The reading presents two young comic artists from Hamburg and Leipzig published by the avant-verlag: newcomer Helena Baumeister with her debut "Oh Cupid", a self-confident autobiographical tale which has already been awarded the Hamburg Literature Prize, about the search for love and intimacy in times of apps and algorithms, and Leipzig cartoonist Christiane Haas, who has been delighting audiences for years with her quirky, offbeat cartoons and comic miniatures.

In her debut comic “Oh Cupid”, Helena Baumeister contemplates the search for love, sex and intimacy and how dating apps have changed the way we look for partners. In the first months of the pandemic, Helena longs for interaction and intimacy and arranges a date via an online dating platform. The fourth man she meets this way just has an unspectacular photo in his profile. Nevertheless, Helena agrees to his proposal of a joint bicycle tour. When the two meet, Helena looks into light brown eyes and grows nervous - she likes him. Moments of attraction and irritation alternate with misunderstandings.

Christiane Haas debuted with the avant-verlag back in 2019 and called her first book – watch out, power move! – “Natürlich bist du glücklich, wenn du keine Erwartungen hast” (Of Course You're Happy When You Have No Expectations). In her new book "Im ewigen Kreis" (In the Eternal Circle), Christiane Haas once again manages to turn the small absurdities of everyday life and new challenges as a mother into crisp, witty strips – no matter whether it's a family visit, playground dialogue, a holiday or a job. Haas' drawings are quick, to the point and lively, each page an anecdote in itself and highly memorable!