Eduardo Sáenz Hermúa, or Mecáchis, was one of the most versatile illustrators in early Spanish comics. While studying medicine, his first drawings were published in the satirical La Broma magazine. Along with Demócrito and Ramón Cilla, Mecáchis was one of the main artists of this democratic and republican magazine. In the double pages of this magazine, Mecáchis shaped and defined his own style with his political caricatures.
La Broma's publication was canceled in August 1885, but Mecáchis had already launched his own La Caricatura magazine a year earlier. From the first issue, he was the inspirator, main artist and director of this new magazine. Because of his work for La Caricatura he is often credited as the authentic creator of the Spanish comic strip.
