In light of a fresh pull from Boom! Studios comes an exclusive sneak peek into the compelling new series, ‘Minor Arcana’, orchestrated by none other than the master comic chef himself, Jeff Lemire. The New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning writer-artist, partnered with the highly esteemed Steve Wands, delivers yet another compelling narrative to succeed his illustrious ink-stained track record.

‘Minor Arcana’ unrolls as Lemire’s first creator-owned series under the Boom! Studios banner, crowning comic shops in September 2024 with an oversized introductory supernatural saga.

The entrancing narrative orbits the life of Theresa, a big-city runaway returning to her quaint small-town roots. Strained under the duty of taking care of her weak mother, Theresa soon unravels a world seemingly frozen in time and brimming with magic far beyond her initial skepticism. In this marketer’s dream of a tarot tragedy, is a town desperate for intervention, with Theresa (lo and behold!) caught in the midst of the brewing whirlwind.

Magic in the Mundane

The wizardry of ‘Minor Arcana’ organically weaves the tale into four major arcs, reflecting the suits of a classic tarot deck. These chapters, titled, ‘The Book of Wands’, ‘The Book of Swords’, ‘The Book of Cups’, and ‘The Book of Pentacles’, form the intriguing framework for the supernatural drama.

However, the prophecy doesn’t come without its fair share of challenges. Lemire, pulling triple duty as writer, illustrator, and painter, finds the coloring task to be a particularly taxing component. But as with any artist, the endeavor only fuels his fire, transforming his passion into captivating panels ready to leave the audience spellbound.

Under the Paint Brushes

So, what’s in a name? Quite a lot, if you’re talking about ‘Minor Arcana’. The title skillfully draws parallels to the Minor Arcana of the tarot, while simultaneously encapsulating the essence of the central theme – Small-town sorcery.

In classic elevator pitch fashion, Lemire encapsulates the premise as follows: Psychic abilities or not, an introverted daughter returns home only to unknowingly mirror the Tarot archetypes her town embodies, as mysteries unfold in spectacular fashion.

Immersed in reading Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men, Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s World’s Finest, and Department of Truth by James Tynion, Lemire draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of narratives. However, the tipping point for ‘Minor Arcana’ comes from the explosion of the Vertigo comics trend he devoured in his teenage years.

The Perfect Pitch

Tucked away in his studio, an eclectic mixture of comic books and art masterpieces, Lemire stages this engaging departure from norm. Drowned in several tarot decks and a personal crystal ball (for that added sprinkle of magic), he writes his symphony, humming to the tune of countless coffee cups.

With his imaginative streak untouched, Lemire conjures his dream cast for an on-screen adaptation. Kristen Stewart emerges as the ideal Theresa with her natural charisma and emotional depth. Kate Blanchett wraps her mantle around Theresa’s mom Vickie, while Ed Harris or Michael Keaton potentially slide into the shoes of the grandfather’s role.

And what about some sound advice for the series’ heroes and villains? Lemire keeps his secrets close to his chest, endorsing no advice because watching Theresa’s chaos unfold is half the fun of the narrative. To add a layer of intrigue, the villains aren’t as cut-and-dry as traditional comic adversaries, only embellishing the series’ allure.

So sit tight and mark your calendars, comic junkies. ‘Minor Arcana #1’ launches onto the stage September 4, 2024. Brace for mystification as this fascinating blend of tarots, trials, and tribulations spirals out of control, one page at a time!