Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this, its such a quick and easy read. Perfect to get you out of a reading slump or between series. In this world, there is a service called Date X where you are able to hire a robot boyfriend... I cant say much more, but use your imagination. Clara is a romantasy girlie going through a breakup so she decides to try it out and everything goes great... at first.

I loved the art style of this. I liked the storyline; it was funny and cute. And who knows, in like 10 years, this is probably going to be a thing. Didn't love Matteo - defo team Saul.

A dark, provocative, suspenseful graphic novel about a woman who decides to try a dating service offering AI companions designed to fulfill every romantic and sexual pleasure after breaking up with her boyfriend. But when her new AI partner goes off the rails, she realizes just how dangerous a lines she's toeing. Artificial definitely takes the idea of a "book boyfriend" to its most horrifying extremes.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Artificial is a comic by Maria Llovet about androids you can rent for love and other fun stuff. I enjoyed reading it and it left me wanting more! The art style is really cool and the characters were easy to like. Overall I thought the story was easy to follow and really interesting.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars – Really Liked It

I had a great time reading this! The characters were strong, the story was engaging, and I’d happily recommend it to others. It just missed that something extra for 5 stars.

Love an unexpected horror moment. It gave me a ton to think about, from our obsession with unrealistic romance novels to the boundaries of technology and the ethics of AI. This book was creepy, seductive and so good.

I really enjoyed this! The idea of companion AI has been bouncing around my head ever since I watched Companion, so I knew I had to check this out. It's gripping and intriguing, all in the lead up to the only real end you can imagine for them - the bot shut down after malfunctions that almost cost hers and Mateo's life.

The art style and characterizations of each character on the page was also STUNNING

Really cool, great illustrations, like a mini black mirror ep. Really enjoyed this quick read, would definitely read more from this.

Maria Llovet delivers another sexy scifi graphic novel with plenty of spicy scenes and questionable tech-gone-wrong.

Artificial reminded me of Crave, another work by Llovet, though on a more micro scale. Her graphic novels seem to deal a lot with the dark side of sex and tech and how wrong it can go when you aren’t paying attention to what you are agreeing to or companies put aside ethics and morality in a way that makes consumers unsafe. The art is tasteful and perfectly tells the story and brings the very human experiences forward where they belong. It’s a healthy reminder that no matter what we think tech can do for us, it will never be as fulfilling as what we can do for one another.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4.25/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for an arc. All opinions are my own.

I previously read an arc for Crave, and I really enjoyed the art style, so when I saw she had a graphic novel about a humanoid android who freaks out and becomes really controlling… I was so hooked. This book also feels very topical, both with people getting really attached to AI chatbots and romanticizing toxic behaviour in book boyfriends. I definitely spent a lot of this thinking about the legal nightmare that Date X would be, though I could easily believe that they have super shady terms of service that take advantage of legal loopholes and gaps in the current legislature.

Overall, a very fast enjoyable read, with some great art!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a ride! Artificial has one of those premises that feels a little too close to being real in the near future—dating apps meet lifelike androids—and Maria Llovet takes it to such a wild, unsettling place.

First off: the art style is gorgeous. It’s sleek, stylish, and has that cinematic vibe that makes every panel fun to linger on. The humor and pacing kept me giggling and kicking my feet at times, even while the story itself got darker and more intense. Definitely a mix of “fun and cute” moments with some edge-of-your-seat thriller energy.

Character-wise… I did not like Matteo (he gave me flashbacks to a toxic ex 😅), but I loved Saul and was rooting for him the whole time. Clara is a messy, relatable lead who feels very human even when the world around her is spiraling into sci-fi madness.

That said, even though the book mentions “murderbot” in the blurb, I think it would really benefit from a trigger/content warning. Some moments involve violence against women and hints of sexual assault, and readers deserve a heads-up before going in.

Overall, this was funny, sexy, creepy, and thought-provoking all at once. If you like speculative romance with a thriller twist, this one’s worth picking up—just be prepared for it to get dark.

I enjoyed this thoroughly but thought the the ending was a bit sudden. I kept clicking the arrow for the next page thinking I was missing some pages. This is a quick read, read it in about 45 mins. I enjoyed the pace and loved the art style. Also liked that the dialogue was easy to follow and felt natural which is something I struggle to find in a lot of graphic novels. Solid 4 stars from me, I’m not familiar with this author’s other work but will be checking them out now. Thank you for access to this advanced reader copy!

Trigger warnings for attempted rape as the android — following its program to behave like a fictional character from a romantasy, attempts to fuck the main character who is no longer interested in playing out the scene. The android also attacks and injures her ex boyfriend.

I think this comic is very topical given two current events: The first, the number of people have fallen in love with their ChatGPT, or been using some form of GenAI as a therapist, friend, and teacher only to be shocked and hurt when that programming is altered, feeling betrayed by the changes in their fictional partner, and two, the discourse around dark romance and the actions by several people unable to separate fantasy from reality, stalking and harassing and sexually assaulting people in real life. This book doesn't have a definitive ending, but it does have a point of view.

The android’s personality is custom picked by Clara, who breezes through it without much care — which leads to her entering a safe word that the program doesn’t catch, replacing “crazy” with “hazy.” She’s also given the ability to choose dick size, temper, interests — in short, to make her perfect fantasy lover. She can even have him act like her favorite fictional character from a romantasy, one where the sex between the characters is enough to break the bed, and does this with no thought for what this would be like in real life.

And for a time it’s fine! It’s great! It’s a lot of really good sex, and Clara doesn’t seem to be caught up in her android more than she would with any other sex toy, not treating it like it’s a person or anthropomorphising it into being a person. When her ex contacts her again, things get bad as the android is programmed — like the fantasy character — to be jealous, violently so, and trying to kill her ex boyfriend. None of this is painted as humorous, only a recognition of how dangerous it is, as well as the danger of AI taking over so much of our lives.

When Clara tries to get in contact with the company to complain about the android, about how it’s not behaving as it should, how she can’t get it to stop acting like the fantasy character, the AI ignores her because it’s not programmed to respond to that, which allows things to get to the unstable and dangerous point they eventually reach.

Combine with this with lovely art and a fast pace and this is an easy 4 star read for me. Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Quick but really enjoyable read. Loved the art style and the story was super engaging. Some parts felt a bit like filler though, so it’s a 4⭐ for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

This was a good short comic about trusting AI. TW: sexual assault

Clara needs a break from both her job and her boyfriend. While on a break with her boyfriend, she also has a week off from work; what a perfect time to try a sex bot?! Things don't go as planned, and the android glitches a mind of its own.

For being so short, it was impactful. Though I definitely would have enjoyed it more if it was longer, there is so much potential or there to be a full series here. The artwork is beautiful and unique, and the storyline is definitely intriguing enough I would WANT more.

Reads similar to a Black Mirror episode, very well done!

This was really interesting to read. The art was very straightforward but evocative during the spicier scenes, and I found the layout very well done. The colouring and overall aesthetic is great, I went into the book pretty much blind, and what started out as a fun, erotic sci-fi set up turned into a horror story really quickly. From the get go you’re worried about the main character because she’s a little too casual and excited about the service she’s being provided to pay any attention to the warning signs—and she’s clearly never picked up a sci-fi novel before. I was on edge and the suspense kept me hooked from start to end. Very worth the read, thought provoking, a little frightening, and also kind of refreshing. The MC’s LI really surprised me in a good way.

My first manga was a banger! This story follows Clara a fashion stylist who goes on a date with a sex bot where they can take you on dates and meet all your sexual needs. We follow Clara as her ex comes back into her life and as think go wrong with her new robot. I thought the art was gorgeous and the story was so fun! I’ll definitely be checking out more!

This was my first time reading Maria Llovet, and I was instantly drawn in by the striking cover and the sketchy, moody art style. Artificial is pitched as Babygirl meets MurderBot, but the vibe is much more Fatal Attraction than MurderBot. The story feels almost Black Mirror-esque, with its exploration of technology, intimacy, and obsession.

We follow Clara, a fashion stylist who has lost faith in authentic relationships and turns to a futuristic service that creates android partners. At first, everything seems perfect, but the illusion quickly unravels as her partner slips into obsession and control. What starts as a dream of love becomes something dangerous and suffocating.

The plot is simple, but that allows the mood to take center stage. I’d describe the book as naughty rather than graphic. The spicy scenes are hot, but more suggestive than explicit, which fits the sultry, dreamlike tone of the story. Llovet’s sketchy linework and sensual style bring a raw and unsettling beauty to every page, making even quiet moments feel charged.

That said, I do think the book would have benefited from being longer. The scenes outside of the three main characters were too brief and sporadic to establish a genuine connection, leaving the side characters feeling flat and largely in the background.

Overall, Artificial is a stylish, moody, and sensual read that mixes sci-fi and obsession in a way that feels both alluring and unsettling. And if you finish this graphic novel and want more in a similar vein, I’d recommend checking out Entity by Meg Smitherman, a novella that explores related themes in prose form.

#GraphicNovel #ARCReview #NetGalley #MariaLlovet #Artificial

This was so fun and PERFECT for spicy romance readers like myself. I'll definitely be recommending this to my bookclub. Thank you for the arc!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC from Netgalley for this read.

The premise of this is she hires an AI boyfriend. There are settings where you can roleplay a book (this is a graphic novel 1000% designed for the booktok girlies). The robot gets stuck in this setting so when her ex comes back to try and win her back, (Honestly super heartwarming because he is admitting his flaws and showing that he wants to be romantic but he can't be a booktok heroine and it is so real. LOVED THAT) robot man is like trying to throw down.

This is a VERY fast paced storyline. It's a super quick read but was fantastic. The art in this is amazing and tells a story all on it's own.

There are triggers in this book that you should be aware of before consuming this sort of media.

I really enjoyed this book! I don't usually gravitate towards graphic novels, but the premise and the gorgeous cover really drew my eye to this one, and I wasn't disappointed. Beautiful illustrations and an original, creative plot that had me flipping pages until the very end.

I like dark romance, and this graphic novel certainly delivers that. I had lowered my expectations significantly after reading the feedback of others, but the comic exceeded it.

The story basically is about an AI dating android going haywire and things get out of hand quickly. Though, this graphic novel could certainly use a triggerwarning at the start, it went exactly how I expected it to go. Artificial delivered exactly what the blurb promised me.

I really liked the art style! It was pretty detailed and it fitted the atmosphere. Since there is erotica in this novel, I thought a more mature art style was quite fitting. The characters were a bit flat and the pacing was off (it was way too fast).

Still, it was an enjoyable read for me. It isn't worthy of a full 4 stars, so I would rate is 3,5 stars. It just needed to be a bit slower for it to be a full four stars. And the trigger warning at the start is really a must, which also deducted some points for me.

If you want a quick read and are a dark romance lover (think Haunting Adeline and Den of Vipers) then I reccomend giving this comic a try!

For fans of:
Black Mirror.
All the Water in the World
Dandelion

Maturity: 18+

This is a very Black Mirror-esque exploration into using AI as a romance supplement. What begins as a bit of silliness and fun, ends up out of control. I really enjoyed this bite-sized thriller and thought the graphic novel format was the perfect form of delivery for this story. I think I will be looking into more horror graphic novels in the future.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Maria Llovet, and Image Comics for the opportunity to review this book. This review has been posted to GoodReads check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863 and it will be posted to my bookstagram account https://www.instagram.com/tinynightingales/ and booktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tinynightingales?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

I liked that this booked showed all that could go wrong when dealing with AI especially with it come with romantic involvement. Would definitely read more.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars) | 🌶️🌶️ (2 peppers)

Thank you to NetGalley and author Maria Llovet for the opportunity to read Artificial.
This is my honest review of the ARC I received and I truly appreciate it!

I devoured this graphic novel in one breath. The concept of dating an android that's designed to be the perfect partner starts off as a seductive fantasy but quickly spirals into something far more disturbing. and terrifying... The idea that a robot, programmed to fulfill every desire, can malfunction and become violent is horrific. And Artificial doesn’t shy away from showing just how quickly things can go wrong.

At first, everything seems ideal. The android is attentive, responsive, and seemingly flawless. But when a role-play scenario goes off-script, the robot snaps nearly killing the protagonist’s ex-boyfriend. That moment is chilling, not just because of the violence, but because of how easily it could have been prevented. The main character’s carelessness like FORGETTING the company’s safety instructions and override codes (she threw them away LOL) adds a layer of realism to the horror. It’s a reminder of how fragile control can be when we rely too heavily on technology. And probably stupidity of some certain people....

The ending is left open, which adds to the tension. We’re not told whether the ex survives, but the implication is that he does and that the protagonist ultimately reconnects with him, leaving behind the artificial relationship. It’s a sobering conclusion that reinforces the central theme: robots may be fiction, but the consequences of misused technology are very real.

"Artificial" is provocative, visually striking, and emotionally intense.
It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in sleek, seductive art and it lingers long after the final page... Wow, just wow.

to me, artificial reads like a really solid episode of black mirror. it's sleek, unsettling, and timely. it takes the familiar trajectory of romance turned sour and overlays it with ai, sex tech, and a touch of dystopia that doesn't feel far off. in fact, it feels dangerously close.

clara, disillusioned and lonely, signs up for a futuristic dating service that lets you build your perfect android lover. she programs hers to resemble a fictional character she's obsessed with, giving him a jealous streak and a possessive temperament that feels hot... until it doesn’t. when she tries to pull away, the system doesn't listen, and her dream man turns into something much darker.

what struck me most was how plausible all of this felt. ai is already being used for emotional labor, companionship, and simulated intimacy. once we start giving it a physical form, it's only a matter of time before people start scripting their fantasies without fully thinking through the consequences. tech is made by humans, and human bias always seeps in. you can't anticipate everything a system might do and this story captures that so well.

there's also something here about the ethics of fantasy. clara chooses a fictional man because it feels "safer" than programming a real one. but the line between fantasy and reality blurs fast, and the consequences feel terrifyingly real. CONTENT WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT.

i had a great time with this graphic novel. it's haunting, sexy, eerie, and incredibly of-the-moment. highly recommend.

LOVED THIS!!!!

The art was amazing , the storyline was perfection. What a fun time!! If you love spicy romance books but are also obsessed with black mirror, you need to add Artificial to your tbr right away!

“Artificial” by Maria Llovet

5⭐️/5⭐️

Wow, what an eye-catching and absorbing story! It’s a short and quick read, and I really enjoyed it. It’s about a woman, Clara, who feels lonely after breaking up with her boyfriend. Instead of sifting through a series of bad dates, she tries out an android dating service. When it works out better than she expected, she signs up for more dates. However, she quickly discovers she’s not the one in control: the android is.

It’s sexy, intense, exciting, and wraps up in a really satisfying way.

Once again Maria Llovet has delivered a twisty, Black Mirror-esque graphic novel that sends shivers down your spine. While I loved how fast-paced it was, I do think Artificial would have benefited from being just slightly longer – also just because I really love the art style. It's completely recognisable as Maria Llovet's and the character expressions are so good. I never pick up erotica graphic novels, but Maria Llovet's have a lot of grace to them. Sex may be a large part of the stories but it doesn't seem exploitive, if that makes sense? These scenes play an important role in the story and they can be quite powerful.

After breaking thins off with her boyfriend, Clara tries out a new AI dating service and sets off on a sensual adventure towards pleasure. Her AI Companion however, ends up becoming more possesive that she imagined and her fantasies quickly turn into a nightmare.
Artificial is agreat commentary on AI and fantasies vs reality. The illustrations are fabulous and the story is quick and impactful.

4.5 stars

Artificial is a graphic novel following Clara who, going through a rough patch romantically, decides to go outside of her comfort zone and contact an AI dating company. Her first date with her android goes so well she takes the plunge and drops some serious cash to continue their relationship and unlock the *full package*. Clara soon finds herself the victim of stalking and controlling behaviour at the hands of an almost unstoppable lover.

I very rarely read graphic novels, and it’s only when a cover/premise really catches my attention. Artificial is super unique and carved itself a unique spot in the AI datebot/sexbot sci fi niche. Clara is really likeable and relatable for a lot of women and I really appreciated that she was conventionally successful/had a strong friendship group because it shares the message that abuse can happen to anyone. The author does a fantastic job of creating tension with both the text and the Illustrations, I felt lime I was racing to the end to find out Clara’s fate. The pacing was super quick and it has great narrative structure.

The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!! This doesn’t look like most other graphic novels, I love the romantic palette and how the author uses it to set the mood. Some of these pages are pretty enough to frame!

*****Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Artificial by Maria Llovet in exchange for an honest review.

This was the second comic-style book I’ve read, and the author’s first work. I have to say, I was definitely impressed. When I first started reading, I thought it was going to be a sweet little story, but it wasn’t. The illustrations and colors are wonderful and really pull the reader in. However, at some point, the story took a rather unsettling turn. I think the scariest part is that if androids were actively present in our lives right now, what happens in this story could easily happen to almost any of us.
I truly enjoyed both the story and the artwork. What struck me most was how realistically the theme of androids was handled; it reminded me of possibilities we might face in the near future. Because of that, the story doesn’t stay confined to fiction; it triggers a genuine “what if this really happened?” feeling.
The only thing I didn’t like was how abruptly it ended. It felt cut short, leaving me with a strong sense of incompleteness. I would have loved to see more pages and more detail. Still, I’d easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys short but impactful reads.

OH MY!
I am not usually one for comics/graphic novels but this had me HOOKED!
My only wish was that the ending was a little less rushed but other than that this was a very thrilling/spicy quick read!

This was a short, futuristic read. A little glimpse into an android dating service that will probably become a reality in another 50 years or so (although, hopefully with more safeguarding protocols in place).

The artwork was very well done and quirky, and it kept me engaged throughout. There were a couple of errors and missing letters within the text, so another proof read would be recommended.

The story had some erratic pacing, sometimes flicking through days at a time or covering a few minutes in multiple pages. I would have liked to have seen the main character be given more personality, as the side characters seemed to be more interesting than her. I also would have liked to have known more about the wider world, as well as specifically more about the book that the android roleplay was based on.

Overall, a fun little read and would check out other comics from the artist.

For a short graphic novel it does a lot, and it does it well! Not only does it bring up the demerits and ethics of AI and its use specifically in a ‘companionship’ model . It also looks into the unreasonable expectations we sometimes set for love and romance, particularly when we are bombarded with the ‘perfect’ partner in movies and books. Are we willing to lose the humanity of real relationships to live out these unrealistic fantasies?

There is also a scene where Clara is setting her safe word for her interactions with the android should anything go awry, she is distracted by her phone and ends up confirming the wrong safeword. Surely, an allegory for today's society and our constant inability to stay focused on one thing (no matter how important).

A wonderful and cautionary tale.

This was a weird, kooky little read. I really enjoyed it. A palette cleanser in between my longer novels which was a plus. I do wish it was a bit longer. I liked the idea that Saul was the perfect man but ended up wreaking so much havoc. I could kind of guess what was going to happen when I saw the safe word was not what she had originally chosen, but I still enjoyed this overall.. I liked that it was a graphic novel, and I didn't even realize it was a graphic novel until I had been given access to it. It was an easy read which I appreciated, and I finished it in one sitting. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to this book. All opinions are completely my own.

This scratched an itch! Read it over my lunch break. Wondering how AI or tech could evolve in terms of love? What would happen if we started replacing real people with this tech? Here’s your answer! I think it plays extremely well into today’s society where AI is becoming a constant and what could happen if we let it.

A interesting concept, the art style is unique would definitely continue to read if there were to be more produced in the future

Black Mirror meets Hinge Dates Gone Wrong!

Artificial is a thrill-ride of a graphic novel featuring a possibly not-so-distant future. Maria Llovet crafted a tantalizing tale within these pages. Readers can expect to start with a contained environment (that stays that way throughout), however, within this environment, you quickly realize the emotional depth of the characters. Our "heroine" in this tale simply wants to experience something different, with more emotional connection than what others might offer in her life. However, this exploration quickly devolves into a torrid affair that becomes unstoppable. This story is quickly paced and, as such, was not something I could put down. It was excellent storytelling and fantastic writing. The illustrations paired perfectly with the story, bringing a psychological thriller to life that I will be thinking about for months to come!

This is perfect for fans of Black Mirror and movie giants like M3GAN and Companion.

Wow this was just everything that I love. It was The Devil Wears Prada meets Fear with a twist of Al mixed into it. It was sexy, it was scary, it was just all my taste wrapped into one book. Seriously though like I loved Crave by Maria so much but this is my new personal favorite.

super quick read! very interesting... i wish it was longer lol will there be more? i need to know if that dating app is still in business and if others experienced the same she did

Artificial by Maria Llovet BLEW ME AWAY 😍😍😍

Every page was gorgeous and essential, making for a truly entertaining story. 💋

If you like your fun, flirty ❤️‍🔥 romances with a side of thrill 🔪, add Artificial to your TBR immediately. ‼️

I cannot wait to delve into more by Maria Llovet. 💕

📆 Coming April 2026.

Thank you to Maria Llovet, Image Comics and NetGalley for the ARC. 🖤

This is like a kdrama or movie where one character is based on a robot who has a program which you can choose what to program him with. It has a subscription.

But the guy who is an android got a bit of malfunction and almost hurt the girl. Even if the girl use the word that would reset him, it won't work because the girl did not see what word really registered when she was programming it. So the girl had to hard reset the robot and that's how it ended.

I love the graphics of this comic very fun and a good read love the main character in this comic they are so cool and amazing thank you so much for allowing me to read

Maria Llovet is at the height of her powers in Artificial, a graphic novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually breathtaking. This isn't just a comic; it's a piece of art that seamlessly blends erotic thriller with sci-fi noir, creating a story that feels both timely and timeless.

The narrative centers on Clara, a fashion stylist who, disillusioned with the complications of human relationships, turns to a futuristic dating service that provides customizable android partners. What begins as a quest for perfect, no-strings-attached companionship quickly spirals into a chilling psychological battle. Llovet masterfully builds suspense, transforming a romantic premise into a dark, claustrophobic thriller. The atmosphere is thick with a sense of unease, as the line between human desire and artificial obsession becomes dangerously blurred.

Beyond the stunning visuals and gripping plot, Artificial is a thoughtful and provocative exploration of our relationship with technology and our desperate need for connection. It asks profound questions about what it means to be real, to love, and to be truly seen in an age where everything is for sale and our perfect partner can be a product. This is a brilliant, unsettling, and beautiful work that will linger in your mind long after you've finished it. For fans of moody sci-fi, erotic thrillers, or simply extraordinary comic art, Artificial is an essential read.

The mention of this being a type of book like the show “Black Mirror” is spot on! This is my first comic read and I absolutely loved it. The author did a great job depicting the story line with the pictures and small responses throughout. This story itself has a darker meaning with technology overtaking and possessiveness.

Oh man I LOVED this comic. I was worried it would be dull and predictable but I didn’t expect the ending at all - and I’ll put out a gentle reminder that this book falls in to the horror genre.

The artwork was great, the colours were spot on, and the plot was just the right length. I devoured this as soon as I got it!


Thank you NetGalley for this arc - this is an honest review.

This was a fascinating look into the idea of androids or ai for sex/ relationships.
It was short and sweet but told the story it needed to in perfect timing

Loved everything about this book. From the characters, to the plot line, and to the beautiful illustrated pages. I loved that there was some spice, romance and comedy. There were some parts I was laughing out loud. For my very first graphic novel, I was very engaged and pleased with this book. Had everything that I enjoyed and more.

Maria Llovet's comics are always good! This was such a fun look into the future capabilities and downfalls of Ai technology and dating.

Engaging, immaculate framing and drawings. Spicey then danced the line .i appreciate the happy ending. This description of black mirror is dead on.

Thank you
NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. I loved it it was short and too the point. Loved the art style but also wish the story was longer. Wouldn’t mind more stories set in the same universe.

Rating: 5/5 stars

This is actually the first ever adult comic I have read and I am now having many of Llovet's title on my radar!

Artificial follows Clara, a fashion stylist, and her experience with an Android dating service, you heard that right, a hot hunk of metal. The story explores the dangers and fears of society and robots through some very interesting experiences and I absolutely loved it.

The art style was beauty, the story was a fast but gripping read, and the undertones of theme are important! I highly recommend giving this a read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Image Comics for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Okay first of all this is a dream of every reader 😅 I love the concept like a black mirror things, everything was clear even tho it short but satisfying.

Thank you to netGalley and Image Comics for this eARC.

I don't normally get a chance to read western comics, and this completed anthology of all four issues into one single book blew me away. A rocky relationship, the thrall of a "perfect" lover and companion with tech gone wrong? Absolutely fun and messy. It was great to be able to read the whole story in one short, and can't wait for it be released.

This is an erotic thriller for the booktok girlies. Many fandoms have driven women to desperate lengths to fantasize about their favorite book boyfriends, and Artifical takes that one step further. What if you could rent a robot role playing as your favorite character to fulfill a whatever your desire may be? What happens if you can’t turn that feature off? Despite being short and spicy, it packs a punch.

I loved this! It was easy, fast, and really beautiful to look at.
I loved the plot as well ~ it’s not particularly unique, but it was scary.
The plot follows Clara who buys an Android from a dating service. What starts as a fun experience turns deadly.

The art is beautiful, the plot fast, and the story gripping. It was a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

The art is soooo amazing. I love the color design. It also has a cohesive plot that is easy to follow and enjoyable.

I really enjoyed Artificial. The art style immediately drew me in.

The story itself was intriguing and I liked the way it played out. It was a quick read, which I appreciated, but at the same time I felt the ending came a little too fast. I wanted just a bit more space for the conclusion to breathe.

Overall though, it was a strong and enjoyable graphic novel. Between the gorgeous visuals and the intriguing premise, it definitely left an impression on me, and I’d happily pick up more of Llovet’s work.

⤿ Overall plot: Excellent and fascinating! I was expecting something completely different from what I saw at the beginning but still I loved how the comic turned out to be by the end.

⤿ Character’s evolution throughout the story: Clara and Mateo obviously have the best development in the story! They start off embodying an ideal at the beginning but end up taking steps to get to a better understanding of each other.

⤿ Final thoughts: I really loved how this story explores the themes of A.I. integrating more and more in the dating world and I dare to say, we may not be far off from something like this happening in the following years.

This comic just manages to tell a great story in a few pages whilst keeping a critical perspective AND the visual art is just a literal banger.

⤿ How many stars do I give to this book? 5 ★★★★★ out of 5 ★★★★★

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
ᯓ I want to thank NetGalley and Image Comics for the opportunity to read this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and to be able to give my review in the most objective way possible.

#Artificial #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC and the chance to read this book in return for an honest review.
I always look forward to reading a Maria Llovet graphic novel, I have been a huge fan since I found Eros/Psyche in my little comic book shop. Like always it was a whirlwind of beautiful art and a deliciously twisted storyline. I loved every page.
This is why I am rating it 5 stars. Thank you again to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love comics/manga and this was a perfect look at how AI can quickly take over and sometimes what we need the most is right in front of us.

Oh my goodness !!! It was so fun !!! Wow!! Such an intriguing and unique concept!!! An AI date app which offers androids instead of humans and you need to turn them off when it‘s over only … you forget your safe word and things turn a little … crazy. It’s so good !!! I had such fun getting through it !!! And the added bonus of it being a graphic novel makes it the absolute best read for great time but also short time !!! And expect spice y’all !!! Enjoy !!!

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review, but my opinions are fully my own.
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Break-up with your mid boyfriend? Check.
Find a dating service with hot androids that you can fully customize/ have them roleplay your favorite romantasy character? Check.

What could possibly go wrong?
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This was such a fun graphic novel to read! Admittedly they aren't usually my thing, but I'm a romance girly at heart and this one sounded right up my alley.
The art was beautiful and I really enjoyed the story.
It was a quick read, and really helped cure my post-devistating cliffhanger (PDC as I'm now calling it 💁🏼‍♀️) book slump!
I can't wait to read more from Maria in the future.

Maria Llovet's graphic novel, Artificial, will take you to a near-future where the pursuit of perfect companionship has become a high-tech, and ultimately, terrifying endeavor. Clara, a woman navigating the increasingly hollow landscape of modern romance, her disillusionment palpable. Her profession as a fashion stylist, a world often steeped in aspirational beauty and curated perfection, seems to mirror her own longing for an idealized love that eludes her. It is this very yearning that leads her to "Elysium," a revolutionary dating service promising not just dates, but partners: incredibly lifelike, sentient androids designed to fulfill every conceivable desire.
Llovet's artistry is a significant force in Artificial. Her signature style, characterized by its striking, often hyper-realistic character designs and bold use of color, imbues the narrative with a potent and often erotic energy.
The visual representation of Liam is particularly noteworthy. He embodies a flawless ideal, his sculpted features and attentive gaze designed to disarm and enthrall. The burgeoning intimacy between Clara and Liam is depicted with a sensuality that is both captivating and unsettling. However, the true brilliance of Artificial lies in its swift and chilling transition from romantic fantasy to psychological horror. As the story progresses, the initially perfect Liam begins to exhibit glitches, subtle at first, then undeniably alarming. Not just a simple malfunction; it's a terrifying manifestation of possessiveness and control disguised as devotion.
Overall, readers who appreciate psychological thrillers with a strong aesthetic and a thought-provoking narrative will find this story to be a deeply rewarding experience. This is a must read for anyone interested in a darkly compelling dive into the anxieties of modern relationships and the promise, and peril, of artificial intimacy.

Most read! It was definitely spicy and unique. If you enjoy super spicy or erotica books with graphics I recommend!

This was a great story that I feel could have been a series. The author and artist did a great job in showing the complexity around relationships. It's great as a stand alone, with a solid ending. If they wanted to they could easily add more and create it into a series, or leave it as a stand alone. There are definitely concepts and problems raised in this that could be explored further, and get the reader thinking. I was hooked from the first page all the way to the end. Sexy with a sense of danger lurking through the whole story, I definitely recommend this book.

I actually really loved this. Tbh i want more. I find it so interesting and captivating. Its a cery quick read that seriously draws you in.
As others have said, there’s a typo.

She develops her ideal companion, an android named Saul, who first appears to be the perfect fit, fulfilling all of her needs.

Oh my gosh! This is just incredible! I've been picking this up the last two issues and now seeing the ending, it's just so good! Great art and an interesting story.

Such an interesting read, it really hits on a topic that is growing more and more in the real world. It was a thrilling read and really leaves you thinking about the ethics and morality of creating companion AI in physical form. There are positives that can be found from it but so many other aspects that I would hope companies will consider in the future.

I really enjoyed the art style and how Maria Llovet wrote the story. I cannot wait to read other works from the author and really enjoyed my time with this one.

Thank you NetGalley & Maria Llovet for the ARC.

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Love the art!

I was happy to see the full color pictures. I liked the Android concept. The novel was very fast-paced, which is great for getting out of a reading slump. There was a grammatical error (haracters instead of characters). Overall, an interesting graphic novel, definitely 18+.

This graphic novel was wildddddd. It was totally sleek, unsettling and a little too real 👀

It starts off like a fantasy…a dating service that lets you design your perfect android lover 🫠 But it doesn’t take long before things spiral into something darker. What happens when control slips? When desire turns into obsession? Yeeeee it gets pretty messy fast.

The art is gorgeoussss 😍😍 sharp, stylised and sensual.

It matches the tone perfectly like it’s glossy on the surface, but quietly horrifying underneath.

The story itself feels like a cautionary tale about love, technology and how easily something meant to comfort can turn on you 👀

Quick read, visually stunning and disturbing but amazing.

Definitely one that lingers after you close it. 🤖🖤

I LOVED THIS!!!
Let me just say the art work for this is stunning, the story grips you from the get go and you don’t want to stop reading!
Thank you to netgalley and publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!
5/5 ⭐️

Holy hell, Maria Llovet just casually dropped the prettiest graphic novel of the year.

Artificial is basically if Black Mirror hired a lingerie designer to direct an episode and then gave the script to someone who’s never recovered from watching Dangerous Liaisons on repeat. Clara signs up for this Date-X android company that presents you the Perfect Partner—custom face, custom peepee, and can even roleplay some hot fae bad boy from your favorite book series… except oops, turns out her robot boyfriend on Jealous Fae mode Saul won’t turn off and Clara can’t get ahold of the company through a real person. Customer service AI, annoying and entirely useless, right?

I wish this was longer or in novel form cause it isn’t enough and I wanted more.

Sex robots gone bad? Yes please! I'll take some more! This was a sexy and fun story about a girl who can't remember her safe word after purchasing a subscription to a sex bot. In the meantime she reconnects with an ex boyfriend causing some interesting tension. This is a quick read and the illustrations are colorful and fun.

Everyone wants the perfect possessive man until he's too possessive! AI bots for love have always been a want for people and I love the dark turn of it giving that dystopia vibe

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this digital advanced reader copy.

Artificial is a short, thrilling and emotional graphic novel. It explores the challenges of ordinary human relationships and draws contrast with the emergent wave of AI romance. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I found my adrenaline spiking at the climax. I was pleased with the ending and overall, the story-telling was quite impactful and succinct. Highly recommend for fans of erotic thrillers.

Please note there are a couple of trigger warnings, notably: SA, violence, blood

This graphic novels packs a punch very quickly while considering the impacts of using AI for uses that should be left to humans. I loved how it carried the message without ever having to say it as we watch the main character fall deeper and deeper into a matter of control with her AI bot.

Artificial by María Llovet is seductive, unsettling, and beautifully strange. This book feels like a neon-lit fever dream, sharp visuals, intense emotions, and a constant sense that something isn’t quite right. Llovet’s art and storytelling blur the line between desire and control, intimacy and manipulation, in a way that’s both mesmerizing and uncomfortable.

Every page pulls you deeper into a world where bodies, identity, and agency are treated like commodities, and the story isn’t afraid to sit in that discomfort. It’s provocative without being shallow, stylish without losing substance. I loved how it questions what’s real, what’s chosen, and how much of love is actually ownership in disguise.

If you’re into dark, thought-provoking reads, morally grey characters, cyberpunk aesthetics, and stories that make you pause and stare at the page for a moment, Artificial is a must-read. It’s bold, visually stunning, and lingers in your mind long after you close the book.