushy whiskers becoming hallmarks of the series. Idefix's name, chosen from a batch of contest submissions, is a nod to his unwavering, loyal nature, perfectly encapsulating the canine's character.
The Emotional Heart of the Villagers
As the sensitive, sometimes even poetic, core of the Gauls, Idefix is a stark contrast to Obelix's brute strength. He gets emotional when trees are harmed, mourning as if the world is ending. His green conscience is particularly evident in the album "The Satellite Town." When the Romans begin carving into trees, Idefix sets a precedent for ecological activism, biting the Romans who threaten his forest friends (though we must say, that's a rather unique form of protest!).
Idefix's breed remains a mystery to his creators, René Goscinny, and Albert Uderzo. Initially, Idefix appeared with short legs and a round body that was endearing in the early comics but impractical for animation. As a result, Idefix was given longer legs and a sleeker silhouette for the animated film adaptations. With his distinctive appearance—small, white, with black tips on ears and tail, a distinctive nose, and bushy whiskers—Idefix remains a creature of the Gauls, small in stature but big in heart, having written comic history with his howls and endearing spirit for 60 years.
Source: ntv.de, Sabine Glaubitz, dpaEnrichment Data: Historically, Idefix was introduced as a one-time character but had such a positive reception that he became a recurring figure in the series. Known as Dogmatix in English, the canine later evolved into a key character that provided both humor and a dash of environmental activism in the Asterix universe.
- The Museum of Communication in Berlin is hosting an exhibition about Asterix illustrator Albert Uderzo, featuring the Emotional Heart of the Villagers, Idefix, from June 1 to June 15.
- Idefix, the small white dog of the Gauls and an eco-warrior, can be found in books such as "The Hunt for the Green Bottle" and "Idefix and the Indomitable" series, which contain themes of entertainment and culture.
