comic art by J. Carlos
Comic art by J. Carlos.

J. Carlos, short for José Carlos de Brito e Cunha, is often considered Brazil's best comic artist from the early 20th century. A self-taught artist, J. Carlos began his professional career in magazine O Tagarela on 23 August, 1902. Soon, he was active for almost every illustrated magazine of the time, like A Avenida, O Malho, and Para Todos. With his limpid style, he deviated from the traditional drawing styles. Carlos worked for the magazine Careta until his death in 1950.

During his career, he created such typical Rio de Janeiro characters as 'Almofadinha and 'Melindrosa'. He portrayed the carnival, beaches, fashion and all the Brazilian customs of the time. For the juvenile magazines, he created the characters of Juquinha and the little girl Lamparina. During World War II, he developed a parrot with typical Brazilian manners, that inspired Walt Disney to create 'José Carioca'. It didn't come to a further collaboration with Disney, but José Carioca remains in Disney's line of characters until the present day.

J. Carlos was an influence on Flavio Colin

Cover for Careta, by J. CarlosCover for Careta, by J. Carlos
 Cover illustrations for Careta.

Series and books by J. Carlos you can order today:

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