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Highwayman
Forever on the move, Highwayman travels through the vastness of North America searching for the source of his condition. He suffers from a strange, seemingly incurable disease: immortality. Bound to the road and at the mercy of whomever will give him a ride, he encounters people who reflect the rapidly changing world around him. Moving through centuries of change, he watches humanity’s precarious trajectory towards an unknown future.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2019
2 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Koren Shadmi
28 books86 followersKoren Shadmi is a Brooklyn Based illustrator and Cartoonist; he earned his degree in Illustration in 2006 from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His graphic novels have been published in France, Italy, Spain, Israel, and the US.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 7, 2021
Steeped in existential angst, melancholy, and dystopic despair, this study of a wandering immortal watching the tail end of human history still managed to pull me in instead of repel. Go figure.
Word of the day: anisocoria.
Word of the day: anisocoria.
September 3, 2024
Un cómic de ciencia ficción brillante armado como road trip en la cual vemos a un indiferente autoestopista que parece moverse sin rumbo, subiendose a distintos automóviles y conociendo personas muy distintas,para poco a poco enterarnos que al parecer tiene un conocimiento extraño sobre el futuro y que no puede morir. Con esta premisa, el autor nos habla de la soledad, de la locura, del contacto extraterrestre y de la curiosidad, mientras vamos conociendo más sobre el misterioso protagonista. Me gustó mucho.
September 12, 2019
A compelling, quiet story about one of my worst fears.
January 20, 2021
Highwayman is an immortal being. He basically wanders the roads of the earth simply looking for anything to see or do or just pass by. He has no great goals or motives. He simply observes.
He's made it through many civilizations and the current one that we get to witness is incredibly bleak. There seems to be very little water or food left on the planet. Everything and everywhere is a desolate wasteland just waiting for the last of the living things to die off. Earth is on its way to becoming a barren rock.
To continue to the full review please visit https://amanjareads.com/2021/01/20/hi...
He's made it through many civilizations and the current one that we get to witness is incredibly bleak. There seems to be very little water or food left on the planet. Everything and everywhere is a desolate wasteland just waiting for the last of the living things to die off. Earth is on its way to becoming a barren rock.
To continue to the full review please visit https://amanjareads.com/2021/01/20/hi...
November 22, 2021
A trippy, high-concept graphic novel. The result is a puzzle and also a revelation. Each chapter occurs in a different period — in the recent past as well as increasingly dystopian future.
Here is my take on this clever graphic novel (may contain spoilers!!):
The search for “the source” is the quest for meaning. As it turns out, we are the orb, we are the observers, we are here witnessing the decline of civilization.
Art and text work well together, with flavours of satire, science fiction, and social commentary. A rare 5 stars from me for a graphic novel.
Here is my take on this clever graphic novel (may contain spoilers!!):
The search for “the source” is the quest for meaning. As it turns out, we are the orb, we are the observers, we are here witnessing the decline of civilization.
Art and text work well together, with flavours of satire, science fiction, and social commentary. A rare 5 stars from me for a graphic novel.
July 28, 2020
Highwayman
Koren Shadmi
This was given to me by a good friend, and I read it on the road to a week end in Halifax. Quick read, hardly an hour, even considering a few pause to admire the art. This illustrates once again the reason why graphic novels are better enjoyed borrowed, gifted or used... Anyway, I enjoyed the book, and it was absorbing enough, despite a few nonsensical plot points (which I can't discuss without spoilers... lets just say that the motivation of a few characters are at times quite unclear...)
I am willing to overlook this because I do think that Shadmi was able to piece together a very atmospheric and engaging work, and this is important in the context of the genre; it is a (post) apocalyptic/dystopian story. What contributes to this? The aesthetic of the work, of course, the events, the contrast between the everyday small hopes of the characters and direness of the general situation... I am not sure. It worked for me though.
It is not a spoiler to say that the protagonist is immortal, its in the blurb. He isn't quite sure why, he can't die. As he carries on looking for the source of his "illness," the world around him changes. This also allows Shadmi to deliver the story across a long, very long, time span. Chapters jump across a untold number of years. I enjoyed that, it gives the novel a compact feel, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what events led to the situation unfolding in each part.
I sometimes discuss things like immortality at school and I always laugh when students tell me they wish they were immortal... really? They obviously confuse eternity and very long, and no mater how long is your very long, eternity is well, eternally longer. I would give this book to someone who thinks being immortal would be awesome, and see how they fell about it afterward...
I guess this might have been published as a webcomic first?https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kb...
Koren Shadmi
This was given to me by a good friend, and I read it on the road to a week end in Halifax. Quick read, hardly an hour, even considering a few pause to admire the art. This illustrates once again the reason why graphic novels are better enjoyed borrowed, gifted or used... Anyway, I enjoyed the book, and it was absorbing enough, despite a few nonsensical plot points (which I can't discuss without spoilers... lets just say that the motivation of a few characters are at times quite unclear...)
I am willing to overlook this because I do think that Shadmi was able to piece together a very atmospheric and engaging work, and this is important in the context of the genre; it is a (post) apocalyptic/dystopian story. What contributes to this? The aesthetic of the work, of course, the events, the contrast between the everyday small hopes of the characters and direness of the general situation... I am not sure. It worked for me though.
It is not a spoiler to say that the protagonist is immortal, its in the blurb. He isn't quite sure why, he can't die. As he carries on looking for the source of his "illness," the world around him changes. This also allows Shadmi to deliver the story across a long, very long, time span. Chapters jump across a untold number of years. I enjoyed that, it gives the novel a compact feel, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what events led to the situation unfolding in each part.
I sometimes discuss things like immortality at school and I always laugh when students tell me they wish they were immortal... really? They obviously confuse eternity and very long, and no mater how long is your very long, eternity is well, eternally longer. I would give this book to someone who thinks being immortal would be awesome, and see how they fell about it afterward...
I guess this might have been published as a webcomic first?https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kb...
March 3, 2024
(Zero spoiler review) 3.75/5
A quaint and somewhat compelling exploration of life in the vein of Daytripper and The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. Although not as proficient or poignant as those two, it still has its own singular charm. Telling the tale of a man who cannot die and his interactions with a select few people throughout his 'life'. The art style was simple yet effective, with the colour palette elevating the material beyond its simplicity.
The narratives were mostly very strong, although the story 'Sizzle', one of only a handful with no real connection to the protagonists ultimate journey was by far the best. The need to tie most of this into the mythos of the book hampered them slightly. There was definitely potential for more of the stand alone stories, which would have made for an even better read. Like a more spiritually orientated Twilight Zone.
Regardless, this ended up being better than I expected when I plucked it off the library shelf. Should they make a hardcover, I would almost certainly buy it. 3.75/5
OmniBen.
A quaint and somewhat compelling exploration of life in the vein of Daytripper and The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. Although not as proficient or poignant as those two, it still has its own singular charm. Telling the tale of a man who cannot die and his interactions with a select few people throughout his 'life'. The art style was simple yet effective, with the colour palette elevating the material beyond its simplicity.
The narratives were mostly very strong, although the story 'Sizzle', one of only a handful with no real connection to the protagonists ultimate journey was by far the best. The need to tie most of this into the mythos of the book hampered them slightly. There was definitely potential for more of the stand alone stories, which would have made for an even better read. Like a more spiritually orientated Twilight Zone.
Regardless, this ended up being better than I expected when I plucked it off the library shelf. Should they make a hardcover, I would almost certainly buy it. 3.75/5
OmniBen.
May 7, 2023
"Ya don't talk much either, huh?"
"Every word is like an unnecessary stain on silence and nothingness."
With that Samuel Beckett quote, the protagonist of Highwayman sets the tone for the vibe he's going for. He's been alive hundreds of years, roaming the highways for an answer to his curse, silently hitchhiking with strangers. Very well written, and mysterious until the very end. Chapters alternate between timelines, weaving together the whole story of the Highwaymans life. Definitely gonna be up there on the list of graphic novels I tell people that they need to read.
"Every word is like an unnecessary stain on silence and nothingness."
With that Samuel Beckett quote, the protagonist of Highwayman sets the tone for the vibe he's going for. He's been alive hundreds of years, roaming the highways for an answer to his curse, silently hitchhiking with strangers. Very well written, and mysterious until the very end. Chapters alternate between timelines, weaving together the whole story of the Highwaymans life. Definitely gonna be up there on the list of graphic novels I tell people that they need to read.
June 20, 2022
This is basically a petter to the human race, showcasing the fall of our planet through the eyes of a man who, by incredible odds, became immortal. I had my doubts with the slightly strong imagery, but after realizing the state of mankind I was seeing, I could understand how the will of man had fallen immensely. It was greatly crafted, and has a beautiful ending.
December 18, 2022
Well, this was a fucking knockout. My first tango (and it certainly won't be my last) with the wildly imaginative and incredibly talented Koren Shadmi. He's taken a simple premise (a mysterious drifter who can't age hitches rides over the centuries) and turned it into an incisive and energetic commentary on human folly while ALSO giving us some disparate approaches to worldbuilding. Shadmi is equally confident with noir, satire, and Romeroesque commentary and reveals a lot of Lucas's longing and reluctant resilience as he watches humanity destroy itself. Highly recommended, particularly if you're into wry dystopianism.
December 24, 2019
Unlike some of my 4 star reviews, this one actually deserves it. I found the story a bit chilling, intriguing, and admired the art style. Possibly the best piece of dystopian fiction I’ve read in graphic novel form.
September 27, 2019
This is a great book for the end of the world! One immortal man lives through all of it.
December 21, 2020
Really enjoyed this. Imaginative reading.
March 14, 2021
Why I chose this book: I chose this book because I liked the concept of someone who is immortal, and yet is not a supernatural creature. I was also curious about how the book would move through various time periods.
What I liked about this book: When I envisioned the different time periods of this book, I envisioned past to present, but this book moves forward through the future. It's a rare occurrence that I read a book in one sitting, but I couldn't put this down. Because the book moved through the future, the stakes were continually higher, and I was so invested in knowing what would happen after the novel grappled with the water crisis in one of the very first scenes.
What I didn't like about this book: I enjoy when sci-fi or fantasy novels drop details as hints, and the reader has to fill in the gaps, but in this instance, I would have liked a little more. In one scene, coal power has returned to prominence, and the main character is traveling on a train that is surrounded by apocolyptic scenes, including someone who throws themself at the train and yells something about their family. I wanted to know more about the people of that particular future point, and what sort of lives they were living.
Overall thoughts: This stand-alone comic is a quick read because of the pacing, and the futuristic setting is scary in a way that keeps you wanting to know how everything will end up.
What I liked about this book: When I envisioned the different time periods of this book, I envisioned past to present, but this book moves forward through the future. It's a rare occurrence that I read a book in one sitting, but I couldn't put this down. Because the book moved through the future, the stakes were continually higher, and I was so invested in knowing what would happen after the novel grappled with the water crisis in one of the very first scenes.
What I didn't like about this book: I enjoy when sci-fi or fantasy novels drop details as hints, and the reader has to fill in the gaps, but in this instance, I would have liked a little more. In one scene, coal power has returned to prominence, and the main character is traveling on a train that is surrounded by apocolyptic scenes, including someone who throws themself at the train and yells something about their family. I wanted to know more about the people of that particular future point, and what sort of lives they were living.
Overall thoughts: This stand-alone comic is a quick read because of the pacing, and the futuristic setting is scary in a way that keeps you wanting to know how everything will end up.
June 27, 2021
Highwayman is not, as the title suggests, a highway man. He doesn't hold people up for money or anything. He does, however, travel around quite a lot. And he does this for centuries. Because he's immortal and he's looking for something. It's not clear what this something is, just that he must find it to be free or get rid of the immortality. There are some rather stereotypical Americans the highwayman comes across: the greedy bible salesman, the almost-malicious psychotherapist, self-centered rich kids who just want to party, and so on. There's a lot of very heavy-handed criticism of capitalism and consumerism throughout the story. There isn't much subtlety. The only thing that's subtle is the main mystery, how and why the highwayman is immortal. Luckily, both of these questions are answered. There isn't much character development, and we don't really get to know the highwayman, nor his son or family.
Recommended for those who like deliveries, Pikachu, antique daggers and music festivals.
Recommended for those who like deliveries, Pikachu, antique daggers and music festivals.
May 5, 2021
This is a haunting, compelling story of an immortal man journeying along the roadways of North America in search of...something...while watching the world grow old around him. There is more than a little dystopia and apocalypse here, but the real drama is about this one guy who cannot die and who keeps encountering people who want to kill him, or are indifferent to the death around him. He carries a bag with him, but what is in it? So many questions. Such a great discovery.
September 26, 2024
J'ai adoré ce roman graphique. Dès la première page, j'ai trouvé que c'était très beau.
J'ai particulièrement apprécié qu'en un tome, on ait le temps de voyager énormément et qu'on puisse arriver au bout du sujet, tout en ayant une fin ouverte. J'ai trop l'habitude de la BD SF qui nous oblige à lire plusieurs tomes avant d'appréhender le sujet et d'arriver au dénouement.
Mon avis est loin de refléter l'intérêt que j'ai porté à cet ouvrage, mais tout le monde n'est pas auteur !
J'ai particulièrement apprécié qu'en un tome, on ait le temps de voyager énormément et qu'on puisse arriver au bout du sujet, tout en ayant une fin ouverte. J'ai trop l'habitude de la BD SF qui nous oblige à lire plusieurs tomes avant d'appréhender le sujet et d'arriver au dénouement.
Mon avis est loin de refléter l'intérêt que j'ai porté à cet ouvrage, mais tout le monde n'est pas auteur !
March 1, 2021
A cool sci-fi concept. I like the artwork and it reads fast. The living immortal camera concept was new to me. The first two chapters were very intriguing. This would be a great television series.
What I learned: “Believe us, Pardner. You don’t want to spend your last hour gazing upon an arsenic based life-form.” - an outlier historian
What I learned: “Believe us, Pardner. You don’t want to spend your last hour gazing upon an arsenic based life-form.” - an outlier historian
December 13, 2023
Et si nous étions immortels? Voilà la prémisse de ce roman graphique de l'auteur israélien Koren Shadmi. Au fil des pages, nous suivons le personnage principal traverser différentes époques, jusqu'à la fin des temps, du moins, des temps humains.
Une lecture glauque et pessimiste de ce qui nous attend.
Une lecture glauque et pessimiste de ce qui nous attend.
June 19, 2025
Story about an immortal who goes through increasing levels of human dystopia. The concept is alright, but it does feel a little depressing or pointless in the end. I wish the desires of different immortals and mortals were explored a little deeper. Almost everyone felt insignificant in the grand scheme of things; perhaps that was intentional.
March 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It almost feels like a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits episode, grim, not quite comedy, a little morally heavy handed, a bit of sci-fi, and all told in a very compelling way. A very solid short story, do recommend.
May 18, 2020
Excellent
April 3, 2021
Buenísimo. Una historia pausada sobre el paso del tiempo, el futuro y la naturaleza humana. Artísticamente peculiar y genial, a mí me ha dejado con ganas de más.
April 8, 2021
A Brilliant and compelling read. It contains inside a haunting short story of what very well could be.
July 5, 2021
Not what I expected, but enjoyably weird!
July 18, 2021
What if the world was ending but you couldn't die?
July 21, 2021
Yllättäen tykkäsin aika pelkistetystä piirrostyylistä tosi paljon. Tarina eteni ja vei mukanaan, loppuratkaisu tietenkin kirjastonhoitajalle mieleinen. Suosittelen!
August 30, 2024
Història molt bona. Gràfica bona. Dura i profunda. Fa pensar. El problema? Que s'acaba massa ràpid!
Que
Que
October 7, 2024
So good.
What a great comic. I thoroughly enjoyed every page I read. It was unlike anything I have ever read. Give it a shot. You will love it.
What a great comic. I thoroughly enjoyed every page I read. It was unlike anything I have ever read. Give it a shot. You will love it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews