Back in June, the world was talking about the controversial French McDonald’s commercial featuring a closeted homosexual boy and his oblivious father that sparked a maelstrom of criticism from gay rights and conservative groups. McDonald’s is in trouble again after their new print ads featuring iconic Gallic character Astérix started popping up on billboards throughout the city, this time amongst French comic fans.
The ad shows Astérix with an ebullient group of warriors shouting and celebrating inside a McDonald’s while Cacofonix, the tone-deaf village bard, sits tied to a tree outside. Though the ads do not show the characters eating McDonald’s food, it is supposed to convey a traditional feast scene, similar to those in the comic. Instead of regaling on wild boar the consumer is supposed to believe they’re feasting on soda and big macs. Keeping in line with their campaign, the slogan “Come As You Are” appears at the bottom of the ad. So why are ardent Astérix fans in such a furor?
Why else? Their beloved character, whom they believe to be a symbol of French cultural exception in the face of US hegemony, succumbed to the evil corporate consumer demon – the big bad fast food chain! The French…
