Germany's defense minister in the new "Asterix" comic?
With "Pistorius," the name of a current German minister appears for the first time in an "Asterix" comic. But why?
Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is fighting against Asterix and Obelix! Now that's a headline. However, it's a false one. Here are the facts: In the recently released 41st volume of the "Asterix" comic series, titled "Asterix in Lusitania," there is a Roman centurion named "Pistorius," not "Boris Pistorius," but simply "Pistorius."
This "Pistorius" isn't commanded by a " Friedrich Merz " or simply "Merz," or "Merzus," as the Romans would probably have called it, but by a boss with the rather grand name "Fat Bonus." Otherwise, there are no real similarities between the German Defense Minister and the comic-book Pistorius. Do they at least look alike?
That's a matter of opinion. The German defense minister doesn't wear a beard. That's a fact. Whether there are other similarities is a matter of opinion. Take a look at the following picture and form your own opinion.
This is because the names in "Asterix" comics indicate a function or characteristic, and Roman names must end in "-us." This significantly limits the choice of names. And that's how the name "Pistorius" came about, but only in the German version. In the original French, "Pistorius" is actually "Nouvelopus," which can be roughly translated into German as "New Work."
The French comic doesn't refer to the German defense minister. According to the publisher, the character wasn't visually based on the German defense minister, but rather on the British comedian Ricky Gervais, who played the lead role in the British series "The Office." There is also a German adaptation of the series titled "Stromberg."
So little remains of the headline "Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius battles Asterix and Obelix." Klaus Jöken, who translates the "Asterix" comics into German, chose the name "Pistorius" for the German edition. He insists the name wasn't intended as a political statement. Visually, however, Jöken finds the resemblance between the Defense Minister and the comic book character "striking"—at least if you disregard the three-day stubble.
Real politicians in "Asterix"However, earlier Asterix comics already featured characters based on real politicians. According to translator Jöken, "Technokratus" in the comic "Obelix GmbH & Co. KG" is modeled on former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius. "Croesus Lupus" is a caricature of the Italian billionaire and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi , who died in 2023. He appeared in the comic "Asterix in Italy" and also makes an appearance in the current comic "Asterix in Lusitania."
German politicians will have to wait a while longer for a major appearance in "Asterix." But who knows, maybe someday there will be a "Merzus."
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