Argentina is no stranger to apocalypse.

In a country with a recent history that includes genocide, war, social-economic meltdown and even a collapse of government it is almost natural that its most popular graphic novel of all time is a post-apocalyptic tale that features mass killing, foreign intrusion and a breakdown of society. Now, it has been made into a series for Netflix.

Written by Héctor G. Oesterheld and drawn by Francisco Solano López, El eternauta was originally published in installments in 1957 in Hora Cero magazine. The story kicks off with a time-traveler named Juan Salvo, who appears out of thin air before Oesterheld’s eyes. He shares a strange tale in which snow begins to fall in Buenos Aires one night, instantly killing everything it touches. Survivors must then suit up in layers and gas masks to stave off death, only to discover an unimaginable danger. A regular family man, Salvo emerges as the leader of the resistance against what turns out to be an invading alien force. Leading an irregular army made mostly of civilians, Salvo will battle giant insects and mind-controlled humans in order to save his family.

Expectations for this series were higher than any other popular book in Argentina. Several attempts, including a Lucrecia Martel film project, had already failed in a country where average production budgets don’t allow for the spectacular sci-fi visuals that the story demanded. But now the six-episode first season of the show directed by Bruno Stagnaro and produced by powerhouse production company K&S is finally........

© Buenos Aires Herald