Mauricio Araújo de Sousa, a talented individual, was born on October 27, 1935, in the charming town of Santa Isabel. His father, Antonio Mauricio de Sousa, a poet of great skill, and his mother, Petronilha Araújo de Sousa, who also dabbled in poetry, instilled in him a love for creative expression from a young age.
As a child, Mauricio developed a passion for cartooning, and his talent soon became apparent. He began drawing posters and illustrations for local periodicals, showcasing his artistic abilities to a wider audience. At the tender age of 17, he landed a job as a crime reporter for the daily newspaper Folha da Manhã, further honing his skills in the world of journalism.
However, it was in 1959 that Mauricio de Sousa decided to leave his reporting job and pursue a career in comic book creation. And so, he created the beloved character "Turma da Mônica" (Monica's Gang),which would go on to become a global phenomenon.
The comics of Mauricio de Sousa have achieved international acclaim, with his work being featured on a wide range of licensed merchandise, from toys to clothing. Moreover, his characters have been adapted into various forms of media, including movies, television shows, video games, and even a São Paulo amusement park, Parque da Mônica ("Monica's Park").
Two additional Parque da Mônica facilities were opened in Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro, but unfortunately, they closed their doors in 2000 and 2005, respectively. From 1970 to 1986, Editora Abril published Mauricio's comic books, followed by Globo, who took over in January 1987. Since then, his work has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. As of January 2007, Panini Comics has been responsible for publishing the comic book series.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mauricio de Sousa has left an indelible mark on the world of comics, and his beloved characters continue to delight audiences of all ages.
