Smudge (Monica's Gang)

"Smudge" ("Cascão" – Portuguese for a dirt layer that may appear on the human skin when not washed frequently) is one of the main characters of Monica's Gang. He was created in 1961 [ [http://www.monica.com.br/personag/turma/cascao.htm Smudge in Turma da Mônica’s Official website] ] , and since 1982, has his own printed comics appearing weekly on the newsagents. [ [http://www.monica.com.br/personag/turma/cascao.htm Smudge in Turma da Mônica’s Official website] ] .

Smudge is Jimmy Five's best friend, and he is always convinced or even blackmailed to participate on his "infallible plans", even though in the end he is always the one to mess everything up, because he always lets the cat out of the bag.

Smudge is known for his immensely fear of water, and because of that, has never, throughout the entire series, taken a bath (though he was once illegally portrayed in a Brazilian shower commercial taking a bath). [ [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/mauricio/cronicas/forbidden.htm Mauricio writes... Smudge’s Forbidden Bath] ] He fears rain, bodies of water, showers, anything related to water. To protect himself, he always carries an umbrella with him, for any possible emergency. In some strips, Smudge is even able to fly to run from water. Smudge's personality was, initially, of a "garbage addict"; but he became a person who recycles old stuff in order to make new toys to play with. He used to visit the garbage deposit everyday, but since the last few years, he doesn’t go any more. He is the gang's handyman, often fixing the other kids' broken toys.

He dates Dustine "(Cascuda)" - a girl who hates water just like him, but takes a bath every few stories, unlike Smudge. Smudge loves soccer, and it’s not hard to see him playing it with his friends. His favorite team is Corinthians. Mauricio also says he based the character on a child he knew while growing up in Mogi das Cruzes. [ [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/mauricio/cronicas/pervivos.htm Mauricio writes... My life with real life cartoon characters] ]

Related characters

* "Seu Antenor" "(Mr. Antenor)" – Smudge’s father, an avid Corinthians supporter just like his son. He sometimes tries to convince his son to take a bath, with no results. He loves to spend the weekends with his son, his friend Seu Cebola and his son Jimmy Five, and sometimes both Cebola and Antenor even force Jimmy and Smudge to do what he they enjoyed when younger. However, their plays always end up in a total mess.
* "Dona Nice, Norma, or Lurdinha" "(Mrs. Nice, Norma, or Lurdinha)" – Smudge's mother. Just like her husband, she tries hard to convince her son to take a bath, but the results are the same. She eventually tries to force Smudge to take a bath, using brute force, but there's always something to save Smudge from what he calls "death".
* "Captain Fray" "(Capitão Feio)" – One of Monica's Gang main enemies. He was once Smudge's uncle, but went mad and decided to be as dirty as his nephew. He lives in the underworld (the sewer system) and leads a great army of "dirty beings", monsters made of dirt. He also has superpowers: Apart from flying, he can release dirt beams, move objects from a distance, or create objects using dust. Water works on him just like kryptonite works on Superman: Once he's wet, all his powers are gone. His dream is to make the entire world a "dirtier" place to live, and also to rule it. However, Monica and her friends always find a way to stop him. Captain somewhat has a good feeling towards Smudge. He sometimes is the one to save him from any contact with water. On the other hand, there are strips in which he wants to destroy Smudge for he being the dirtier being in the universe, a status that Captain desires.
* "Chauvy" "(Chovinista)" – Smudge’s "pet", this small pig hates water as much as his owner, but is sometimes seen taking a bath.
* "Dustine" "(Cascuda)" – Smudge's girlfriend. Similar to Chauvy, she hates water but may take a bath every week or two. Although she was created only to be Smudge's lover, he sometimes chases other girls.

References

* [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/personag/turma/cascao.htm Smudge’s page at Monica’s Gang official website]
* [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/personag/turma/cap-feio.htm Captain Fray’s page at Monica’s Gang official website]
* [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/personag/turma/chovin.htm Chauvy’s page at Monica’s Gang official website]
* [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/personag/turma/cascuda.htm Dustine’s page at Monica’s Gang official website]

External links

* [http://www.monica.com.br/ingles/index.htm Official Monica’s Gang website] en icon
* [http://www.monica.com.br/index.htm Official Monica’s Gang website] pt icon