Book Review #53: Bone: Crown Of Horns (Vol. 9)

Bone: Crown Of Horns (Vol. 9) 2002

Written and Drawn by Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

Bone: Crown Of Horns (Vol. 9) wraps up the adventure for Fone Bone, Smiley Bone and Phoney Bone. This was a good ride and I was glad to have finally read the story that I've been hearing about for years. If I take anything away from this series it's a new favorite character: Phoney Bone. Haha. I love this cool cat.

*Spoiler Alert*

As for the story within Volume 9 I thought the whole idea of all the dragons attacking the Queen Dragon, Mim was pretty cool. Also, I thought Jeff Smith did a really good job of cross cutting between the Gran'ma / Soldiers scene with that of Fone Bone and Thorn. The tension was well placed. Bravo.

The ending I kind of have a problem with. I was expecting a little bit more in the way of them getting back to Boneville. Oh well...

*End Spoiler Alert*

I definitely recommend the Bone series for everyone.

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #52: Bone: Treasure Hunters (Vol. 8)

Bone: Treasure Hunters (Vol. 8) 2001

Written and Drawn by Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

Bone: Treasure Hunters (Vol. 8) centers around the entire gang arriving at Atheia where Thorn, Gran'ma and Fone Bone prepare for the incoming battle to end all battles. With life and death hanging in the balance, what will our great Phoney Bone do? Why hunt for Gold of course. He really is a hoot to watch as he schemes and plots to further his riches at any means necessary. More Phoney Bone please!! 

Up next, the final volume where it all comes together once and for all. The epic battle. I hope it has a satisfying conclusion to the entire series. So far it's been a fun ride.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars out of 5

Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #51: Bone: Ghost Circles (Vol. 7)

Bone: Ghost Circles (Vol. 7) 2000

Written and Drawn by Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

The road to Atheia continues onward. Yes, this is feeling very much like Lord Of The Rings. Out of everything in Bone: Ghost Circles (Volume 7), nothing can top the sight of Phoney Bone dressed up as Captain Ahab from Moby Dick. That to me will probably be the defining moment of the Bone series. Classic and hilarious!!

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #50: Bone: Old Man's Cave (Vol. 6)

Bone - Old Man's Cave (Volume 6) 1999

Written and Drawn By Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

Bone - Volume 6: Old Man's Cave continues the saga, focusing on Fone Bone and Smiley Bone reuniting with Thorn. But nothing is ever easy huh? Shit happens. That's all I will say here. We finally learn who the Hooded One is. *Spoiler Alert* It's Briar, Gran'ma's Sister. She's evil now. *End Spoiler Alert*.

A joke that was set up in the very first issue of Bone, finally get's it's pay-off. And I gotta say, it gave me a good laugh when it revealed itself. I won't ruin it for you here, but I will say it involves Phoney Bone and a lot of hot-air *Wink wink*.

This story is like crack. I'm trying to space it out and not read through it too fast and yet here I am, on the verge of reading another Volume already today. Bah!!!! Not as much Phoney Bone as I would like to have. Thus a lower rating here.

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5


Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #49: Bone: Rock Jaw (Volume 5)

Bone: Rock Jaw (Volume 5) 1998

Written and Drawn by Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

Bone: Rock Jaw Volume 5 takes place entirely on a cliff on the outskirts of the Valley. Here the story centers on Fone Bone and Smiley Bone's quest to return the Rat Creature Pup back to its family, only to run into Roque Ja (Rock Jaw), a Tiger. From here all sorts of troubles await our lovable duo as they meet a host of other characters that help them escape from Rock Jaw and Kingdok. 

I was kind of surprised that the majority of the Volume was basically one story set in one setting. It does take on the feel of Lord Of The Rings with their quest...or lack of. No Phoney Bone here gives it a lesser rating. Hey, nothing wrong with the story itself that's being told. But I wanted some crazy antics of Phoney Bone to pop up somewhere.

Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #48: Bone: The Dragonslayer (Volume 4)

Bone: The Dragonslayer (Volume 4) 1997

Written and Drawn by Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

Fone Bone may be the main character, but in my eyes the real star of the series is Phoney Bone, and in Bone: The Dragonslayer (Volume 4), he takes center stage. In a bit right out of I Love Lucy, Phoney Bone and Lucius split the Tavern right down the middle to see who can win the bet of selling the most beer. If you have seen the Lucy episode in question, you should know that hilarity ensues.

Reading and watching Phoney Bone plot and scheme to get rich has been pretty funny throughout the series so far. Only someone like Phoney can have the entire town want to kill him and then somehow get them to appoint him their new leader. Haha. I should have realized by now that nothing ever goes according to his plan and when the townspeople end up catching their own Dragon, the payoff was pretty good. Lovin' the series so far.

Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #47: Bone: Eyes Of The Storm (Volume 3)

Bone: Eyes Of The Storm (Volume 3) 1996

Written and Drawn by Jeff Smith

Colors by Steve Hamaker

Bone: Volume #3 Eyes of the Storm finally gets around to revealing the big secret about Thorn's past and where she came from and why the Rat Creatures are after her. I kinda knew this was where the story was going so it wasn't that big of a reveal to me. This is still a great yarn, but for me, Volume #3 gets a lower rating because it seemed like there wasn't as much of Fone Bone as in the two previous Volumes. A lot was spent on Thorn, Gran'ma and the rest in order to tell their story and set up what is sure to come. There is nothing wrong with this, but I just wanted more Fone, Smiley and Phoney is all.

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars out of 5


Review by Chiprocks1

Book Review #45: Bone: Out From Boneville (Volume 1)

Bone:  Out From Boneville (Volume 1) 1996

After putting this series off for years, it wasn't till I happened to come across The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, BONE and the Changing Face of Comics about him and his creation Bone did I decide that it time to finally read what every one has been raving about for years.

So, having just read Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville, which collects the first 6 issues, was it worth it? Hell yeah! To say that Fone Bone, Smiley Bone and Phoney Bone are charming is an understatement. I love these characters so much I feel like drawing them right now. As for the story, it is very engaging and will keep you flipping the pages pretty fast. It's a read that is very hard to put down once you start.

I highly recommend this to eveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery one. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Rating: 5 Stars out of 5