Senninha is a Brazilian comic book series created by Rogério Martins and Ridaut Dias Jr., whose main character is based upon Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna.
Senninha was launched in 1994 by the publisher Abril, some months before the Senna's death. After Senna's death, the comics have become very popular and remain the leading the sales until 1999, when in the same year the comics began to be published by Brainstore however the series was canceled in 2000 after few issues. In 2008 the comic returned by the publisher HQM, but due to poor sales and promotion was canceled again.
Senninha, "little Senna," is the main character of the series, with characteristics very similar to Ayrton Senna, including unruly hair, a bulbous nose and red overalls (like the McLaren team for which Senna was best known), as well as being friendly, determined and sometimes rushed. He is eight years old. During the initial run, he wore a blue jumpsuit (like the Williams team that Senna was driving for at the time of the character's creation) and a simple helmet. In issue #10 his helmet became a magical character called Meu Herói.
Meu Herói, "my hero," is the magical helmet of Senninha, colored green, yellow and blue like Senna's helmet (which was predominantly yellow, with one green and one blue horizontal stripe.) To most other people it is a normal helmet and only magical entities and persons as special as Senninha (such as Juan Manuel Fangio, who made a posthumous appearance in the comics in 1995) can see and hear it.
Neco is the mechanical inventor of the group. He is of Japanese descent and the twin brother of Coni. He is eight years old. Until issue #9 he was called Nico.
Gabi is an artist and the sensitive member of the group. She is eight years old.
Becão and Bicão are Senninha's twin helmet-wearing sheepdogs. Becão's helmet is blue with a white band and he thinks and acts like a human. Bicão's helmet is white with a blue stripe and he acts like any other ordinary dog, making a mess wherever he goes.
Johnny is the heartthrob of the group and good at designing racing cars. He is ten years old.
Tala Larga is the reporter in the group, who always records the racers with his camera, and often tries to interview Senninha, of whom he is a big fan. He is eight years old. The character was inspired by Galvão Bueno.
Déia is the detective in the group. She is eight years old.
Coni Neco's twin sister and the "economist" of the group. She is eight years old.
Marcha Lenta, whose name means "idle", is often shown sleeping. When awake, he normally interacts with Tala, as his cameraman. He is eight years old.
JJ is crazy about basketball and computer science, as well as a top student in his class. He is the only black character in the group. He is ten years old.
Téo is the younger brother of Senninha and can be a brat. He often annoys Johnny, who does not like him very much. He is six years old. The character was Inspired by Ayrton Senna's younger brother Leonardo.
Gigi is the older sister of Senninha. She loves to talk on the phone. She is thirteen years old. The character was inspired by Viviane, Ayrton Senna's older sister.
Braço Duro is the leader of a rival gang to Senninha's group. He is always trying to win races and usually cheats. He hates losing to Senninha. He is nine years old. The character was inspired by Senna's rival Formula One drivers Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher. His name (literally "hard arm") comes from a Brazilian slang for bad drivers.
Rebimboca is the mechanic of Braço's gang. He always copies Johnny's original ideas of cars design. He is nine years old.
Bate-Pino has a stutter and always takes a long time to complete a sentence. He is ten years old.
Pé-de-Breque is a big, fat member of Braço's gang and the typical dim-witted comic relief character. He is eleven years old.
Tamborim is a purple mongrel cat and the mascot of Braço's gang.
History
Senninha was designed by Rogerio Martins Jr and Ridaut Days in 1994. The pair was looking to publish the character but were low on money. They met with Ayrton Senna who suggested the design be based on himself.
The first publication was on February 27, 1994. It was published by Editora Abril and made available free to every school in Brazil. The publications of the character transferred to Brainstore before being cancelled later that year. The comics were also sold in various bookstores in Europe. Senninha returned in 2008 with new publishers HQM Publisher. All of the sales of Senninha contribute to the Instituto Ayrton Senna.
Merchandising
Senninha's name has been used on more than 370 products ranging from shirts to helicopters. A brand of eyewear created by the House of Watchmakers under Senninha's name is aimed at children under the age of twelve.
Video game adaption
DiverBras Entertainment developed a Senninha licensed racing arcade game entitled Senninha GP in 2008. The game was developed in Brazil by a team of 25 developers. It was first released in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
