The reddest of roses is blooming

Miss Liv Strömqvist? We too. The world-renowned activist continues her satirical "graphic medicine" work with a collection of humorous sketches about how historical and societal changes have changed — and perhaps destroyed — "romantic love."

Let's start with the simplest, at first glance, question. Why is Leonardo DiCaprio dating an endless string of 20-year-old models? In response, Liv traces how philosophers and artists, from the ancient Greeks to Beyoncé, have conceptualized romantic love. Drawn in a flat, blocky style, Strömkvist's signature characters ask each other questions and offer pointed commentary, taking readers through history and changing societal values, from showing love/loving to receiving love/being loved. Lord Byron, Socrates, Han Byeongchul, Ezra Pawnd, Lou Andreas-Salome, Ariadne and many others make cameo appearances.
Strömkvist asks: can romantic love survive in a rationalistic, consumerist world?