Bone: One Volume Edition: 1 (Bone Series) by Jeff Smith (Artist, Author) › Visit Amazon's Jeff Smith Page search results for this author Jeff Smith (Artist, Author) (10-Aug-2004) Paperback

by Jeff Smith

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels

Paperback

About the author

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Born and raised in the American mid-west, Jeff Smith learned about cartooning from comic strips, comic books, and watching animation on TV. In 1991, he launched a company called Cartoon Books to publish his comic book BONE, a comedy/adventure about three lost cousins from Boneville. Against all odds, the small company flourished, building a reputation for quality stories and artwork. Word of mouth, critical acclaim, and a string of major awards helped propel Cartoon Books and BONE to the forefront of the comic book industry.
In 1992, Jeff’s wife Vijaya Iyer joined the company as partner to handle publishing and distribution, licensing, and foreign language publications. In the Spring of 2005, Harry Potter’s U.S. publisher Scholastic Inc. entered the graphic novel market by launching a new imprint, Graphix with a full color version of BONE: Out from Boneville, bringing the underground comic to a new audience and a new generation.
In 2007, DC Comics released Smith’s first non-creator owned work, SHAZAM! Monster Society of Evil, a four-part mini-series recreating a classic serial from comic’s Golden Age. Between projects, Smith spends much of his time on the international guest circuit promoting comics and the art of graphic novels.

Reviews

[Sam D’Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me of when I was in fourth grade or so, reading at my mom’s school’s library on a rainy day. Good times.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half Loony Tunes, Half Lord of the Rings

[Arthur Baraf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love “Bone” after all the acclaim. But right away, the Bone cousins—Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone—felt too cartoonish. Even the names felt confusing—why Fone and Phoney? Still, I tried to appreciate the art: simple black and white, yet expressive.

As the story progressed, I warmed up to some characters—Ted the bug, the quiche-loving rat creatures—while the plot never fully delivered. The mythology felt underdeveloped, the threats repetitive. I kept hoping for deeper emotional stakes. It had ambition but didn’t quite hit the depth I wanted. Overall, a charming attempt, but it left me wanting more.

[Tdtbaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for the really nice art and good joke pacing. plot was a little boring. jeff smith said he wasnt writing it with kids in mind but its basically family friendly obvious fantasy where a character has a birthright to be a great ruler. i liked the bone guys.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a kid never understood these books, not even convinced I read them correctly. After reading it again I am absolutely re-attached and immediately went to thriftbooks to get the rest of the series lol.

[Harlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started reading this book. I think the beginning is kind of slow, but I'm willing to continue reading. It looks kind of engaging in an adventure and journey way, books like this in the past usually begin to get more interesting towards the end.

[Imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic work of art decades in the making. Smith is a genius is the highest caliber.

[Alex James · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good. Pacing is unbelievably good, and the humor is a delight.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t know what to expect at all going into it but I was so surprised by the deep immersive world and story. The humor is so cute and fun and I love the illustrations :)

[CJ Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only kinda like bones

[Jason Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comic epic for all ages with depth, humor, fantasy action and a sense of humor.

[Roan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I was obsessed as a child.

[Chloe Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

the gold standard for a graphic novel series imo

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing comic. Everything was so tight. Sad that it finished

[Aniruddha P N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun