BEIJING, October 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Asterix, the comic hero invented by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo, is fifty years old this week. Astérix le Gaulois, as he is known in France, first appeared in the magazine Pilote on October 29, 1959. Goscinny died in 1977 aged 51, though Albert Uderzo kept the stories running by writing as well as illustrating them.

    The series of stories follows the exploits of a village of ancient Gauls as they resist Roman occupation. They are aided by a magic potion, brewed by their druid, which gives them superhuman strength. Asterix, along with his friend Obelix have various adventures taking to various countries around the world, while some are set in and around their village.

    The Asterix series has become one of the most popular Franco-Belgian comics in the world, and has been translated into over 100 languages. Its success has led to the adaptation of the stories into 11 films; eight animated, and three with live actors. The three, non-cartoon Asterix movies made in the past 10 years, with a heavily padded Gérard Depardieu playing Obelix, have become the most successful series of French films in history.

    There have also been a number of games based on the characters, and even a theme park near Paris. Situated approximately 35 km north of Paris and 32km from Disneyland Resort Paris, Parc Astérix opened in Plailly in the département of Oise, in 1989.

    To date, 325 million copies of the 33 Asterix books have been sold around the world making co-creators Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo France's bestselling authors abroad. As part of its 50th anniversary there will be a series of exhibitions and special events as well as a new album of stories. On 29 October, there will be a series of street events with actors dressed as Asterix characters to "invade Lutece " (the Roman name for Paris).

    In interviews to mark the half-centenary, Albert Uderzo has again defended his decision to allow new Asterix albums to be written and drawn after his death. Uderzo, now 82, said he had decided to abandon the example set by Hergé, the creator of Tintin, who banned posthumous sequels. "When no more adventures are added to a series, little by little it dies," he said. "We know that because each time we publish a new book it boosts the sales of all the others," Uderzo said.

    (Agencies)