The Last of the giants

A Different Kind of Ultra Running Story

Ultra running books tend to follow a familiar formula: training, suffering, breakthrough, finish line, reflection. The Last of the Giants: An Ultra Running Graphic Novel takes a different route.

Instead of a traditional memoir or race report, this book blends real ultra-running experience with fictional storytelling and a slightly fantastical edge. The story follows Sam Hill during his third attempt at Tor des Géants — one of the most brutal mountain ultras in the world. But the real focus isn’t just the race itself. It’s the mental landscape behind it.

More Than a Race Report

At its core, the book is an exploration of why someone would willingly put themselves through a 200-mile mountain ordeal. It investigates motivation, ego, doubt, obsession, and that strange pull toward the unknown that ultra runners know all too well.

It’s not necessarily a deep philosophical breakthrough — and it doesn’t need to be. Sometimes a bit of well-meaning navel-gazing is part of the ultra experience. The book captures that internal questioning without pretending to deliver a life-changing answer.

If you’re into stories “based on true events” told through a fictional and slightly surreal lens, this will likely resonate. If you’re an extreme runner or long-distance hiker, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize pieces of yourself in these pages.

The Artwork – A Love-It-or-Not Element

This is a graphic novel, and the illustrations are central to the experience. The art style is bold, sometimes rough, occasionally distorted — and very much a “like it or not” element.

It won’t be for everyone.

The drawings can feel surreal and even disorienting at times, which mirrors the psychological strain of a multi-day mountain ultra. Hallucinations, exhaustion, and the mental “dragons” that appear when you hit the wall are visualized in a way that blurs reality. For some readers, this enhances the story and sets a powerful tone. For others, it may feel too abstract.

Even if the style isn’t immediately appealing, it often grows on you as the story progresses. The art may not aim to be beautiful in a traditional sense — but it effectively captures the chaos and fragility of the ultra mindset.

Not for Everyone

It’s worth noting: this book touches on physical breakdown, medical issues, and the mental strain that comes with pushing your limits. If you’re not comfortable with depictions of suffering, vulnerability, or psychological struggles, this might not be your kind of read.

But if you understand that “hitting the wall” in an ultra sometimes feels like battling dragons — physically and mentally — then you’ll likely appreciate how honestly that experience is portrayed.

Final Thoughts

The Last of the Giants is not a typical runner’s book. It doesn’t follow the polished arc of triumph and redemption. Instead, it leans into ambiguity, discomfort, and introspection.

It’s an investigation of endurance — not just of the body, but of identity and motivation.

It may not convert non-runners. It may not satisfy those looking for a straightforward race recap. But for readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling and don’t mind a slightly surreal edge, it offers something different in the ultra running genre.

Our rating: 7.0 / 10

A solid and unique take on ultra storytelling — imperfect, sometimes strange, but undeniably memorable.