The Long and Unlearned Life of Roland Gethers: Longshot Comics Book One

“One of my favourite comics of all time.”
-Rich Johnston, Bleeding Cool

“No discussion of art and writing in comics would be complete without mention of the sublime Longshot Comics...which uses insanely minimal art to tell a funny, affecting and epic story. It’s astonishingly effective comics storytelling. Powerful stuff.”
-Kurt Busiek, Kurt Busiek Resists

The legendary epic-minimalistic graphic novel is back in print for its 25th anniversary! Told in an unprecedented format of 3840 panels in a single comic book, The Long and Unlearned Life of Roland Gethers tells the tale of a Welsh coal-mining family through the highs and lows of the British Empire, the Victorian era, and both World Wars.

With every character depicted as a distant dot, the bare-bones artwork lends itself to subtle visual humour, and opens the story up to a world of rich character development and savagely witty dialogue.

Featured in international museum exhibits, discussed in academic texts, and presented in lectures about sequential storytelling and character design, Longshot Comics has remained a cult favourite through a quarter century of multiple formats, editions, and translations.

Read what critics and celebrated comic-industry writers and artists have had to say about this unique narrative experience over the course of its storied history:

“It’s brilliant, it’s hilarious, and it’s mind-blowing. There’s nothing else like this in comics. These books are pure genius.”
-Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading

“Longshot Comics! It’s great! This should be in every library and comic collection on Earth!”
-Matt Feazell, Cynicalman

“The Long and Unlearned Life of Roland Gethers is the funniest thing I have read in a while. Hilarious and well-written with great dialogue.”
-Roberta Gregory, Naughty Bits

“Everyone should have a copy of this once-in-a-lifetime magnum opus.”
-Dave Sim, Cerebus

“Shane Simmons must get an award. You hear me?! Someone give this man a medal! Longshot is incredible! A monumental achievement.”
-Mark Frischman, Factsheet 5

“Think it’s impossible to become attached to a dot? Think again. Shane Simmons has created a beautiful comic/novella that takes you on a journey of a lifetime in 3840 panels.”
-Secret City’s Instant Teller, Hour

“The storyline and script are, by turns, funny, historically accurate, and moving. Although the main character, Gethers, is not an extraordinary man by any means, his life story touches upon many important markers of the waning days of the British Empire. A well-written and hysterically funny story. Highly recommended.”
-Randy Reynaldo, WGC Notes