After 60 years, Asterix comic book series introduces first female hero

Author Jean-Yves Ferri (right) and illustrator Didier Conrad pose with a figure of the character Adrenaline during a recent interview about their new Asterix comic book 'Asterix And The Chieftain's Daughter' in Vanves near Paris. Photo: Reuters

Asterix, the indomitable pint-sized Gaul forever outfoxing the Romans, returned recently for his 38th comic book adventure Asterix And The Chieftain’s Daughter, featuring for the first time in its 60 year history a female heroine.

In a move to update the books, which have been entertaining readers since 1959 and spawned multiple movie spin-offs, the action in the new edition revolves around a character called Adrenaline, the teenage daughter of famous Gaulish king Vercingetorix.