History Recap / AsterixAndTheNormans

* RunningGag: Norman recipes being "[food] à la crème", the Normandy region being famous for its dairy products.

* ALessonLearnedTooWell: After learning the true meaning of fear, the Normans become NervousWreck|s startled at the slightest question and afraid to climb up (or get down from) the crow's nest.

* PaintingTheMedium: Curiously averted. The Normans' dialect of Proto-Germanic is given in the same font as Gaulish, Latin, and Brittonic.

* AnimatedAdaptation: ''Asterix and the Vikings'', which took the basic story and added a few new elements.

* EliteMooks: The Normans take something like three times as many hits to calm down as legionaries, a fight that surprises Obelix.

* LiteralMinded: The entire plot gets started when the Normans hear the phrase "Fear gives men wings", and, being entirely fearless, decide to find someone who will teach them to be the greatest cowards around.

* RunningGag: Norman recipes being "food à la crème", the Normandy region being famous for its dairy products.

Asterix and Obelix start Justforkix' training by getting him out of bed at the crack of dawn (which is usually when he ''goes'' to bed) and taking him down to the beach; as Asterix ponders how to proceed with the training, a terrified Justforkix spots the Normans' ship, and is stunned when Asterix and especially Obelix seem excited by the prospect of a Norman invasion. His attempt to raise the alarm in the village goes just as badly; Vitalstatistix simply asks Asterix and Obelix to do a bit of reconaissance, and Getafix decides to brew a bit of magic potion, just in case. Justforkix' mood deteriorates when Asterix and Obelix report that the Normans have landed, and, quite apart from being alarmed, are splitting their sides laughing at the invaders' names all ending in "-af". The terrified Lutetian tries rousing the other villagers into fleeing, but instead just gets them fired up at the prospect of having someone other than the Romans to thump.

In the meantime, Asterix and Obelix have found Justforkix' broken and deserted chariot, and Vitalstatistix sends them into the Norman camp to get answers; inevitably, a fight breaks out, and Asterix and Obelix are surprised to see that the Normans take more of a beating than the Romans (thanks in part to the reviving effect of their drink of choice, apple brandy) - a comparison emphasised when a Roman patrol shows up and gets caught in the crossfire. When Asterix finally gets Timandahaf to explain what they want with Justforkix, he gets an idea and sends Obelix back to the village to fetch something that he says will really scare them, while Asterix himself stays behind as a second hostage.

The "something" for which Obelix has been sent back to the village is the bard Cacofonix - except he isn't in the village. Fed up with having his talents unappreciated, he has taken Justforkix' advice and set out for Lutetia, but Obelix and Dogmatix are able to follow the trail of people complaining about the horrible noise and catch up with the bard, who agrees to return for Justforkix' sake (and insists on entertaining the unfortunate Obelix and Dogmatix with a version of "This Old Man" that goes on for at least 157 verses).

* UnfortunateNames: In the Latin version, one of the Normans is named [[RuleThirtyFour Pornograph]][[note]], making his true name something like Pōrnōgrafaz[[/note]].

* UnfortunateNames: In the Latin version, one of the Normans is named [[RuleThirtyFour Pornograph]][[labelnote]], making his true name something like Pōrnōgrafaz[[/labelnote]].

Vitalstatistix's nephew Justforkix is visiting from Lutetia, and Asterix and Obelix are put in charge of his training. When Justforkix arrives, it's the typical city boy vs country folk situation, but Justforkix does hit it off with one villager - Cacofonix. Justforkix actually likes his music, and suggests the bard would find better audiences in Lutetia.

Meanwhile, far, far up north lies the country of Norse men, or Normans. The Normans have no fear, which is a problem, as this means no fear of authority and thus no discipline. Their leader Timandahaf decides that he and his men must learn fear, as they pride themselves at knowing everything. Plus, Timandahaf has heard that 'fear lends wings', and mistakenly believes that fear will enable him and his men to fly. They decide to start their educational voyage in Gaul.

While on the beach, Asterix, Obelix and Justforkix spot the Normans' ship. Much to Justforkix's confusion, Neither Asterix, Obelix, nor the rest of the village is worried about the Normans. If anything, they're excited! But Justforkix isn't - he's terrified of the Normans. However, when he relates this to his trainers, a Norman is nearby. It doesn't take long for Justforkix to be kidnapped by the Normans. Asterix and Obelix go to the rescue, and upon learning what the Normans want, Asterix sends Obelix back to bring Cacofonix. Upon learning of Justforkix's plight, the bard agrees to help.

Meanwhile, the Normans get impatient, and decide to have Justforkix show how fear lends wings- by throwing him off a cliff! Asterix downs a Magic Potion and takes on the Normans. Seeing his friend outnumbered moves Justforkix to get over his own fears and help out, if ineffectually. Luckily, Obelix returns with Cacofonix. At Asterix's urging, the bard gives a concert to the expectant Normans, and sure enough they don't want to hear anymore. Just the thought of listening to Cacofonix's voice makes them ill, which Asterix declares that they now know what fear is. However, the Normans soon learn that fear does ''not'' lend wings, and what's more they're now too fearful to fight or even work their ship!

Back at the village, Justforkix is now more willing to go about his training under Obelix. Asterix asks Getafix if fear has any use, and the wise druid states that only when one has overcome their fears can they truly be courageous. Meanwhile, the Normans manage to get over their own fears, becoming fiercer, at the expense of a certain pirate crew. Before Justforkix leaves for Lutetia, the village holds one of their ending feasts, and Cacofonix is allowed to sing for his part in the boy's rescue.

* AnimatedAdaptation / AdaptationExpansion: ''Asterix and the Vikings'', which took the basic story and added a few new elements.

* EvilChancellor: Crytograf in the AnimatedAdaptation.

* HypocriticalHumor: Obelix thinks it's funny that the Normans all have names that end in 'af', as does Vitalstatistix, who shares the joke with Getafix, Cacofonix, Operatix, Acoustix, Harmonix, and Polyfonix.

* PaintingTheMedium: The Nørmåns' diålect øf Prøtø-Germånic is shøwn ås here. When Åsterix's høvercråft is full of eels, the diåcritics åre misplåced. Ålsø, å Gåulish slåve speåks with å heåvy åccent, shøwn with squåres øver the Å's ånd diågønal lines gøing the wrøng wåy in the Ø's.

* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The Normans only started their invasions in the early Middle Ages.

* BreakoutCharacter: Justforkix, sort of. While he never appeared in the comic again, he went on to star in a number of ChooseYourOwnAdventures novels.

Meanwhile, far, far up north lies the country of Norse men, or Normans. The Normans have no fear, which is a problem, as this means no fear of authority and thus no discipline. Their leader Timandahaf decides that he and his men must learn fear, as they pride themselves at knowing everything. Plus, Timandahaf has heard that 'fear lends wings'. They decide to start their educational voyage in Gaul.

* ArtisticLicense:{{History}}: The Normans only started their invasions in the early Middle Ages.

Viltalstatistix's nephew Justforkix is visiting from Lutetia, and Asterix and Obelix are put in charge of his training. When Justforkix arrives, it's the typical city boy vs country folk situation, but Justforkix does hit it off with one villager - Cacofonix. Justforkix actually likes his music, and suggests the bard would find better audiences in Lutetia.

Viltalstatistix's nephew Jusforkix is visiting from Lutentia, and Asterix and Obelix are put in charge of his training. When Jusforkix arrives, it's the typical city boy vs country folk situation, but Jusforkix does hit it off with one villager- Cacophonix. Jusforkix actually likes his music, and suggests the bard would find better audiences in Lutentia.

Meanwhile, far, far up north lies the country of Norse men, or Normans. The Normans have no fear, which is a problem, which is causing problems in their society. Their leader Timandahaf decides that he and his men must learn fear, as they pride themselves at knowing everything. Plus, Timandahaf has heard that 'fear lends wings'. They decide to start their educational voyage in Gaul.

While on the beach, Asterix, Obelix and Jusforkix spot the Normans' ship. Much to Jusforkix's confusion, Neither Asterix, Obelix, nor the rest of the village is worried about the Normans. If anything, they're excited! But Jusforkix isn't- he's terrified of the Normans. However, when he relates this to his trainers, a Norman is nearby. It doesn't take long for Jusforkix to be kidnapped by the Normans. Asterix and Obelix go to the rescue, and upon learning what the Normans want, Asterix sends Obelix back to bring Cacophonix. Upon learning of Jusforkix's plight, the bard agrees to help.

Meanwhile, the Normans get impatient, and decide to have Jusforkix show how fear lends wings- by throwing him off a cliff! Asterix downs a Magic Potion and takes on the Normans. Seeing his friend outnumbered moves Jusforkix to get over his own fears and help out, if ineffectually. Luckily, Obelix returns with Cacophonix. At Asterix's urging, the bard gives a concert to the expectant Normans, and sure enough they don't want to hear anymore. Jus the thought of listening to Cacophonix's voice makes them ill, which Asterix declares that they now know what fear is. However, the Normans soon learn that fear does ''not'' lend wings, and what's more they're now too fearful to fight or even work their ship!

BAck at the village, Jusforkix is now more willing to go about his training under Obelix. Asterix asks Getafix if fear has any use, and the wise druid states that only when one has overcome their fears can they truly be courageous. Meanwhile, the Normans manage to get over their own fears, becoming fiercer, at the expense of a certain pirate crew. Before Jusforkix leaves for Lutentia, th village holds one of their ending feasts, and Cacophonix is allowed to sing for his part in the boy's rescue.

* CharacterDevelopment: Jusforkix. In fact, it's why he was sent to the village in the first place.

* ThrowTheDogABone: Not only does Cacofonix meet someone who likes his music, but in the end he's allowed to play at the usual banquet with his typical critic Fullautomatix BoundAndGagged.

Asterix and Obelix are put in charge of training Jusforkix, Chief Vitalstatistix' nephew. The training is put on hold by the arrival of the Normals, something that gets the Gauls excited, except for Jusforkix. He's terrified! Too bad the Normans are looking for an expert on fear to learn from...

* HypocriticalHumor: Obelix thinks it's funny that the Normans all have names that end in 'af', as does Vitalstatistix.
* ThrowTheDogABone: Not only does Cacophonix meet someone who likes his music, but in the end he's allowed to play at the usual banquet with his typical critic Fullautomatix BoundAndGagged.

* FearlessFools: The Normans, to an extent. Because they can't feel fear, their society has a few problems with discipline, as nobody fears authority.

* AnimatedAdaption / AdaptionExpansion: ''Asterix and the Vikings'', which took the basic story and added a few new elements.