The Cartoonist Makes Its World Premiere at the Wexner Center

His books have touched the lives of millions worldwide, yet he’s not a household name. He’s regarded as one of America’s greatest living cartoonists, yet you won’t see his work in the Sunday funnies. Jeff Smith is a paradox—a living example of the self-made man who followed his childhood dream—and the subject of a feature-length documentary by Mills James Productions, making its world premiere May 22, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus.



“The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, BONE and the Changing Face of Comics” tells the inspiring story of Jeff Smith’s creation of the epic comic book, BONE, hailed by critics as one of the greatest graphic novels of all time.



Fellow cartoonists Scott McCloud, Colleen Doran, Harvey Pekar, Paul Pope and Terry Moore, as well as friends, associates, experts and Jeff himself, share their stories of this worldwide phenomenon that began in small comics shops and is now found in bookstores, schools, libraries and the homes of millions of adults and children in 25 countries. In addition to discussing Jeff’s early years, influences and philosophies, the film provides a look at a unique industry and art form that continues to change and evolve.



“The Cartoonist” writer and director Ken Mills said if a documentary is to do its job right, it takes people into a world they don’t see everyday.



“The inside world of comics is its own hidden universe with its own culture and celebrities,” said Mills. “The Cartoonist gives people a chance to venture into that world and see what it’s like—up close. It’s a must-see for BONE fans, but more than that, it’s a re-entry into the world of comics for anyone who stopped reading them at some point. And for anyone remotely thinking about going into cartooning, this is a lesson on the intricacies of entering and surviving the comics business.”



On view during the summer of 2008 at the Wexner Center, the exhibition “Jeff Smith: BONE and Beyond” encompassed original drawings spanning the cartoonist’s works, and included selections from artists who Smith cites as direct influences. Scenes from the documentary, including fan interviews, were shot during the exhibition.



“The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, BONE and the Changing Face of Comics” makes its world premiere at 7 p.m. on May 22 at the Wexner Center for the Arts on the campus of The Ohio State University, 1871 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio. The premiere is part of the Visiting Filmmakers series, where rising stars and acclaimed masters come to screen their films and talk with Wexner Center audiences. The event is co-sponsored by Ohio State’s Cartoon Library and Museum. Tickets are $7 for the general public.