Start Licensing have been appointed to represent Asterix for a further two years by the property’s owners, Éditions Albert-René – and there are new items of merchandise in the works for British fans of the character.

“We have some new licensees in the pipeline,” said Start Licensing’s Ian Downes, “and the recent activity around the new album has renewed interest in Asterix.”

Dogmatix by Steiff

Start and Éditions Albert-René have been working together for over five years now and recent deals for the Asterix brand have included a partnership with Steiff for a Limited Edition Dogmatix plush, Comic Art for Limited Edition screenprints and Plastic Head Distribution for apparel, mugs and cushions.

Start Licensing also work closely with Orion Books, the UK publisher of the Asterix book series with the much-acclaimed latest album, Asterix and the Missing Scroll (reviewed here) proving a well deserved success in the UK and other markets, selling four million copies in total to date.

One of Comic Art’s Asterix screenprints

“We have really enjoyed working with Editions Albert Rene on the classic and iconic Asterix property,” says Ian.

“We are delighted that our representation has been renewed. We have some new licensees in the pipeline and the recent activity around the new album has renewed interest in Asterix. It is a property that has a rich heritage , fantastic artwork and a wide fan base.”

“Start Licensing have a good understanding of Asterix and we are pleased to extend our working relationship with them again,” says Yannick Guitot from Éditions Albert-René. “We look forward to developing further high profile deals like Steiff in the future.”

• Read our review of Asterix and the Missing Scroll

• Check out the full range of Asterix screen prints from Comic Art – who also publish great prints inspired by DC Thomson’s The Beano, Commando, The Dandy, Topper and Victor

• Official Asterix web site: www.asterix.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”. He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: Art and Illustration, downthetubes News, Merchandise, Other Worlds

Tags: Asterix, Asterix and the Missing Scroll, Comic Art, Dogmatix, downthetubes News, Editions Albert Rene, ian Downes, Models and Figures, Plastic Head Distribution, Start Licensing, Steiff