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[INSIDE 'BONE & BEYOND'] EXHIBIT REVIEW | | Wizard Universe's take on Jeff Smith brand new Columbus gallery show | | | By Robert Taylor | | Posted 5/14/2008 | |  | | There is a huge red dragon staring down at me. I am not on any drugs that I am aware of, nor am I on a miniature golf course. Should I be nervous?
Of course not! The dragon is just a character on a huge banner that welcomes guests to “Jeff Smith: Bone and Beyond,” the new exhibit that just opened (and runs until August 3rd) at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Center. A Wexner sticker and a trip down a flight of stairs later, and it is obvious that I have entered the real-world equivalent of what Boneville must be like.
| | ![[INSIDE 'BONE & BEYOND'] EXHIBIT REVIEW](http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/wizarduniverse_2008_127542445)
 There is a huge mural blowup of the Bone characters that takes up an entire wall of the gallery; Smith’s gorgeous Eisner-inspired artwork holding up just fine when blown up to the point where Fone Bone’s foot is as large as my head (and I’ve got a pretty large cranium). It’s a great, grand gesture that sets the stage for the guest’s descent into the mind of Jeff Smith, not to mention a great photo op.
The lengthy background plaque that adorns the entrance of the gallery gives the guest a hint about the care and reverence that was taken with the preparation of the exhibition: “Jeff Smith’s epic graphic novel ‘Bone’ is one of the most celebrated works in the history of the field. Comprising more than 80 original drawings, ‘Bone and Beyond’ documents Smith’s virtuosity as both an artist and a storyteller.”
Even the most obsessive fans of Smith’s work will find something new to oogle in the exhibition, with tidbits and trivia on boards throughout the gallery revealing enticing facts about the creator of Bone. One of the centerpieces of the collection is a breakdown of the creation of one of the most memorable splashes in Bone’s 55-issue history, one of the Rat Creatures racing through the forest on the hunt for the Bone cousins. We see the page as a splash, then broken into panels, as a color page in the Scholastic edition of the book, and much more. This peek into the creative process behind a single page in the comic is very insightful, not to mention giving fans an idea of why it took 13 years to complete the story.
You can also look at original artwork where panels have been “repaired” or revised before publication because of Smith’s strict artistic standards. It’s an astute treat for burgeoning artists trying to master their craft by studying one of its masters.
 Also of interest to comic book and comic strip fans are the side-by-side comparisons between Smith’s work and the original work of some of his major influences, like Will Eisner (creator of The Spirit) and Charles Schultz (creator of “Peanuts”). You can note the similarities in composition and pacing with the pieces, or you could just stand in awe.
Of course, the title of the exhibition isn’t “Jeff Smith: Bone and Beyond” for nothing. There is also original artwork from his miniseries Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil! and his current comic RASL. Books collecting Smith’s work are available in the adjacent store, and the hardcover book “Jeff Smith: Bone and Beyond,” is a must for any fan of the creator.
Despite the fact that the comic medium has come into a new renaissance of respect, it’s still rare to see a creator get such a prolific and grand mainstream spotlight. Smith fans, general comic fans, budding artists – heck, anyone with a car and a full tank of gas – should hit the freeway and get to Columbus before August 3rd. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience into a genius storyteller that you cannot get from any Google search. Just tell the dragon I say “Hi!”
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Check out all our coverage of "Bone & Beyond" including notes on opening weekend, Scott McCloud's interview of Jeff Smith at the event and last week's interview with curators Lucy Caswell and David Filipi!
And keep checking back in with Wizard Universe for an the WU interview of Jeff Smith from opening weekend!
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