History ComicBook / ElEternauta

* AuthorExistenceFailure: In 1976, Oesterheld [[ReleasedToElsewhere was taken, and never seen again]] (most likely tortured to death), as was Standard Operating Procedure for the Argentine Junta, due to his involvement with [[YourTerroristsAreOurFreedomFighters leftist guerillas]]. His 4 daughters and 4 sons-in-law met the same fate a year later; [[ShaggyDogStory his family's only survivors were 2 grandsons and and his widow]].

* ExecutiveMeddling: The Second Part was published in 1976-77, amidst the most brutal military dictatorship in Argentina, with a policy of censorship that would make Mr. [=McCarthy=] look like a tree-hugger on a happy acid trip. Oesterheld was part of a underground guerrilla movement and often found himself telling the script of the next episode by phone to the publisher's secretary. These have not been made public, but it seems as the director of the publishing house watered down the scripts a bit, and even the artist, Solano López, refused to draw some parts and changed them. The expected and understandable thing to happen when CulturePolice go AxeCrazy. Oesterheld also did some heavy-fire comics for other magazines, more engaged or plainly banned, before being caught and most likely killed without a trial in late 1977 or early 1978.

Widely considered a masterpiece, it's reading is highly suggested. There is a [[{{Sequel}} sequel]], made in 1976-77, which is a bit more DarkerAndEdgier, and mostly regarded quite a good comic but not as brilliant as the original. There was later a [[{{Sequelitis}} third installment]], notoriously infamous for lack of endorsement by the original authors, with Oesterheld being [[AuthorExistenceFailure already dead]] and hired writers and artists [[TheyJustDidntCare who remained anonymous at the time]]. Starting in [[TheNineties the nineties]], a lot of other sequels and homages, both official and unofficial, were released, cementing it as an important part of Argentine pop culture. Solano López eventually created the ''Universo Eternauta'' brand ("Eternaut Universe") in order to publish both new and old (with bonus material) stories.

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: [[spoiler: An improvised army mostly made of unprepared civilians fights against an invasion armada of BigCreepyCrawlies, robot men and [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters 30mts. tall with skins made of indestructium]] directed by a HigherTechSpecies. Of course, as it turn out they are all but controlled pawns of [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]]. Averted partially, since they [[DyingLikeAnimals die in great numbers]], are treated with disdain by the professional officers and they all suffer a FateWorseThanDeath except for Salvo and his family. It is also a JustifiedTrope, since in both parts there is [[ItsUpToYou no professional army to rely on]]]].

* AliensInCardiff: Even in Argentina itself, when first published. Most comic books available were translations of comics from the US, and even the Argentine comics were used to set things in the US, just because that was what readers were used to read.

* AuthorExistenceFailure: In 1976, Oesterheld [[ReleasedToElsewhere was taken, and never seen again]] (most likely tortured to death), as was Standard Operating Procedure for the Argentine Junta, due to his involvement with [[LaResistance leftist guerillas]]. His 4 daughters and 4 sons-in-law met the same fate a year later; [[ShaggyDogStory his family's only survivors were 2 grandsons and and his widow]].

ElEternauta ("The Eternaut") is the most famous Argentinian Comic, (alongside [[{{Mafalda}} Mafalda]], of course. And maybe ''{{Cybersix}}'', [[AdaptationDisplacement assuming people remember]] it ''was'' an Argentinian comic book]]). It was first published in a weekly basis from [[TheFifties 1957 to 1959]] in the Hora Cero magazine, scripted by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and featuring art by Francisco Solano López.

ElEternauta ("The Eternaut") is the most famous Argentinian Comic, (alongside [[{{Mafalda}} Mafalda]], of course). It was first published in a weekly basis from [[TheFifties 1957 to 1959]] in the Hora Cero magazine, scripted by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and featuring art by Francisco Solano López.

* TheCapitalOfBrazilIsBuenosAires: Heavily averted, since both writer and artist are Porteños (i.e. from Buenos Aires). See ShownTheirWork.

* IdiotBall: The Major leads the group into an ObviousTrap, in spite of everyone else's warnings. When it turns out it was a trap, he has an HeroicBSOD.

* FridgeHorror: The whole premise of the travelling through time and space seems really cool from the very beginning... If you don't think too hard on it. [[spoiler: Due to [[DoNotTauntCthulhu messing with Eldritch Technologies]], Juan Salvo becomes the Eternaut, the "Traveller of Eternity", travelling through time and space over and over. This mean that he was able to escape the likely complete extinction/enslavement of the human race, but he [[PowerIncontinence can't control]] this power.]] On the other hand, the same thing happened to [[spoiler: Elena and Martita, his beloved wife and daughter]], both also drifting through the many continuums of timespace together... [[NightmareFuel hopefully]]. So Salvo faces the tragic condition of [[spoiler: being LastOfHisKind, knowing positively that [[ThereIsAnother his family]] is somewhere out there, jumping through time and space, facing the endless dangers and horrors of the universe on their own, with a infinitesimal chance of ever finding them]]. Needless to say, he holds onto the hope that he will find both, asking for them to every single creature he finds.[[spoiler: And he finally does]]... In a way... [[AlternateUniverse or does he?]]. [[MindScrew Don't ask me.]]

* AuthorExistenceFailure: In 1976, Oesterheld [[ReleasedToElsewhere was taken, and never seen again]] (most likely tortured to death), as was Standard Operating Procedure for the argentine Junta, due to his involvement with [[LaResistance leftist guerillas]]. His 4 daughters and 4 sons-in-law met the same fate a year later; [[ShaggyDogStory his family's only survivors were 2 grandsons and and his widow]].

* ExecutiveMeddling: The Second Part was published in 1976-77, amidst the most brutal military dictatorship in Argentina, with a policy of censorship that would make Mr. [=McCarthy=] look like a tree-hugger on a happy acid trip. Oesterheld was part of a underground guerrilla movement and often find himself telling the script of the next episode by phone to the publisher's secretary. These have not been made public, but it seems as the director of the publishing house watered down the scripts a bit, and even the artist, Solano López, refused to draw some parts and changed them. The expected and understandable thing to happen when CulturePolice go AxeCrazy. Oesterheld also did some heavy-fire comics for other magazines, more engaged or plainly banned, before being caught and most likely killed without a trial in late 1977 or early 1978.

* MoralEventHorizon: Despite fighting a extermination war, the protagonists never torture or execute any enemy. As a matter of fact, being common and decent people, they always are plenty of moral concerns regarding their doings, and never think selfishly, even in the most dire situations.

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: [[spoiler: An improvised army mostly made of unprepared civilians fights against an invasion armada of BigCreepyCrawlies, robot men and [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters 30mts. tall with skins made of indestructium]] directed by HigherTechSpecies. Of course, as it turn out they are all but controlled pawns of [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]]. Averted partially, since they [[DyingLikeAnimals die in great numbers]], are treated with disdain by the professional officers and they all suffer a FateWorseThanDeath except for Salvo and his family. It is also a JustifiedTrope, since in both parts there is [[ItsUpToYou no professional army to rely on]]]].

* ShownTheirWork: a great deal of the success of El Eternauta was due to the lavishing depictions of Buenos Aires Solano made, with landmarks as Plaza Itala, Estadio Monumental, Zoológico Municipal or the Congress Building being invaded and devastated by aliens. The different ethnic and social types of Argentina, the decoration, cars, guns, just everything is extremely accurate, in order to make the invasion trope very real, and the perspective of this TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture scenario more dreadful for the 1950's reader.

* SteamPunk: A very curious and [[OlderThanTheyThink early]] approach. In the Second Part, the Cave People are subjected by a HigherTechSpecies that have been stranded for centuries because of a malfunctioning spaceship and are quite bitter about it. Limited in their high tech supplies and armory, they keep the Cave People enslaved and unable to advance technologically, using an army of ferocious [[ArtificialHuman artficial humans]] and [[TankGoodness Humongous Wooden Steam-Propelled Tanks]] with one-shot cannons and flamethrowers. It sounds ridiculous, and one of the characters even points it out, but the "mano" quite calmly explains him that as crude as it looks, [[CombatPragmatist it works just swell]] against unarmed cavemen. In this grim universe, rocks [[AvertedTrope don't]] [[RockBeatsLaser beat flamethrowers]].

** Professor Favalli manages to be the first to weaponize this knowledge and [[MomentofAwesome its as awesome as it sounds.]]

* TheDayOfTheTriffids: A probable source of inspiration. Oesterheld never stated so, but there is an Argentinean translation of the novel published in 1956, and he was a Sci-Fi fan (he even directed a Sci-Fi and science magazine, ''Más Allá'' ("Beyond")), so it's not farfetched.

* CosmicHorrorStory: ''IndependenceDay''-style EasilyThwartedAlienInvasion this ain't.

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveANuke: Nuclear strategic missiles from [[EagleLand some superpower from the North]] fall over Buenos Aires. They are defused in mid-air by the aliens, but when [[spoiler: the protagonists [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome blow the artificial habitat of "Them" with a bazooka]], it is bad news that one last missile was still on the way, nuking Buenos Aires]]. For good.

* ApologeticAttacker: [[spoiler: The ''Manos'' ("Hands") race are enslaved via a "terror gland" that segregates venom whenever they feel fear. This way they cannot even think of rebellion, since just thinking of it would cause them fear, ending their lives. However, once the gland has been activated, they are finally "freed" (at least for a few minutes until they die) and usually they regret bitterly about their evil doings.]]

* BigCreepyCrawlies: The "cascarudos" (beetles) are almost ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, only the size of a adult human, deadlier, and [[spoiler: mind controlled]].

* [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]]: [[spoiler: The ''Ellos'' (literally "Them") are never to be seen, but it is quite probable they qualify for this. The closest description we have of them is being " The Cosmic Hatred".]]

* ExecutiveMeddling: The Second Part was published in 1976-77, amidst the most brutal military dictatorship in Argentina, with a policy of censorship that would make look Mr. McCarthy as a tree-hugger on a happy acid trip. Oesterheld was part of a underground guerrilla movement and often find himself telling the script of the next episode by phone to the publisher's secretary. These have not been made public, but it seems as the director of the publishing house watered down the scripts a bit, and even the artist, Solano López, refused to draw some parts and changed them. The expected and understandable thing to happen when CulturePolice go AxeCrazy. Oesterheld also did some heavy-fire comics for other magazines, more engaged or plainly banned, before being caught and most likely killed without a trial in late 1977 or early 1978.

* SteamPunk: A very curious and [[OlderThanTheyThink early]] approach. In the Second Part, the Cave People are subjected by HigherTechSpecies that have been stranded for centuries because of a malfunctioning spaceship and are quite bitter about it. Limited in their high tech supplies and armory, they keep the Cave People enslaved and unable to advance technologically, using an army of ferocious [[ArtificialHuman artficial humans]] and [[TankGoodness Humongous Wooden Steam-Propelled Tanks]] with one-shot cannons and flamethrowers. It sounds ridiculous, and one of the characters even points it out, but the "mano" quite calmly explains him that as crude as it looks, [[CombatPragmatist it works just swell]] against unarmed cavemen. In this grim universe, [[AvertedTrope rocks don't beat flamethrowers]].

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveANuke: Nuclear strategic missiles from [[EagleLand some superpower from the North]] fall over Buenos Aires. They are defused in mid-air by the aliens, but when [[spoiler: the protagonists [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome blow the artificial habitat of "Them" with a bazooka]], it is bad news that one last missile was still on the way, nuking [[AcceptableTargets Buenos Aires]]]]. For good.

-->-- '''Juan Salvo''', on how bad it was ''before'' [[ItGotWorse it got worse]].

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveANuke: Nuclear strategic missiles from [[EagleLand some superpower from the North]] fall over Buenos Aires. They are defused in mid-air by the aliens, but when [[spoiler: the protagonists [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome blow the artificial habitat of "Them" with a bazooka]], it is bad news that one last missile was still on the way, nuking [[AcceptableTargets Buenos Aires]]]]. For good. ItGetsWorse.

* ItGetsWorse: and then worse. And then worse. Even worse. The end.

* SteamPunk: A very curious and [[OlderThanTheyThink early]] approach. In the Second Part, the Cave People are subjected by HigherTechSpecies that have been stranded for centuries because of a malfunctioning spaceship and are quite bitter about it. Limited in their high tech supplies and armory, they keep the Cave People enslaved and unable to advance technologically, using an army of ferocious [[ArtificialHuman artficial humans]] and [[TankGoodness Humongous Wooden Steam-Propelled Tanks]] with one-shot cannons and flamethrowers. It sounds ridiculous, and one of the characters even points it out, but the "mano" quite calmly explains him that as crude as it looks, [[CombatPragmatist it works just swell]] against [[CompleteMonster unarmed cavemen]]. In this grim universe, [[AvertedTrope rocks don't beat flamethrowers]].

* [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]]: [[spoiler: The ''Ellos'' (literally "Them") are never to be seen, but it is quite probable they qualify for this. The closest description we have of them is being "[[CosmicHorror The Cosmic Hatred]]".]]

* El Eternauta, Remake: (1969) By Oesterheld and Breccia. A leftist pamphlet with several [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks drastic changes to the storyline]], which coupled with Breccia's [[DoingItForTheArt weird and experimentalist approach]] arose an uproar from the fans. Consequently, it [[ExecutiveMeddling got rushed up]]. It's not merely that the alien invaders are depicted as TheEmpire, [[EagleLand a certain somebody even helps them and all!]]

* El Eternauta, The Cosmic Hatred: (1998) By Muñoz, Barreiro, Taborda and Rearte.

* [[ApocalypseHow Apocalypse How]]: A green phosphorescent snowfall which, by unknown means, wipes virtually any kind of lifeform it comes into contact with, including bacteria. The few who survive, have less subtle methods [[AlienInvasion awaiting]]. Class 4, maybe worse.
* [[ApologeticAttacker Apologetic Attacker]]: [[spoiler: The ''Manos'' ("Hands") race are enslaved via a "terror gland" that segregates venom whenever they feel fear. This way they cannot even think of rebellion, since just thinking of it would cause them fear, ending their lives. However, once the gland has been activated, they are finally "freed" (at least for a few minutes until they die) and usually they regret bitterly about their evil doings.]]
* [[AppliedPhlebotinum Applied Phlebotinum]]: Most of the alien technology is so advanced that even the scientist of the group, Favalli, doesn't have a clue on how it works. Grade 1 in the [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness Mohs Scale Of Science Fiction Hardness]].

* [[ArtEvolution Art Evolution]]: Favalli starts as a fit - if quite bulky - character, only to become fatter as the story advances. His increased belly even becomes relevant to a minor plot point.

* [[BigCreepyCrawlies Big Creepy Crawlies]]: The "cascarudos" (beetles) are almost ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, only the size of a adult human, deadlier, and [[spoiler: mind controlled]].

* DespairEventHorizon: Salvo and his friends are pushed against it, over and over again. Most of the times, they manage to stay in the good side.

* [[ExecutiveMeddling Executive Meddling]]: The Second Part was published in 1976-77, amidst the most brutal military dictatorship in Argentina, with a policy of censorship that would make look Mr. McCarthy as a tree-hugger on a happy acid trip. Oesterheld was part of a underground guerrilla movement and often find himself telling the script of the next episode by phone to the publisher's secretary. These have not been made public, but it seems as the director of the publishing house watered down the scripts a bit, and even the artist, Solano López, refused to draw some parts and changed them. The expected and understandable thing to happen when CulturePolice go AxeCrazy. Oesterheld also did some heavy-fire comics for other magazines, more engaged or plainly banned, before being caught and most likely killed without a trial in late 1977 or early 1978.

* MindScrew: [[spoiler:The circular ending]]. [[JorgeLuisBorges Jorge Luis Borges]] is probably the one to blame. Also counts as a CrowningMomentOfAwesome.

** However, in the DarkerAndEdgier sequel, Salvo makes a FaceHeelTurn, making his disregard to human life somewhat of a shock for the fans of the first part (and even for his comrades in-story).

* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: [[spoiler: An improvised army mostly made of unprepared civilians fights against an invasion armada of [[BigCreepyCrawlies Big Creepy Crawlies]], robot men and [[OurMonstersAreDifferent monsters 30mts. tall with skins made of indestructium]] directed by [[HigherTechSpecies Higher Tech Species]]. Of course, as it turn out they are all but controlled pawns of [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]]. Averted partially, since they [[DyingLikeAnimals die in great numbers]], are treated with disdain by the professional officers and they all suffer a FateWorseThanDeath except for Salvo and his family. It is also a JustifiedTrope, since in both parts there is [[ItsUpToYou no professional army to rely on]]]].
* [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots Ridiculously Human Robots]]: TERRIFYINGLY Human Robots, since the ''Manos'' use a device that, inserted in the spine of a human, transforms his nervous system [[MindRape into a living puppet]] used to [[AndIMustScream kill or capture more humans]]. You know... for kids!

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveANuke: Nuclear strategic missiles from [[EagleLand some superpower from the North]] fall over Buenos Aires. They are defused in mid-air by the aliens, but when [[spoiler: the protagonists [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome blow the artificial habitat of "Them" with a bazooka]], it is bad news that one last missile was still on the way, nuking [[AcceptableTargets Buenos Aires]]]]. For good. [[ItGetsWorse It Gets Worse]].

* SlaveMooks: Every single [[spoiler: enemy we see turns out to be naught but a fear- or mind-controlled slave to the [[EldritchAbomination REAL invaders]]]].

* VichyEarth: Implied by some "Mano" that this is what will become of the planet if TheResistance loses (humans made slave labor and resources plundered). Then, at the end, its implied by another "Mano" [[spoiler: that this actually came to pass after Earth fell.]]