Home - Metal Lifestyle - Comics - Spotlight Artist: Jim Balent - Broadsword Comics

Jim Balent
By: Terry Bunch
Date: May 15th, 2009

Jim Balent brings a new issue of "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" to his eager fans each month through his comics company Broadsword Comics. Each issue available in 2 different collectible covers. His wife, Holly GoLightly, colors his awesome artwork and together they are taking the independent comics scene by storm. At the first annual "Project Fanboy Awards", held at Megacon on March 1, 2009, Broadsword Comics won 3 awards and was nominated for 10 of the available 25. "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" won both the Best Title and Best Indy Title categories. One of the characters in Tarot, "Raven Hex", won Best Indy Villian.

Since "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" is for mature readers only, a lot of people may not be aware of it. But comic book fans are aware of Jim Balent. He is probably most remembered for his work on Catwoman for DC Comics from 1993 to 1999. Jim's Catwoman was the purple, voluptuous one. Additional work for DC Comics included Batman and Lobo. Jim has also worked with indy publisher "Chaos Comics" on some of their "Purgatori" titles. You can find Jim's artwork as pinups in "Evil Ernie comics, and in other titles including "Lady Death", "Red Sonja", "Green Arrow", "The Supernaturals", "Razor", "Dream Team", "Vampirella" and many others. Jim even did the cover for Rock-It Comics issue on Lita Ford. Another title you find Jim's artwork in is a 3 issue run also from Broadsword Comics called "3 Little Kittens: Purrr-Fect Weapons".

Delving into Jim's past, we discover that Jim and his wife, Holly are major Star Wars fans (a metal head favorite worldwide). They are such huge fans that their wedding was Star Wars themed, complete with costumes and R2D2. Jim is also a fan of metal music, having been known to attend concerts by Cradle of Filth, Motley Crue and more. On that note, Danzig has been seen reading "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" and is known to stop by the Broadsword Comics booth at San Diego Comic Con. "Days of Purgatory" by Iced Earth features Jim's artwork on the cover.

If you sit down and start reading "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose", you will immediately notice the influences of "Witchcraft" and old world pagan beliefs. You will notice very provocative, sometimes explicit art as well. The difference here though is that the nudity and sexuality are actually part of the story and not thrown in to attract readers. Frequently, the nudity is more for comedic effect than anything else. Combined, the elements of "Witchcraft" and sexuality along with good old fashioned comic book "good vs evil" make "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" a great comic series. As of this writing, they are working on issue #60. The staff here along with many, many fans are eagerly awaiting the next adventures of "Tarot" as she and her allies do battle with her evil sister "Raven Hex" and hers.

Issues of "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" as well as art books and related merchandise can be purchased from Broadsword's website. The comic books are also available at better comic book stores. I invite you to explore the art of Jim Balent and as I finish my coffee from my "Raven Hex" mug, I bid you all farewell until next time.

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Metal Life interview with Jim Balent