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Review of "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose #65" from Broadsword Comics
By: Eva Jarkiewicz
Date: Apr, 2011

Publisher: Broadsword Comics
Writer: Jim Balent
Artist: Jim Balent
Colorist: Holly Golightly
Genre: Supernatural/Horror
Audience: Mature
Issue Reviewed: #63
On Stands: Nov 24, 2010
Review Rating: 10/10

'The Last Mermaid.'

"A desperate cry goes out to Tarot and her sister Raven Hex. Oil-covered carcasses of merfolk - men, women and children - lie dead, washed up on the gulf shore. Was it an accident of mass destruction or was it, as the merfolk see it, a weapon that was unleashed upon them? The fate of mankind lies in the hands of one Witch..."

I have been trying to find the words to do this issue justice. Even now as I type this I feel that my words are falling short of expressing the power of this issue. Jim Balent yet again shows his creative genius in incorporating a message we need to hear with the story of Tarot. He manages to convey the seriousness of the situation without beating the reader over the head in the process.

From the moment you see either cover A or B you know this story is different. This isn't your typical Tarot issue. It is not a story of light, happiness, it does not have a fairytale ending, not that a Tarot reader is expecting that anyway. No this issue tells a much grimmer tale. It tells of the consequences of humankind's negligence in its treatment of the environment in the pursuit of wealth. The tone for this tale is set not only by the story but by the colors used in the art. The tone is set beginning with the first pages with there gray hues the reader is pulled into the grimness and seriousness of the story. Through suggestion and subtle references Jim manages to convey that the story was influenced by the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

And at last I think I found the words that escaped me, hauntingly beautiful, heartrending and soulful. I challenge you to read this issue and not feel an emotional reaction.

If you have not been reading Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose, first I would have to ask you why? But then I would tell you to run out and pick up this issue, and look for the Trades of the earlier stories. If you aren't able to get the earlier issues or the Trades Broadsword Comics has now made Tarot available digitally for your iPad or iPhone through iVerse or on your computer through BroadSword Comics Digital Site: http://www.bscdigital.com/.