Argentinean Anti-Authoritarian Sci-Fi Comic "El Eternauta" Archive, Scarce Hora Cero Printings, 1957-58

Héctor Germán Oesterheld El Eternauta

Comic books

[Comics][Political Activism][Latin America] Archive of four issues of Argentine anti-authoritarian sci-fi comic El Eternauta by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, printed in Hora Cero anthologies, 1957-58. El Eternauta is a foundational work of Latin American science fiction created by writer Héctor Germán Oesterheld and artist Francisco Solano López. The story begins in Buenos Aires, where a mysterious, lethal snowfall kills most of the population. The protagonist, Juan Salvo, and his friends survive by using makeshift protective suits to find others. They eventually join a resistance group fighting against the alien invaders. El Eternauta is a potent political allegory which explores themes of solidarity, resistance, and the threat of authoritarianism. Its social and political messaging is considered part of its enduring legacy. Oesterheld’s humanist script, emphasizing collective heroism over individualism, was recognized as a veiled critique of authoritarianism and the military rule, a theme that became tragically prophetic when the author himself was kidnaped and “disappeared” along with his daughters for his anti authoritarian activities under the late 1970s military junta. This scarce archive includes:

[1] Oesterheld, Héctor Germán. Hora Cero. Suplemento Semanal. Buenos Aires: Editorial Frontera, Marzo 5, 1958. Panels depict the aftermath of the deadly snowfall over Buenos Aires and the consolidation of organized civilian defense, centering collective survival over individual heroics.
[2] Oesterheld, Héctor Germán. Hora Cero. Suplemento Semanal. Buenos Aires: Editorial Frontera, Abril 23, 1958. Issue advertising “Una historieta completa y El Eternauta.” The installment advances themes of coordinated resistance and hierarchical enemy command structures, reinforcing its anti authoritarian interpretive framework.
[3] Oesterheld, Héctor Germán. Hora Cero. Suplemento Semanal. Buenos Aires: Editorial Frontera, Marzo 4, 1959. Issue featuring continuation of El Eternauta, including scenes of organized defense at River Plate stadium and strategic debate among survivors, deepening the allegory of resistance to opaque and distant power.
[4] Oesterheld, Héctor Germán. Hora Cero. Suplemento Semanal. Buenos Aires: Editorial Frontera, Abril 1, 1959. Issue with credited installment of El Eternauta, depicting confrontation with intermediary invaders and reflection on the unseen “true” enemy, sharpening the narrative’s sustained critique of domination and enforced obedience.

Edge wear and creasing to covers, small closed tears at extremities, age toning to paper consistent with newsprint of this age, scattered surface abrasions and minor corner loss, interiors evenly toned and legible. Overall good condition.

Item #23026

Price: $1,250.00