Haroun al Plassid is ruler of Baghdad, but his Grand Vizier Iznogoud is not happy with this state of affairs. Always on the lookout for ways to become Caliph instead of the Caliph, he commissions a one-way flying carpet as a gift to his liege. But the hired help is as inept as usual, and the most inconvenienced of all will be the inhabitants of... Beijing!

In Baghdad a great and dark-minded vizier, who answers to the name of Iznogoud, works on his ambition to lay claim to the throne of caliph Haroun al Plassid. Thus his favourite saying, 'I want to be caliph instead of the caliph ' Seconded by Wa'at Alahf, he tries ever more crazy, and unsuccessful, schemes to achieve his goal.

Iznogoud is still trying to get rid of Caliph Haroun al Placid so he can take his place. He's even kept a journal of his previous failed attempts. But, never discouraged, he will once again come up with new ways to entertain us through his failures: genies, kidnappings, lookalikes, diplomatic incidents... and even the Mongol horde! When it comes to becoming Caliph instead of the Caliph, all's fair to Grand Vizier Iznogoud!

Iznogoud is Grand Vizier to Haroun al Plassid, ruler of Baghdad. And he has only one dream: becoming Caliph instead of the Caliph. With the lazy assistance of his faithful servant Wa’at Alahf, he tries his worst again and again–to no avail. But the usually oblivious Caliph has finally caught a hint of Iznogoud’s evil reputation among the people. To help the one he believes to be his friend, he sets off on a quest to find the legendary vegetable that brings out a man’s kinder nature: the carrot!

Or even better: You send the person you hate the most on a one-way trip. Like, for example, a caliph you’d like to replace... Will outer space be the answer to Iznogoud’s eternal problem? Or should he try through education, or the arts? Maybe his dreams hold the key to his success? Many questions, but only one certainty: When it inevitably goes wrong for the evil grand vizier, it’s the reader who will be the one laughing!

In Baghdad the Magnificent reigns Haroun al Plassid, who is the Caliph. There also dwells Iznogoud, who wants to be the Caliph. The irascible Grand Vizier hatches plot after plot to remove his ruler and take his place—melting Djinn, invisibility spell, cursed diamond, voodoo doll... But no amount of cunning or obstinacy can make up for sheer, hilariously bad luck.

Legend has it that in Baghdad the magnificent, a great and particularly dark-minded vizier, who answers to the name of Iznogoud, works on his ambition to steal the throne of Caliph Haroun al Plassid. Thus his favourite saying: “I want to be caliph instead of the caliph!” Iznogoud, seconded by his faithful servant Wa’at Alahf, goes on vacation with the caliph...in the desert! Of course, his goal is to get rid of him by any means necessary...