Mauricio de Sousa

Mauricio Araújo de Sousa, born on October 27, 1935, in Santa Isabel, Brazil, is a renowned cartoonist and the creative force behind the beloved comic series "Turma da Mônica" (Monica's Gang). Growing up in a literary household, with a poet father and a mother who also appreciated poetry, Mauricio's passion for drawing emerged early in his life. By the time he was 17, he took his first professional step as a crime reporter for the daily newspaper Folha da Manhã, but he soon shifted his focus to the world of comics.

In 1959, Sousa embarked on his comic book journey, introducing readers to "Turma da Mônica," which quickly became a cultural phenomenon in Brazil and beyond. His characters are not only featured in comics but have also found their way onto a wide range of licensed merchandise, and adaptations for movies, television, and video games. Notably, his creations inspired the Parque da Mônica amusement park in São Paulo, along with two additional locations in Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro, which operated until 2000 and 2005, respectively.

Mauricio's work was initially published by Editora Abril from 1970 until 1986, after which Globo took over in January 1987. Since January 2007, Panini Comics has continued to publish his iconic series. Over the decades, Mauricio de Sousa's influence has left an indelible mark on the comic landscape, captivating audiences across generations.