07/03/2012

Mauricio and Pele, Together Again!

The king of football returns, not on the field but on the page. Li’l Pele, based on the All-Star Pele himself, was created by Cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa back in the 70’s and was a very popular comic for kids. The stories based in the childhood of Edson Arantes do Nacimento (Pele) and his friends (Keiko, Bonga, Crackerjack, Cosmo, Rex, Samira and Theo) always revolved around good times and, of course, football.

(Click image to enlarge)

Li’l Pele the Li’l King

Mauricio explains that now is a very good time for Li’l Pele and his team to return. “Football is in the air; you can smell it with every breath as we are nearing the World Cup. Li’l Pele could be the informal mascot for the World Cup in Brazil,” remarked de Sousa and Pele. Both are excited over the relaunching of the comic book series and other publications.

“The message of the first comics was very positive and wherever I went everyone spoke of Li’l Pele. I’m very happy to see the return of this character for kids.” Said Pele in a Press Conference.

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Li’l Pele’s comic book

The publishing products will be launched at the Biennial Book Fair in Sao Paulo (August - 9-19-2012). The “Historical Collection” of Li’l Pele will be an almanac with all of the stories that have been published before. “The Classic Strips” is a book containing the daily strips made especially for newspapers. “Li’l Pele and His Best Adventures” is a book composed of the best stories, aimed at peaking the interest of the new generation towered Li’l Pele. There will also be coloring books, activity books, Sticker Albums Collectables, and a special activity magazine explaining everything about Football.

But this is just a new beginning; there are also plans to produce a Li’l Pele animated series, “We’re expanding our licensing team for Li’l Pele. When we released it before it was a success. Now we’ll have to diversify the products on both old and new mediums.” Said Mauricio.

The electricity that is just beginning to make hairs stand on end is spreading all across the world and will be at full power when the World Cup begins in 2014 in Brazil. And with Li’l Pele, the hearts of everyone will follow a Samba beat.

Click here to see this page in Portuguese

MSP International
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Text: Pedro R.C. Silva