Harder Than It Looks

Real Hero Shit #2

by Kendra Wells

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Graphic Novels

200 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Synopsis: A spoiled prince seeks adventure for some fun and stumbles across a wanted sign that fits the bill. He joins a party that doesn’t quite want him, and they set out on their way.

Book One: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars.
With all of the new Dungeons and Dragons stuff going on in my life, I may be biased. ALAS! I enjoyed this alot. BUT BOI WHEN I SAY I WAS BEGGING FOR HOCUS TO BE A PALADIN! (Is a paladin in my own campaign). A Cleric suits them just fine, but a Paladin would have been awesooommmmeeeeee! Regardless, I loved the squabbles amongst the crew and the characters in general. I feel like a story like this just wouldn’t work without super good, fleshed out characters and this one hit the target dead on. AND LET’S TALK ABOUT THE SURPRISE SMUT I DIDN’T SEE COMING! GIRL WHEN I SAY I FLIPPED THAT PAGE BACK AND FORTH, COMPLETELY UNABLE TO COMPREHEND WHAT I WAS SEEING. Now… the couple it involved?… Meh…

I’m rooting for Hocus and Michel in book two ya’ll. Fingers crossed.

Harder Than It Looks-Book Two: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars.

So glad I was able to jump back into this world as fast as I did lol You could say I partially got my wish lmao I won’t spoil this time around, but let’s just say Michel really showed himself in this book. WINK WINK

I think the ‘Character driven’ Goal may have backfired tho… This one was good, don’t get me wrong. I was hollering and squealing the entire time, BUT I feel like there was a little too much going on with the characters in this one. Normally I would be completely okay with that, but in this case, it was like we were given a goal and because that goal would have been too simple to just ‘accomplish’ our characters were thrown right into the shit of it involving things that weren’t exactly important to the main goal. Hmmm… Like I said, not bad. The story is still super good, the characters are great, and the artwork is phenomenal… I just didn’t like it as much as the first one.

My thanks to Iron Circus Comics, the Author, and NetGalley for the Digital ARC. This book is expected to be published July 14th, 2026! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧Bye~Bye~

[Lucsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into "Harder Than It Looks" without many expectations after not being that impressed by the cover. I meant it to be a fun filler read, and downloaded it to support a graphic novel with LGBT characters.

I was even more disappointed when I realised that this was a sequel, even if one that promised it could be read as a standalone, which I doubted. I was wrong about that and everything else I thought about this graphic novel because 5 stars isn’t enough for how much I enjoyed reading this. This has fanfic levels of deliciousness and originality.

This is like if Nimona had a child with Six of Crows and they turned out a bit more well-adjusted than their parents.

I fell in love with the art, particularly the way the women were drawn to look strong, which made sense because they are supposed to be mercenaries and fighters, and it's ridiculous that this was one of the few books where I saw women being drawn as they should.

This is such a hot book without showing that much or sexualising the character's nakedness. There are so many queer and trans characters whose stories are drawn so beautifully and respectfully. I'm mad I never heard about this before.

There are so many books where I hope it ends in a polycule, but I know it will never happen. In this one, there's a real chance.

I need to read the first volume, and I need more of this as soon as possible.

Thank you to Edelweiss, Iron Circus Comics and Consortium Book Sales & Distribution for this DRC.

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the continuation of this story! Real Hero Shit 2: Harder Than It Looks by Kendra Wells picks up 6 months after the first story, but is itself a self-contained adventure that can be read as a standalone story.

The adventuring party needs to get Prince Eugene back to the kingdom because there is a bounty out on their heads. They split up and things go immediately sideways as chaos ensues. The story is messy and slice of life-esque; filled with bad decisions, self doubt, genre expected tomfoolery, violence, destiny come to roost and damning secrets.

It is adventure, romance, representation and queer goodness, with a healthy side of fantastical adventure shenanigans that will appeal to the adult reader seeking a low-stakes but interesting quest.

The illustrations are very detailed and vivid. The colours used tie the scenes together and cycle the story through its arcs ranging from warm to vibrant to vivid to stark and back again. Overall, a fast-paced and funny graphic novel that is witty and sexy and emotional; can’t wait for the next instalment.

Thanks NetGalley and Iron Circus Comics for this free arc/copy of Real Hero Shit 2: Harder Than It Looks; all opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great continuation to this story. The illustrations were just as wonderful as the first volume. They go along perfectly with the world, characters, and story.

I loved getting to know each of the characters better in this volume especially Michel and Hocus. This time around the group have to separate. It was enjoyable seeing the dynamic between Eugene and Michel. Also, the storyline with Hocus and Ani was very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next with them.

Love the diversity in this series and seeing this group working together again. I'm hoping the next part of the story comes out soon because I really want to know what is going to happen with the gang. Especially after that ending.

*Thank you to Edelweiss, the publisher, and Kendra Wells for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book continues the story from volume 1, and for anyone who has forgotten what happened, it includes a handy summary at the start of the book. I did enjoy the story, but at times it felt more of a stepping stone between volume 1 and a future book, rather than a standalone story. I enjoyed the art style, the adventures and getting to know each of the four main characters a little better.

[Free ARC from Edelweiss+]

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll agree with the few reviews so far that have noted this is a bit of a transitionary volume, but that happens frequently with graphic novels and I'm not mad about it. Another hit, and I love the way the characters are developing, I'm just upset I got it so early so I have to wait so long for the next one!

[John Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A typical adventuring
party from your
run of the mill
fantasy world.

Except in this
party everyone is
a different degree
of screwed up.

Real people
having adventures.

Imagine Legolas
having a nervous breakdown?

Clever storytelling
and great art.

[Valerie Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!

I didn't like it as much as the first one, but still really fun!