MINISERIES PREMIERE
Clara, a fashion stylist disillusioned with love, turns to a futuristic dating service that offers lifelike android partners. But when her dream lover glitches into a possessive stalker, she finds herself trapped in a game of desire, control, and survival.9 1/2 Weeks meets The Terminator in ARTIFICIAL, the new erotic thriller by acclaimed creator MARIA LLOVET (CRAVE, VIOLENT FLOWERS, ALL THE THINGS WE DIDN'T DO LAST NIGHT).
Maria Llovet is back doing what she does best, examining romance and dating in a late stage capitalist world. Not just how much dating relies now on apps. But how these apps take advantage of one's wants and needs. Read Full Review
Someone's found a way to make the mythical Book Boyfriend a reality with Artificial #1. If you're into steamy stories with a semi-futuristic (if slightly dystopian) bent, this one's for you. Read Full Review
In Artificial #1, Clara can have everything she's ever wanted. But she must decide who the perfect person for her is. Does she want someone who makes decisions based on how others program him? Or does Clara want someone willing to compromise and work through the difficulties in their relationship to meet her needs? Read Full Review
This 'Black Mirror'-esque take on dating in the modern age is incredibly compelling, and the final page of this first issue will have readers impatiently waiting for the next date. Read Full Review
It shoudl be noted that this IS still a very early moment in the series. Theres plenty of room for coplexity that may begin to reveal itself over the course of the remaining three issues of the series, but its going to be difficult to truly bring it out without completely outpacing the slow and gradual build-up of the first issue. Things are going to have to start moving much more quickly if the series is going tobe any more than it has appeared to be in the first issue. Clara DOES seem like a relatable character. Thats a very good foundation. Read Full Review
Nice first issue for Maria Llovet’s new series, “Artificial”, which drops us into the story with a breezy introduction that sets up all the pieces for steamy thriller like Hollywood used to make back the ‘90’s.
We meet Llovet’s heroine, Clara, at a crossroads moment and deciding what to do next. Recently promoted in her career as a fashion consultant but on a break with her uninspiring boyfriend, Mateo, Clara is convinced to sign up for an AI-powered android dating service by a couple of supportive girlfriends over drinks.
Llovet’s storytelling has a light touch that gives the reader enough details to ground them in her slightly sci-fi setting and keeps her panels free of heavy exposition. A conversation more
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