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Comments for Bone: Out From Boneville
Bone: Out From Boneville: 04/04/10
Since I've started reading and reviewing graphic novels on my blog in earnest, lots of readers and friends have told me I should read Jeff Smith's Bone series. Turns out my library in the new Y.A. reading room has the entire series.
Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith is the first volume of the Bone series. It opens with the three Bone cousins stuck in the desert, in mid argument over whatever it is that got them run out of town.
Had the story stayed in the desert with the three cousins I would have closed the book and chalked up the experience as a "did not finish." Fone, Phoney, and Smiley by themselves are derivative of typical American comics and animation. They take the stock poses; they make the stock facial expressions.
It wasn't until the three Bones get separated and Fone ends up in the forest by himself that I started to warm to the book. The turn around point came with the scene where winter falls as a giant mound of snow dropping in from the top of the page.
What finally converted me from mildly enjoying to loving the book though were the secondary characters: the rat beasts, Thorn and her grandmother, Rose. If I had to pick a favorite character it would be Rose. She's like a female Popeye.
Out from Boneville is mostly an introduction of characters and a hinting of plot arcs. It's a rough start to a series but it ends on a strong enough note that I went back to get the next three volumes in the series to read.
The Bone series includes
- Out From Boneville
- The Great Cow Race
- Eyes of the Storm
- The Dragonslayer
- Rock Jaw, Master of the Eastern Border
- Old Man's Cave
- Ghost Circles
- Treasure Hunters
- Crown of Horns
Other posts and reviews:
books | Jeff Smith | graphic novel | 1996
Comments (6)
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Comment #1: Monday, April, 5, 2010 at 13:07:36
My daughter loved this book. She's convinced me that I have to give it a try.
Comment #2: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 10:19:30
Pussreboots
The book is a quick read and the supporting characters are very funny.
Comment #3: Monday, April, 5, 2010 at 19:54:36
Jennifer @ Mrs. Q: Book Addict
My nephew loves these books. I just bought him two, and "How To Train A Dragon."
Comment #4: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 10:21:59
Pussreboots
Happy reading for your nephew.
Comment #5: Tuesday, April, 6, 2010 at 13:28:32
I didn't have the rough start that you did — I loved the Bone cousins right from the start. But I agree that the panel with the snow was great. And I'll never think of a quiche in the same way again — I love the rat creatures.
Comment #6: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 10:31:32
Pussreboots
I still don't especially like the Bone cousins but I like the rest of the characters and story to keep going. I'm on the third volume now.