At first glance, the comic book The Romans, the Frisian rebellion looks a lot like the Asterix and Obelix books. Only now it is not a small village that holds against Roman rule, but it is the Frisians in Noord-Holland that are revolting.
Comic artist Irene Berbee says that she puts inspiration from the Asterix series. “It is a historical event, but of course you have to tell it in a comic book in an exciting and funny way,” she says.
She therefore did not sign the fighting in a bloody but in a comical way. The Romans and the Frisians also vary strikingly from each other.
“After historical research, I saw that the Romans all had little facial hair. They all actually had a bit of a babyface,” says Irene. “And the Frisians were much hover. I could also enjoy myself with beards, mustaches and long hair when drawing.”