Archipelago Books Published First Mafalda Edition
The iconic Argentine comic strip has arrived in North America with plans for a Netflix animated series to follow.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Comic Books
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Archipelago Books has launched the first North American English-language edition of the Mafalda comic strip through its Elsewhere Editions imprint. Created by Quino, the series is also being adapted into an animated project for Netflix.
Why it matters
The release introduces international audiences to a character who became a cultural icon in Argentina despite the strip ending abruptly in 1974. Quino chose to cease production of the series following life-threatening political tensions in his home country.
The central character of the series is a six-year-old girl. The comics are being released by Archipelago Books in multiple volumes.
The players
Archipelago Books
This is an independent publisher based in Brooklyn that focuses on bringing international literature to English-language readers.
Quino
He was an Argentine cartoonist and the creator of the globally recognized Mafalda comic strip.
Juan José Campanella
He is an Argentine film director and screenwriter who is overseeing the production of the upcoming Netflix adaptation.
Netflix
This is a global streaming service that is currently producing an animated series based on the Mafalda character.
The details
Archipelago Books is issuing the collection via its Elsewhere Editions imprint, marking the first time the work has been available in English for North American readers. Beyond the print release, the franchise is expanding into television with an animated series directed by Juan José Campanella.
Timeline
The original Mafalda comic strip ran in Argentina from 1964 to 1973.
The Argentine government was overthrown in 1966.
Quino ended the comic strip in 1974 following his departure from the country.
The second volume of the English edition is scheduled for release on December 1, 2026.
An animated Netflix series adaptation is expected to premiere in 2027.
Culture Shift
This release follows the legacy of the 1974 end of the Mafalda strip due to political threats by finally bringing the work to a new global audience. The transition of the strip into a modern streaming medium marks a departure from its original newspaper-based format.
Readers in North America can now purchase the first volume of the collected strips through major retailers. The release provides fans of international literature a new way to access a historical work that was previously unavailable in English.
The takeaway
The arrival of Mafalda in English highlights the enduring appeal of political and social commentary through visual storytelling. Readers can look forward to future volumes and a digital adaptation that aims to introduce the character to a new generation.
What happens next
The second volume of the English-language edition is set for release on December 1, 2026, while the Netflix animated series is currently slated for a 2027 premiere.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolution of the medium in our Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PublishersWeekly.
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