Corporate Thriller The latest Asterix adventure, “Asterix in Lusitania,” marks the characters’ first exploration of Portugal, with a massive global print run. Written by Fabrice Caro, this installment adopts a lighter, corporate thriller-like structure, moving away from Jean-Yves Ferri’s previous approach. Didier Conrad’s artwork remains faithful and aesthetically pleasing, though subtle shifts in character portrayal are noted.

• The new Asterix album, “Asterix in Lusitania,” is the first adventure set in Portugal.
• Fabrice Caro takes over as scriptwriter, bringing a distinct, more modern humor and a plot structured like a corporate thriller.
• The story involves helping a local merchant escape imprisonment due to a conspiracy.
• The humor includes anachronisms, wordplay, and guest appearances, with authors skillfully incorporating Portuguese motifs.
• Didier Conrad’s artwork is lively and aesthetically pleasing, though it shows subtle changes in character proportions and style.
• Despite some pacing issues and a less sharp script than classic Asterix, the album shows signs of creative resurgence for the long-running series.
• The episode has received high ratings from readers, indicating a positive reception for the new direction.