Things You Never Noticed VI: The Undiscovered Detail

[Cicciograna]

"The man who shoots faster than his shadow"

"The dog dumber than his shadow".

"Ombre" is indeed shadow, however, I am afraid you confused "vite" (quick/fast) and "vie" (life).

If you don't know the Lucky Luke comic, I cannot recommend it enough.

They are written by René Goscinny (the man behind Astérix, Iznogoud and Le Petit Nicolas), except the very first ones and those after his death (obviously), so that gives you an idea of the tone and quality.

It's a western parody. One day, one american fan told Goscinny that he was amazed by the quality of his translation. It took Goscinny a moment to realize that since the artist signed "Morris" (his first name Maurice is prononced pretty much the same way), the fan had believed that Morris was an american man and the original author. Because the capture of western style was just that good. Goscinny said that man's honest mistake was the highest compliment his work ever received.

Rantanplan is a comic-relief who was popular enough to get his own spin-off. I find those "meh"-worthy personnally.

Edit: (The pictures are the back-covers, they are quite iconic 'round these parts).

Seconded.
Goscinny and Uderzo, are truly Gods among cartooinsts. I grew up reading Asterix, and I still regret missing going to Camp Asterix last time I went to Paris.

Back on topic, I feel unbelievably stupid realizing only now that in the entire "Elan trying to save Haley" arc, Thog has a fake orange beard with his leprechaun costume. I always thought it was some sort of decoration of the shirt of the costume.