Asterix returns for new adventures with Assange-like reporter

Asterix and his friend Obelix tackle the leak of top secret Roman information with a strong dose of humour in the hugely-anticipated new volume of their adventures, released Thursday in France and abroad.

After their last escapade in Scotland, the boisterous Gauls are back in their homeland in "Asterix and the Missing Scroll", teaming up with a reporter inspired by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to battle their favourite Roman foes.

The 36th edition in the hugely-successful comic book series, which features the adventures of an indomitable tribe of Gauls resisting Roman occupation, came out in Paris, London, Madrid, Montreal and Cape Town, with further releases planned later in other countries.

Four million copies have been printed -- half in French and the rest in foreign languages.