Jeff Smith, is a an acclaimed American cartoonist and self-publisher best known as the creator of the epic fantasy comic book series Bone, a groundbreaking self-published work blending humor, adventure, and intricate storytelling that has sold millions of copies worldwide and influenced generations of readers and creators.
His career highlights include pioneering creator-owned comics through his company Cartoon Books, earning numerous prestigious awards like multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, and expanding into other notable series such as RASL, Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, and Tüki Save the Humans, while also being featured in the documentary The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, Bone, and the Changing Face of Comics (2009).
He graduated from Worthington High School in 1978 and attended Ohio State University, where he created the comic strip Thorn for the student newspaper The Lantern.
He did not complete a formal degree, instead focusing on animation and comics. His ethnicity is American, and his religion is unknown.
Career
Jeff Smith began his career in the mid-1980s by co-founding Character Builders, an animation studio in Columbus, Ohio, where he worked on commercials, TV openings, and short projects until 1992.
Inspired by influences like Carl Barks, Walt Kelly, and a pivotal lecture by Bill Watterson on creative freedom, he shifted focus to comics and launched his self-publishing venture, Cartoon Books, in 1991.
He started serializing Bone, the story of three cartoon cousins—Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone—facing epic adventures in a fantasy world, with the first issue appearing that year.
This independent approach allowed him full control, and early issues built a dedicated following through word-of-mouth and comic shop distribution, marking him as a trailblazer in creator-owned comics.
His career achieved major breakthroughs with Bone’s ongoing success, running 55 issues until 2004 and earning widespread acclaim for its blend of humor and high fantasy.
He collected the series into nine trade paperbacks and a massive one-volume edition, later colorized by Scholastic’s Graphix imprint starting in 2005, which expanded its reach to younger readers and bookstores.
Key accomplishments include winning 10 Eisner Awards and 11 Harvey Awards for Bone, along with National Cartoonists Society honors.
He transitioned to other projects, such as the DC miniseries Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil (2007) and the sci-fi noir RASL (2008 onward), while contributing prequels like Stupid, Stupid Rat Tails and Rose.
These works showcased his versatility and solidified his reputation as a master storyteller.
Jeff Smith continues to produce influential comics, with projects like the prehistoric adventure Tüki Save the Humans (webcomic from 2013, with print editions and recent developments on sequels) and his role in promoting the medium through events and festivals.
His legacy endures through Bone’s status as a gateway graphic novel, inspiring creators and readers globally, while his commitment to independent publishing and artistic integrity shapes the industry’s evolution.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @the_official_jeffsmith_insta
- Facebook Handle: Jeff Smith Cartoonist
- Twitter Handle: @jeffsmithsbone
Personal Life
Jeff Smith maintains a stable and supportive personal life centered on his long-term marriage to Vijaya Iyer, whom he wed on June 3, 1989.
Vijaya serves as his business manager and president of Cartoon Books, having left her Silicon Valley job to help run the publishing side of his career.
The couple resides in Columbus, Ohio, and shares a partnership that balances creativity with business.
They have no children, and Smith keeps his private life low-key, focusing on family, his health (notably recovering from a 2023 cardiac arrest), and his passion for comics.
Filmography
- The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, Bone, and the Changing Face of Comics (2009)
- Monster a Go-Go (1965)
Net Worth
Jeff Smith has an estimated net worth of $5 million. He derives his income primarily from sales of his graphic novels and comic collections, particularly the enduring popularity of Bone through print, colorized editions, and international translations.
