Patoruzú
Encyclopedia
Patoruzú is a comic character created in 1928 by Dante Quinterno
and is considered the most popular hero of Argentine
comics. Patoruzú is a wealthy Tehuelche cacique with great state properties in Patagonia
, and is possessed of both superhuman physical strength and a charitable yet naive heart. Patoruzú was the first comic superhero in the world.
Later that year Dante Quinterno started working for La Razón
newspaper with the strip Don Julián de Monte Pío (predecessor of another of Quinterno's popular characters: the playboy Isidoro Cañones
). In September 1930, Patoruzú was again introduced into the strip when Don Julián became his tutor. Slowly, Patoruzú assumed greater importance in the strip, which on December 11, 1931, was renamed to Patoruzú.
In 1935 Quinterno sold the publication rights to El Mundo newspaper, and the first compilation of the adventures of the cacique was published. The strip was also published in newspapers in other Argentine cities outside of Buenos Aires
.
In November 1936 the first Patoruzú monthly magazine was released and completely sold out the same day. The magazine was then published fortnightly, and then weekly. The magazine reached a record circulation of 300,000 copies, soon requiring a team to create its scripts and drawings, under the supervision of Quinterno.
On April 30, 1977, the 2,045th and last issue of Patoruzú was released. Slightly adapted versions of the original are currently being published, as well as the new comic Patoruzito, about the life of young Patoruzú.
In 1942 the 12-minute short film Upa en apuros was the first Argentine animated film produced in colour.
He is extremely generous and charitable but is often deceived by greedy characters, who in the end are always properly punished. Patoruzú uses many native expressions that give his speech an aboriginal flavor; however, they derive from different tribes of Argentina and so are not consistent with each other (e.g. Guaraní
gurí, Mapuche
Chei, etc.).
and stereotypical porteño
, he is supposed to be Patoruzú's tutor and look after him, but he spends most of his time trying to find new ways of getting more patacones bills out of him, to spend on parties, cars, and horses.
because her obsessive desire to get married makes her fall for the first man she sees.
s are highly appreciated by the other characters.
and also the name of a strong southern wind, meaning in essence that he "runs like the wind") is Patoruzú's faithful horse, one of the fastest, if not the fastest, in the world. He responds only to Patoruzú's call.
Dante Quinterno
Dante Quinterno was an Argentine comics artist, famous for being the creator of the Patoruzú, Isidoro Cañones and Patoruzito characters....
and is considered the most popular hero of Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
comics. Patoruzú is a wealthy Tehuelche cacique with great state properties in Patagonia
Patagonia
Patagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
, and is possessed of both superhuman physical strength and a charitable yet naive heart. Patoruzú was the first comic superhero in the world.
History
Patoruzú first appeared on October 19, 1928, in the Las Aventuras de Don Gil Contento strip in the Crítica newspaper, under the name of Curugua Curuguagüigua; last cacique of the giant Tehuelches, of whom Don Gil becomes tutor. The name was deemed too difficult to pronounce and was soon changed to Patoruzú, after the then-popular candy Pasta de Orozú. Nevertheless, the strip was canceled by the newspaper after only a few days.Later that year Dante Quinterno started working for La Razón
La Razón (Buenos Aires)
La Razón is a local newspaper distributed in the public transportation system in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was founded in 1905 by Argentine journalist Emilio Morales an as an afternoon and evening newspaper in broadsheet format. The daily was acquired by a prominent news editor, José A...
newspaper with the strip Don Julián de Monte Pío (predecessor of another of Quinterno's popular characters: the playboy Isidoro Cañones
Isidoro Cañones
-External links:*...
). In September 1930, Patoruzú was again introduced into the strip when Don Julián became his tutor. Slowly, Patoruzú assumed greater importance in the strip, which on December 11, 1931, was renamed to Patoruzú.
In 1935 Quinterno sold the publication rights to El Mundo newspaper, and the first compilation of the adventures of the cacique was published. The strip was also published in newspapers in other Argentine cities outside of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
In November 1936 the first Patoruzú monthly magazine was released and completely sold out the same day. The magazine was then published fortnightly, and then weekly. The magazine reached a record circulation of 300,000 copies, soon requiring a team to create its scripts and drawings, under the supervision of Quinterno.
On April 30, 1977, the 2,045th and last issue of Patoruzú was released. Slightly adapted versions of the original are currently being published, as well as the new comic Patoruzito, about the life of young Patoruzú.
In 1942 the 12-minute short film Upa en apuros was the first Argentine animated film produced in colour.
Patoruzú
Patoruzú is the last descendant of the fictional Tehuelche Patoruzek dynasty. The source of his uncommon strength seems to be related to what he was fed as a child -- soup made from the bones of an extinct giant animal -- but also to the strength of all his ancestors, which he receives whenever he faces injustice.He is extremely generous and charitable but is often deceived by greedy characters, who in the end are always properly punished. Patoruzú uses many native expressions that give his speech an aboriginal flavor; however, they derive from different tribes of Argentina and so are not consistent with each other (e.g. Guaraní
Guaraní language
Guaraní, specifically the primary variety known as Paraguayan Guaraní , is an indigenous language of South America that belongs to the Tupí–Guaraní subfamily of the Tupian languages. It is one of the official languages of Paraguay , where it is spoken by the majority of the population, and half of...
gurí, Mapuche
Mapuche
The Mapuche are a group of indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina. They constitute a wide-ranging ethnicity composed of various groups who shared a common social, religious and economic structure, as well as a common linguistic heritage. Their influence extended...
Chei, etc.).
Isidoro Cañones
An incorrigible playboyPlayboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
and stereotypical porteño
Porteño
Porteño in Spanish is used to refer to a person who is from or lives in a port city, but it can also be used as an adjective for anything related to those port cities....
, he is supposed to be Patoruzú's tutor and look after him, but he spends most of his time trying to find new ways of getting more patacones bills out of him, to spend on parties, cars, and horses.
Upa
Patoruzú's teenage brother is shy and naive, yet more aware of modern ways than his older brother. He has a big belly that he uses as a weapon whenever injustice is to be fought.Patora
Patora is the youngest sister; she lives in a convent in PatagoniaPatagonia
Patagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
because her obsessive desire to get married makes her fall for the first man she sees.
La Chacha
Patoruzú's nanny and wet nurse lives on the estancia (ranch), far from any city. In spite of her age, she is vigorous and hard-working. Her empanadaEmpanada
An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry baked or fried in many countries in Latin America, Southern Europe and parts of Southeast Asia. The name comes from the verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing...
s are highly appreciated by the other characters.
Ñancul
The foreman of Patoruzú's estancia, he is often in a bad mood, but Patoruzú respects and trust him.Coronel Cañones
The Colonel, the quintessential retired military man, is the uncle and tutor of Isidoro. A very correct and respected person, he is always trying to straighten out his nephew.Pampero
Pampero (from the PampaPampa
The Pampas are the fertile South American lowlands, covering more than , that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba, most of Uruguay, and the southernmost Brazilian State, Rio Grande do Sul...
and also the name of a strong southern wind, meaning in essence that he "runs like the wind") is Patoruzú's faithful horse, one of the fastest, if not the fastest, in the world. He responds only to Patoruzú's call.
Patoruzito
This modern comic is set during the early years of the life of Patoruzú, with Isidorito (young Isidoro), Patoruzito (young Patoruzú) and his horse Pamperito (young Pampero).External links
- Exclusive Página (Spanish)
- Biography (Spanish)
- Patoruzú: History and political analysis (Spanish)
- Quinterno's work (Spanish)
- Patoruzu fan sculture (Spanish)
- Patoruzito film review (Spanish)