Last week Asterix turned 50. And that makes me feel quite old, considering he was in school with me! Actually, he used to be in my school bag, smuggled into the classroom and secretly traded for other comics while the teacher was facing the black board. Over the years, I lost touch with him - and while he grew up to be rich and spawn a series of movies and merchandise, the only 'asterisk' in my life became the one that usually appears alone under the reviews of most of the films written by me!
While I was in school, I wondered about the magic potion that gave Asterix instant strength. Today I suspect I know what it was! That's the problem with growing up - you become cynical and critical. I mean, looking back at the comics, now it seems Asterix was on steroids and his obese buddy Obelix needed to go on a diet! But there are a few things common between me and Asterix - we're both short and mustachioed and I also have many friends the size of Obelix! But unlike him, I prefer to run away from trouble! Asterix turning 50 has triggered a sort of flashback about my favourite childhood comic book heroes whom I adored and accepted unquestionably.
Growing up in an era before Google, cellphones and graphic novels has its advantages. Like, I never thought it was stupid of The Phantom to venture out of the jungle in a blue raincoat, walk into a bar and ask for a glass of milk!
Today, in a world where you could buy tetrapacks of milk and store it in the Skull Cave, The Phantom could avoid us and himself the embarrassment of asking for a glass of milk in a place that serves beer and whisky.
I also never questioned The Phantom's choice of a purple costume and mask - was it to protect himself from the mosquitoes in the jungle? And why did Superman and Batman wear their underwear on the outside?
I still have a huge collection of The Phantom and Mandrake comics. While I can't recollect who stole my copy of Supremo, that rare comic book where Amitabh Bachchan doubled as a costumed crime-fighter, I bumped into our desi superhero on Facebook - with a hundred odd fans! Asterix is 50, Tintin is 80... But I still prefer these golden oldies to the current crop of comic book heroes! God, I'm already old!