Jeff Smith, born on February 27, 1960, in McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American cartoonist best known for his influential work in the comic book industry. Raised in the American Midwest, Smith was deeply inspired by comic strips, comic books, and animated TV shows from an early age. In 1991, he founded Cartoon Books, a company dedicated to publishing his comic book BONE, which narrates the comedic and adventurous tales of three lost cousins from Boneville.

Despite the challenges faced by a small publisher, Cartoon Books thrived under Smith's direction, gaining critical acclaim and a host of major awards. This success helped propel both the company and BONE to prominence within the comic book world. In 1992, Smith's wife Vijaya Iyer joined the business, bringing her expertise as a partner to oversee publishing and distribution.