Netflix series revives search for Oesterheld ^{CEFR B2}

The Netflix adaptation of the 1957 Argentine comic El Eternauta has drawn fresh attention to a painful chapter of Argentina’s past and to the fate of Héctor Germán Oesterheld and his family. Oesterheld, born in Buenos Aires in 1919, wrote the original comic and a new version he finished while in hiding. He and his four daughters and two sons-in-law disappeared during the 1976–1983 military dictatorship. Two daughters, Diana and Marina, were pregnant when abducted; Diana was due in November 1976 and Marina between December 1977 and January 1978.

Between the series’ release and May 2025, people seeking help from Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo rose sixfold, and those offering information about possible grandchildren tripled. Relatives have placed flyers over show posters and used social media messages to ask viewers born in specific months to contact Abuelas accounts. “Where is Oesterheld?” became a viral slogan after the debut.

Estimates of disappeared people during the dictatorship reach up to 30,000, while the Parque de la Memoria registry records 8,948 victims. Forced disappearance was used systematically, including death flights, and the Trial of the Juntas took place in 1985 although many remain missing. Organisations formed by victims’ relatives—Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (founded 1977), Madres de Plaza de Mayo (founded 1977) and H.I.J.O.S. (founded 1995)—continue searches; Abuelas has found 140 grandchildren. The most recent recovered grandchild was announced on July 7, 2025. Advocates warn the National Genetic Data Bank faces funding cuts, and Abuelas say public support is still needed. Manuel Gonçalves Granada, an Abuelas board member, said the series revived the group’s mechanisms and increased hope of finding more grandchildren.