Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Invisifan (talk | contribs) at 19:07, 7 May 2006 (→Dogmatix Books: link added). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Dogmatix is a fictional character, a tiny dog who belongs to Obelix in the Asterix comics.

Dogmatix is the only main character that is an animal. His role is minor in most of the stories, significant mainly as a 'bone' of contention between Asterix and Obelix as to whether he should be allowed to accompany them on their adventures. However, he is often doing something interesting in the background and occasionally fulfils an important part of the plot.

Dogmatix loves trees and howls in distress whenever one is damaged. Despite his small size he is relatively fearless, and has drunk the magic potion on a number of occasions. His favourite treat is a bone to chew.

His first appearance is in Asterix and the Banquet where he follows Asterix and Obelix from a butcher's shop in Lutetia all around Gaul until Obelix finally notices him at the closing banquet..

In Asterix and Cleopatra he follows the Gauls into a pyramid in which they are lost and guides them safely out (with the promise of lots of bones).

His friendship with Pepe in Asterix in Spain and Asterix in Corsica causes Obelix to become very jealous.

In Asterix and the Actress he found a mate and returned with a litter of puppies.

The name Dogmatix, a pun on the word dogmatic, is the English-language adaptation of the French original Idéfix, itself a pun on the French expression idée fixe (fixed idea), a term used to describe a dominant theme in music, literature or philosophy, associated with the 19th century French composer Hector Berlioz (and therefore instantly recognizable to a reader of the French original comic). This pun is unusual for a translation in that it is remarkably close to the original meaning and adds to it (by inclusion of the dog- syllable).

Dogmatix Books

Dogmatix' great popularity gave rise to a line of children's books in 1973 featuring his "adventures". These were in the form of text with illustrations and were not consistent with the Asterix stories.

1. Idefix fait du sport. (Dogmatix the Athlete)
2. Idefix et la petite fille. (Dogmatix and the Little Girl)
3. Idefix au cirque. (Dogmatix at the Circus)
4. Une folle poursuite. (The Crazy Chase)
5. Idefix se fait un ami. (Dogmatix Makes a Friend)
6. La chasse au sanglier. (Dogmatix and the Boar Hunt)
7. L'orage. (Dogmatix and the Storm)
8. Un gouter bien merite. (The Well-Deserved Tea Party)
9. Idefix et le bebe. (Dogmatix and the Baby)
10. Idefix et le poisson clown. (Dogmatix and the Lost Fish)
11. L'anniversaire d'Idefix. (Dogmatix' Birthday)
12. Idefix a la neige. (Dogmatix in the Snow)
13. Idefix magicien. (Dogmatix the Wizard)
14. Idefix et le perroquet. (Dogmatix and the Parrot)

Although they carry the Goscinny/Uderzo byline these appear to have been licenced works aimed at the children's market. They lack the style and sophistication of the main Asterix creative team, and have little or no editing for continuity. Although widely translated (not by the normal English translators) they did not sell well and are mostly forgotten.

In 1983 Uderzo attempted to revive the series, writing and illustrating 2 new stories himself with far greater continuity; in fact the short story in strip form "Chanticleerix" from the 32nd album was originally conceived prior to these two stories and fits well with them (difference in format aside). These were translated by Derek Hockridge and Anthea Bell who translate the normal Asterix albums.

1. Idefix et le vilain petit aiglon. (Dogmatix and the Ugly Little Eagle)
2. Idefix et la grande fringale. (Dogmatix and the Magic Potions)

• Comics characters
• Fictional dogs
• Asterix