Argentina celebrates National Comic Book Day

Argentina celebrates National Argentine Comic Book Day on September 4, a date established by Law 26.652 in October 2010. The date commemorates the September 4, 1957, publication of the first issue of ‘Hora Cero Semanal’, a weekly supplement published by Editorial Frontera.

Directed by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, ‘Hora Cero’ served as a pivotal moment for the genre, featuring significant works such as the science fiction classic ‘El Eternauta’, written by Oesterheld and illustrated by Francisco Solano López. The publication ran for 116 issues until November 1959 and helped consolidate the country's comic book tradition.

The celebration honors the diverse contributions of writers, illustrators, and artists who shaped Argentine popular culture. Notable figures and characters include Quino, creator of the globally recognized ‘Mafalda’, and various works that have become cultural symbols within the nation.