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crankyisgood's review against another edition
It made me laugh, it made me cringe. It covers a lot of ground in a short book - from honest and funny moments of dealing with fame & snarky detractors & comparing himself / being compared to or confused with those more famous, to honest and frustrating moments with kids. I want to upvote yelling “I’ll slap YOUR ass” to people who think they know how to parent other people’s children.
Once upon a time, I got to review comics for Punk Planet and I was clear on what I did and did not appreciate. “Owly” received the most scorn. I honestly found it boring and annoying though librarians aplenty love it. And I love librarians. The critics depicted in this book - particularly the v-neck’d snob defining “novella” to criticize him at an in-person reading - really are assholes, determined to prove their own worth by their ability to prove themselves above others (aka snobs). And Tomine knows his responses are visceral, emotional, neurotic. Which is to say, as the dang blurbs on the back say, we can identify with Tomine even if we’re not famous writers and illustrators and stuff.
Which is to say, you can change how you relate to your feelings, but no matter where you go, there you are. (Adrian, have you tried meditation yet?)
Once upon a time, I got to review comics for Punk Planet and I was clear on what I did and did not appreciate. “Owly” received the most scorn. I honestly found it boring and annoying though librarians aplenty love it. And I love librarians. The critics depicted in this book - particularly the v-neck’d snob defining “novella” to criticize him at an in-person reading - really are assholes, determined to prove their own worth by their ability to prove themselves above others (aka snobs). And Tomine knows his responses are visceral, emotional, neurotic. Which is to say, as the dang blurbs on the back say, we can identify with Tomine even if we’re not famous writers and illustrators and stuff.
Which is to say, you can change how you relate to your feelings, but no matter where you go, there you are. (Adrian, have you tried meditation yet?)
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
3.0
One of the things I read on my "let's read every book I can find about isolation, loneliness, etc." list, although now that I'm reviewing it I realize that the title is a take on another book I hadn't thought of, and need to add to said list.
At first, I thought this was a smug way of kind of dogging on all the people who slighted you over the years, and I was like "Damn, Adrian, I thought better of you, you petty little shit" but then by the end, with the last story, the true mini-comic, I was stunned at how much I related to him. The note he writes his family (even though he crumples it up) and the speech he gives to his wife who has fallen asleep... you don't have to be a starving, striving artist or not-well-known cartoonist to relate to that.
Also, I've said this in reviews of Tomine's work before, but he's EVOLVED and it is cool to see and to read about. He talks a lot about his "single-minded focus" on comics and drawing and how he wasn't *good* at it, he just *worked really fucking hard obsessively* and learned, and that's an artist's message a lot more of us need to hear. It's visible if you look at his earliest stuff, with sharpies, to his uber-slick "I learned to ink and also I use digital assistance now!" stuff and now with his more... relaxed, iconic, Scott McCloud kinda style. It's really awesome to have grown up with him as an artist.
At first, I thought this was a smug way of kind of dogging on all the people who slighted you over the years, and I was like "Damn, Adrian, I thought better of you, you petty little shit" but then by the end, with the last story, the true mini-comic, I was stunned at how much I related to him. The note he writes his family (even though he crumples it up) and the speech he gives to his wife who has fallen asleep... you don't have to be a starving, striving artist or not-well-known cartoonist to relate to that.
Also, I've said this in reviews of Tomine's work before, but he's EVOLVED and it is cool to see and to read about. He talks a lot about his "single-minded focus" on comics and drawing and how he wasn't *good* at it, he just *worked really fucking hard obsessively* and learned, and that's an artist's message a lot more of us need to hear. It's visible if you look at his earliest stuff, with sharpies, to his uber-slick "I learned to ink and also I use digital assistance now!" stuff and now with his more... relaxed, iconic, Scott McCloud kinda style. It's really awesome to have grown up with him as an artist.
dillonrockrohr's review against another edition
4.0
A book with a punchline. Ostensibly about the industry, as all the blurbs suggest, but really it’s a comedy of errors about one dude who realizes what matters to him.
johns_library's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Adrian Tomine is a graphic artist and his work The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist covers his start as a burgeoning artist, the struggles of recognition among his peers, and the many hilarious encounters he has with fans over the years.
I’m not sure if this was how all the books were published in a similar build, but I loved that the book itself felt like a hardcover notebook, something unique that felt like it was something Tomine himself would have used to sketch. Beyond the physical book itself, I found myself deeply empathizing with Tomine. Especially with scenes from those who he would have thought accepted him turned out bad-mouthing him from behind his back unintentionally (or at times right to his face). I loved his authenticity, the ability to poke fun, as well as his honest letter to his daughters as he considered his last words in the hospital. It definitely made me want to read more of Tomine’s work. Overall, a really interesting graphic memoir, with it’s awkward charm and witty humour.
lewis_fishman's review against another edition
5.0
hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, adrian is just simply great in his medium. his graphic novels (both fiction and non fiction) are beautiful and compelling, and are worth a read. i think the ending panels are just brilliant.
jekutree's review against another edition
5.0
Hilarious. Touching. Honest. Self Reflective.
The Loneliness of The Long Distance cartoonist is some of Tomine’s absolute strongest work. He’s been one of my all time favorites ever since checking out Killing and Dying and as a follow up, this definitely stacks up. Throughout the story we get stories of Adrian Tomine as a cartoonist and as a person. A large large portion of these stories are played comedically and work really effectively. Tomine is absolutely ruthless with himself, often painting himself for a joke. The book’s humor definitely could come across as niche since most deal with alt comics and picking up on references engrained in the scene definitely enhance it.
Being familiar with his work, I thought it was really interesting that he’s never really strayed away from the short story model. Even though this does have ongoing themes of fatherhood, humility and being humble, it’s still a series of connecting vignettes. The stories very much standalone but are enhanced by reading them together. I could totally see myself flipping through this book to read a few of my favorite stories over again if I was browsing my shelves. Another thing about this book in particular that’s worthy to mention is the major change in art style. Adrian flirted with this sketchy/doodly style previously in his Marriage book, taking it on for a full length project like this was awesome. I also really love the consistent 6 panel grid. Consistent panel layouts always set a tone perfectly for a book.
The construction of the book as well adds to the whole charm of it. The notebook paper and look of the whole thing adds a bunch to the honesty on personal feel of it all.
Overall, this book down to the presentation is incredible. It adds something very worthwhile to Tomine’s bibliography and that’s saying something since the whole thing is worthwhile.
The Loneliness of The Long Distance cartoonist is some of Tomine’s absolute strongest work. He’s been one of my all time favorites ever since checking out Killing and Dying and as a follow up, this definitely stacks up. Throughout the story we get stories of Adrian Tomine as a cartoonist and as a person. A large large portion of these stories are played comedically and work really effectively. Tomine is absolutely ruthless with himself, often painting himself for a joke. The book’s humor definitely could come across as niche since most deal with alt comics and picking up on references engrained in the scene definitely enhance it.
Being familiar with his work, I thought it was really interesting that he’s never really strayed away from the short story model. Even though this does have ongoing themes of fatherhood, humility and being humble, it’s still a series of connecting vignettes. The stories very much standalone but are enhanced by reading them together. I could totally see myself flipping through this book to read a few of my favorite stories over again if I was browsing my shelves. Another thing about this book in particular that’s worthy to mention is the major change in art style. Adrian flirted with this sketchy/doodly style previously in his Marriage book, taking it on for a full length project like this was awesome. I also really love the consistent 6 panel grid. Consistent panel layouts always set a tone perfectly for a book.
The construction of the book as well adds to the whole charm of it. The notebook paper and look of the whole thing adds a bunch to the honesty on personal feel of it all.
Overall, this book down to the presentation is incredible. It adds something very worthwhile to Tomine’s bibliography and that’s saying something since the whole thing is worthwhile.
berawecka's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced