By Larry Jorash — Casual Fling #1 is a rare comic that will make you think deeply about love and romance. Questions of love — and related ideas about marriage — are often changing and sometimes debated. Despite the old saying love conquers all, couples and significant others still find themselves straying from promises, vows, relationships. Life isn’t neat and humans err; especially under pressure. This is all to say that in Casual Fling #1, we meet Jennifer Ryan, a prime-of-her-career corporate lawyer with an upscale apartment in Manhattan and a loving family. Her career is draining, taking time and emotional investment away from her family, which is perhaps what leads Jennifer to fall desperately into a dreamy and scandalous extramarital affair.

One of the most interesting qualities of Casual Fling #1 is that writer Jason Starr refuses to take sides or cast judgement upon the characters. The nuance, realism, and humanity of the conversations feels genuine and sincere, leaving readers watching as characters struggle to cope with decisions. Dalibor Talajić’s artwork makes sure we see our protagonist struggle, justify, and live with her choices. And both creators work in tandem to show a kind of empathy towards a person whom many would be quick to judge. Marriage, and even just dating, is not easy. Relationships take work and love takes forgiveness. These ideas — along with how humanity is flawed — are very much present here.

One other point of note for the art in this book is the amazing attention to detail. As Jennifer flirts with the mysterious investor Alex Miles, we see every emotion and every anxious gesture. Side characters are not left silent or forgotten, but they engage passively. Talajić also gets major points here for anatomical realism, which is at times lacking in today’s comic industry.

Casual Fling #1 is a tasteful and artistic romance comic with modern sensibilities. How do we cope with loneliness? What are our priorities? How do we define love? This is a story that’s going to test morals and preconceived notions, but it’s also one that asks us to show compassion and empathy to those who author their own mistakes.

Overall: An interesting, thought-provoking story that revels in the non-traditional comics space it inhabits. Casual Fling #1 is rich with love, betrayal, and scandal — all with a sense of dread mixed with empathetic curiosity. 7.5/10

REVIEW: Casual Fling #1

Casual Fling #1
Writer: Jason Starr
Artist: Dalibor Talajić
Publisher: AWA
Price: $3.99
Jennifer Ryan has the perfect life. A loving family. A high paying job in corporate law. A luxurious apartment in upper Manhattan. Then one day she steps out of her marriage…and finds that her new lover isn’t the one night stand she expected. Stalked and threatened with exposure, Jennifer attempts to unravel the true identity of her tormentor, discovering valuable clues in the trail of destruction left in this mysterious man’s wake.
Buy It Digitally: Casual Fling #1

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Larry Jorash resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys watching ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find him without a coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)