Book Review -- Bone

Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume
Jeff Smith
Cartoon Books

The Louisiana Purchase is generally considered to be one of the better deals in our nation's history. It has nothing on Bone. For a list price of $39.95, purchasers receive: a 1300 page epic fantasy of the highest caliber, a 1300 page hilarious comic strip, and 1300 pages of one of the most excellently written and well-drawn graphic novels (one of TIME's top ten) ever created.

Bone was a comic book series published between 1991 and 2004 (that's 13 years, for those of you playing at home), written and drawn by Jeff Smith. While it was originally released in nine separate books, the complete edition contains the entire series in one hefty volume. The series is a humorous fantasy epic, and Smith actually provides a shining example to the fantasy genre for how to craft a superb large-scale adventure. The story follows three cartoon-like "Bone creatures" (Smiley Bone, Fone Bone, and Phoney Bone) as they are chased out of their hometown and end up in a mysterious valley, and soon become embroiled in a massive quest to save the world. However, Smith starts the series playfully, emphasizing character building and drawing the reader in with humor and a sense of shared exploration and discovery. Frequent comparisons to Lord of the Rings are apt in this sense, as Tolkien was a master at easing the reader into his monumental world. Smith gradually unfurls more of the mythology and master narrative as the series progresses - add that to the fact that his characters are so compelling and fully-fleshed (and frequently riotously funny), and it's impossible to not want to keep reading. While the ending isn't quite as strong as I would have liked, I can't help but be amazed at the fantastic progression that's evident throughout the complete series.

It would be extremely difficult to talk about every aspect of Bone - I've gone this far without even mentioning Smith's creative utilization of the black and white artwork. Suffice it to say, this is a classic. It's immediately accessible to people of all ages - everyone from young kids to old geezers can appreciate the humor, stellar writing, memorable characters, and the absolutely Herculean undertaking this series was. I honestly do not expect to give out many of these grades; it's reversed for only to the most indelible and spectacular works. Bone is one of those. It's one of those things that you want everyone you know to read, that you can't wait to introduce to children of your own. And it's only $40! Or you could spend the money on a couple Slap Chops™. It's your money, do whatever you want. But really. $40.

Grade: A+

"Do something quick, small mammal, before we are all killed to death!"