In a recent article, we mentioned the sale by Millon, on 10 December, of the original drawing on the cover of’Asterix and Cleopatra. But Uderzo's family considers that the work was acquired under dubious conditions. Supported by her mother Ada, Sylvie, the late artist's daughter, has lodged a complaint with the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office for handling stolen goods and breach of trust.

In an article published in Le Figaro on 2 and 3 December, journalist Béatrice de Rochebouët reminds us that Sylvie and her husband Bernard de Choisy are «Known for having fallen out with Albert Uderzo over the fortune generated by the Gaulish hero».».

The case is worthy of the series Dallas. In 1990, Uderzo recruited Bernard de Choisy at the request of his daughter, who was director of communications at Albert-René. But the son-in-law began to take up too much space. The author of the’Asterix, suspicious, renamed him Iznogoud. In 1997, on the advice of his lawyer, de Choisy decided to dismiss him. Two years later, de Choisy returned as an outside consultant: Uderzo had given in to his daughter's insistence. But after eight years working together, Bernard de Choisy reneged on his commitments during the promotion of the album The sky is falling (which was poorly received by the critics). Albert Uderzo criticised him for inflating his expenses. In 2007, the son-in-law was once again sacked. Six months later, the cartoonist also decided to do without his daughter, who had been managing director of Editions Albert-René since 1992. His hands were now free to sell his shares to Hachette Livre. In January 2009, Sylvie Uderzo published an article in Le Monde : «Today, I'm joining the resistance».», she says. «Why is that? Because Asterix is my paper brother.» She took her father's company to the industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal, and won the case.

«Psychological violence» and «smoke and mirrors»

Asterix was back in the news in February 2011: Sylvie Uderzo filed a complaint against X, claiming that her father had abused his position. She said she feared a second Banier-Bettencourt affair. However, at the end of 2013, the Nanterre court ruled that the case had been dismissed: the cartoonist of’Asterix is declared «lucid» and in «full decision-making capacity». In the aftermath, Albert Uderzo in turn sued his daughter and Bernard de Choisy for «psychological violence». Speaking to Europe 1, Sylvie was shocked by this action, a «smoke and mirrors» she said: «This complaint is not of his own making. If he wanted to tell me things, he would say them to my face.» She remains convinced that her father, who is 86 at the time, is still in his right mind. «manipulable by men in suits and ties».». Albert and his wife Ada believe that Sylvie is acting under pressure from her husband. De Choisy gives his version of events in The Law of Lords, The Uderzo Affair, published in April 2014 by Michalon.

The trial is set for 6 January 2015. But there was a twist on 26 September 2014: Sylvie and Albert Uderzo announced that they had reconciled over the summer. The father of Asterix was delighted to be reunited with his two grandsons.

The auction of the cover design for’Asterix and Cleopatra, Will the sale of this lot, estimated at €400-500,000, be maintained on 10 December? For the moment, the lot has not been withdrawn from the catalogue on the Millon website. «The short-term objective is to prevent the sale».», said Mr^th Orly Rezlan, Sylvie Uderzo's lawyer, told AFP, «In any case, to have the time to shed as much light as possible on the circumstances surrounding the detention of this board and perhaps even to recover it in the long term.»