An extreme journey through the mountains of the Aosta Valley becomes an illustrated story thatexplores the limits of the human body and mind.
“The Last of the Giants”, a graphic novel by Doug Mayer and William Windrestin, published by Helvetiq, takes the reader along the 330 kilometers of the Tor des Géants, the renowned ultratrail race that winds through the Alte Vie of the Aosta Valley.
The protagonist of the story is Sam Hill, a fictional character who tackles the Tor driven by deep questions: why subject oneself to such suffering? What happens to the body, mind, and identity when undergoing such an extreme experience? In a constant alternation of ascents and descents, reality and hallucinations, Sam meets scientists, doctors, athletes, a Buddhist nun, and other figures who help him understand what is happening inside him. Among them is Francesca, a mysterious trail runner who supports him in the hardest moments.
But Sam's journey is not only physical. Guiding him is a dragon, a symbol of his ego, which he
must confront and overcome in order to finish the race and find himself again, transformed.
The story, inspired by the real-life experiences of Doug Mayer — journalist, writer, founder of the company Run the Alps, and veteran of the Tor des Géants — is structured as a docu-fiction. It’s a hybrid format that blends storytelling with real testimonies, portraying the psychological and physiological complexity of those who face long-distance mountain races.
Bringing this experience to life visually is William Windrestin, a French artist of Manouche origin, known for his symbolic and direct style. “The Last of the Giants” is his first comic book, after a career in visual arts and film.
The graphic novel also features an unusual format: it is read in two directions, from left to right and then from right to left, emphasizing the sense of disorientation and the dual path — physical and inner — that characterizes the race experience.
Beyond being an illustrated story, “The Last of the Giants” aims to reflect on human nature: the will to push beyond one’s limits, to confront oneself, and to seek a deeper meaning through effort.
Le Dernier des Géants, 216 pages, published by Helvetiq.
(French edition available immediately, English edition available from September)
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