Stupid Stupid Rat Tails: The Adventures of Big Johnson Bone, Frontier Hero is a mini-series for Bone. It was originally a three issue series before being collected in a trade paperback of its own in 2000. The series was later included with Bone: Tall Tales along other stories in 2010. Also included in the first collection and in the later book More Tall Tales' is Riblet.
Summary
"Big" Johnson Bone, ancestor of the Bone Cousins, is on the search for adventure alongside his donkey Blossom, and cantankerous monkey Mr. Pip. They are sent flying by tornado into the Valley, where they learn the local animals are being threatened by the encroachment of the Rat Creatures, with only fire-less dragon for protection.
This series has examples of
- But Now I Must Go: After defeating the Rat Creatures and saving the animals, Big Johnson leaves the Valley.
- Cue the Flying Pigs: Every time Big Johnson declares that The Powers That Be should drop some bad weather on him if he's lying, it happens.
- Human Hammer-Throw: How Big Johnson fights the Rat Creatures. This would be the excuse Queen Maude uses to justify having all the other Rat Creatures' tails cut off after she and Tyson lose theirs.
- Lost Him in a Card Game: How Big Johnson got Mr. Pip. Hearing the monkey's complaints, Johnson wonders if he should have taken the other guy's boots instead.
- Tired of Running: Big Johnson encourages the Valley animals to not their fear rule them, and they follow suit;Stillman: It's like Big Johnson said, you have to decide whether or not being afraid is going to run your life — Well, I've decided!
- Took a Level in Badass: Stillman the dragon starts out unable to breath fire due to some stomach issue. During the story, he gains this power which helps him and his animals escape the Rat Creatures.
