The Bone Series in Order

About the Bone series

Series Premise

Bone follows three cousins from the town of Boneville—Fone Bone, Phoncible P. "Phoney" Bone, and Smiley Bone—who are cartoonish, white, bald, human-like creatures with big noses and simple designs. After Phoney's disastrous, greedy campaign to become mayor (involving rigged elections and scams) sparks a riot, he is chased out of Boneville. His cousins, loyal but reluctant Fone and cheerful but dim Smiley, help him escape, but the trio becomes lost in a vast desert. Separated by a swarm of locusts, they wander into a mysterious, lush valley hidden in the mountains—a place of rolling hills, dense forests, small villages like Barrelhaven, and ancient secrets. There, they encounter humans, talking animals, dragons, and terrifying rat creatures. Fone Bone falls in love with a spirited farm girl named Thorn Harvestar and her tough grandmother, Gran'ma Ben. What begins as a comedic quest to return home turns into an epic struggle against an ancient evil: the Lord of the Locusts, a malevolent force that possesses and corrupts, threatening to destroy the valley and beyond. The cousins—unwittingly caught in a prophecy—become key players in a larger conflict involving dragons, a lost royal bloodline, ancient wars, and the fate of the world. The story unfolds over a year in the valley, shifting from slapstick adventures and small-town antics to grand battles, betrayals, and revelations about destiny, power, and courage. Recurring motifs include the clash between greed and goodness, the power of friendship, and the idea that ordinary people (or bones) can rise to heroic greatness.

Main Characters

Fone Bone is the protagonist and everyman hero: brave, kind, romantic, and resourceful despite his small size and cartoonish appearance. He falls in love with Thorn and grows into a true hero.

Phoncible P. "Phoney" Bone is the scheming, greedy cousin: ambitious, self-serving, and often the comic relief or catalyst for trouble. His flaws drive much of the early plot, but he shows depth and redemption.

Smiley Bone is the tall, simple, cheerful cousin: laid-back, optimistic, and musically inclined (playing a one-string instrument). His innocence provides humor and heart.

Thorn Harvestar is the valley's young farm girl: spirited, strong-willed, and unknowingly the lost princess of a fallen kingdom. Skilled with a sword and connected to ancient powers.

Gran'ma Ben (Rose Harvestar) is Thorn's tough, eccentric grandmother: a legendary warrior-queen in disguise, fierce, wise, and protective.

The Great Red Dragon is a wise, powerful ally: enigmatic, sarcastic, and tied to the valley's ancient magic.

The Lord of the Locusts is the primary antagonist: a possessing evil force that corrupts and destroys.

Supporting characters include Lucius Down (gruff tavern owner), Ted (tiny but brave insect), rat creatures (comic yet menacing minions), dragons, and valley residents.

Setting

The primary setting is a richly imagined fantasy world, beginning in Boneville (a quirky, off-panel small town implied to be modern-ish but cartoonish) and quickly moving to the Valley—a beautiful, isolated region of forests, farms, mountains, rivers, and villages like Barrelhaven (a medieval-style tavern hub).

The valley feels timeless and archetypal: lush green hills, hidden glades, ancient ruins, dragon-haunted peaks, and shadowy forests teeming with life (talking insects, possum families, rat creatures). The world expands to include desert wastelands, underground realms, and mystical domains (dragon lands, mirror worlds). Smith's art creates a vivid, hand-drawn landscape—expressive black-and-white lines (or vibrant colors in later editions) that shift from cartoon simplicity to detailed epic vistas. The setting evokes classic fantasy (Tolkien-inspired maps, medieval villages) but with a unique, whimsical charm.

Tone & Themes

The tone evolves dramatically across the series, starting as pure cartoon comedy and gradually deepening into serious high fantasy with dark undertones. Early volumes are lighthearted, whimsical, and full of slapstick humor—Phoney's schemes, Smiley's oblivious cheer, Fone's earnest clumsiness, and absurd situations (cow races, food poisoning, pratfalls) evoke classic animated shorts. As the story progresses, the tone shifts to epic and tragic: battles grow intense, stakes become world-ending, and characters face real loss, fear, and moral dilemmas. The humor persists (dry wit, ironic commentary, quirky side characters) but serves as relief amid growing darkness—rat creature attacks, possession, ancient curses, and war. The overall mood is adventurous and heartfelt, blending wonder, suspense, and emotional weight without becoming grimdark. It's all-ages accessible yet layered enough for adults, with a sense of mythic grandeur and genuine warmth.

Jeff Smith's Bone series stands as a timeless masterpiece of graphic storytelling, blending hilarious cartoon antics with sweeping epic fantasy across its 55-issue run (collected in nine colorized books). From the Bone cousins' comedic exile from Boneville to their pivotal role in a world-saving battle against ancient darkness, the saga delivers adventure, heart, and profound growth. With its expressive art, unforgettable characters—especially the endearing Fone Bone, scheming Phoney, and joyful Smiley—and masterful tone shift from whimsy to heroism, Bone captures the magic of classic fantasy while feeling fresh and personal. It's a perfect gateway to comics for all ages, proving that small, unlikely heroes can change everything. Whether read in black-and-white or vibrant color, Bone remains one of the most satisfying, beautifully crafted graphic novel epics ever created—a joyful, thrilling journey that lingers long after the final page.