Love is a trap, especially if you're Joan Peterson tumbling terrifyingly through numerous romantic scenarios in the new Image Comics series Love Everlasting. Creators Tom King and Elsa Charretier satirize and celebrate the young romance comics, once mastered by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. In the process, they savagely comment on the culture and business of love.

King and Charretier climax our San Diego Comic-Con International coverage, joining us on the show and sharing their philosophy surrounding romantic fiction and how it shapes our perception. Both bring thorough, thoughtful consideration to the characters they're exploring, while also being cautious regarding the subtext they're plunging.

Love Everlasting is a mighty swing comic, dropping its reader into a realm that masterfully balances absurdity, horror, and melodrama. King and Charretier delight in withholding a massive mythology but find confidence in their trust of us, their readers. We're patient, understanding, and eager to have this conversation. Hallmark courtship has had its day.

You can currently read Love Everlasting's first five issues via their Everlasting Productions Substack feed. However, if physical books are your jam, the first issue will make its Image Comics debut on August 10th. You should also follow Tom King on Twitter HERE and Instagram HERE, and Elsa Charretier on Twitter HERE and Instagram HERE. Find her YouTube page HERE.

Today's episode is Part 4 in our #CBCCatSDCC coverage celebrating the return of the San Diego Comic-Con International.

Part one was our chat with Survival Street writers James Asmus and Jim Festante. You can listen to their episode HERE.

Part two was our convo with Matt Kindt discussing his new Flux House imprint at Dark Horse Comics. You can listen to his episode HERE.

Part three was our epic chat with Scott Snyder about his second wave of ComiXology titles: Barnstormers, Canary, and Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine. You can listen to his episode HERE.

And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren.

Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.

Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.

Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.