The Rainbow Magic 52 Book Set is a collection of children's books that follows the adventures of two girls named Rachel Walker and Kirsty Tate. Each book in the set focuses on a different fairy and their magical powers. The fairies are part of the Rainbow Magic series created by Daisy Meadows. The books in this set are colorful and engaging, making them perfect for young readers. The stories revolve around Rachel and Kirsty helping the fairies to retrieve their stolen magical objects from Jack Frost, the villain of the series. Each book is filled with adventure and excitement as the girls navigate through different challenges to save the day.
Additionally, all too often we have unfortunately seen creators get quickly cast aside by major publishers as soon as they’re no longer the flavor of the month, even if they are still doing quality work. Keeping that in mind, I’m glad that Balent was able to achieve some long-term success on Tarot, a property he actually owns.
But, again, I m really impressed with how Balent has stuck with it, producing 141 issues of Tarot Witch of the Black Rose on a bi-monthly schedule, with no end in sight. I feel a really good example of Balent s work with the character can be seen in Catwoman 27 Dec 1995 in a several page sequence which sees Selina encounter simian supervillain Gorilla Grodd.
Each book is filled with adventure and excitement as the girls navigate through different challenges to save the day. The Rainbow Magic series is beloved by children all around the world. It captures their imagination and introduces them to the world of fantasy and magic.
Tag: Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose
I would like to wish a very happy birthday to comic book artist Jim Balent, who was born on August 15th.
Balent’s first professional work was drawing a back-up story that was published in Sgt. Rock #393, which was published by DC Comics with an October 1984 cover date. Over the next decade, Balent did work for several series from independent publisher Malibu Comics.
The first time I recall seeing Balent’s work was on a story in Green Lantern Corps Quarterly #4 (Spring 1993) featuring Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern from the 1940s. This was followed soon after by Balent’s fill-in pencils on Detective Comics #660 (May 1993). Both of those stories immediately left me impressed with his work.
Later in 1993 the first ongoing Catwoman series was launched by DC Comics. Balent was the penciler, paired with writer Jo Duffy and inker Dick Giordano. Balent redesigned Selina Kyle’s look, giving the feline femme fatale a skintight purple jumpsuit, thigh-high black boots and long black gloves.
The series was an immediate hit. Catwoman had always been one of the iconic members of Batman’s rogues gallery, but this series really helped to make the character into a protagonist who could carry her own title.
Balent’s work on Catwoman was both sexy and dynamic, as he really captured both the character’s beauty and athleticism. That later quality was effectively illustrated by Balent in the various sequences in which Selina would be carrying out some sort of dangerously elaborate heist.
Written by Chuck Dixon, penciled by Jim Balent, inked by Bob Smith, lettered by Albert DeGuzman and colored by Buzz Setzer (click to enlarge)
I feel a really good example of Balent’s work with the character can be seen in Catwoman #27 (Dec 1995) in a several page sequence which sees Selina encounter simian supervillain Gorilla Grodd. Balent did a great job choreographing this contest that pitted lithe agility against hulking brute force.
The thing that really impressed me about Balent is that even though his art on the Catwoman series helped rocket him into super-stardom, he remained on the book for a total of 79 monthly issues over a six-and-a-half-year period, from August 1993 to February 2000. And during that run he still found the time to work on several other books, such as Purgatori for Chaos Comics in 1996, the Catwoman / Vampirella crossover from DC and Harris Comics in 1997, and the covers of the Supernaturals miniseries for Marvel in 1998.
The 1990s was a time when so many news, flashy artists, having become red-hot, jumped from one title to the next, in the process frequently blowing deadlines. So, I really admired that Balent stayed on Catwoman for a good, long run, never missing an issue, and still finding time for side projects.
Following the end of his Catwoman run, Balent and his wife & creative partner Holly Golightly immediately launched the creator-owned series Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose through their own company, Broadsword Comics, with the first issue coming out a month after Balent’s final issue of Catwoman. Balent writes & draws Tarot, with Golightly lettering & coloring the series.
Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose is an erotic supernatural adventure series. As Balent himself describes it in a 2008 interview:
“The star of the book is a voluptuous, red-headed witch named Tarot. Aided by her bat-winged black cat, Tarot fights to keep the balance between Magick and Man. The fate of mankind lies in the hands of one witch!”
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Balent is well-known for his depictions of sexy, curvaceous women, and there is a lot of T&A, as well as outright nudity, in his series. Your mileage may vary.
But, again, I’m really impressed with how Balent has stuck with it, producing 141 issues of Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose on a bi-monthly schedule, with no end in sight. The series is very obviously a labor of love for both him and Golightly.
Additionally, all too often we have unfortunately seen creators get quickly cast aside by major publishers as soon as they’re no longer the flavor of the month, even if they are still doing quality work. Keeping that in mind, I’m glad that Balent was able to achieve some long-term success on Tarot, a property he actually owns.
Balent is also one of the nicest comic book creators around. He and Holly Golightly are always generous with their time, making their fans feel welcome at comic cons. Michele and I met them at Garden State Comic Fest in June, and it was definitely a positive experience.
One last thing… According to a couple of online sources, Balent was born in 1963. Above is a photo I took of Jim and Holly at the Broadsword Comics booth at GSCF. How in the hell is this man possibly 60 years old. I guess if evil ages you then the reverse can be true, and being a decent person can keep you young. Whatever the case, I hope I manage to look that good when I get to that age.
So, once again, happy birthday, Jim Balent. Wishing you many more to come.
Balent is also one of the nicest comic book creators around. He and Holly Golightly are always generous with their time, making their fans feel welcome at comic cons. Michele and I met them at Garden State Comic Fest in June, and it was definitely a positive experience.
The books are easy to read and understand, making them ideal for early readers. The vibrant illustrations and relatable characters make the stories come alive, sparking the readers' imaginations. This 52 book set is a great addition to any child's library. It offers hours of reading enjoyment and keeps children entertained as they follow Rachel and Kirsty on their magical adventures. The set introduces children to different types of fairies, each with their own unique abilities and personalities. It also teaches valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and problem-solving. Overall, the Rainbow Magic 52 Book Set is a must-have for young readers who love magic and fairy tales. It encourages a love for reading and fosters creativity and imagination. With its captivating stories and relatable characters, this book set is sure to keep children engaged and entertained for hours on end..
Reviews for "Embark on a magical journey with the Rainbow Magic 52 Book Set"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Rainbow Magic 52 book set". The books were poorly written and the storylines were unimaginative. The characters lacked depth and the plots were predictable. I found myself struggling to finish each book and eventually gave up halfway through the set. I would not recommend this book set to anyone looking for quality children's literature.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the "Rainbow Magic 52 book set" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the concept of fairies and magical adventures seemed promising, the execution seemed rushed and poorly developed. The writing was simplistic and lacked creativity. Additionally, the repetitive nature of the plot became tiresome after a few books. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not recommend this book set to others.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the "Rainbow Magic 52 book set". The writing style was juvenile and the characters were one-dimensional. The plots were repetitive and lacked originality, making it feel like I was reading the same story over and over again. I was expecting more depth and complexity from the book set, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. I would not recommend this book set to anyone who wants engaging and well-crafted children's literature.
4. David - 2/5 stars - I found the "Rainbow Magic 52 book set" to be quite underwhelming. The stories were formulaic, with predictable plotlines and shallow character development. Although the books were aimed at children, I believe young readers deserve more than repetitive storylines and flat characters. The lack of creativity and originality in each book became monotonous, and I struggled to maintain interest. Overall, I would not recommend this book set to those seeking captivating and imaginative children's literature.