05.Jun.2009 Bone Vol 5: Rock Jaw Master of the Eastern Border by Jeff Smith

I’ve been talking about Bone for the last 3 posts now. But no more for a while, I promise. This is the last Bone that I borrowed from the library and I’m gonna have to wait a while to get my hands on the next books in the series. *sigh*

It’s for the better. Before I reduce my readers to only my mom. (That’s a joke. My mom doesn’t read my blog.)

Back to Bone!

This volume has so many funny moments that made me almost topple down from my seat. I LOVE IT! The last 2 volumes before this have gone darker, but Bone Vol 5 for me represents the real Bone, the funny cute Bone creatures and their friends.

Here we meet Rock Jaw, who calls himself Roque Ja, the giant cat (okay, tiger). Fone and Smiley meet him on their way to return the Bartleby the rat creature cub back to where it belongs.

I like Rock Jaw. He’s trying so hard to be graceful and dignified. Yet for me he just looks funny. On the other hand, I never like the art concept of Kingdok, the rat creature King. I think he’s pure ugly. And why doesn’t he look like the rest of the rat creatures?

Bartleby is, again, the star, since he’s so cute. Even though he doesn’t talk he seems to understand what everybody’s talking about :). I also notice that Smiley Bone doesn’t stick his tongue so much anymore like the first two volumes in the series. So everyone’s getting more serious, but still it’s sprinkled by a lot of comic reliefs.

My favorite scene:

Smiley Bone: Will you read us some Moby Dick? I wanna teach th’ little guy how to take a nap after lunch..

Fone Bone: Hey! This is a work of art, not a sleeping aid!

Smiley: Ooh! Debating its merits! Even better! Okay, we’re ready!

Then when the rat creatures attack:

Smiley: Quick! Read ‘em some of this!! (pointing to Moby Dick)

Fone: What?

Smiley: Call me Ishmael! (to the rat creatures)

Fone: What are you doing?!

Smiley: It’s not working! Here! You try! Go on! Read it!

Fone: Um.
“Call me Ishmael, Some years ago.. never mind how long precisely.. having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore…”
“… I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery parts of the world..”

Smiley: There! I think that did it!

Rat creatures fall down dizzy and possibly asleep.

HILARIOUS! LOL!

1998, 128pp

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