Sainted Love Vol. 1: A Time to Fight

Sainted Love #1

by Steve Orlando, Giopota (Illustrator), AndWorld Design (Letterer)

THE TIME MACHINE meets MIDNIGHTER & APOLLO in SAINTED LOVE Vol. 1: A Time to Fight - a steamy, genre-blending gay, science fiction, era-spanning, adventure-packed graphic novel!

A SEXY, TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE TOO POWERFUL TO BE CONTAINED IN A SINGLE ERA!
New York City, 1907.
Malcolm “Mac” Irina is the greatest inventor the world’s never heard of, and his lover, John Wolf, is the toughest bare-knuckle boxer in the city. Irina’s crowning invention, the Chronocorridor, is nearly complete. He dreams of whisking himself and Wolf away to a time when they can live and love freely. But when crazed Detective Felt raids Irina’s lab, the couple dive into the freshly powered-up portal to escape capture.

Sainted Love is a steamy time-traveling adventure series, equal parts romance and science fiction as two heroes fight for their love while journeying across centuries of history. It’s sexy, it’s exciting, it’s fast-paced. It’s a gay romance that sees queer heroes become legends themselves as they explore and adventure through iconic times in queer history, from the passion of gay saints Sergius and Bacchusto to the Lavender Mafia of the 1970s, and in between. Irina and Wolf first think they need to return home, but they soon realize that their real calling is elsewhere in time, to places where they’re free to love and exists as who they are and eras that desperately need their help.

Steve Orlando (Eisner and GLAAD Award nominated writer of Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man 2099, Wonder Woman) and Giopota (artist+creator of beloved webcomic Mothersea) hurl you across time with Irina and Wolf, as they encounter famous queer people throughout history and fight back against all who would see their names and love erased!

SAINTED LOVE Vol. 1: A Time to Fight collects issues #1-3 of the acclaimed series and successfully-funded Kickstarter!

Genres: LGBT, Graphic Novels, Comics, Romance, Science Fiction, Fiction, Historical

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2024

Reviews

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of pointless fun for in between.
Time travel with a very homophobic plot, a bit heavy in that respect. A few bloody fights. Lots of orgies, sharing is caring, bearish men, some clichés. Overall just fun.

[Ben Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Sainted Love Vol. 1 a lot. It's sex and time travel, with a plot that was fun but could have been stronger (but that would have meant less orgies... so pick your battles I guess).

I backed the Kickstarter, so I got all the variants of each issue which were all awesome! Especially the 18+ covers😳

The story follows Mac and Wolf and starts off in New York City, 1907. Mac gets his 'Chronocorridor' aka time machine working just in *ahem* time, when a shadowy group intent on wiping out queer people closes in. The two escape into the past, but they're not safe from the groups clutches.

Hoping Vol 2 isn't too long of a wait!

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Orlando couldn't decide if he wanted to make this a book about gays in history or explicit orgies. Making it both just made it a shallow mess. Adding a time travel angle just made it even odder. It's about two gay men who fight and then engage in an orgy, then time travel. Wash. Rinse. Repeat each issue. It also ends without any kind of resolution so it all just feels pointless. Here's these random plot points we brought up. None of them are resolved. Book is over.

[Zai Zai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty hot. Yes for bear representation as well hahaha! But yeahh the plot was barely there

The corn stuff (though hot) was a bit mild maybe they wouldn't be published otherwise? I dunno.

[Dana Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Time traveling Bears drew my interest… but totally NSFW and shallow storyline.

[Meliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I wanted to like this more than I did.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve learned that I enjoy books more when I know absolutely nothing going into them. And that’s how I went into Sainted Love. I knew it’s queer and that’s why I wanted to read it.

Mac & John are lovers in 1907 New York. It’s illegal to be gay, so their love is a secret… one that people know about, but it’s all behind closed doors. John is an underground fighter and Mac is a scientist. Their jobs pay the bills, albeit late, but they make do.

When a cop tries to bust them for illegal sodomy, Mac uses the invention he’s been working on to jump somewhere in time (1957, but at the moment, he’s unsure of where he’s going) followed immediately by John.

This was an unexpectedly smutty graphic novel where two men try to stop a cult hell bent on eradicating queer people. Along the way, they have lots of special loving time, not only with each other, and I’m always here for it. The scenes aren’t super vivid, but you get the idea and can see some things… and some THANGS!!!! So go into it knowing that.

I enjoyed it and when it ended, I wanted the next book. I still do. 😭

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the concept -- a spicy time-traveling adventure that explores issues faced by LGBTQ individuals throughout various eras. This premise is great for an ongoing series and there's a lot that could be covered. However, the delivery was a little choppy. I liked our main characters, a scientist and a boxer from the early 1900s, but found their occasional bickering to be unprompted, inconsistent, and distracting. This story would be better served by a couple with more subtle relationship struggles, allowing the bulk of the plot to focus on difficulties of the time period. That said, I would definitely read a second volume.

[Bin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ pretty time traveling queers! Save me from my reading slump!

[Kelly Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

spicy spicy spicy

[Stevie Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

sexy gay time travelers? we love

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This should have been fun but instead fell very flat. There's not much of a story, no logic whatsoever, far too much unneeded boring dialogue, and the characters themselves weren't very interesting. Worse, their relationship consisted of bickering, constant accusations, punctuated by thin excuses for orgies. Who wants to read that?

Story: In 1906, Max is an inventor and Wolf is a pugilist. They hide their relationship but a detective is hot on their heels trying to make a sodomy arrest. When confronted by the police, Max dashes into his time machine with Wolf following a bit later. They end up in 1945 Hollywood and discover a secret centuries old plot to destroy gay men as their crusade. Soon, they find themselves hunted again as the Pilgrims close in to stop the time travelling duo.

So, the story goes like this: fight, sex, verbal fight, sex, fight, sex, verbal fight, sex, fight. It's not sexy, it's just repetitive. By about 3/4 of the way through, I found myself skipping the dialogue as no one ever said anything interesting or even plot worthy. Most of the time it was about the two guys yelling at each other for not understanding or someone suggesting they go have sex.

The artwork was ok - it was clean and easy to follow. But it wasn't very interesting and I can't say that it added much to what little story was in there. Even the steampunk elements were not very imaginative and rather disappointing. The story takes place in 1906, 1945, and 307. None of the ages was very interesting in terms of story and reason to set the plot there. By the time the heroes were conversing with the Romans, it got flatter than a pancake.

In all, I can't help but feel really disappointed. I loved the 'bodice ripper' type of cover and got an Indiana Jones/Steampunk feel. But none of that was actually realized in the story. Characters were uninteresting and bland, to the point of being simplistic in actions. And does anyone else find it weird that there was a centuries-spanning organization to kill gay men but no one mentioned gay women ever? SMH. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Rachel Bielinski]

Interesting concept of gay time travel. Comic was more adult than I was expecting. Definitely for mature audiences [18+].

I wanted a bit more depth from the story, but I liked seeing the gay male experience in multiple time periods with a sci-fi element. I agree with other reviews that both the relationship and dialogue were pretty flat. It seemed like maybe the author lost steam by the time we got to the third time period or maybe I was done with all the orgies. I also could have used some trans or lesbian characters, because if an ancient group of nuts are trying to eradicate gay men, it stands to reason that they probably wouldn't be a fan of other members of the LGBTQIA+ community either.

[Paul Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel and gay sex? Yes, please.

This book starts off in 1907. There's a scientist working on time travel and his lover who's a boxer. Through some interesting mishaps, they each get lost in time. This book jumps a little forward in time and a lot back in time. The two main characters have some fun dalliances while finding each other along the way.

The art is great. I liked the various body types featured. The sex scenes are tasteful and the word bubbles are used in fun ways to cover certain things, but there is full frontal nudity in this book.

I hope this is an ongoing series because the ending didn't quite satisfy me.

[Anilea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A queer speculative time traveling adventure to stop fascists from manipulating history through erasure of queer folks?

You couldn’t pick a better premise for me.
And did I mentioned it’s also an erotica? Even better.

This is the kind of adult fantasy that I crave and seek desperately because God knows I can’t deal with cute androgynous boys coming out romance in safe, bubbly environments.

I want men who are sensual and not afraid to express it and fight for it for themselves and their loved ones even it means going through times to achieve it.

In short, a brilliant read and one I hope we get more of it in the future.

See you in the future✨

[Kai · Rating 1 out of 5]

It starts out very interesting with an interesting gay couple traveling through time trying to get away from the police and they get seperated, and having to try ad found each other. Great cute storyline to begin with and then it ends with it being a mess. By the ending I lost the storyline. It goes from a cute sexy couple to complete sex with random strangers and threesomes, what did that have to do with the storyline? This only showing the dumb stereotype gay man back in the day slept around with other people they meet, not sure how that has anything to do with the actual pairing finding each other. Found it boring by the end disappointment.

[Max Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun quick read that combines time travelling intrigue with the exploration of free love... orgies. There are a lot of orgies.

Also, Sergius and Bacchus gave me Joe and Nicky (The Old Guard) vibes, and I'm here for it!

I'm hoping there will be further editions as I really want to know where they go and what they do next. I backed the Kickstarter so I had all the excellent extras too, but the graphic novel alone is definitely worth picking up if you're looking for timey wimey saucy queerness.

[Tuni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun little gay time travel romp packed with orgies as far as the eye can see. It’s very unapologetically queer. I appreciate the trans and bi rep along the gay focus.

It’s only three issues, so a lot of the exact who, what, why of the enemy is not established beyond them being a homophobic cult. It feels like only half of an opening story arc, but I wouldn’t want to cut any of the porn for more plot. Lol it is half the fun.

[Hung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sci-fi gay romance about two guys travelling through time to fight a secret order of homophobes.

A nice balance between story and erotica. Anymore hotness and it would not have been taken seriously. The writing is around 3.5 stars rounded up. The art were at mainstream professional standards.

I would happily read more of their adventures.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sainted Love is a queer time traveling story about two lovers trying to stop the erasure of queer history. Sign me up for more. This graphic novel jumps from 1907 to Hollywood 1954 to Rome 307 CE. It's in Rome where we meet Sergius and Bacchus, destined to become Catholic saints.

I enjoyed this 1st volume so I'll have to keep my eyes open for the next collected edition.

[Szymon · Rating 3 out of 5]

To us, you have been saints, indeed. Not divine, but holy. And what is the holy if not a mystery?

Time travel and gay sex. That's it. That's the plot. I followed the artist on socials and was interested in this graphic novel. Overall cute, I enjoy his art style. Was surprised about the toned down horniness in some panels. Nice one.

[Sylas Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a big graphic novel reader but I liked this !!! the trans rep was unexpected but extremely welcome and I thought it was just a fun refreshing gay story. I may need a copy for my personal collection since I got it from the library

[Gio Giacomello · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was so cute and i loved all the queer representation! (although i think it could’ve had more) Mac and Wolf are cuties and i would follow them anywhere if i could.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super steamy and endearing. Wish the speech bubbles didn't hide so much of the action.

[Chris Weber · Rating 2 out of 5]

A confusing tale of time travel, sexual freedom, and Roman history with an occasionally patronizing tone. I like Orlando’s other work; this one didn’t do it for me.

[Amy (I'd Rather Be Sleeping) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was okay, I guess, but there was just a lot of stuff I didn't care for. And that confused me.

[Katdunn37 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the art and the storyline! Cant wait to read rest of the series!

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful sci-fi time traveling adventure full of gay love and two main characters that stand out for their growth and love that jumps off the pages.

This is a great graphic novel for those looking for more LGBTQ+ rep in sci-fi stories!

Thank you to @thevaultcomics for the copy of the graphic novel. All thoughts are my own.

[Ethan Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf is so cute. You know. For a bi top.

[Sarospice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. The art is childish gay porn, but I liked the concept of time traveling to stop homophobes. It could have done with better art. Everyone's uncut which is also a yawn.