Smudge (originally Cascão – Portuguese for a dirt layer that may appear on the human skin when not washed frequently - in the Brazilian version) is one of the main characters of Monica's Gang. He was created in 1961[1], and since 1982, has his own printed comics appearing weekly on the newsagents.[1]. Mauricio de Sousa, his creator, says he based the character on a child he knew while growing up in Mogi das Cruzes.[2]
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Smudge is best known for his great fear of water, and because of that, has never, throughout the entire series, taken a bath. However, he was once illegally portrayed taking a shower in a TV commercial for a Brazilian showerhead manufacturer[3]. He was once also drawn carrying a bundle of clothes and cookies under heavy rain and with water up to his waist in a time when Southern Brazil was suffering a heavy rain season.[4] He fears rain, bodies of water, showers and taps. He also doesn't drink pure water, although he drinks juices and eat soup. 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 there any more. He is the gang's handyman, often fixing the other kids' broken toys.
Jimmy Five's best friend, 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. He dates Dustine (Cascuda) - a girl who hates water just like him, but takes a bath every few stories, unlike Smudge.
In Monica Teen, Cascão is known to take a bath occasionally.[5]
Smudge loves soccer, a recurring theme in his strips. A supporter of Corinthians, he is the only character who supports a defined team. Jimmy Five, for example, has been described as a São Paulo or a Palmeiras supporter.
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