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the Eternaut
Where to find the Eternaut original vs. the Netflix series
Sometimes, the deepest insights come not from textbooks, but from stories that resonate through generations. Today, we’re diving into one such iconic story, as recently become one of the most successful Netflix series of 2025 worldwide: El Eternauta.
El Eternauta is a cornerstone of Argentine identity and a powerful lens through which to view the nation’s history. And for those interested in Argentine Spanish, it offers a unique, compelling vocabulary!
Why El Eternauta is So Important to Argentina
Imagine a typical Buenos Aires evening, suddenly disrupted by a deadly, glowing snowfall. This isn’t just any snow; it’s a prelude to an invasión extraterrestre (alien invasion). This is the chilling premise of El Eternauta, created by writer Héctor Germán Oesterheld and artist Francisco Solano López, first published in 1957.
The Eternaut is about the strength and resilience of everyday Argentines facing an overwhelming threat.
Why is this comic so crucial to Argentina?
A Story of Common People: Unlike traditional hero narratives, the protagonist, Juan Salvo, is a humble family man. He, along with his friends and neighbors, becomes part of a héroe colectivo (collective hero). It’s about the strength and resilience of everyday Argentines facing an overwhelming threat.
Political Allegory: As Argentina endured repeated military coups and periods of political instability, El Eternauta evolved into a powerful allegory for resistance against anonymous, oppressive forces. The alien invaders, often referred to simply as “Ellos” (Them), symbolized the unseen powers that controlled people’s lives and freedom. This deep connection to Argentine history makes it resonate even more powerfully.
Cultural Icon: It’s a true cult classic in Argentina, sparking debates, inspiring artists, and becoming a symbol of resistance and hope. Understanding El Eternauta is key to understanding a facet of the Argentine spirit.
The Real Neighborhood vs. The Netflix Canvas
One of the most fascinating aspects of El Eternauta is its deeply specific setting. The story begins in the seemingly ordinary, middle-class suburban neighborhood of Vicente López (specifically, Florida, a locality within Vicente López), just north of the city of Buenos Aires.
According to the production, filming took place in 35 real locations and another 25 virtual ones, specially created for this project.
The Power of the Ordinary
Oesterheld himself lived in this area, and he deliberately chose it. The impact of a devastating alien invasion is magnified when it happens on your familiar street, in your own living room, using ordinary household items like tablones (wooden planks) to build barricades. This mundane backdrop makes the extraordinary terrifyingly real and highlights the heroism of common individuals forced into supervivencia (survival). It grounds the fantastic in a relatable Argentine reality.
Now, with the Netflix adaptation of El Eternauta (starring Ricardo Darín!), a new generation will discover this masterpiece. While the series will undoubtedly bring the scale and drama to life, it’s remarkable how this series uses familiar “city” landscapes: Martínez, Vicente Lopez, Olivos, Saavedra, Núñez, and Belgrano neighborhoods. While this makes for great television, and remembers the humble suburban roots of the original tale. It’s a testament to Oesterheld’s genius that he found universal themes of humanity and resistance within the quiet streets of his own barrio.
Vocabulary & Cultural Insights from El Eternauta
Here are some essential Spanish words and concepts woven into El Eternauta that will enrich your Spanish vocabulary:
La nevada asesina: The killer snowfall. (The chilling event that starts it all.)
El héroe colectivo: The collective hero. (The central idea of ordinary people uniting, rather than a single chosen one.)
La resistencia: The resistance. (A powerful word in Argentine history, often tied to political movements.)
Ellos: They/Them. (The ominous, unseen alien overlords – a powerful allegory for oppressive powers.)
El Hombre-cosa: The Man-thing. (A type of alien controlled by “Ellos” – a memorable character design.)
El Gurbo / Los Gurbos: Giant, dangerous alien creatures.
Los Manos: The Hands. (Alien creatures resembling giant hands, also controlled by “Ellos”. Remember hands are feminine in Spanish: “Las manos”.)
La historieta: The comic book/graphic novel. (The Spanish term for this art form.)
La cápsula: The capsule. (Referring to a time-traveling/space-traveling device.)
An Atrocious Ending: The Tragic Legacy of Oesterheld
A Prophetic Allegory: The comic’s themes of a sinister, invisible power controlling society became tragically real for Oesterheld. During Argentina’s last military dictatorship (1976-1983), baptized by the military junta as the “Proceso de Reorganización Nacional“, Oesterheld and his four daughters, along with their husbands, became “desaparecidos“ (disappeared) – abducted and killed by the regime. This heartbreaking reality solidified El Eternauta‘s status as a symbol of freedom and remembrance.
Multiple Versions: The original 1957 version is the most famous, but Oesterheld also wrote a sequel and a controversial re-drawing of the original in the 1970s that was more explicitly political.
Enduring Influence: El Eternauta has influenced countless Argentine artists, writers, and even political activists. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling to reflect and shape a nation’s soul.
Explore Argentina’s Soul with TangoSpanish
El Eternauta offers a profound glimpse into Argentine history and the deep resilience of its people. Understanding these layers of Argentine culture will not only make your Spanish learning more rewarding but will also connect you more authentically with the country and its vibrant spirit.
At TangoSpanish, our native teachers bring these cultural insights directly to your online Spanish lessons, ensuring you learn not just the language but also the rich context that gives it life.
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Are you ready to explore the compelling Eternaut Story? Your authentic Spanish learning journey starts here.
What are the emblematic locations in the capital (Buenos Aires) where the series unfolds?
From the Original Comic:
General Paz Avenue (La General Paz): This 24.3 km (approx. 15 miles) long highway is where Juan Salvo and the survivors of the toxic snowfall engage in a battle with the “Cascarudos“, beetle-like beasts of enormous dimensions.
El Estadio Monumental: River Plate’s stadium is the place Juan Salvo and his group establish as a refuge. It is the biggest stadium in Argentina, and home to one of the country’s largest and most successful teams (River Plate). It’s also the venue for the Argentina national futball team matches and the most popular venue for international artists, such as Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and Paul McCartney.
Barrancas de Belgrano: Here, Juan Salvo and Alberto Franco encounter an extraterrestrial invader for the first time, whom they decide to call “Mano” (Hand).
- La Glorieta de Barrancas de Belgrano (11 de Septiembre de 1888 1901): This iconic pavilion is located in the Barrancas de Belgrano, right next to Barrio Chino, Buenos Aires’ Chinatown. The structure was built in 1910 to host orchestras and bands in outdoor concerts, and was used by political speakers and for rallies or debates. It’s built with an industrial revolution architecture style, built from iron, with a marble staircase. Today, it’s a popular milonga for events, classes, and tango dancing.
Plaza Italia: In this green space, Juan Salvo suffers a serious setback after a building collapses on them.
Plaza del Congreso: This emblematic square houses the alien invasion’s general headquarters, the very place where combat takes place.
Notable Filming Locations for the New Netflix Series:
Among the most recognizable locations of the new series, which is a hit on the platform, appear:
Puente Saavedra: This crucial crossing between the Capital and the North suburbs (of Buenos Aires) is a nerve center that many residents travel through. It’s a 13-lane expressway with entrance and exit ramps.
Vuelta de Obligado Tunnel (El túnel de Vuelta de Obligado): A perfect passage used to accentuate the feeling of confinement and isolation.
Saavedra Neighborhood Streets: Various streets in the Saavedra neighborhood were key to recreating the environment of the group fighting for survival.
Vicente López (San Isidro Labrador and Avenida Maipú): In the wider Vicente López area, the series utilized the San Isidro Labrador zone and Maipú Avenue, in addition to other points in the surrounding metropolitan area (known as the conurbano).
Torre Dorrego (Palermo): A key scene was filmed in the Dorrego Tower in Palermo, known for its peculiar semicircular structure. This enormous brutalist style curved building was originally designed to provide military officers and officials with affordable housing. It was built in the late 60s and early 70s. In order to avoid privilege, all 240 apartments in the 32-floor building have equivalent views, are about the same size, and even have the same amount of sun exposure throughout the day.
Ministro Carranza Train Station (Palermo): This train station is also visible in the series, located in Palermo.
Campo de Mayo: More distant exterior locations like Campo de Mayo were used for combat scenes and military control.
- The Statue of Liberty in Munro (Av. Bartolomé Mitre 2283): A replica of the Statue of Liberty stands in front of a commercial area in Munro, a zone of Vicente López.
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