Jeff Lemire is a comic book creator I’ve enjoyed a lot of their Marvel and DC Comics work. I’m not to familiar with all of his indie work but what I’ve read like Descender and Ascender are comics I’ve enjoyed. Based on Lemire’s new BOOM! Studios series, Minor Arcana, the pitch certainly is intriguing. I got the chance to check out an early copy of Minor Arcana #1. Find out how it turned out with our advance review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer & Artist: Jeff Lemire
Letterer: Steve Wands
MINOR ARCANA #1 SOLICITATION
“Jeff Lemire arrives at BOOM! Studios with his first solely authored ongoing series since Sweet Tooth! Theresa, the daughter of a small-town “psychic” fraud, returns home to care for her ailing mother, however begrudgingly.
But when Theresa discovers that there may be more to the magic than she originally believed, she’ll find herself caught up in a town that desperately needs her help…
One of the most renowned creators in comics, New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer and artist Jeff Lemire (Descender, Black Hammer) arrives at BOOM! Studios with an extra-length opening chapter of a must-read ongoing series inspired by and intricately linked to the tarot and perfect for fans of his creator-owned work as well as Helen of Wyndhorn and Locke & Key.” – BOOM! Studios
REVIEW
Minor Arcana #1 is the start of a series that is brimming with style. It is a style that may not be for everyone but there is no doubt that Jeff Lemire is confident in the world that is presented. That confidence makes even be things you don’t fully click with, like the art style, you can’t help but be immersed by the experience.
While the art style is something that I did not click with the vibe of the world in Minor Arcana #1 is what brings you into the world. The way Theresa St. Pierre interacts with the world around her is what creates this investment. Whether it’s with the people of her hometown or just simply walking down the street, there is a lot of great character storytelling that is done.
That vibe makes this story of Theresa returning to her hometown to take care of her ailing mother is the door opening to a deeper story. A lot of that story in Minor Arcana #1 has to do with where Theresa is at this point in her life. Lemire slowly peels back the layers of what Theresa returning to her hometown really is about. While her ailing mother gave her a reason to return it wasn’t the only thing drawing her back.
The small-town vibe is certainly captured right away both in the design of the hometown and way people talk to Theresa. The number of people in the town adds to how part of Theresa’s story is about her going from living in a big city back to her small hometown. There is this feeling that as soon as Theresa steps off the bus she arrives everyone knows why she is back. There is no quiet return for her, which adds to how Lemire explores Theresa’s history.
It is Theresa’s history where we Lemire is at his best. Once Theresa starts to be honest there is more than her being the good daughter that is driving her. As she becomes more honest with herself the world opens up even more. This leads well into how she slowly starts discovering there is more about her hometown than she knows. The way that is handled works to introduce what appears to be mystical elements Theresa may have been closed off to before her return.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Minor Arcana #1 delivers a fascinating character study as the lead character, Theresa St. Pierre, returns to her hometown. As the layers are peeled back about why she returned the world opens up in interesting ways. It all leads to a hook ending that leaves you wondering exactly what is going on in Theresa’s hometown.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7.5 Night Girls out of 10
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