Mafalda: A Classic Comic Strip for any Age

(10 Years with Mafalda)

A kid growing up in a Spanish speaking country in the 1970s and 80s was likely exposed to Mafalda, the comic creation of Argentinian Joaquín Salvador Lavado (also known as Quino). The comic ran in Argentinian papers between 1964 and 1973 and republished into little books that were widely read in Latin America. I loved reading it as a kid, but it wasn't until recently when I read, 10 Años con Mafalda (Tusquets Editores México, 2nd ed. 2009), that I truly appreciated its genius.



Mafalda is a precocious six-year old who worries about world peace and hates soup. She is surrounded by her quirky friends (Felipe, a smart kid who hates homework and tortures himself for his failings; Manolito, a capitalist kid always with a scheme; Susanita, a frivolous antifeminist; Miguelito, a dreamer and philosopher, and Libertad, a tiny kid named "Freedom") and family (her father who's bent on destroying the ants that eat his prized plants; Guille, her baby brother, fan of Bridgett Bardot; and her mother, a housewife).


The comic strip is a true original, but it has elements of early Peanuts (kids wise beyond their years contemplating existential conundrums), Calvin and Hobbes (smarty-pants kid with a huge imagination and skeptical of the world), and Doonesbury (biting social commentary). Quino managed to skewer politics and human nature in a funny and accessible way. 


Although the political references are dated (Argentina was under military junta and the Cold War was pretty hot), Mafalda's concerns about political freedom and social inequities are still relevant today and her relationship with her parents are timeless. 10 Años con Mafalda is a treat for anyone. If you are learning or know Spanish, get it in the original. Otherwise, some of the small Mafalda books are available in English.


Some sample strips:

Man: Change the world! Ha! Things of the youth.
Man: When I was young, I also had those ideas, and now see...
Mafalda: Let's make some noise, kids! It turns out that if you don't hurry to change the world, it's the world that changes you!

Mafalda reading the dictionary: DEMOCRACY (from the Greek, demos, people, and kratos, authority): government in which the people exercise sovereignty

Mafalda: But...why do I have to do it?
Her mom: Because I order it. I'm your Mother!!
Mafalda: If it's a question of titles, I'm your Daughter!!
Mafalda: And we graduated on the same day! Or not?

Mafalda: Mom, was your first boyfriend this one, or who?

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