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Smokey Bear returns to comics to help stamp out wildfires

The iconic US Forest Service mascot Smokey Bear is coming back to comics.

News by Chris Arrant, Editor-in-Chief

Published on Tue Feb 11 2025

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Smokey Bear has helped fight wildfires for over 80 years, and is now coming back to comics to get some help.

The U.S. Forest Service has partnered with the indie comics publisher Dren Productions on a new line of Smokey Bear comics. Their goal? Create comics that will "entertain, educate, and inspire readers of all ages."

"We are honored to bring Smokey Bear to a new line of comics," says Dren's co-publisher James Mascia. "This is a unique opportunity to merge meaningful storytelling with Smokey's mission of fire safety. Our goal is to create stories that captivate young readers while fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of protecting it."

Smokey Bear was created in 1944 as a mascot with a message: to prevent unwanted, human-caused wildfires. In what's become the longest-running PSA campaign in US history, Smokey Bear has become a part of pop culture with a recent parody in the popular game Fortnite.

The new line of Smokey Bear comics will begin with a special inaugural issue slated for release in July 2025 (that's National Park and Recreation Month) on Kickstarter. According to Dren, it will feature anthropomorphic characters like Smokey Bear alongside human characters like... well, you and I.

Kickstarter won't be the only way to get these comics, though. Dren has an expansive plan to collaborate with schools, libraries, and environmental organizations to distribute the comics - as well as, of course, plans to have it stocked in all 63 US National Parks.

Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.

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Chris Arrant: Chris Arrant is the Popverse's Editor-in-Chief. He has written about pop culture for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel, Newsarama, CBR, and more. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. (He/him)