Bone Creator Jeff Smith Announced as 2017 Sparky Award Recipient

Press Release:

The Cartoon Art Museum is proud to announce that Jeff Smith, best known as the creator of the beloved award-winning graphic novel Bone, is the recipient of the 2017 Sparky Award. The Sparky Award was presented to him by Cartoon Art Museum board member Michael B. Johnson and CAM curator Andrew Farago during a spotlight panel at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Library’s 15^th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, August 12th.

The Sparky Award is named in honor of Charles “Sparky” Schulz, the creator of Peanuts. Schulz was nicknamed “Sparky” after the horse Sparkplug featured in the comic strip Barney Google. The Cartoon Art Museum would not exist without benefactors like Sparky Schulz and his wife, Jeannie.  The Sparky Award is presented on behalf of the Cartoon Art Museum and the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Library.

“I’ve followed Jeff’s ground breaking self-published work since the first issue of Bone and I’ve been delighted to see his growth as an artist and an advocate for the arts over years,” notes past Sparky Award winner Dr. Michael B. Johnson, R&D Pre-Production Architect, Pixar Animation Studios. “In addition to looking forward to his newest work Tuki, I’m delighted to follow his new adventure helping steer the Cartoon Crossroads Columbus arts festival in his hometown. For all these reasons and more I was honored to help present the Sparky to Jeff.”

The award celebrates the significant contributions of cartoon artists who embody the talent, innovation and humanity of Charles M. Schulz. Past recipients include Schulz himself, Sergio Aragones, Gus Arriola, Carl Barks, Gene Colan, Will Eisner, Creig Flessel, Phil Frank, Lou Grant, Michael B. Johnson, Chuck Jones, Ward Kimball, Gary Larson, John Lasseter, Stan Lee, Bill Melendez, Dale Messick, Jerry Robinson, John Severin, Morrie Turner, Ron Turner, and Mort Walker.

About Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith is The New York Times bestselling author/cartoonist of the BONE and RASL graphic novels. BONE won numerous awards around the world, including multiple American Eisners and Harveys, and the French Alph Art. In 2005, Smith’s work was chosen to launch Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Books. Smith was guest editor of Best American Comics in 2013. Smith’s web-comic about the first human to leave Africa 2,000,000 years ago called Tuki Save the Humans at Boneville.com, won the 2014 Reuben Award for Best Online Comic and is currently being prepared for release as a graphic novel.

CA – Charles M. Schulz Museum 15th Anniversary Celebration

The Charles M. Schulz Museum celebrates its 15th anniversary on Saturday, August 12, 2017 with an all-star lineup of cartoonists!

Jeff Smith, creator of the award-winning comic book series Bone, will speak about his work and sign books as part of the Museum’s 15th anniversary celebration. Like Charles Schulz did for the comic strip, Smith redefined the graphic novel format when he released The Complete Bone Adventures Volume One: Out From Boneville, which sold an unprecedented 50,000 copies in its first year. Bone won numerous awards including 10 Eisner Awards and 11 Harveys. In 2005, Bone was chosen to launch the first graphic novel series for children from a major publishing house, Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Books. Smith’s other works include Rasl and Tuki. Smith will headline a celebration of cartooning that will include:

11:00 am: Jarrett Krosoczka, New York Times best-selling creator of Star Wars: Jedi Academy and the Lunch Lady series will speak about his work.

Noon – 2:00 pm: Meet, watch, and talk to a variety of current professional cartoonists including Nathan Hale, creator of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales; Svetlana Chmakova of Awkward; plus Donna Almendrala, Brent Anderson, Tom Beland, Andrew Farago, Brian Fies, Mike Gray, Jaimel Hemphill, Scott Jeralds, Maia Kobabe, Brian Kolm, Emily Martin, Haley Martin, Jeff Schinkel, Denis St. John, and Thomas Yeates.

2:00 pm: In conversation with Jeff Smith, led by Paige Braddock of Jane’s World and Lex Fajardo of Kid Beowulf. Jeff Smith, creator of the award-winning graphic novel series Bone, will discuss his work and the influence of Charles Schulz on his art and cartooning in general. Smith will sign books after this talk.

Free exclusive 15th Anniversary key chain to all Museum visitors on the day of the event!

RSVP on Facebook!

Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 579-4452

IL – Bone Signing

Aw Yeah Comics welcomes legendary creator Jeff Smith (Bone, Rasl, Tuki) to their Skokie, IL shop on Saturday, June 25, 2016. This is truly an all ages friendly signing.

It will be split into two sessions, in order to better control the anticipated line. Noon to 2:00 PM (line caps at 1:30 PM ) will be for customers that have pre-ordered one or more of several items we will list shortly. There will then be an hour break. The 3:00 PM  to 5:00 PM session will be first come, first served as far as being able to meet Jeff and get items signed. That line will cap at 4:00 PM.

RSVP on Facebook!

Aw Yeah Comics
4933 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077
847-423-2916

OH – Comic Authors Visit

Popular cartoonists Raina Telgemeier, Kazu Kibuishi, and Jeff Smith appear at the Delaware County District Library on Wednesday October 29th from 7:00 – 8:30 PM!

Delaware County District Library
84 E. Winter Street, Delaware, OH 43015

UK – Bone Signing

Jeff Smith appears for an exclusive London signing at Orbital Comics on Monday, October 20th at 5:00 pm! This is the perfect opportunity to meet and get your books signed by the genius behind Bone, Rasl, and the recent-released Tuki: Save The Humans. Presented in part with  The Lakes International Comic Art Festival.

Orbital Comics
8 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JA, United Kingdom
020 7240 0591

Bone’s Jeff Smith Appears at Boston Comic Con 2014

Boston Comic Con is thrilled to welcome Bone creator JEFF SMITH to his first appearance st New England’s biggest comic book convention! The Bone series has entertained comic fans of all ages across the world and garnered heaps of accolades. In addition he has worked on SHAZAM: The Monster Society of Evil, created RASL, and currently writes and illustrates the webcomic TUKI, chronicling the journey of a prehistoric family. Be sure to catch this modern master of comics in a rare New England appearance! Tell your friends!

Previously announced guests include Jason Momoa, Jewel Staite, James Marsters, Eve Myles, Simon Bisley, Amanda Conner, Adam Kubert, Danielle Corsetto, Carlos Pacheco, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eric Powell, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and many more!

For the full guest list plus artist alley, exhibitor, and film fest registration please check out the Boston Comic Con website!

Online ticket purchases are available at the link! Tell your friends!

RSVP on Facebook!

About Boston Comic Con:
The Boston Comic Con is a 100% independently run comic book show committed to bringing the biggest and best comic creators to New England. Run by fans for fans, Boston Comic Con is not affiliated with any other convention tour or corporate interests. Hosting over 120,000 square feet of vendors selling comic books, toys, posters, trading cards, and other pop culture memorabilia, this is a destination event for geeks of any stripe. Next year’s convention will be held Friday August 8th, Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th at the Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210. For more information please go to our website at www.bostoncomiccon.com and follow us on Twitter (@BostonComicCon) and Facebook!

NYC – Tuki Launch Party

Cartoonist Jeff Smith launches his new title TUKI at the Society of Illustrators on Sunday November 10th with special guests Patrick McDonnell, Paul Pope, Liza Donnelly, Michael Maslin, and Larry Marder! Get tickets at the link!

Press Release:

On November 10, legendary cartoonists Patrick McDonnell, Paul Pope, Liza Donnelly, Michael Maslin, and Larry Marder will attend a brunch hosted by Bone creator Jeff Smith at the Society of Illustrators in New York City to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Kids’ Right to Read program! This benefit brunch will boast a live performance by Smith, who will unveil his new series Tuki Save The Humans, as well as a silent auction and a private viewing of the Society’s current exhibits. Tickets to this event are partially tax-deductible, and available at www.cbldf.org

CBLDF is a non-profit organization that protects the freedom to read, create, and distribute comics by performing legal aid, education, and advocacy activities. Smith recently joined the Fund’s Board of Directors and will host this lively afternoon event, where attendees will also enjoy brunch with the most outstanding authors in contemporary graphic fiction and an auction of original art by today’s finest cartoonists.

Doors will open at 11:00 a.m., followed by viewing of the exhibits and silent auction. Smith’s performance will begin at 12:00 p.m., to be followed by brunch and viewing time in the Society’s galleries.

There are two levels of admission to this special event:

General Admission Tickets are available for a $100 donation to CBLDF and includes admission to the exhibits, brunch and a souvenir print signed by Jeff Smith. $40 of this contribution is tax-deductible.

Dine With Jeff Smith VIP Admission Tickets are available for a $250 donation to CBLDF. This includes dining with Jeff Smith and also includes admission to the exhibits, brunch, and a souvenir print signed by Smith. $190 of this contribution is tax-deductible.

Donors will enjoy three of the Society’s exhibits: The Original Art, a juried exhibit showcasing the original art from the year’s best children’s books; Battling Boy, a selection of original pages from Paul Pope’s extraordinary new graphic novel, and The Collection of Michael Maslin and Liza Donnelly, New Yorker cartoonists whose collection includes works by cartoon luminaries from the magazine’s past, such as James Thurber, Gluyas Williams, and Helen Hokinson, and its present, including Jack Ziegler, Roz Chast, Bob Mankoff, Mick Stevens, Drew Dernavich, Zachary Kanin, Barbara Smaller. Donnelly, Maslin, and Pope will all be on hand at the brunch to discuss their exhibits with attendees.

Your admission to brunch supports CBLDF’s important work protecting Kids’ Right to Read. CBLDF is a leader in opposing censorship and in support of a parent’s right to choose what content is suitable for his or her children. The Fund helps to keep books on shelves and empowers students to speak up for their rights. In the past year, CBLDF has helped protect dozens of books, from Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis to Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl. CBLDF’s publications Raising A Reader and Using Graphic Novels in Education are vital tools in helping the next generation of teachers, librarians, and parents use comics to promote literacy. The Fund’s efforts to fight censorship in courtrooms and classrooms are essential to protecting the future of comics. This brunch will advance that important work by raising money to support 2014 Kids’ Right to Read efforts.

About Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith (born February 27, 1960) is an American cartoonist, best known as the creator of the self-published comic book series BONE. Smith solidified the ’90s’ Self-Publishing Movement when he joined other self-publishers and launched a new era of independent comics publishing, a movement that captured nearly 20% of the growing comics book market. In 1993, Smith breathed new life into the Graphic Novel format with The Complete BONE Adventures Volume One: Out From Boneville, which sold an unprecedented 50,000 copies in its first year. BONE won numerous American awards including 10 Eisner Awards and 11 Harveys, as well as European awards from Italy, Germany, and the French Alph Art.

In 2005, BONE was chosen to launch the first graphic novel series for children from a major publishing house, Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Books. There have been exhibitions of his work, and in 2009 Smith was the subject of an Emmy Award winning documentary called The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, BONE, and the Changing Face of Comics. Later works include critically acclaimed SHAZAM: The Monster Society of Evil, and Little Mouse Gets Ready, a comic for emerging readers that received a Geisel Honor in 2009. In 2013, Smith guest edited The Best American Comics anthology, and released his second major work, RASL, a dark, hard-boiled sci-fi story that focuses on an art thief who hops through dimensional barriers, hiding out on various parallel worlds.

About Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals. http://www.cbldf.org

About the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators
The Society of Illustrators, founded in 1901, is the oldest nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the art and appreciation of illustration in America. Prominent Society members have been Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell, among others. The Museum of American Illustration was established by the Society in 1981 and is located in the Society’s vintage 1875 carriage house building in mid-town Manhattan. The Museum is open to the public Tuesday, 10 am-8 pm; Wednesday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm; and Saturday, 12-4 pm. General Admission is $10/$5 students/seniors, and Admission is free of charge on Tuesday from 5-8pm. To learn more about visiting the Museum and the Society click here.

About the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art
The museum’s purpose has been the collection, preservation, study, education, and display of comic and cartoon art. Every genre of the art is represented: animation, anime, cartoons, comic books, comic strips, gag cartoons, humorous illustration, illustration, political illustration, editorial cartoons, caricature, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and computer-generated art. It is the mission of the museum to promote the understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art as well as to detail and discuss the artistic, cultural, and historical impact of what is the world’s most popular art form.

Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd Street, New York, NY 10065