The Darkest Issue of Bone So Far
The fourth issue was supposed to be called 'Barrelhaven', because the Bones and Thorn and Grandma Ben were going to go to Barrelhaven. They don't. They spend most of the issue preparing to go there, and Phoney Bone sets off a day early for Barrelhaven when he learns there'll be gambling there.
It's pretty clear that Jeff Smith is making this up as he goes along, and had intended to have this issue take place, at least in part, in this so-called 'Barrelhaven'. But that's O.K., because this issue has something better - some real tension.
The rat creatures are summoned by their king to hear 'The Hooded One' speak. The Hooded One is a sinister figure who seems to want Phoney Bone for some reason. As a result he orders two war parties of 1,000(!) rat creatures each to set out - one to scour the countryside for Phoney Bone, the other to lay siege to Grandma Ben's farm. Not sure why it takes 1,000 rat creatures to take on an old woman, a teenage girl, and Fone Bone, but nevertheless, that's what's up here.
It finally feels like this story is picking up and going somewhere. This issue is a lot darker than the cartoon fluff up to this point, and it's all the better for it.