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| Saturday, March 1, 2003 |
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When the much-awaited encounter took place, Asterix and Tintin were surprised to find that they had a lot in common. Both look as soft as a marshmallow but in reality are as solid as a rock. Quick-witted, courageous and incorruptible, they prefer the company of dogs and men to that of women. Even their parentage is
similar, with both not having a mother. While Rene Goscinny and Albert
Uderzo fathered Asterix, Herge (real name Georges Remi) gave birth to
Tintin. Their father tongue is French, though they have picked up
quite a few languages over the years. Above all, with their phenomenal
worldwide popularity, they have been fighting American
"comic-strip imperialism" for several decades. |
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Asterix: That’s a funny hairstyle you’ve got. Tintin: Pardon me for saying this, but it isn’t half as funny as your headgear. Asterix: You may laugh at it, but don’t forget that the sight of it used to scare the daylights out of the Romans. Tintin: Yeah, I have heard about your exploits, how you were a big thorn in Caesar’s flesh.
Tintin: I must admit that you give me an inferiority complex, sir. Asterix: What complex? I guess it's not one of those lousy things designed by Roman architects. Tintin: No, it isn't, I assure you. What I meant was that your heroic deeds totally outshine my own. Asterix: Don't feel small, lad. You too are a hero. Is it true that without any magic potion, you hunt down bad guys the way my pal Obelix catches wild boars? Tintin: It is not at all easy, sir. The crooks of the modern world are very crooked, very violent. Asterix: I would love to show them the stuff I'm made of. Tintin: You have no idea how dangerous they are, sir. If they are not stopped, the world will soon go to the dogs. (Dogmatix and Snowy bark in unison on hearing this derogatory remark). Asterix: All the more reason for us to join hands. What do you say? Tintin: It would be great to have you along on a top-secret mission. You see I am hot on the trail of the world's most wanted terrorist. His name is Sama B. Dalen, better known as Uncle Sam. Asterix: I'm sure this uncle will find two heroes too hot to handle. Let's get cracking, by Toutatis! Tintin: Don't shout, sir. This mission is supposed to be a hush-hush affair. Asterix: Oh I'm sorry. I hope nobody has overheard all this. Tintin: Just keep quiet and give a big smile to the visitors. Once this exhibition is over, we will start Operation Enduring Fun. Asterix: Okay, mum's the word — even though I never had one. Tintin: Neither have I. Asterix: Et tu, Tintin? Then cry, Asterix. Boo-hoooo— Tintin: Ssh!!! |
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IT
was a meeting nothing short of historic, though it won’t be recorded
in history books. Bridging a gargantuan gap of 20 centuries, two
legends came face to face at an exhibition of comics in Chandigarh
recently. One, a warrior from a village in Gaul, who has the gall to
take on the Roman Empire; the other, a city-bred
reporter-cum-investigator, the bugbear of international crooks, spies
and what not.
Asterix: I cut him down to
my size. He came, he saw, he conquered all but my village in
Gaul.