Graphic Novel Review: Lonely Receiver

LONELY RECEIVER is a graphic novel that makes you self-reflect once you finish it. 

Thinking back on all the toxic relationships, both romantic and merely friendly, that I have been a part of,  I come to the realization that this futuristic love story contains the same themes that play a part in today’s chaotic culture. Zac Thompson, the author, opens with an Introduction that I feel is incredibly relevant for understanding the deeper themes within, and his words speak for themselves.

“Modern life has forced us to exist in pieces. Our society is predicated on pretending to be okay. We’re terrified of telling people how we actually feel. And if someone asks you how you feel, you’re only supposed to respond with “great”.

Well, what you’re about to read, is an account of all the times where I wasn’t okay. Where I was pretty f**king far from great.

But I’m here. Alive and better for it.”

Catrin has had a string of bad relationships and decides to create a custom AI synthetic partner, one made to her specifications and connected to her via a biodigital link. At first, Rhion is wonderful, and everything seems great, but like many relationships, it begins to deteriorate over time. Even visits to “The Garden”, a digitally created spirit realm where lovers can connect very deeply, isn’t helping to save the relationship. Rhion leaves Catrin, but when you are biologically connected, even over a long distance, can you ever be “broken up”?

Thompson has used his life experience to allow all the gritty sides of relationships to rear their head here: dating someone that looks a lot like your old partner, trying to use sex to drive the pain of loneliness away, fixing your tech to make sure they can contact you, etc. LONELY RECEIVER, while being a story about a woman who has broke up with a robot, which is metaphor for Thompson’s real life chaotic relationships, ultimately ends up being incredibly self-relatable, allowing for a reading experience that will cause anyone to look back at their own lives. AND isn’t art supposed to be a reflection on the society who created it?

Due to the graphic content of this title, it is definitely for adults only.

ADAM FISHER, Reference Associate