Zenescope Entertainment 2017
Written by Joe Brusha
Illustrated by Renato Rei
Coloured by Grostieta
Lettered by Fabio Amelia
The mysterious Order of Tarot has emerged from the shadows with its sights set on ruling the Realms of Power. With the courts of Swords, Cups, Wands, and Pentacles at his command, the Emperor is ready to launch his assault on the Grimm Universe. And the only thing that stands in his way is a wildcard named Talisman.
For a book about the Order of the Tarot we sure aren't learning much about them. Yes, we open up with look at how their influence was spread in the Realm of Oz which is a nice start. Then as it so happens to be it's really a dream/memory passed through to Talisman as it contains his mother and their link to the dark magics that power them. That avenue could've kept going it would have told us a lot about the way the Tarot operate and how his mother successfully hid them.
Now with Talisman safe and Nataliya once again a captive audience with Order of Tarot things could have started much sooner. I think too much time was spent on the flashback to last issue, I mean c'mon man really a flashback to last issue wasn't at all necessary. When we do get to see the Forsaken One being addressed by the assembled it's pretty obvious this is a formality and that they plan to send her to her death. Though once again with this happening it would have been a perfect opportunity to refresh their memory of what she's done for them. Therefor educating us on their past and giving us a better understanding of the organisation, but alas that didn't happen.
When we head over to another house, the King of Cups is about to be tested to see how much of his strength there is. Okay so there is to be a hostile takeover and all houses will be destroyed so one man, or woman, can lead them all. Sigh boring. Really where's the history of this glorious organisation how and why it was formed, in depth not like the Order of Light told Talisman, how and why it got off course and what's its new end game? Let's face it if you wanted to do a book about Talisman and Nataliya then you should have marketed this differently and not called it Tarot because it has very little to do with the organisation.
The interior artwork here is exceptional. The strength of the linework we see is on point and the attention to detail is superbly done. How page layouts are used through their angles and perspective show a good solid eye for storytelling. Utilising backgrounds here makes me very happy as they expand the story and allow us to more fully the scope of what's happening. Then there are these vibrant and well blended colours that make scenes pop off the page. Overall it really enhances the story.
I want to like this but I'm not sure what it's supposed to be about. We aren't learning about the Order of Tarot or their opposites the Order of Light. Talisman and Nataliya teaming up to go after them and take the fight to the Order of Tarot is here but not fleshed out enough. There are too many ideas playing against each other vying to be the lead. This seems to be something Joe doesn't understand and he cannot self-edit and I guess the editor was too afraid to try and tell him what is happening here.
Zenescope has some good titles out there and the potential is here it just needs to find one focus and stick to that.