Bone

Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone are driven from Boneville and become lost in a strange valley. What begins with slapstick and odd encounters gradually reveals deeper conflicts, old secrets and a larger danger.

Bone makes a convincing bridge between comic-strip timing and long-form fantasy. Its light early tone gives readers affection for the cast before the stakes expand.

Epic fantasy and comedy remain intertwined. Friendship, greed and courage are tested through quests that grow beyond the cousins’ original problems.

Smith’s clean, elastic cartooning gives each cousin an instantly readable personality. Expressive figures stand comfortably beside more detailed landscapes and creatures.