Quino’s Classic Argentine Comic Strip Mafalda Receives Global English Release
Introducing the English-Language Worldwide Release of Mafalda
The beloved Argentine comic strip, Mafalda, is finally set to make a global impact. Author August Tales is pleased to announce that Elsewhere Editions will publish the entire comic in English. The first of five 120-page hardcover volumes will hit the market on April 8, 2025.
The Roots of Mafalda
The mastermind behind Mafalda is none other than Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, better known by his pen name, Quino. The infamous comic strip ran in Argentina’s magazines and newspapers from September 1964 to June 1973. Inspired by Charles Schulz’s Peanuts and Chic Young’s Blondie, Mafalda encapsulates a sharp mix of humor and social commentary through the perspectives of its precocious six-year-old protagonist and her companions.
Mafalda satirizes Argentina’s political instability and socio-economic changes during the era. Themes like feminism, world peace, democracy, and humanism are commonly featured in the comic. Even after Quino’s unfortunate passing in 2020, Mafalda continues to influence world comics.
Mafalda Beyond Borders
Far from being limited to its country of origin, Mafalda has found success across Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Big names such as Pénélope Bagieu, Florence Cestac, and Aude Picault have paid tribute in honor of sixty years of Mafalda’s influence. So far, the comic strip has delighted readers in languages including French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Armenian, and Hebrew.
From Paper to Screen
The comic strip eventually entered the world of animation and film, with 260 cartoon shorts featuring Mafalda on the big screen in the 1970s. A recent highlight is Netflix’s unrevealed Mafalda animated series, directed and produced by the award-winning Argentine director Juan José Campanella.
Powerful Legacy and Influence
The Economist described the wide-ranging impact of Mafalda, stating, “Mafalda was more political than Peanuts and more modern than Asterix, but she enjoyed similar popularity… Her wit is universal and feels fresh even today.”
The English Edition’s Journey
With Frank Wynne, the multi-award-winning Irish writer and translator, at the helm, the English edition promises an authentic experience. Wynne brings a rich background in comics, editing, and literary translation.
Elsewhere Editions, an imprint of Archipelago Books and a renowned publisher for translated children’s books, will manage the project. Celebrated for its visually captivating and diverse children’s illustrated books, Elsewhere Editions promises the Mafalda collection to be memorable.
About the First Book
In the first book, readers will meet the passionate and intelligent Mafalda, who confidently confronts her perplexed elders with profound questions. She, along with her friends, confronts the world in their unique, youthful way, inspiring readers to question, rebel, and hope.
To paraphrase Mafalda herself, “as soon as you put your feet on the ground, the fun finishes.” Fortunately for fans worldwide, the fun is far from over. Stay tuned for April 2025, when Mafalda officially goes global.
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