Breaking News: Turma da Monica Goes Stateside

Bleeding News just broke the news that Brazil's Turma da Monica(Monica's Gang) is coming stateside! News is scarce for now but it seems like the newly granted trade mark goes for a huge list of products and expands to digital rights...digital publishing would be a first for Mauricio de Sousa Productions! Read here for the full article.



Their new name will be Monica and Friends. A dangerous gamble considering the results of searching "Monica" and "Friends" on any search engine.  The real logo...seen below includes Monica and many friendly faces. If they follow the naming from the Monica's Gang publication:(from Left to Right: Blu(the dog, who is blue), Franklin, Jimmy Five, Monica, Maggy, Smudge, Angel(floating), and Sunny.


The Toy Industry Association's New York Toy Fair is February 16-19th and I wouldn't be surprised to see some product there. London's Toy Fair was held last week from the 21st to the 23rd.


I will be sure to keep the blog up to date with developing information and cannot wait for America to meet Monica's Gang...and her Friends!

Mauricio de Sousa Produções

Intro to Monica: 101

Mauricio de Sousa Produções

Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa marked 2013 -The Year of the Bucktooth...his short, fat, bucktoothed creation (lovingly based on his own daughter) celebrated 50 years of existence. As old as the X-Men,The Doom Patrol, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Doc Strange, Nick Fury and the Avengers first team up, Monica- introduced as a secondary character to Cebolinha-"Little Onion" christened in the English adaptation as Jimmy Five-both referencing his five strands of hair.
The year was marked with many retrospectives- special edition art books, commemorative chocolates and key chains; instant noodles had special packaging, Cartoon Network Brazil held marathons and commercials made with stars(animated and real) wishing the character happy birthday. The comic books got in on the action as well: in September, offering a "augmented reality" cover- smartphones activate a 3D scene- collect all four character's books and unlock the party.
Around Sao Paulo (where the publisher is located) 50 commemorative statues, designed by 50 different artists, were placed around the city as a "parade". Rhode Island's ode to Mr. Potato Head and the Cow parade, come to mind...but has this been done before with a comic book character?
Watch the video to learn more about Monica and her creator and stay tuned for much more news on Brazil's darling!

Mauricio de Sousa Produções