The Smokie Bears, Then and Now

Remember I said in an earlier post that I'd probably have to update the overall look and appearance of the Smokie Bears? Well today I did exactly that. 

And there you go. Your first look at the all new, all singing, all dancing trio I spoke about in the first post I ever did. I went with a more cybernetic look and feel for these guys. And to be honest, why not?


First up, we have Dusty, the group leader. Now I thought at first I'd make the three look identical aside from the smallest of differences. Then I thought, no, to hell with it. I'll give them different garments to wear. Dusty is right out of the Old West with his stetson and gun. 

Next up is Gucci with his warrior sword. 

And then the slightly ostentatious, very flamboyant Vanity with his pouch containing rainbow powder, ready to make any super villain's day uncharacteristically gay! Well, I thought that would make a welcome change to the old versions of these characters which I started back in the early 90's. And while many hardened super heroes are coming clean out of the closet (always a good thing), I felt I needed to do the same with this cute and cuddly fella. 

Back in the early 90's though the Smokie Bears looked much different. Jumpsuits and familiar looking hairstyles made them appear rather derivative.  Not that I was really aware all those years ago that it was a bad thing, mind. 

       
From your left in the picture adjacent is Vanity. Centre is Gucci, and there on the right with the yellow hair is Dusty. The odd character floating in front of the trio is Star Sprite. Though I never actually created a backstory of Sprite as he was just there for no reason other than to create a visual aesthetic, which I was rather prone to doing in those days. 






And here we Have Vanity sporting a jet pack. Heaven only knows what I was thinking there since bears hate flying. And in this picture his hand seems to be glowing as though he's about to deliver an energy blast clear from his body. Strange idea really. Rather like having some artist draw laser beams coming out of Batman's eyes; it just wouldn't happen. But there you have it. Maybe he was given some enhancements or something. I have no idea. 

  I even came up with a character called Robobear. What was I thinking! Anyway, I figured there was a robot in every kid's cartoon show, why not in this one? Adorable, isn't he? No? Oh okay then. He is what he is.   










I guess the visual styles of both new and old have their merits. Looking at the red highlights matched with the blue finish I imagine this colour scheme gives the uniforms they wear a unique appeal come to think of it. and the gold star badges on their tunics bring to mind the badge of the sheriff, or his deputy during the Old West. I don't know. It makes them look like lawmen or peacekeepers. Let me know what you guys think, old design or new design? Which do you prefer? Do you prefer them to look more human as seen in the picture above or more cybernetic in appearance as they were featured in the inked drawings at the top of this page? Let me know. 


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