El Eternauta - Publication History

Publication History

The Eternauta first appeared in Hora Cero Suplemento Semanal on September 4, 1957. Quickly becoming a success, the serial publication ran until 1959 and was reissued in 1961 in a dedicated magazine, Eternauta, published by Editorial Emilio Ramírez.

In 1969, Oesterheld rewrote El Eternauta, with changes to the story, more political references and more violent. It became an open critique of dictatorial regimes and United States' imperialism. This version featured artwork by Alberto Breccia who drew the story in an experimental and unique style diverging from the original expression. It was first published on May 29, 1969 in the weekly Gente. The following years the series was also published in several European magazines such as Linus, El Globo, Alter Alter, Il Mago, Charlie Mensuel and Metal Hurlant.

In December 1975, Eternauta II began publication for Ediciones Record in Skorpio, Oesterheld resumed the story, again with artwork by Solano López. Prompted by the disturbing political events during the period, the script became openly critical of the current dictatorship and Oesterheld himself became a narrating character within the story. Having joined the banned organization Montoneros, Oesterheld wrote the chapters from hidden locations until his abduction in 1977.

The saga was since continued after Oesterheld's death. A third part, El Eternauta, Tercera Parte, published in 1983 was met with moderate success, and was criticized for being just another sci-fi comic instead of a real continuation of the series. Later chapters El mundo arrepentido and El Eternauta, El regreso feature artwork by Solano López.