Tarot Witch of the Black Rose is a comic book series created by Jim Balent. It follows the adventures of the main character Tarot, a voluptuous witch who utilizes her magical abilities to protect the supernatural world. The series combines elements of fantasy, horror, and erotica, catering to mature audiences. Tarot, also known as Rowan, is the High Witch of the Spiral Gate Clan, a coven based in Salem, Massachusetts. She is guided by the spirits of her departed ancestors, who communicate with her through her tarot deck. Tarot's primary duty is to defend the Earth and its magical inhabitants from supernatural threats.
So. Let’s get the first question out of the way: Yes, there’s nudity. On the first page. Tarot (based on the writer’s wife, who is also the colorist/letterer) has come to visit her… boyfriend? Let’s go with boyfriend (who is based on Jim Balent himself). She is oh-so-very nekkid, and lying across his bed in a manner so as to display that fact. The framing sequence of this issue is interesting, as well, as Tarot tells him she’s going to lie there and read his comics, while he watches. We then cut to the story she’s reading, and the issue is revealed to be a tale of the 3 Little Kittens, another BroadSword property from the early 1990s. The art is lush and incredibly vivid (especially the hyper-saturated neon coloring, which really makes this stand apart from nearly anything else I’ve read recently) and the character work, both in design and in body language, is pretty amazing work overall. It’s a shame, then, that the dialogue and caption-work feels so pedestrian. The story opens with a television interview wherein the interviewer asks ridiculously sycophantic questions and doesn’t follow up on anything, allowing the subject (whose name is “Gun Cat”) to smugly takes shots at the network. There is some vague plot discussion about rainbow alien UFO’s, which leads to Gun Cat strapping on a jetpack and leaping into action, calling upon her team to assemble! (“To me, my XXX-MEN!”)
Things awkwardly transition back to Tarot and Jim as his electricity suddenly goes out whether this is expected or somehow plot-related is not explained , causing them to climb out the window naked and get more intimate as several mysterious topless female creatures watch from the foliage The most fun part of the issue for me is the last several pages, which include a letters page, reader-submitted spells for those who practice Wicca I believe that s the term, anyway and photos of the creative team s Halloween celebration. That didn t happen, although I was disappointed with the expositionary language throughout the entire sequence involving Gun Cat, as the whole story came across as very pleasant and approachable.
Tarot's primary duty is to defend the Earth and its magical inhabitants from supernatural threats. The comic explores various supernatural and mythological entities, including vampires, werewolves, faeries, and demons. Tarot often encounters these creatures and finds herself entangled in their conflicts.
REVIEW: Tarot – Witch Of The Black Rose #72
A recent discussion with Weekend Guy Chris at Gatekeeper Hobbies (Huntoon & Gage, Topeka! Ask me about our New 52 first printings!) led to a strange exposition of a previous issue of Tarot: Witch Of The Black Rose, a title which I had never actually experienced. In the interest of seeing if the grass is really greener on the other side of the fence, I grabbed the latest issue in my regular stack of books this week.
I have to say I did NOT expect what I got for my two-ninety-five…
TAROT: WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #72
Writer: Jim Balent
Artist: Jim Balent
Cover Artist: Jim Balent
Colorist: Holly Golightly
Letterer: Holly Golightly
Editor: Neil Morris
Publisher: BroadSword Comics
Cover Price: $2.95
Previously, in Tarot – Witch Of The Black Rose: Tarot is a practitioner of magic, a sword-priestess, and protector of the innocent who works to create a “safe haven in the world of man” for beings of mystic origin, most of which are marginalized due to our increasingly mechanized and dehumanizing world. Her origin bears elements of Wonder Woman, Xena, and a hint of Doctor Strange, all wrapped up in a noticeably buxom package. This, apparently, is NOT her story…
Alongside her familiar, a black cat named Boo Cat, Tarot battles these supernatural beings, frequently engaging in fierce combat. The series also delves into Tarot's personal life and relationships. She is married to a warrior named Jonathon, who shares her passion for protecting the supernatural world. Their relationship is depicted as passionate and loving. Tarot also has close ties with her sister, Raven Hex, who is a magic-driven character with her own comic spin-off. Tarot Witch of the Black Rose has gained a dedicated fan base due to its unique blend of fantasy, horror, and adult themes. It has received criticism for its sexually explicit content, which some argue overshadows the rich mythology and storytelling. However, the series has remained popular among adults who enjoy mature content in their comic book reading. Overall, Tarot Witch of the Black Rose is a comic book series that caters to a specific audience with its combination of fantasy, horror, and erotica. It follows the adventures of Tarot, a powerful witch, as she battles supernatural creatures and protects the magical realm. Despite its controversial content, the series continues to have a devoted following..
Reviews for "Cracking the Code: Decoding the Hidden Messages in Tarot Wotch of the Black Rose"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I did not enjoy "Read tarot wotch of the black rose" at all. The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult for me to follow along. Additionally, I found the characters to be shallow and one-dimensional, lacking any depth or development. The art style was also not to my taste, with overly sexualized and exaggerated depictions of women. Overall, I was disappointed by this manga and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1/5 - I cannot express how much I disliked "Read tarot wotch of the black rose". The plot was convoluted and often felt contrived, with little substance to hold my interest. The artwork was decent, but the excessive fan service and objectification of female characters was off-putting. The dialogue was cringeworthy and riddled with unnecessary sexual innuendos. In my opinion, this manga failed to deliver a compelling story and instead relied on cheap tactics to appeal to a certain audience.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - "Read tarot wotch of the black rose" was not my cup of tea. I found it to be overly explicit and gratuitous in its depiction of violence and sexual content. The characters lacked depth and seemed to exist solely for shock value, rather than having any meaningful development. The artwork was well-done, but I couldn't get past the excessive nudity and sexualized imagery. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this manga.