Sponsored by Dren Productions LLC
On July 8th, 2025, the Kickstarter campaign for Smoky’s Junior Rangers #1 will begin. The officially licensed title is the first Smoky Bear Comic in over 50 years. Everything you need to know about Smoky’s Junior Rangers #1!
Smoky Junior Rangers
In Smoky’s Junior Rangers #1, four kids enjoy a camping trip together with subtitles and Meet the Elder Tree. Naturally, this leads to the quartet setting fire for hot dogs and marshmallows. However, they are interrupted by the arrival of Smoky Bears.
Smokeys are there to share tips on how to safely start (and destroy) fires. In addition to useful acronyms to help campers remember how to enjoy campfires safely, Smokey introduces Junior Rangers to the Magical Wise Elder Tree. Like Smokey, Elder Tree wants to share some important safety insights with the Junior Rangers.
This is a fun comic aimed at younger readers. As you can imagine, Smoky is not only about fire safety, but also teaches younger readers. In addition to the comic itself, there is also two pages of back matter, including fun activities. Mazes, word searches, encryption puzzles and quizzes make sure you’ve learned acronyms.
Smokey’s Junior Rangers #1 features scripts written by James Mascia, art by Miguel Guzman, color by Daniel de la Cruz, letters by Thomas Owens, cover art by Guzman, GS20ART and Marcio Abreu. The comic is published by Dren Productions LLC, and Smokey Bear is used with permission from the US Agriculture and Forest Service.
Can prevent wildfires
Smoky Bear is the face of the longest-running public service advertising campaign in the United States. He is famous for his long-standing catchphrase: “Remember… only you can prevent forest fires.” However, when Smokey originally debuted in 1944, it came with another slogan. The catchphrase for “Only You” that is perhaps more familiar to readers was unfolded in 1947. In 2001, the slogan was updated to “As long as it can prevent wildfires,” revealing that fire prevention is not just for forest areas.
In 1942, Walt Disney allowed Bambi’s honorable character to appear in the announcement of public services on fire safety. However, since Disney characters’ loans lasted only a year, the Forest Service quickly needed a new face for their campaign. Therefore, Smokey was created by the US Forest Service, the Advertising Council, and the All American Forester Association.
Meanwhile, Smokey has appeared in many prints and on-screen ads. During this time he was voiced by many talented voice actors. These include Roger Charles Carmel, Jim Cummings, Frank Welker and Sam Elliott. In 2019 alone he was voiced by Stephen Colbert, Jeff Foxworthy and Alroker. As of 2024, his official voice actor is Brian Tyree Henry.
Smoky has become a national icon and is widely recognized by the American people. He appeared on postage stamps and license plates, screens big and small, and Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. And now he’s got his own comic for the first time in half a century.
I’ll be coming to Kickstarter soon
Want to get your feet in a copy of Smoky’s Junior Rangers #1? Do you have a junior ranger who can benefit from knowing more about preventing wildfires through all the biggest educational media: comics? Next, mark the date in the calendar.
Smokey’s Junior Rangers Kickstarter campaign will begin on July 8th, 2025.
Sponsored by Dren Productions LLC
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