Book excerpt: Contains 3 newly-translated classic Asterix tales in one volume! Asterix is a fearless Gaul with a magic potion that grants him incredible strength to protect his village and ward off Roman Empire from invading. With his pal, Obelix, they defend their village from not only the blundering Roman legionairies, but also lend their services to the rest of the world. First, Asterix and Obelix take on a new career as matchmakers as they help star-crossed lovers take on their warring factions. Perhaps Panoramix can whip up a love potion? Can the power of love cross “The Great Divide”? Second, Asterix and Obelix must go drilling for Oil to fulfill a druid recipe, but to get “The Black Gold,” they have to outwit a spy with his cutting edge ancient spy technology. Well, at least Obelix has his brute strength. Then, third, when a baby shows up at Asterix’s front door he is thrust into fatherhood, but you know what they say, it takes a village. Is this more psychological warfare from the Romans or just the miracle of birth? Plus: a new Afterword by Alexander Simmons providing historical and cultural context for Asterix, both in 50 B.C. and in the time the classic comics were made.