Eternaut’s Shocking Twists: How Netflix Reimagined the Classic Comic!

by

Warning! This article contains spoilers for The Eternaut.

Netflix’s adaptation of “The Eternaut,” derived from Héctor Germán Oesterheld’s renowned comic book series, remains faithful to its source material’s core essence while skillfully incorporating essential updates. This acclaimed Argentine fiction work has been a significant influence in the country’s history, transcending the realm of storytelling and serving as emblems of political resistance, cultural identity, and freedom since its publication in the late 1950s.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I must confess that transforming such a culturally impactful work into a complete series, especially with a tight budget, was no walk in the park. However, Netflix’s The Eternaut has truly outdone itself in capturing the essence of the original comics while modernizing them for today’s audience. Following its debut, this post-apocalyptic Netflix series has garnered an outstanding 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has already secured a second season. The show’s triumph and burgeoning popularity may have left many pondering the extent to which it remains faithful to its source material.

9. Netflix’s The Eternaut Modernizes The Comics’ Setting & Timeline

The Comics Are Seemingly Set In The Late 1950s & Early 1960s

The original “Eternaut” comic book series was published from 1957 to 1959, so the stories take place in the 1950s and early 60s, reflecting the political issues Argentina faced at that time. However, the show seems to update the main setting, taking place around the present day. Although the Netflix sci-fi series doesn’t explicitly state its timeline, its visuals suggest it is set in approximately 2025. The series appears to make this change to create a more engaging and relatable drama for contemporary audiences.

8. The Eternaut Comic Introduces Time Travel In Its Opening Sequence

The Show Also Hints At Time Travel Elements

In the initial storyline of the comics, Héctor Germán Oesterheld is depicted as encountering a mysterious man in his own quarters. This man identifies himself as Juan Salvo, the central figure from both the Netflix series and the original comic. Following this introduction, the narrative unfurls from Juan’s standpoint, with him revealing himself as a time traveler and recounting his life events to Oesterheld. However, the TV show chooses not to follow this storytelling path. While much of it is seen through Juan’s eyes, it starts off like a conventional post-apocalyptic thriller, focusing on humanity’s struggle against an impending global catastrophe.

Although Netflix’s The Eternaut skips its initial time-travel focused storyline, it eventually incorporates elements of time travel. While not explicitly stated, the series suggests that the protagonist, Juan, is the character known as the Eternaut, who appears to be trapped in a never-ending journey through the realms of space and time. In the final arc of The Eternaut’s first season, it becomes apparent that Juan might be experiencing some form of temporal loop, unknowingly traversing various alternate realities.

7. There Are No Flying Saucers In The Eternaut Show

The Show Tries To Set Itself From Most Other Alien Invasion Shows

In the “The Eternaut” comics, the dominant alien race, known as the Ellos or Them, make their entrance to Earth via flying saucers. To deviate from conventional storytelling methods and offer a fresh take on the origin of these aliens, the Netflix adaptation presents numerous scenes showing streaks of red light descending from the sky. While the show preserves an element of mystery regarding the meaning behind these lights, it appears clear that they symbolize the arrival of the alien species onto our planet.

6. The Eternaut Comics Have Specific Names For All Alien Beings

The Show Avoids Giving Them Any Fixed Labels

In the original comic series I’ve grown fond of, the colossal insectoid aliens are known as Cascarudos, which can be roughly translated to “Beetles” or “Shellbacks.” Some might remember that the climactic storyline brings forth another alien entity, characterized by multiple fingers on his hand and possessing a power to manipulate both the beetles and us humans under their enchantment. This enigmatic figure is called “The Hand” in the source material. As we move forward in the comics, an overarching alien force known as “Ellos” makes its appearance. I’m eagerly anticipating the show’s depiction of Ellos in season 2.

5. The Comics’ Explanation Of The Aliens’ Mind-Control Devices Seems Different From The Show’s

The Show Maintains An Air Of Ambiguity Surrounding How Aliens Control Humans

The series strongly implies that numerous people, including Juan’s daughter, are being manipulated by the aliens. Yet, it remains unclear as to how these extraterrestrials exert control over them. Upon reunion with his daughter, Juan discovers a bulge on her head, hinting at the possibility that an implant or device of some sort was placed in her skull, allowing the aliens to control her. Moreover, the “Hand” alien has been observed using music as a means to influence both giant insects and individuals under their power.

Instead of using the term “telecontroller,” let’s say that in the comics, it is revealed that the aliens employ a device known as the “Mind Control Device.” This device connects to the spinal cord and brain of their test subjects, stripping them of any control over their bodies. Humans affected by this Mind Control Device under alien influence essentially become mindless automatons with no consciousness or personal freedom.

4. Juan’s Military History In The Eternaut Comics Is Slightly Different

He Is Not A War Veteran In The Source Material

At the outset, the comic book The Eternaut makes clear that its protagonist, Juan, is a war veteran. Throughout the narrative, Juan experiences recurring memories of battle, and these traumatic stress responses from his military past serve as a powerful symbol for the timelessness and detachment he feels amidst the alien invasion. Moreover, Juan’s extensive military training accounts for his possession of weapons and his readiness to defend himself and his loved ones against any potential threats.

The Eternaut Key Facts
Created By Bruno Stagnaro
Based On The Eternaut by Héctor Germán Oesterheld & Francisco Solano López
Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score 92%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score 92%
Streaming On Netflix

The comic book interpretation of this character also boasts a military past. Unlike being depicted as a seasoned veteran, he is introduced as a member of the army reserves, having undergone basic military instruction.

3. Clara Was Not Abducted By The Aliens In The Original Comics

The Netflix Show Raises The Stakes For Juan

In the original comics, Juan’s daughter, Clara, had a less prominent part and most female characters lacked substantial development. However, the TV show is altering this by centering more on Clara’s story and portraying Juan’s struggle to save her against time. This not only intensifies the drama for the main character but also provides the show with a significant female lead. Furthermore, the ending of The Eternaut season 1 suggests that Clara might have an expanded role in season 2, potentially diverging even further from the source material.

2. Not All Mind-Controlled Beings Are The Same In Netflix’s The Eternaut

Some Mind-Controlled Humans Show Signs Of Resistance

Characters controlled by minds in the comics appear to have no recollection of their previous existences. They unconditionally submit to the extraterrestrial beings and work collectively under a single leader. In contrast, the series presents some mind-controlled individuals exhibiting signs of rebellion. For instance, Clara appears to oscillate between the aliens’ control and regains nearly all memories from before her abduction. This deviation from the original could lead to numerous engaging plot developments in The Eternaut‘s second season.

1. Netflix’s The Eternaut Attempts To Ground Its Sci-fi In Realism

The Show Tries To Explain The Reason Behind The Snowfall

As a die-hard fan of comic books, I’ve always wondered about the origins of those toxic snowfalls in the stories – it seems clear that the aliens were responsible for initiating them as their opening offensive. However, the comics never delved into how exactly the aliens managed to bring about such weather anomalies. So, one can only speculate that they possess some extraordinary ability or advanced technology to manipulate our planet’s atmosphere and climate systems. In contrast, the TV show offers more detailed scientific explanations for the snowfall phenomenon.

In the Netflix series titled “The Eternaut“, a character who has a background in electrical engineering hypothesizes that because of a significant change in the Earth’s poles, radiation from the Van Allen belts is combining with snow and descending to the ground. This hypothesis is later confirmed when he observes the planet’s poles have indeed reversed. Although the scientific explanations provided by “The Eternaut” for many plot developments are also filled with elements of pseudoscience, it is still interesting to note how the show strives to introduce a sense of realism into its storyline.

Read More

2025-05-08 10:17