BRUSSELS, Sept 22 (AFP) - The latest in the Astérix and Obélix comic book series, published next month, is 'The Sky Falls on his Head', the Gallic hero's 78-year-old illustrator Albert Uderzo revealed Thursday.

But at a press conference in the Belgian capital, Uderzo refused to give anything away about the plot. "I want to keep the element of surprise for the readers -- the pleasure of personal discovery," Uderzo said.

'The Sky Falls on his Head' -- which goes on sale in 27 countries and ten languages on October 14 -- is the 33rd in the series that Uderzo launched with author Rene Goscinny in 1961.

Goscinny died in 1977, after which Uderzo continued single-handed.

Brussels -- a city renowned as Europe's comic-book capital -- has laid on several days of festivities to celebrate the moustachioed warrior, with its Grande Place transformed into a Gallic village and the statue known as the Manneken Pis decked out in Obelix's blue-and-white striped pantaloons.

A series of stamps is to be unveiled, and two passenger airliners have been officially dubbed Astérix and Obélix.

Uderzo said more albums could lie ahead. "As long as I keep having fun and more good ideas, and as long as Toutatis grants me life, I will keep going."

Copyright AFP

Subject: French news