Though you don’t see the genre as much today, there was a time that romance comics ruled the stands. They were a regular release from all the major publishers with a massive reach. In recent years, we mostly get a kitschy return to the genre that lasts a short time period or is a miniseries. Love Everlasting #1 takes us back to that classic genre with an updated and intriguing twist.
Written by Tom King, Love Everlasting #1 introduces Joan, a woman who’s looking for love in our first story and finds it. Unfortunately the love she finds is with George who is dating her roommate. What will she do!? Or, is it Kit, the musician she loves? But will her dad approve? Wait, isn’t she supposed to marry Chad? Why’s she in the old west? King delivers a few shorts as Joan bounces around time looking for love. Or, is she bouncing around time because of love? Is it the same Joan? Is this a multiverse of romance!? Will we find out answers!? Not in this comic. Instead, King delivers a start that feels like a series of shorts before it all comes together. It’s a spin that’s unexpected and adds far more than just a well written romance comic.
The art by Elsa Charretier is great. With color by Matt Hollignsworth and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the comic has a look that both evokes the classic genre but also updates it a bit as well. It’s great to see Joan placed in different time periods with a little change but it’s the same character throughout. Then there’s the various time periods themselves. Each stands out as unique but that all have a style that connects them together. Charretier also nails down a lot of the visual tics that the genre is known for. With Ben Day dots, the comic would have nailed the classic look.
Love Everlasting #1 is an intriguing debut. It both feels like an homage and a slight twist to the romance comic genre. There’s a lot of details that were clearly added to make sure the comic nailed the style but at the same time, it all feels updated and fits modern comics. It’s an intriguing start to the series that has a lot of potential for what’s to come.
Story: Tom King Art: Elsa Charretier
Color: Matt Hollingsworth Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
