Netflix Series Sparks Hunt for Family of Creator Disappeared by Argentina Dictatorship

When Héctor Germán Oesterheld created the horror comic strip El Eternauta in 1957, little did he know the impact it would have. Set in Buenos Aires, the story unfolds as toxic snow falls, leading to chaos and a fight for survival. Two decades later, Oesterheld and most of his family were tragically disappeared by Argentina’s military dictatorship, adding a darker layer to the story.

The recent adaptation of El Eternauta on Netflix has brought the Oesterheld family back into the spotlight. Of particular interest are Oesterheld’s two potential grandchildren, whose fates remain unknown. The daughters of Oesterheld, Diana and Marina, were pregnant when they were abducted, leaving questions about the children’s whereabouts.

Under the military regime, pregnant prisoners often gave birth before being murdered, with their babies given to others. Organizations like Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo and Hijos have launched a public appeal to locate these missing grandchildren, who would be around 47-48 years old today, possibly living under false identities.

The streaming adaptation’s release comes at a crucial time, with challenges to preserving historical memory in Argentina. Despite these obstacles, there is hope for finding the missing grandchildren. Elsa Sánchez de Oesterheld, before her passing, expressed a desire for her lost grandchildren to know their truth and roots.

The search for these missing family members continues, driven by the values of truth, memory, and justice. The adaptation of El Eternauta serves as a reminder of these values and the importance of coming together during times of individualism. Despite the challenges, there is optimism in the recent identification of the 139th grandchild, bringing hope for the rest to be reunited with their true identities.