The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist

A comedic memoir about fandom, fame, and other embarrassments from the life of a New York Times bestseller

What happens when a childhood hobby grows into a lifelong career? The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist, Adrian Tomine's funniest and most revealing foray into autobiography, offers an array of unexpected answers. When a sudden medical incident lands Tomine in the emergency room, he begins to question if it was really all worthwhile: despite the accolades and opportunities of a seemingly charmed career, it's the gaffes, humiliations, slights, and insults he's experienced (or caused) within the industry that loom largest in his memory.

Tomine illustrates the amusing absurdities of how we choose to spend our time, all the while mining his conflicted relationship with comics and comics culture. But in between chaotic book tours, disastrous interviews, and cringe-inducing interactions with other artists, life happens: he fumbles his way into marriage, parenthood, and an indisputably fulfilling existence. A richer emotional story emerges as his memories are delineated in excruciatingly hilarious detail.

In a bold stylistic departure from his award-winning Killing and Dying, he distills his art to the loose, lively essentials of cartooning, each pen stroke economically imbued with human depth. Designed as a sketchbook complete with placeholder ribbon and an elastic band, The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist shows an acclaimed artist at the peak of his career.

“In this heartfelt and beautifully crafted work, Adrian Tomine presents the most honest and insightful portrait you will ever see of an industry that I can no longer bear to be associated with.” Alan Moore, author of Jerusalem

"A wonderful book about feeling morbidly self-conscious while also longing to connect with other people, even though it doesn’t always — i.e. usually doesn't — work out the way one wants it to. It perfectly captures what it's like to be a cartoonist, and also what it's like to be a person." Roz Chast, author of Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

"A painfully honest and often hilarious view behind the curtain of the 'glamorous' life of a cartoonist. Tomine draws on life's stresses, embarrassments, and achievements as he goes through an evolution of self-awareness. A must-read for Tomine fans and all aspiring cartoonists." Richard McGuire, author of Here

"I couldn’t put this book down. Tomine’s vulnerability and willingness to share the cringiest moments of his life (ranging from juicy to uproarious to deeply healing) are a reminder to be braver, because what have you got to lose?" Lisa Hanawalt, author of Coyote Doggirl

"A hilarious, frequently cringe-inducing masterpiece from a fearless artist at the height of his powers." Library Journal

"Tomine reveals himself again a master of self-satire....This merciless memoir delivers laughter with a wince, to the point of tears." Publishers Weekly

"[A]an understated yet illuminating graphic memoir....Subtle, provocative, and sharply drawn — a portrait of the perpetually dissatisfied artist." Kirkus Reviews

Adrian Tomine was born in 1974 in Sacramento, California. He began self-publishing his comic book series Optic Nerve when he was sixteen, and in 1994 he received an offer to publish from Drawn & Quarterly. His comics have been anthologized in McSweeney's, Best American Comics, and Best American Nonrequired Reading, and his graphic novel Shortcomings was a New York Times Notable Book. His most recent book, Killing and Dying, appeared on numerous best-of lists and was a New York Times graphic bestseller. Since 1999, Tomine has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughters.