Editora Abril (author/illustrator/cover artist: Juan Padrón Blanco, editor: Sonia M. Roche Pérez), "La Historia de Elpidio Valdés," 1989 (first edition 1987). Offset print, comic book.

Juan Padrón - "La Historia de Elpidio Valdés" (1989)

A spectacular comic book adventure featuring Elpidio Valdés, Cuba's most beloved cartoon character, created by legendary animator and cartoonist Juan Padrón Blanco. The vibrant cover, designed by Padrón himself, shows the heroic mambí (Cuban independence fighter) charging into battle with his machete raised high, rifle in hand, dynamite at the ready, with explosions and the Cuban flag behind him—capturing all the action-packed excitement of the character's adventures.

Elpidio Valdés is a Cuban cultural icon who fights against Spanish colonial forces during Cuba's 19th-century wars of independence. Created by Juan Padrón, the character first appeared in the 1970s and became a phenomenon across animated films, comic books, and television, teaching generations of Cuban children about their country's independence struggle through humor and adventure.

This first reprint edition was published by Editora Abril in December 1989 during the "Año 31 de la Revolución" (Year 31 of the Revolution), printed at the Combinado de Revistas y Otros Medios de Propaganda "Federico Engels." The interior features Padrón's dynamic black-and-white illustrations showing Elpidio and his faithful horse charging through the Cuban countryside.

A treasured piece of Cuban popular culture and revolutionary children's literature.