Artificial #1

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

QuinnyD

Sep 08, 2025

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 among friends di d most of the heavy lifting this issue, and Llovett keeps the chemistry enjoyable and conversation engaging enough that you believe a young woman with a soft spot for romantasy novels would take a romantic interlude with a robot lover. Billed as a blend between Andrian Lyne's sweat-inducing 9 ½ Weeks and James Cameron's killer robot classic The Terminator, Llovet’s artwork doesn't shy away from sexiness and her story ends with an oversight by Clara that could turn out to be deadly if she lets her fantasies go too far… I’m subscribing. more