What is The Eternaut?
El Eternauta is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi comic written by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and illustrated by Francisco Solano López. It was first published in serial form in the seminal Argentine anthology series Hora Cero between 1957 and 1959.
The story is told by a survivor named Juan Salvo, who would later become known as The Eternaut, and it focuses on his battle to survive the snow, the anarchy that breaks out in its wake, and whatever’s behind it.
The Comic Adaptation
Netflix is bringing the original story to the screen with K&S Films in an adaptation directed by Bruno Stagnaro, with Oesterheld’s grandson, the filmmaker Martín Oesterheld, as a consultant and Buenos Aires-based Boat Media on VFX duties.
There have been attempts to bring the comic to screen before, both as an animated series and a live-action production. Plans in the 1960s for a rotoscoped animation to be presented by Oesterheld himself were dropped after a pilot.
Directors as varied as Fernando ‘Pino’ Solanas, Gustavo Mosquera, Adolfo Aristarain and Álex de la Iglesia have expressed interest in making a live-action adaption over the years. But it usually turned out to be too costly to bring the comic to life convincingly, or else there was pressure to relocate the story and use English-speaking actors to get funding. Some proposals failed to get approval from Oesterheld’s estate.
Now, it’s finally happening, and Netflix has agreed to film in Buenos Aires in Spanish, and rather than tap into the current retro-futurist trend, it’s opted to set the story in the present rather than the late 1950s.
Why is The Eternaut so popular?
Oesterheld was a key figure in the golden age of Argentine comics along with the Venice Group of Mario Faustinelli, Hugo Pratt, Ivo Pavone, and Dino Battaglia. The Eternaut became a landmark that would influence comics right up to the recent Metro series.
Part of the reason The Eternaut became so popular in Argentina was the familiarity of its setting. It features many well-known Buenos Aires landmarks, such as the stadium of football team River Plate, depicted in beautiful detail in a post-apocalyptic setting by Solano.
But the comic also became a hit elsewhere due to its eternal themes. It portrays one man’s fight to survive in the tradition of Robinson Crusoe, but with a philosophical twist that emphasises collaboration over individualism and touches on themes of social struggle.
That message becomes all the more poignant considering Oesterheld’s own fate. He and his four daughters are believed to have been kidnapped and murdered by Argentina’s military dictatorship in the late 1970s. Their bodies were never found.
The Series Release
The Eternaut will be on Netflix from 30 April. I just hope it doesn’t use any dodgy AI art for this one.
Conclusion
The Eternaut is a significant and iconic comic book series that has captured the hearts of many readers around the world. The upcoming Netflix adaptation promises to bring the story to life in a new and exciting way, and fans of the comic are eagerly awaiting its release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is The Eternaut?
A: The Eternaut is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi comic book series written by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and illustrated by Francisco Solano López.
Q: When is the Netflix series releasing?
A: The Eternaut series will be released on Netflix from 30 April.
Q: Who is directing the Netflix series?
A: Bruno Stagnaro is directing the Netflix series.
Q: What is the story of The Eternaut?
A: The story of The Eternaut follows Juan Salvo, a survivor of a deadly snowstorm in Buenos Aires, as he battles to survive and uncover the truth behind the disaster.
Q: Why is The Eternaut popular?
A: The Eternaut is popular due to its eternal themes, which emphasize collaboration over individualism and touch on themes of social struggle. The comic also features beautiful illustrations and a familiar setting, with many well-known Buenos Aires landmarks depicted in a post-apocalyptic setting.
