Oct 30, 2024
Learn how one artist is using webcomics to revolutionize the way we learn about LOVE and ABUSE!
A Campaign to Redefine Love
That’s Not Love is a webcomic, social media campaign, and informational blog focused on one goal—helping people recognize the difference between healthy love and harmful behaviors. Through accessible art and clear messaging, it seeks to raise awareness about what real love should be, and, just as importantly, what it shouldn't.
The History of That’s Not Love
Illustrator and Art Director Elianna Gregory launched That’s Not Love on Valentine’s Day in 2024, using her art to explore the complexities of love and relationships. Drawing from personal experience, Gregory was inspired by her own journey of healing after an unhealthy relationship during her university years.
“When that relationship ended, I was left questioning what had gone wrong,” Gregory shared. “As I learned more about abusive behaviors and healthy love, I kept thinking, ‘I wish I had known this earlier.’ At the time, I was already working on my other webcomic Momic, and it struck me that comics could be the perfect way to teach people about these important issues.”
Why Heart Characters?
The heart-shaped characters that feature prominently in That’s Not Love have an interesting backstory. Gregory first created them while in college, during an Editorial Illustration class at the Savannah College of Art & Design where she chose to portray the Five Love Languages. The simplistic and emotive hearts turned out to be the perfect fit for her new project.
“When conceptualizing the art direction for That’s Not Love, I knew I needed characters that were easy to manipulate and draw in a vector style,” Gregory explained. “The heart characters worked perfectly—they allow me to explore serious topics like abuse without depicting real people, making the illustrations approachable despite the difficult subject matter."
Expanding the Reach of That’s Not Love
Currently, That’s Not Love features 14 chapters, covering essential topics like love-bombing, types of abuse, gaslighting, and the science behind love. Each chapter is paired with an informational blog post on the website, along with Instagram carousel posts and creative reels that distill the same messages in engaging formats.
“I try to repackage the information in as many ways as possible to reach the broadest audience,” Gregory explained. “You never know when or how someone will come across your content.. I know I could have benefited from something like That’s Not Love when I was a teenager. I was always reading webcomics like As Per Usual and How to Love. My hope is that people will look back on That’s Not Love and think, ‘This really made a difference in my life.’
The Future of That’s Not Love
Elianna Gregory has ambitious plans for the future of That’s Not Love. “I have a long list of chapters to complete—topics like coercive control and legal resources for abuse survivors are high on my list,” Gregory shared. She also hopes to partner with non-profits and collaborate with subject matter experts to sponsor future chapters or use her art to elevate organizations doing vital work in the domestic violence space.
Ultimately, Gregory's vision extends beyond just storytelling. “My goal is to reach young people before they enter relationships, so they’re equipped with the knowledge to build healthy connections—or recognize when it’s time to leave an unhealthy one," she said. “It’s a lot to manage, being a one-woman show, but the journey has been more than rewarding.”
To read the first chapter of That's Not Love, click here.
Follow That's Not Love on instagram: @thatsnotlovecomic
If you would like to collaborate with That's Not Love, click here.