Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast
Arts:Books
At five years old, Jeff Smith brought Fone Bone to life. Immediately enthralled by the characters of Walt Kelly, Charles M. Schulz, Walt Disney, and others, the kid desperately sought to contribute his own creation. While most abandon their childhood ideas, Smith carried Fone Bone into his teenage years, college life, and adulthood. Why?
The question rests at the core of this week's episode. We chat with Jeff Smith about his nearly lifelong relationship with Fone Bone and how it evolved from a cartooning challenge into an elaborate comic strip for his college paper and then radically expanded into the bestselling Bone saga. Even after concluding that twelve-year journey, Smith can't shake Fone Bone and his cousins.
Scholastic's Graphix recently published Bone: More Tall Tales, an anthology jammed with Smith's peers (Tom Sniegoski, Stan Sakai, Katie Cook, Matt Smith, and Scott Brown), all giving their spin on the Bone universe. Especially noteworthy, Jeff Smith and Cartoon Books have launched a new Kickstarter, gathering the early stories that would ultimately shape Bone - Thorn: The Complete Proto-Bone College Strips from 1982 to 1986 and Other Early Drawings.
Whatever glimpses we've previously seen of these Proto-Bone strips were brief and relatively limited. Having the chance to read them offers tremendous insight into our Bone obsession and into the artist that birthed it. Here is a Rosetta Stone of sorts.
Some cartoonists might shiver at the thought of their readers encountering such early attempts, but Jeff Smith embraces the opportunity. As some might be aware, he recently suffered a debilitating heart attack. He's in a reflective state, and Smith looks upon his early work with a new perspective and consideration. And he's more than happy to share it with us.
The new Thorn Kickstarter is an essential read for fans of Bone, and we believe this conversation with Jeff Smith is equally so. Join us as we travel back to the early days when a kid found himself in a cartoon and dragged that doodle through adolescence and into the various weird stages adulthood also offers.
As always, Omnibus, the Digital Comic Store and Reader, sponsors our Referrals segment. This week, we selected two comic book titles on the app that satisfy this episode's themes. We won't spoil what they are here, but if you click the links below, you'll be immediately escorted to the books.
Brad's Referral
Lisa's Referral
Keep up to date on all things Jeff Smith by visiting his Website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Find the Thorn: The Complete Proto-Bone College Strips from 1982 to 1986 and Other Early Drawings on Kickstarter.
Listen to our previous Jeff Smith conversation, discussing Tuki: Fight for Fire and Tuki: Fight for Family.
Final Round of Plugs (PHEW)
Now Open - the CBCC Digital Shop!
Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY!
Join us at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 12/3 at 4:00 PM for our Flash Gordon screening, co-hosted by Psycho Cinema, co-sponsored by Four Color Fantasies, and benefitting The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
Don't forget! Watch the latest episode of The B&B Show, where Brad and Bryan Review the Hottest Cinematic Releases.
And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.
Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts.
Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.
Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.
CBCC 73: J‘onn J‘onzz & M‘yri‘ah J‘onzz - Martian Manhunter: Identity
CBCC 72: Dinah & Ollie - The Longbow Hunters
CBCC 71: Dinah & Ollie - Justice League of America
The Fantastic Four 60th Anniversary Party Special
CBCC 70: Scott & Jean - A What If Wedding Album
CBCC 69: Loki & Loki - Journey into Mystery
CBCC Emergency Podcast Broadcast: Beta Ray Bill No. 5 -The Finale
Creator Corner: Daniel Warren Johnson on Beta Ray Bill
CBCC Celebration: Richard Donner's Superman - The Movie
CBCC 68: Reed & Sue - Fantastic Four Marvel NOW!
Patreon Preview: Loki & Loki in Loki Episode 3 - Lamentis
Creator Corner: A TKO Studios Spectacular!
CBCC 67/100: Reed & Sue - Civil War
CBCC 66: Reed & Sue - The Fantastic Four Wedding
Creator Corner: Tony Cliff & Jordan Morris on Bubble
CBCC 65: Reed & Sue - The Fantastic Four
Creator Corner: Alex de Campi on Full Tilt Boogie
Creator Corner: Karl Stevens on Penny: A Graphic Memoir
Creator Corner: Rob Williams on Judge Dredd - End of Days
CBCC 64: Sam & Bucky - Falcon and Winter Soldier
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Gulliver’s Travels
Anne of Green Gables
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends