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Falling in Love on the Path to Hell Volume One
Falling in Love on the Path to Hell has it all—otherworldly intrigue, gunslingers and samurai, the dead, the dying, the undead, and of course… romance.
The sun set on samurai and gunslingers at roughly the same time, but our two leads didn’t die off quietly. In the East, a samurai would rather die with her weapons than surrender them to a sword hunt. In the West, the gunslinger follows his revenge to the bitter end. The future lovers are mortally wounded a world apart and awake together in a purgatory ruled by a ruthless society of damned warriors. Asami and MacRaith will need to overcome the dead, the dying, and the undead. Can love redeem them?
Collects issues #1-4
The sun set on samurai and gunslingers at roughly the same time, but our two leads didn’t die off quietly. In the East, a samurai would rather die with her weapons than surrender them to a sword hunt. In the West, the gunslinger follows his revenge to the bitter end. The future lovers are mortally wounded a world apart and awake together in a purgatory ruled by a ruthless society of damned warriors. Asami and MacRaith will need to overcome the dead, the dying, and the undead. Can love redeem them?
Collects issues #1-4
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2025
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106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 7, 2025
Didn't really tickle my pickle.
October 18, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for this ARC!
I was really interested in the synopsis, I got to it right when I got it. I think it had potential but there’s not enough… everything. We don’t get to know the characters and I feel like the romance went from -1000 to 100 real quick. It has a really strong start but I wish we got to know the characters better… it would’ve explained many of their decisions. The artwork is truly well done and the world building was interesting but something was missing.
I was really interested in the synopsis, I got to it right when I got it. I think it had potential but there’s not enough… everything. We don’t get to know the characters and I feel like the romance went from -1000 to 100 real quick. It has a really strong start but I wish we got to know the characters better… it would’ve explained many of their decisions. The artwork is truly well done and the world building was interesting but something was missing.
October 26, 2025
I wanted to love this. The premise is wonderfully bizarre, a fierce female samurai (Asami) and a revenge-driven American gunslinger (MacRaith) are mortally wounded a world apart, only to wake up together in a shared purgatory ruled by damned warriors.
Unfortunately, this blend of genres and the weird plot, which centers on their path to a desperate romance, still failed to capture my attention. I could deal with a weaker plot if the characters work and have good chemistry, but sadly, Asami and MacRaith felt bland throughout this entire book, making their supposed unlikely love completely unearned. Some decent fight scenes against the rulers of this afterlife and the undead, and some funny lines, can't save this title from feeling too generic.
A 2 out of 5.
Unfortunately, this blend of genres and the weird plot, which centers on their path to a desperate romance, still failed to capture my attention. I could deal with a weaker plot if the characters work and have good chemistry, but sadly, Asami and MacRaith felt bland throughout this entire book, making their supposed unlikely love completely unearned. Some decent fight scenes against the rulers of this afterlife and the undead, and some funny lines, can't save this title from feeling too generic.
A 2 out of 5.
February 8, 2025
The premise intrigues me, like drifters (the manga) meets Valhalla, with killers of n purgatory fighting monsters. Garry Brown and the art team are doing amazing work, the whole book looks great and fits the tone, especially the colors.
My one big detractor is Duggan's plotting and dialog feels .... underwritten? It feels like it's missing juice, some kind of punch. I'll read another volume for the world building, but it isn't lighting me up.
My one big detractor is Duggan's plotting and dialog feels .... underwritten? It feels like it's missing juice, some kind of punch. I'll read another volume for the world building, but it isn't lighting me up.
January 28, 2025
This story has lots of potential, the pencil work is beautiful.
February 20, 2025
"Falling in Love on the Path to Hell" is a messy, violent and ultimately unconvincing love story that is essentially a mashup of "Lost", "Gun Smoke" and "Shogun" with zombies. Expect gritty and above average artwork, a slew of beheadings and dismemberments, zombies - lots and lots of zombies, a set of protagonists who seem profoundly mismatched and the least imaginative selection of Indian names possible.
October 18, 2025
My Selling Pitch:
A cowboy and a samurai in purgatory. They might kiss.
Pre-reading:
Love the moon on the cover!
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
For our wives is so cute!
I’m thinking it’s gonna be Buffalo Hunter Hunter-y.
Cowboys and samurais-I’m in.
How are they speaking the same language? (Supposedly they all just know English.)
How is he not out of bullets? (Book attempts an explanation. I dont think it's good enough.)
When do they have time to collect all this stuff and fight off the dead every night? Also, I didn’t need full peen. You could’ve strategically put a flower there.
It’s kinda like Minecraft where the monsters show up every night, right?
Well, that’s upsetting. I don’t need that drawn.
Dear god, there is so much rape in this. I thought it was an author insert, and now I’m like I really hope this isn’t an author insert! (Like reluctant soldier with an artist’s heart meets a lady soldier.)
How do you get compatible ammunition? Don’t guns take all different kinds?
Exfluncticated
Patel is like the most common Indian name. Are you kidding?
I understand why he likes her. I have no idea why she likes him. (And then the book tries to be like because he doesn't shoot animals! And Sam’s like so she feels like she should reward him with her body? Sus. Male author sus.)
That’s it??? A good start but that’s hard to stand on its own.
Post-reading:
This is fun setup for a story, although I have qualms. I think they’re aiming for feminist, but it’s coming off a little manic, pixie dream girl. There’s a whiff of fetishization of the exotic. There’s quite a bit of rape in the book, and it’s explicit. I don’t love that. I think the book is pretty clear that it’s never sexy, but it’s still pretty upsetting to stumble into in a book that pitches itself as a romance.
I have a hard time buying a romance that has no banter. It’s a bit insta lovey and not particularly romantic yet.
Still, I’m interested to see where the plot goes. I’d try another volume. I don’t think this has a satisfying enough story arc to stand on its own. It’s very pilot episode. The art is good, but nothing I’ll be thinking about after I put it down.
I’d have to read another volume before I recommend this, and while I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, I would caution them about the explicit rape.
Who should read this:
Western fans
Ideal reading time:
Anytime
Pirates of the Caribbean fans
Do I want to reread this:
Maybe? I might continue and refresh myself.
Would I buy this:
No, but ask me again when the series finishes.
Similar books:
* Hotblood! by Toril Orlesky-historical, urban fantasy, western graphic novel, queer romance
* The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones-historical, Dracula retelling, gothic horror, revenge thriller
* The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim-myth retelling, urban fantasy, mystery, romance, enemies to lovers
* Damsel from D.I.S.T.R.E.S.S. by Andrew Clemson-YA fantasy romance graphic novel, family drama
* The Pale Knight by Peter Milligan-historical, graphic novel
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A cowboy and a samurai in purgatory. They might kiss.
Pre-reading:
Love the moon on the cover!
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
For our wives is so cute!
I’m thinking it’s gonna be Buffalo Hunter Hunter-y.
Cowboys and samurais-I’m in.
How are they speaking the same language? (Supposedly they all just know English.)
How is he not out of bullets? (Book attempts an explanation. I dont think it's good enough.)
When do they have time to collect all this stuff and fight off the dead every night? Also, I didn’t need full peen. You could’ve strategically put a flower there.
It’s kinda like Minecraft where the monsters show up every night, right?
Well, that’s upsetting. I don’t need that drawn.
Dear god, there is so much rape in this. I thought it was an author insert, and now I’m like I really hope this isn’t an author insert! (Like reluctant soldier with an artist’s heart meets a lady soldier.)
How do you get compatible ammunition? Don’t guns take all different kinds?
Exfluncticated
Patel is like the most common Indian name. Are you kidding?
I understand why he likes her. I have no idea why she likes him. (And then the book tries to be like because he doesn't shoot animals! And Sam’s like so she feels like she should reward him with her body? Sus. Male author sus.)
That’s it??? A good start but that’s hard to stand on its own.
Post-reading:
This is fun setup for a story, although I have qualms. I think they’re aiming for feminist, but it’s coming off a little manic, pixie dream girl. There’s a whiff of fetishization of the exotic. There’s quite a bit of rape in the book, and it’s explicit. I don’t love that. I think the book is pretty clear that it’s never sexy, but it’s still pretty upsetting to stumble into in a book that pitches itself as a romance.
I have a hard time buying a romance that has no banter. It’s a bit insta lovey and not particularly romantic yet.
Still, I’m interested to see where the plot goes. I’d try another volume. I don’t think this has a satisfying enough story arc to stand on its own. It’s very pilot episode. The art is good, but nothing I’ll be thinking about after I put it down.
I’d have to read another volume before I recommend this, and while I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, I would caution them about the explicit rape.
Who should read this:
Western fans
Ideal reading time:
Anytime
Pirates of the Caribbean fans
Do I want to reread this:
Maybe? I might continue and refresh myself.
Would I buy this:
No, but ask me again when the series finishes.
Similar books:
* Hotblood! by Toril Orlesky-historical, urban fantasy, western graphic novel, queer romance
* The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones-historical, Dracula retelling, gothic horror, revenge thriller
* The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim-myth retelling, urban fantasy, mystery, romance, enemies to lovers
* Damsel from D.I.S.T.R.E.S.S. by Andrew Clemson-YA fantasy romance graphic novel, family drama
* The Pale Knight by Peter Milligan-historical, graphic novel
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2025
For something I picked up completely on a whim this turned out to be an interesting, unique read for me. A good introduction to a story about a sort of purgatory world, and of an unexpected romance blossoming out of the middle of he nightmare our two leads find themselves in. Granted, we are only getting the merest glimpse of both of those things in this initial volume, but there's enough here to have me honestly pumped for more. Asami and MacRaith hold lots of potential for some great character development and there's a bit of a twist in issue 4 that sets up what I assume will be the first proper arc of the story. I may have to find a comic shop and start grabbing this in single issues because the wait till December for volume 2 is a wee bit too far in the future.
May 5, 2025
The most creative graphic novel I've read in a long time, the contrasting visuals of warriors from throughout history come together beautifully in this Valhalla purgatory romance between two unlikely people, can't wait to read more volumes to get more development in the loves and characters
March 24, 2025
I am loving this series! Cant wait for more
August 18, 2025
I'm really digging this and look forward to the next volume
October 29, 2025
This had lots of potential but missed the mark for me. I loved the artwork though.
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thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC. all thoughts are my own.
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thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC. all thoughts are my own.
April 25, 2025
Gory (positive) but romantically a bit abrupt. They kiss before they have a conversation? Guys…
January 13, 2025
*3.5 stars*
Garry Brown’s pencils and Chris O’Halloran’s colors are quite phenomenal in this. I mean, absolutely up my alley and something I crave. The “skiddish lines” and decisive coloring, I mean wow.
Macraith is a cool character and nothing we haven’t seen before, but, Dugan writes him well and funny enough. I wish Asami spoke more than just the last few pages but she’s a badass. Their relationship and how it unfolds is what’ll keep me reading.
As for the worldbuilding, story, and intrigue…Dugan gives you JUST enough. He could’ve given you a bit more, but, then again, this first volume is only four issues so I’ll cut him some slack. But I wish there was a tiny bit more meat he left for us to chew on, because the worldbuilding to me falls a little short.
The action is great fun. Again, I’m just curious to see Macraith’s and Asami’s relationship/dynamic unfold.
Garry Brown’s pencils and Chris O’Halloran’s colors are quite phenomenal in this. I mean, absolutely up my alley and something I crave. The “skiddish lines” and decisive coloring, I mean wow.
Macraith is a cool character and nothing we haven’t seen before, but, Dugan writes him well and funny enough. I wish Asami spoke more than just the last few pages but she’s a badass. Their relationship and how it unfolds is what’ll keep me reading.
As for the worldbuilding, story, and intrigue…Dugan gives you JUST enough. He could’ve given you a bit more, but, then again, this first volume is only four issues so I’ll cut him some slack. But I wish there was a tiny bit more meat he left for us to chew on, because the worldbuilding to me falls a little short.
The action is great fun. Again, I’m just curious to see Macraith’s and Asami’s relationship/dynamic unfold.
August 1, 2025
A male gunslinger and a female samurai are killed on opposite sides of the world, then both wash up on the shore of a mysterious island alongside a heap of other corpses. Except they're still alive and the island is filled with monsters.
Is this Lost? Basically yes, but it somehow makes even less sense than that TV show. We never really learn who our two main characters are or what's up with the island and its inhabitants. Then the last issue sees the gunslinger die and go somewhere even weirder for a brief time.
It's nonsense, essentially, and not even pretty nonsense with Garry Brown's rough-hewn art. Maybe it would make sense with a few more volumes on hand, but this intro volume is certainly not enough to grab my interest.
Is this Lost? Basically yes, but it somehow makes even less sense than that TV show. We never really learn who our two main characters are or what's up with the island and its inhabitants. Then the last issue sees the gunslinger die and go somewhere even weirder for a brief time.
It's nonsense, essentially, and not even pretty nonsense with Garry Brown's rough-hewn art. Maybe it would make sense with a few more volumes on hand, but this intro volume is certainly not enough to grab my interest.
January 24, 2025
3.5 This certainly hooked me for now. I don't know what I was expecting but all the grisly western drama and female Shogun realness have me looking forward to this traipse into hell as long as it ends in love!
January 11, 2025
Interesting! The ending to vol. 1 ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, hope to continue on when vol. 2 is released. Like the art, like the concept, and like how gritty it's been so far.
October 18, 2025
Trigger warnings for: Gore, violence, attempted sexual assault
This is a slow burn, both in the romance as well as the plot. Two characters, both killers, neither of them truly terrible people nor truly good find themselves in a hellish purgatory where they are isolated from the other people there. Ogata Asami seems to be the only woman (there may have been others, but if so they didn’t stand out to me), and deliberately isolates herself from the men. She builds a shelter where she can feel safe and protected just in case.
MacRaith is tired of violence and fighting. He’d rather study this new world, relax and find peace, but the leader of the fallen warriors — Mohan — may allow Asami her privacy, because ruling a collection of men trained for battle and killing might cause scenes if allowed to come into contact with a woman; he will not, however, allow MacRaith to sidestep his duties to kill the undead, or his duty to bow to Mohan’s will.
It’s a conflict of ideologies, as well as showing how long conflict can warp someone, altering their view of what is and is not acceptable. And MacRaith, by choosing his own path, might give other men the idea that they don’t have to obey, don’t have to mindlessly follow Mohan. More plot and mysteries and hits of even more afterlives and choices are dangled before the reader … just in time for a cliffhanger.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
This is a slow burn, both in the romance as well as the plot. Two characters, both killers, neither of them truly terrible people nor truly good find themselves in a hellish purgatory where they are isolated from the other people there. Ogata Asami seems to be the only woman (there may have been others, but if so they didn’t stand out to me), and deliberately isolates herself from the men. She builds a shelter where she can feel safe and protected just in case.
MacRaith is tired of violence and fighting. He’d rather study this new world, relax and find peace, but the leader of the fallen warriors — Mohan — may allow Asami her privacy, because ruling a collection of men trained for battle and killing might cause scenes if allowed to come into contact with a woman; he will not, however, allow MacRaith to sidestep his duties to kill the undead, or his duty to bow to Mohan’s will.
It’s a conflict of ideologies, as well as showing how long conflict can warp someone, altering their view of what is and is not acceptable. And MacRaith, by choosing his own path, might give other men the idea that they don’t have to obey, don’t have to mindlessly follow Mohan. More plot and mysteries and hits of even more afterlives and choices are dangled before the reader … just in time for a cliffhanger.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 1, 2025
Years ago I saw a Tumblr post pointing out that due to historical overlap Abe Lincoln could have gotten a fax from a Samurai or cowboy. This is the logical conclusion of that overlap.
A little hard to follow at times, but very engaging, with beautiful art!
Well researched, with interesting history tidbits sprinkled in (though a preacher misused sojourn on the very first page).
I'm not generally a fan of zombies, but I like this better than the sum of its parts.
There's some tropes for sure (of course I speak English! I just haven't done it yet), but it's a good time. Very R-rated.
Not sure if I'll pick up the next.
A little hard to follow at times, but very engaging, with beautiful art!
Well researched, with interesting history tidbits sprinkled in (though a preacher misused sojourn on the very first page).
I'm not generally a fan of zombies, but I like this better than the sum of its parts.
There's some tropes for sure (of course I speak English! I just haven't done it yet), but it's a good time. Very R-rated.
Not sure if I'll pick up the next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
This is a wild and over the top introduction to the “Falling in Love on The Path to Hell”. After all this, no one has fallen in love, and we are not in hell yet. Although, where we are is not pleasant.
So far, in volume one, we have zombieish people, weird creatures, male full-frontal nudity, guys trying to rape another guy while he is incapacitated, a lot of beheadings, loss of limbs, and brains splattered. But no love so far.
It’s not bad, just odd. Will be interesting to see how Volume 2 progresses the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
So far, in volume one, we have zombieish people, weird creatures, male full-frontal nudity, guys trying to rape another guy while he is incapacitated, a lot of beheadings, loss of limbs, and brains splattered. But no love so far.
It’s not bad, just odd. Will be interesting to see how Volume 2 progresses the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
October 29, 2025
I was intrigued by the world building being done in this comics. The concept of an island as purgatory was really interesting, as what is going on on the island isn't as what it seems. The first part was a little light on romance, but I can see the direction the story is headed and I'm interested to see it play out. I'm looking forward to learning more about the characters, since I felt the first few issues focused on the world building. I alsenjoyed the writing and art for this series!
May 8, 2025
A male gunfighter and female samurai are both killed around the same time and wake up together in a violence-filled limbo, with a bunch of other formerly-dead killers, soldiers, etc. Kind of a slow start to this one and the story isn't exactly original. The art is decent, though muddy and hard to follow at times. It didn't really grab me, but if I had the chance, I might pick up volume 2.
July 26, 2025
It was super weird... the action is galloping without a second to catch a breath. Characters fall in love in a second despite no chemistry between them... And the world feels off. Like something is missing here. Some important part of the story that would make me root for anyone. And I was only rooting for the deers.
But the art was gorgeous.
But the art was gorgeous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
An intriguing story on hell and purgatory featuring two individuals from different cultures. The stories are quick paced and full of action. The artwork does a tremendous job of supporting and enhancing the story. It is a great start to a new series and one I will look forward to seeing the next installment. A good read.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 20, 2025
A samurai and and a cowboy die and meet in some sort of purgatory that has rules they need to figure out and people they need to be wary of. This is full of brutality and mystery and is also a love story. Garry Brown's art is perfect for the concept. Will definitely be reading more.
June 11, 2025
Violent, ruthless, and dangerous. This new series vibrantly captures this lone cowboy and loyal samurai on the crossroad to hell.
The artwork is dynamic with edgy and fantastical elements. Would recommend to anyone looking for a mature action packed quick read.
The artwork is dynamic with edgy and fantastical elements. Would recommend to anyone looking for a mature action packed quick read.
September 10, 2025
A male gunslinger and a female samurai die on opposite sides of the world and wake up on this island where warriors across time fight the undead. It's little light on story other than being the comic book version of Lost. Garry Brown's rough art works very well here.
January 29, 2025
fantastic world-building, romance, and storyline. just hits. read it.
February 4, 2025
Buena, pero como que le falta un poco para salir del cliché...
February 13, 2025
A 3+
The story may be bigger than it really needs to be -- a gunslinger and samurai finding a connection in old west woulda been enough -- but enough here more will be welcome.
The story may be bigger than it really needs to be -- a gunslinger and samurai finding a connection in old west woulda been enough -- but enough here more will be welcome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews