I still buy Bone, although of late that has been more for the art than the story. I deeply dig smith's linework, use of black areas and those slightly untidy but somehow right textures he puts on stone, cloth, etc. It's become something I study as much as enjoy, a lesson in economy that reminds me not to get caught up in flashy superfluosity in my own work. But what really really gets me hot is the pure cartooning aspects of his work (ie not the plot or individual details of the artwork - crappy distinction to make, I know); the flow of movement from panel to panel, the malleability of the Bone cousin's physiques, facial contortions, pacing of jokes etc. The sequence where Fone Bone is being chased by two rat creatures just before colliding with, yes, the great cow race, has some of the best (in terms of readability and pure grace) panels I've seen. The weight of the bodies, direction of movement just gives you so much information; you can see where Fone has been running from, the change of direction he is about to take, from one simple drawing, and then in the next panel follow the pursuing rat creatures through that initial line of motion into the perfectly slapstick tree stump. His past in animation is v apparent. Smith has described Bone as "one long chase scene", and I think that's when he's at his best.
The story has picked up with the last issue, although I agree that pacing had been... verrry... slooowww recently. I guess it could be explained in part by attributing it to "build-up", moving the pieces around in preparation for the finale. Or it could be that now Smith has a sizeable (? I guess this must be the case as the book continues to be published but have no real information) and loyal readership he doesn't need to throw out as many comedy/ action "hooks" as in the first few volumes. aaah, i don't know, more likely he's become so attached to his epic and characters that he's eking the whole thing out in an attempt to a) stave off the inevitable mid-life crisis that will follow the completion of his magnum opus and b) allow the characters "breathing room" so that everyone will realise what wondrous and DEEP creations they are.
It's probably worth picking up again - I have to say that the final panel of the last issue with Gran'ma gazing at the approaching rat hordes saying "we're not ready.." has me glistening with anticipation in much the same way that the attack of the superguardians in the "Imperial" NXM storyline did. Just hope the ensuing battle isn't as much of a damp squib.
(Nice abstract, btw) |
