Falling in Love On the Path to Hell #1 Advanced Review: A Bloody Romance

Falling in Love On the Path to Hell #1

Review

Rating

10

Excellent

Writer: Gerry Duggan

Artist: Garry Brown

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: June 5, 2024

Page Count: 40

Format: Single-issue

Falling in Love on the Path to Hell opens with a bloody debut that paints a brutal picture of two star-crossed lovers who spiral into a strange afterlife together. The extended 40-page issue is the perfect prologue that introduces the characters, their violent backgrounds, and the mystery that binds their paths.

Falling in Love On the Path to Hell #1

Review

Writer: Gerry Duggan

Artist: Garry Brown

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: June 5, 2024

Page Count: 40

Format: Single-issue

Falling in Love on the Path to Hell opens with a bloody debut that paints a brutal picture of two star-crossed lovers who spiral into a strange afterlife together. The extended 40-page issue is the perfect prologue that introduces the characters, their violent backgrounds, and the mystery that binds their paths.

Rating

10

Excellent

The beauty of indie comics is seeing creators get to let loose with very wild ideas. As someone following the scene for over a decade, it’s still a joy to always discover unique stories from different creators. As of late, writer Gerry Duggan, best known for his immense work on Marvel and the X-Men, has been exploring more creator-owned projects, and the stories have been killer. But his latest comic, Falling in Love on the Path to Hell, looks to be his most violent adventure yet. He embarks on the bold and bloody love story alongside artists Garry Brown, Chris O'Halloran, and Joe Sabino, bringing to life a world where violence is as ordinary as breathing. The debut issue was one of the most impressive starts to a series I’ve read recently, and I’m excited for more. With that said, let’s dive into my advanced review of Falling in Love on the Path to Hell #1.

Overview

Set in 1877, Falling in Love on the Path to Hell follows the intertwining journey of two violent individuals who inadvertently share a fate worse than death. Macraith is an American gunslinger whose path of revenge leads him to pay the ultimate price. Then, there’s Ogata Asami, a fierce Japanese female samurai who’d rather die on her sword in an act of rebellion than surrender it to the Imperial Army. But just as when the two killers knock on death’s door, a mysterious event brings them together to an otherworldly place. It’s there that their final adventure begins, and an unlikely romance blossoms. 

Image: Image Comics

Review

With a title like “Falling in Love on the Path to Hell,” you can already get an inkling that this series will be a wild ride. With its extended 40-page run, this debut sets the stage for a bloody adventure featuring two ruthless killers. The issue is told through a dual narrative, giving you a great grasp of the type of characters Macraith and Asami are, as well as the different worlds they come from. While Asami’s rebellious side of the story is ultimately more fleshed out, Gerry Duggan’s slick writing makes Macraith's cold-blooded attitude still stand out despite the gunslinger’s limited screen time. Then once their two paths converge by the issue’s intriguing finale, you get the sense that the story is going to start rolling from there.

As a debut issue, Falling in Love on the Path to Hell #1 is a fantastic prologue that masterfully sets the tone for the series. The comic’s two lead characters make their presence felt through brutally poetic moments. I was easily hooked on exploring more about this visceral story. But if it was the comic’s intriguing title that caught your eye, you might be disappointed to know the romance elements are essentially non-existent in this opening issue. This beginning is all about laying the groundwork for the characters to shine as individuals before we learn more about the mysterious circumstances that bring them together. It makes their journey to “hell” all the more captivating to follow. And considering how rare romance comics are in indie comics these days, the potential of this story to go in wild directions leaves me excited for what comes next.

Image: Image Comics

Then just like Macraith and Asami, the art team of Garry Brown, Chris O'Halloran, and Joe Sabino are absolute killers in this book. Whether in Macraith’s skirmish in the Wild West or Asami’s uprising in Japan, the scenes throughout the comic look visually incredible and distinct. Brown is great at illustrating violent moments to be more exaggerated and cinematic–as if you’re watching an unhinged Quentin Tarantino film. Then the colors by O'Halloran make scenes pop out the page. His use of deep purples gives even dark scenes throughout the comic a vibrant and eye-catching presentation to them. It makes flipping through pages such a joy, even with blood and severed heads flying all over the place. 

Image: Image Comics

Final Thoughts

Falling in Love On the Path to Hell #1 is something special. As an extended 40-page debut issue, it’s a spectacle in both writing and art. Never could I have imagined a comic that so seamlessly blends Western grit with Samurai spectacles. Then with elements of a strange mystery binding everything together, this comic has all the ingredients for a captivating tale unlike anything I’ve read before. This issue was one hell of a way for a new series to shoot straight into my monthly reading list.

Why You Should Read Falling in Love On the Path to Hell

• Macraith and Asami are both intriguing characters you want to learn more about. 
• It’s a trip to read Gerry Duggan exploring bold and new concepts.
• The art team of Garry Brown, Chris O'Halloran, and Joe Sabino is incredible.