The Great Cow Race is the second volume of Bone, consisting of issues 7-11. It is the second book in the Vernal Equinox Trilogy.
Summary
The Bones have reunited, and plan to return to Boneville after the Spring Festival. But while Fone Bone tries to win Thorn's affections, Phoney Bone has plans of his own; scamming the betters of the Great Cow Race so he can return home in style.
This volume has examples of
- Armor-Piercing Question: When Lucius hears about the Mystery Cow his regulars are betting on, he asks, "I mean have any of you jokers laid your eyeballs on this cow you bet your life savings on?" This leads to Phoney having to come up with an elaborate charade to keep his suckers pacified.
- Eye Pop: Phoney does this when Lucius bets his inn on Gran'ma Ben, followed by a Jaw Drop.
- Fatal Flaw: Phoney's Mystery Cow scam depends on no one betting on Gran'ma Ben; Therefore when she wins, he'll get to keep everything. Lucius torpedoes the scam by betting his tavern on Gran'ma.
- Produce Pelting: After the Cow Race, it transpires that Phoney near-suckers responded to his scam by pelting him with eggs. Fone Bone points out that if Gran'Ma Ben hadn't covered his debts, they would have done much worse.
- Wasn't That Fun?: Because of the Bones, a horde of Rat Creatures get caught up in the Cow Race resulting in an out of control stampede. After winning the race, Gran'ma Ben whoops, "Hot diggity dog! That was the best darn Cow Race ever!"
- Work Off the Debt: This is Phoney and Smiley's punishment for the Mystery Cow scam- working at Gran'ma Ben's farm and Lucius' tavern until the seniors decide they've repaid them for the pot.
