Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Well, that's odd.

It occurred to me this morning while I was running (what, I can run!) that I have never done a post on Tarot the Witch of the Black Rose.  I mean it seems to have everything that ends up in my games; red headed witch, lots of supernatural and fantasy creatures, scantily clad women and at least lip service to real practitioners.

Maybe because I haven't actually read any of the comics.

Reading synopsis and overviews online though, "Tarot" or Rowan sounds like what is typically called in my games a "Witch Guardian".  Sorta like a Warden of the Dresden Files, but more focused on protecting the coven than being the Wicce secret police.  I like that she has a winged cat, that is something I have used in my games too.

I am a fan of Holly Holly Golightly's webcomic "School Bites" and she is one half (or two/thirds even) of the Tarot creative team.

Other parts of it though look fairly cliche'd and even drifting into softcore (neither of which I mind, but everything in it's place after all).

I have seen that includes such notables in witch/wiccan community as Fiona Horne and Raven Grimassi.  Not that it matters that much to me, but I have to admire Balent's attention to detail.

The reviews I have seen are somewhat mixed.  There are lot of positive ones to be sure,  but there are others complaining about the cheese-cake factor, nudity and sex.

So have any of you read it? Is it any good?
Can you give me your thoughts, comments?
Anyone know where I can buy the collected editions?

9 comments:

  1. Here you go, everything you need to know about Tarot:WotBR in one high-larious blog post: http://www.the-isb.com/?p=980 . You're welcome. :)

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  2. I was just about to say my friend and occasional GM Chris Sims opines on it quite frequently, but elrics gone and linked to his blog, so there you go.

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  3. If you want to know more, there's this one:
    http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/08/19/tarot-63-naked-werewolves/ . Chris Sims has kind of a thing for Tarot.

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  4. Haha.

    Ok. I'll have to read these later. Thanks for the links.

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  5. Wow that is crazy.

    Is it wrong that I am now even more curious?

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  6. Probably. But you're an rpg-blogger--let your freak flag fly! ;)

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  7. I probably have the first 20-ish issues. I could get a bit clichéd, and the breasts are ridiculous, but it has some coolness. I enjoyed that there was not too heavy a story arc. They'd break off and do related characters or one-shot stories. Heavy arcing is what drove me from comics in the first place.

    I don't know if they ever bundled it as a "graphic novel" or not.

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  8. Hi Tim!
    I'd be happy to post you a comicbook
    I'll pick one out based on what your fav genre is...best for you to have a private taste- I think...why have others control your brain...the wires tend to hurt!
    I'm so happy you enjoy my School Bites- means a lot to me- Jim and I work pretty much everyday...maybe a few breaks for Fable3-dinner and cuddles ; )
    And what I do on Tarot is interior colours,lettering-production and some modeling- (and yes my breast can be pretty ridiculous!...family curse)
    please ping me direct on my email holly@jimbalent.com
    Hoping you're havin' a very Merry Hexmas!
    Many Hexy Hugs
    Holly G!

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  9. Another plus for Tarot in my book, Jim Balent also did covers for Red Sonja.

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