I read parts of this in DA, so it felt a little strange reading this volume. I kept remembering reading scenes before and that kept distracting me from the larger story.

This volume was mostly introductory, and there was nothing really standout about the story so far. I'm being conservative in my rating until the plot develops a little bit more.

And while it doesn't shy away from the evils of the world - greed and violence are two that are dealt with in particular in this volume - it also is about the least offensive graphic novel I could imagine while acknowledging these flaws.   

Why four star instead of five, then?  I just had trouble getting into this, and not because of anything this did.   I just wasn't really jiving with it, at least not at the beginning.   Three bones - Smiley Bone, Foney Bone, and Fone Bone -  are run out of Boneville.   They're all cousins and they end up near Barrelhaven, all separated.   This follows Fone Bone as he discovers Thorn and her Gran'ma Ben, and finds out they are willing to help him find his cousins. 

I can definitely see the mass appeal, and I definitely liked this, a lot.   I may or may not continue, though, because as much as I liked this, I also missed that extra spark: I find that more and more, I'm just digging the action-heavy graphic novels.   This was really, really slow.   A fast read, but looking back nothing much happened. I think that was the original disconnect, as well as the reason I hesitate to read this series further. 

We'll see what happens.   

But I do have a new bingo, and this happened: 

I'm looking forward to continuing this bingo fixations of mine. 

This was challenged?   This is the cutest, most adorable thing I've ever seen.   And so innocent.   What do people object to in this?

The Basics

Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone just got kicked out of Boneville. Wandering in the desert with nowhere to turn, they get separated, yet each finds their way into the fertile valley full of talking animals and fantastical creatures. And it’s looking more and more like they’re on the path to adventure, whether they’re ready or not.

My Thoughts

Have you ever been shocked by how much you enjoyed something? Like it just seemed as if it shouldn’t be your thing. But Jeff Smith’s Bone series immediately starts with such a strange and unique marrying of genres that I think I was destined to like this. Somehow he put together the ascetic and comedy of old, black-and-white cartoons with a fantasy setting, and it’s not awkward. In fact it’s funny, sweet, exciting, and very readable.

Something I have to say first and foremost about this is it’s surprisingly funny. There is a lot of humor, but it doesn’t feel choked with it, and none of it is insipid. In fact, it’s some of the most well-timed comedy I’ve ever seen in a comic book format. I was giggling all over the place at this. But it also clearly has a more serious end game that’s only beginning here. I have seen other readers say that it gets more epic as it goes along, and I can already see hints of that. Incredibly intriguing hints that make me eager to read more.

It’s not yet quite the fantasy epic I’ve heard it is, but I did find it really charming. If you’re looking for something very different, fun, and a bit experimental, try this out.

Final Rating

4/5

5 Stars, BUY IT

Self purchase, Digital Copy

This is a re-read review.

This series is what a comic is about. A Freaking Amazing. If you’ve never read this read it now. Buy it for children who can read. No words for how awesome this series is.

As juicy and fun as I remember. I love Fone Bone and Smiley is hysterical. Thorn is sweet and the dragon is just trouble. I love the colors, I love the art. Love Fone Bone and Phoney Bone fighting. The rat creatures are funny even if they are supposed to be the bad guys. Grandma is kick ass as always.

Basic story: Fone Bone, Smiley Bone and Phoney Bone (cousins) get run out of Boneville because of Phoney Bone’s Schemes.  Adventures ensue.