Ten years in, Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose suddenly became one of the hottest indies on the market after cleaning up in the Project Fanboy awards at Megacon 2009, and it's stayed there since. I caught up with creator Jim Balent and with his wife/model/colorist Holly Golightly to discuss the latest events in Tarot, discuss some of the criticisms, and what’s next for Broadsword.
With all the success that you were having within the mainstream of the industry, why did you leave?
Balent: It was a combination of perusing a childhood dream and being a workaholic. Since I was 5 years old, I've been creating my own characters and storylines. I just came off of a seven-year, non-stop run on Catwoman and I had a choice; I could jump on another mainstream title or start my own self-publishing company. So I chose to start Broadsword Comics with Holly Golightly (an incredible artist and creative person in her own rite. Not to mention a workaholic as well). And here we are nine years later, still publishing Tarot Witch of the Black Rose.
For those that have never read Tarot, what do they need to know about the series?
Balent: Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose is a story about a voluptuous redheaded Witch who is Swordmaiden to the Goddess. She is charged with keeping the balance between Man and Magick. Set in modern-day Salem, Tarot and her family face supernatural forces as well as the forces of prejudice. There's lots of Magick, lots of swordplay, and lots of creatures from the fairy realm in each issue. It's a mature reader's book with respectful ties to Wiccan/Pagan traditions.
The second-born of two sisters, Tarot follows a path of harmony and balance when it comes to magick. She believes in the Three-fold Law, where what you put out will come back to you three times over. At an early age her father was killed due to a backlash of energy from a spell he was casting in anger. This only strengthened her belief in the balance of magick. Tarot had many lovers in her life, but only two real loves. The first one is a Shape shifting female Were Cat named Boo Cat. And the second, Jon Webb, is a cemetery worker, who can communicate with and see the dead. She is currently in both relationships.
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Raven Hex is the first-born. She follows a darker path in magick, a "Shadow path." Raven is more brooding and angry. She has suffered rude comments from the townspeople all her life and it has hardened her. When her father died while protecting his family from a mob of townspeople, Raven Hex went into a deep dark place in her core. Hardened from this tragedy she delved deeper into the dark arts of magick for years.
The sexualized artwork is clearly part of the appeal, but have you received any blowback for it? Is there a female fan base for the series too from what you can tell, and what would you say to a woman that sees the cover image first and might not pick it up?
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Balent: {laughs} I'm laughing because Tarot, and my art in general, has a strong female following. If it weren’t for the support of my female readers, I wouldn't be around. So I would say Tarot has a strong female following... and a strong male following as well! People seem to forget that women are attracted to "strong female characters" too; my comic is filled with independent women who are comfortable with their bodies and their sexuality. Sure there may be some female and male readers who might not be comfortable with my art or storylines (if all they see in my art are naked girls and big boobs, then they are missing a lot), but that's why there are so many comic books out there. If you don't like one, you can always choose another. Life has many flavors; you should taste a few.
Golightly: Being a woman and a comic book reader, I myself am drawn to sensual images of women and men for that matter. As a teen I read Frank Thorne's Red Sonja and Jose Gonzalez's Vampirella. Even younger, I gravitated towards fantasy, fairytales, and adventure stories so it's only natural that I'd like my entertainment as a grown woman to be enriched with these themes but include a more mature landscape of experiences. I believe there are many other women such as myself that are not at odds with their sexuality and want to see that reflected in their television shows, movies, and, if they enjoy comic books, there too.
You don't see a gal in a turtleneck on the cover of Victoria's Secret… it all about celebrating the inner Goddess.
What's next for Tarot and for Broadsword Comings?
Golightly: Tarot #61, the tenth-anniversary issue, is available now at your local stores and on our website.
In May, we expect our very first Tarot PVC statue to appear in stores! The project is a joint effort of Diamond Select Toys and our studio. A Mini mate set is also due for a Holiday 2010 release! You can find lots more info here.
On my own work, School Bites is now a Webcomic! I have even expanded on some of the chapters. Have a look over at SchoolBites.net.
Jim and I will also be at San Diego Comic-Con this July at Booth 1715. We do free quick sketches for anyone who comes and says hello to us, and we are there every single second of the con, and we do create a special convention pin up book just for the occasion!
