An original illustration for the cover of one of the early Asterix comic books has sold for a record €1.4m at auction in Paris, more than seven times its expected price.<br /><br />The drawing for the 1964 Asterix and the Banquet was signed by both creators of the legendary series, Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny,<br /><br />The famed Asterix characters are set to return next week with the publication of the 37th book in the series. Asterix and the Chariot Race, set in ancient Italy.<br /><br />Hundreds of millions of Asterix books recounting the adventures of the shrewd Gallic hero Asterix and his rotund sidekick Obelix have been published since the series first began in 1961.<br />
