Semana passada (Last week), the 9^th (nona) edition of FIQ – Festival International de Quadrinhos (International Comic Festival) was held in the city of Belo Horizonte. The event reúne (gathers) representative names of the graphic arts a cada dois anos (every two years), and it was elected the largest comic convention in Brazil . In 2011, its audiences outnumbered the Comic Con in San Diego, thus making it a maior (the biggest) in America. Creators dedicated to the genre from all around the globe are present to mostrar e vender (show and sell their work) and take part in lectures, workshops, exhibits and signings.

A entrada é gratuita (admission is free of charge), and há espaço (there’s room) for all kinds of graphic novels and revista em quadrinhos (comic books) and it includes diverse themes and styles, from children’s stories and super-heroes to more underground productions, from large publishers to independent newcomers.

Though FIQ is an international event, I am taking this opportunity to introduce you to three of the major authors in the comic universe in Brazil. Due to their widespread acclaim, all of these cartoonists have been translated into English and their work is widely available at online bookstores.

Maurício de Souza

Maurício de Souza is the most popular and influential cartoonist in the Brazilian comic industry. He started out as a reporter, which gave him the opportunity to create and publish his first comic strips. Mauricio começou a escrever (began writing) his comics in the ‘60s. His most famous and successful series is called Turma da Mônica (Monica’s Gang), set in the Limoeiro neighborhood in São Paulo. The humorous stories revolve around the lives of the four most beloved characters in the Brazil: Mônica (Monica), Cebolinha (Jimmy Five), Cascão (Smudge) and Magali (Maggy),   many of whom are based on his own children. As of 2008, a series of comics in manga-style featuring the regular Monica characters in the adolescent stage started running as well.

Its reputation cresceu tanto (grew so much) that Mauricio’s publications now dominate the national comic book market. He has over a billion published comic books and his work has been translated to several languages, and é vendido (is sold) in over quarenta (forty) countries. It has been adapted to cinema, TV, games, and merchandise. Besides, Turma da Mônica can be considered a meaningful part of everyone’s childhood in the country.

Here are the links to his websites both in English and in Portuguese:

http://www.monicaandfriends.com/

http://turmadamonica.uol.com.br/

 

 

Fábio Moon e Gabriel Bá

Paulistanos (from São Paulo), the talented twins Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá are possibly one the most valued cartoonists of today. They started with an underground zine and were first published in America in 1999. Soon os irmãos (the brothers) conquered the American and international marke, being published in many countries like France, Italy and the USA. This thriving partnership made them the first Brazilians to ever win the Eisner awards.

Moon and Bá’s most notable work is called Daytripper, an involving graphic novel that follows the story of a man named Brás. The narrative is structured in a fragmented, non-linear fashion that focuses on different time periods of Brás’s life, and by the end of each chapter, the lead character dies. This unconventional story, along with fantastic linework and amazing details earned them international recognition. Besides Daytripper, they were involved in other projects like Casanova, Umbrella Academy, and Sugar Shock.

Para aprender mais (To learn more) about them, check out their bilingual website: http://fabioandgabriel.blogspot.com.br/

 

 

Rafael Grampá

The Gaúcho (from the state of Rio Grande do Sul) comic book artist Rafael Grampá is another eminent author in Brazil. He collaborated with the Moon and Bá brothers to publish an anthology and was invited by Marvel to write for the Strange Tales series with complete creative freedom. Grampá also worked for Vertigo and DC comics.

He is best known the graphic novel Mesmo Delivery, a work inspired by the twilight zone and Western movies. It tells the story of an ex-boxer named Rufo who becomes a truck driver and meets an Elvis impersonator. The plot unfolds into wild action and energy through an artful script and drawing techniques. Mesmo Delivery may also be adapted into a movie.

For more information, check out Grampá’s bilingual blog: https://furrywater.wordpress.com/