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… Jeff Lemire‘s Minor Arcana #1 kicks off a melancholy tale that teases the journey ahead.

When it comes to Jeff Lemire, those are comics you want to pick up. They promise to be interesting journeys with twists and turns. They take readers down a rabbit hole, exploring the human condition, emotional toil, and our daily challenges. They often take the most mundane individual and throws them into fantastical experiences. Minor Arcana #1 is an interesting start, focusing on Theresa and her return home.

Lemire’s intro is one so many of us can relate to. For those that have escaped their “home town,” you can see and feel the struggles Theresa experiences as she returns home. For those who struggle with aging parents who have their own battles, in Theresa we see someone who is dealing with an all too common experience. Lemire gives us an “every person” in Theresa, one we can feel empathy and connect with.

Lemire’s art is as expected, a style unique to him and one that’s a signature of his creator-owned work. In this case, the style adds to the struggle of Theresa, creating a rough look that matches her rather dour demeanor. There’s a gritty scratchiness that fits the experiences we see and fits the buildup of what’s to come towards the end of the comic. Lemire’s art style adds to the overall mood of the comic, nailing the setup and introduction.

Minor Arcana #1 is an interesting start and follows Lemire’s familiar style of a mysterious buildup that takes us down the spiral of the rabbit hole. What exactly that adventure is and where it goes is part of the excitement of reading Jeff’s indie work and the teases here promises an interesting ride to come.

Story: Jeff Lemire Art: Jeff Lemire Letterer: Steve Wands
Story: 8.3 Art: 8.3 Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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