The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist Hardcover – Illustrated, July 21, 2020

This is lovely triumph.As someone who has loved Tomine's work since 32 Stories, this is like comfort food. Sharing his internal monologue about comics across his life in good and frustrating times is both whimsical and painful. Tomine's desire to be recognized as an artist is never fulfilled, until he reframes it.Unexpectedly, this may be my favorite of Tomine's books! It is technically perfect, from the faux moleskine binding to the last page pencil bio. Or in the way certain panels fade into and out of existence, playing with dream or internal dialogue. The amount of craft placed to make this drink down so seamlessly is only lost on those who have never tried. This is tough, hopping across time and state with a playful and expert ease.The end beat is especially relevant today. I'd wager Tomine's audience has grown up alongside him, now with families of their own. The classic 'Optic Nerve' twenty something story is almost retro in its optimism, but this ending really rings true in a way those couldn't. While other stories ended on a high note for some far off potential hope delivered, this is the book he understands the joy he has been searching for has arrived while he was busy with other tasks. It brought me to tears for both him and how my perspective has similarly shifted with time.

Any longtime fan of Adrian Tomine knows that it’s not often he publishes new work. It’s very exciting when I hear he has something new. I ordered this new work and read it immediately after the Amazon van drove off after leaving it at my door. The artwork and story telling was classic Tomine as he shares the many indignities he endured while going to virtual unknown to renowned New Yorker artist. The story also provides laughs as Tomine shares his own version of “be careful what you wish for” as Tomine’s popularity eventually becomes a chore for the artist. Tomine’s art is as beautiful as ever. His line work some of the cleanest and gorgeous ever. Look, I’m a huge fan and this book is right in his wheelhouse. I can’t recommend it enough.

Adrian really dug deep into his psyche when writing this- this is a collection of messy, yet honest life experiences. The message I took from this is that success is not linear, it ebbs and flows- and it doesn't feel like what you think it will. I appreciate Adrian's willingness to dive deep and show the human side of himself that a lot of us can relate to.

I suppose I have a unique vantage point regarding Tomine's career as a cartoonist... I was buying mini-comics from him back in the ancient 90s!!! I distinctly remember getting Optic Nerve (volume1) #7, the issue that was funded by a Xeric grant... and was blown away by his growth and maturity... he was still a teenager at that point!!! After that, he went on to produce a somewhat seminal series for Drawn & Quarterly (also titled Optic Nerve) for quite some time before getting to this book. Finally getting away from the "floppies", Tomine has decided to take the plunge and produce work specifically for book form. Well, except for the "Scenes from an Impending Marriage", which was a sketchbook exercise, I believe. Regardless, this is his first "graphic novel" proper. And Tomine definitely succeeds in making it entertaining and memorable. First, the actual book itself... the design is really nice!!! A smallish book, complete with a bookmark ribbon and a band to hold the cover shut. The actual design is much like a little notebook, with a textured black front and black cover, and graph paper on the inside. Simple, elegant and understated... quite complimentary to Tomine's cartooning style. If I had to lodge a complaint, it would be that once the spine is cracked, the textured paper seems to buckle and separate from the actual spine. So, there is a bit of a wavy effect after the book is opened. Not really a big deal, though... personally, I'm a sucker for clever designing like this. The cover is listed as being designed by Tomine and Tracey Hurren, so he was involved in the choices made regarding the look of the book. I have to say, very nicely done!!! On to the meat of the matter... the story. Unlike many "Alternative Cartoonists", Tomine has always used a realistic style. Very understated, mind you, but his anatomy has usually been spot-on, and he doesn't fudge when it comes to backgrounds and objects. For this project, he has clearly simplified his style... the attention to "correct" drawing is still there, but the actual lines are looser and sketchier... the cartooning has a sketchbook-like look to it. Not sure if this is how Tomine actually created this book, or if it was a decision that was labored, but it works perfectly with the design of the book. Tomine's books are always well-drawn, but the looser feel of this particular tome really is in lockstep with not only the book's design, but the story itself. Tomine has also decided on doing this book in black and white, as opposed to his last several books. Again, this works well with design and content. Every decision Tomine made regarding this book seems to be well-thought out. And it works!!! The simplified style gives the reader everything he needs without too much detail or "over drawing"... The sign of a master cartoonist is the ability to know how much to draw to compliment the story... and Tomine succeeds in this area as well. And the story... basically, personal anecdotes regarding his love affair with comics. We start with young Adrian as a typical comic book geek who has found a world where he belongs... but that causes problems in the real world!!! We literally go through Tomine's life and how his chosen career has affected his life... many of the situations Tomine finds himself in are cringe-worthy and hilarious... often at the cartoonist's expense!!! However, there is a bit of a gentle hand in these little stories... to be honest, one of my main takeaways from this book is that Tomine seems like a genuinely likable guy. He had a passion, and he stuck with it. And, at this point in his life, he's been a success and actually found love and started a family. It's a nice, "feel good" kind of story... one that you don't normally get from "Alternative Comics", granted... however, Tomine is such a good cartoonist, the material never veers into becoming sappy. Despite being a successful cartoonist, Tomine shows us that he's pretty grounded... being a successful cartoonist doesn't mean fame and fortune!!! However, Tomine is a level-headed guy, and he's able to roll with the punches... of which there are many!!! It's nice to see a guy like Tomine basically chart his own course and become a success!!! His progression from a kid doing mini-comics to a respected graphic novelist has been interesting and fun to witness. Each of his books has been a step towards this one, and I definitely thing that this book will ultimately be seen as a step towards his next. Despite how good this book is, it's clearly not going to be his pinnacle. It's hard to say what that will be... although he hasn't really taken the comics world by story, a la Spigleman/Maus, he hasn't really made any wrong moves either... his stories/books have definitely been building... this is his latest step in becoming a great cartoonist. I expect more great work from Tomine, and cannot recommend this book highly enough!! Whether you're into Alternative comics, mainstream stuff (like DC/Marvel), or comic strips, there's something here for you. Easily one of the best books of the year!!!!

This is my favorite work by Andrian Tomine. Other then the graph paper lines, I loved everything else. I read this in one day. It made me happy. I think I’ll read this book anytime.

Tomine is brilliant at turning his most embarrassing moments into wonderful and hilarious art. I laughed (and cringed) so much while reading this book — and I was moved, too. I also love the design of the book. It looks like a moleskin journal (complete with a ribbon to use as a bookmark!). Highly recommend!

Really enjoyed this...the book packaging is brilliant. It looks and feels just like a Moleskine journal with graph paper in it and I really felt like I was reading his sketchbook. Funny and relatable autobiographical stories within.

Book obtained for an upcoming class. It was received in a timely manner and was exactly as ordered.

The artwork is skillful, and married to a perfect rhythm that brings the stories to life. I remember the scenes from the book with motion, as though there were something living I witness rather than just read. A lot of welcome humor.

I still don‘t know how to promounce his name, but I‘m sure he also wouldn‘t be able to pronounce mine, hehe. It‘s a wonderful book, turning failures into genuine elements of a life well lived.

very funny , I love the story and the edition ... looks like a sketchbook. very nice

I bought this book off the back of an entertaining interview with the author in The Observer a couple of weeks ago, and I’m incredibly glad I did.The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist is a memoir of sorts, with Tomine literally sketching vignettes of his life as he persevered to become a renowned cartoonist.The book begins with Tomine as a comic-loving kid being mocked by classmates for his obsessive interest in comic books. We then follow him through his early years, as he attends Comic Con for the first time, and has some of his work mercilessly mocked by fellow authors that he aspires to become.Tomine “redacts” certain people’s real names throughout the book – probably for their benefit rather than anyone else’s. But even if you weren’t an aspiring cartoonist working to join the right publisher, or just not be mistaken for a better-known writer, there is so much truth in everything Tomine writes about.There’s the continued imposter syndrome that Tomine exhibits when he’s doing book signings or live events, and the shame he feels when, in one example, he hear’s a couple on a neighbouring restaurant table discussing his work, oblivious to his presence.The book is full of genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, such as when his food allergies collide with a potential date he’s having. You almost can’t bring yourself to read what happens.I wasn’t really aware of Tomine before I read this – you don’t really need to be. I am, however, going to make up for that and get into some of his previous work.But this is masterly book about being an author and a writer, and is thoroughly recommended.I should also say that the beautifully designed hardback is wonderful. The whole book is meant to feel like a square-lined Moleskine notebook. The book has a faux leather cover, with elasticated band and page ribbon as you’d get in an actual notebooks. It does almost feel as though you’ve picked up the working draft of the book that Tomine has drawn.

Excellent book, but this isn't about that. The book arrived with stickers on the back which were essentially reviews of the book. I peeled them off and they left a sticky residue that can't come off. I tried 3M tape and alcohol swab, and basically the stickiness is still there, and the back cover removed. Ruins a nice presentation.