🎨 Jeff Smith

Biography

Jeff Smith, born on February 27, 1960, in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, is the creator of Bone, one of the undisputed masterpieces of American independent comics. His is the story of a determined creator who built his success outside the mainstream, proving that a personal vision could triumph without the backing of major publishers.

Bone launched in July 1991, self-published by Smith under his own imprint, Cartoon Books. The first issue, printed in modest numbers, follows the arrival of three Bone cousins — round, white creatures inspired by classic cartoons — in a valley inhabited by dragons, rat creatures, and medieval villagers. What begins as a lighthearted comedy gradually reveals itself as a fantasy epic of remarkable depth, blending the humor of Carl Barks, the wonder of Tolkien, and the storytelling instincts of Walt Kelly.

The series ran for fifty-five issues published from 1991 to 2004, later collected in a complete edition from Cartoon Books and then reissued in color by Scholastic, bringing the work to millions of young readers. The Scholastic reissue, launched in 2005, was a phenomenal commercial success that demonstrated the power of the graphic novel format for younger audiences.

Smith earned ten Eisner Awards and eleven Harvey Awards for Bone — a track record reflecting the unanimous recognition of the industry. His line work, at once simple and expressive, enables seamless shifts between slapstick comedy and epic drama. The action sequences, particularly the battles against the Locust Army, hold their own alongside the finest fantasy storytelling in the medium.

After Bone, Smith created RASL (2008–2013), a more adult science-fiction thriller exploring parallel universes, followed by Tüki (2014–present), a prehistoric adventure. Neither reached the impact of Bone, but both confirmed the author's range and versatility.

For collectors, Bone #1 in its first printing is a cornerstone of independent publishing, with prices that have risen steadily. The initial print run is estimated at only a few thousand copies, making it a genuine rarity. A complete run of all fifty-five original Cartoon Books issues is an increasingly rewarding — and increasingly difficult — collecting goal.

Co-created Characters