Bone: A Modern Graphic Novel Classic

Smith, Jeff. Out From Boneville. Graphix, 2005. Tr. $10.99, ISBN 978-0-439-70640-7

What’s it about?

 The Bones, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone have been banished from Boneville, where Phoney’s latest selfish scheme has gotten them in big trouble. The three of them get separated, and Fone Bone must face perils including rat creatures, a dragon, and a mysterious cloaked figure that wants something from Fone Bone.  

Find out more:

Cousins Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone are in big trouble. They’ve been chased out of town, thanks to the greedy and unscrupulous Phoney Bone’s latest scheme, and find themselves lost in a desert, with no water in sight. A swarm of insects engulfs them, and the three become separated. Bone follows the adventures of Fone Bone, who encounters frightening creatures, such as the voracious rat people, as well as kind ones, like the beautiful Thorn and her ultra-tough grandmother, (who bears a resemblance to Popeye) take in Bone. Eventually, the cousins cross paths, and find themselves tested by the strange new land. Bones, you’re not in Boneville anymore.

The Bone graphic novel series began as a well-received comic in the early nineties. Its strengths are in its artwork, humor, and fast-paced storyline. The rat creatures are particularly memorable, with their quasi-Bigfoot appearance and humorous squabbles. The plot has the feel of several fractured fairytales strung together to form a whole adventure story. The characters are exaggerated and sometimes surreal, more hilarious caricatures than complex beings.  Phoney Bone’s schemes, such as combining a slaughterhouse with a petting zoo, are ludicrous, but this works with the tone of the tale.  Bone is hardly meant to be realistic! Hand Bone to tween boys, especially those who enjoy humor and adventure, as well as tween and teen girls and older graphic novel enthusiasts looking excitement and laughter.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor

Reading level: 4^th grade

Interest level: Grades 4-9 --and beyond

Awards/reviews:

Publisher’s Weekly starred review

On ALA’s list of the Top 25 Graphic Novels for Young Adults   

The Comic’s Journal Book of the Year

Series information:

Vol 2: The Great Cow Race

Vol 3: Eyes of the Storm

Vol 4: The Dragonslayer

Vol 5: Rock Jaw, Master of the Eastern Border

Vol 6: Old Man’s Cave

Vol 7: Ghost Circles

Vol 8: Treasure Hunters

Vol 9: Crown of Thorns

Bone Prequel: Rose

Read-alike graphic novels:

Spy vs Spy

 Asterix

Simpsons comics