Albert Uderzo, the French comic book artist and scriptwriter best known for his work on Astérix, has died at the age of 92, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
French news agency AFP said his family announced the news on Tuesday. The son of Italian immigrants rhad etired from drawing in late 2011.
Astérix, which has a cult following, particularly in Europe, has also become a major film franchise, both in animated and live-action form. The property has spawned a number of cinematic adaptations, most notably 1999's Asterix & Obelix Take on Caesar, starring Gerard Depardieu and Roberto Benigni.
Asterix debuted in October 1959 in the French magazine PIlote, created by René Goscinny and Uderzo. Two years later, the first stand-alone effort, Astérix the Gaul, was released. Since then, the series has gone on to sell more than 380 million copies, translated into more than 100 languages internationally. The duo collaborated on the comic until the death of Goscinny in 1977. Uderzo then took over the writing until 2009.
Parc Astérix, a French theme park based on the property, has brought in 50 million visitors since opening outside Paris in 1989.
The comic book series centers around the titular Asterix, the bravest warrior in a small town in the middle of Roman-occupied Gaul in the year 50 B.C. — and the one burg that has not surrendered to the occupation.