Getafix

Few figures in comics carry quite the mystique of a village wise man, and Getafix — the venerable druid at the heart of the beloved Asterix series — is exactly that, brought to life through the legendary partnership of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Debuting in 1970 during the Silver Age, this Orion Books classic has kept readers enchanted for some 35 years, with Getafix sharing his adventures alongside the irrepressible Asterix, the mighty Obelix, and the rest of that unforgettable Gaulish village. It's a rare and wonderful thing when a supporting character feels absolutely essential to a world, and Getafix is precisely that — the calm, knowing presence around whom so much of the series' charm quietly orbits. If you haven't yet fallen for the wit and warmth of the Asterix books, this wise old druid is as good a reason as any to start.