Minor Arcana Vol. 2

Minor Arcana #6-10

by Jeff Lemire

Comics legend Jeff Lemire continues his modern masterpiece with the next chapter of Minor Arcana, an ambitious, emotional story of magical realism inspired by tarot.

Inspired by the iconography of tarot, comics icon Jeff Lemire returns to his critically acclaimed meditation on small town life, family, community, grief, mortality, and the power of human connection.

In the second movement of the story, collected here for the very first time, Theresa is faced with critical decisions that determine her future with the love of her life, while confronting her own past and the mercurial relationships with family.

To find her future, Theresa must let go of her past... but will the past let go of her?

Collects Minor Arcana #6-10.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Canada, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 11, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minor Arcana, Volume 2 by Jeff Lemire, joined by Letizia Cadonici as additional artist, continues the story of Theresa’s return home to Limberlost, Ontario, which is the small, worn and somewhat lost town you will find in any of Lemire’s work. And Theresa is recognizable, too, in a way, as she is isolated, anguished, in conflict with her cancer-ravaged and estranged mother, who sort of runs a Psychic Reading shop. Theresa burned all her bridges before leaving town, though she had a good relationship with Grandpa. She, thanks in part to Cadonici’s influence, has a darker vibe, goth, angry, disaffected, also like a girl that comes in to see her, a sort of younger version of Theresa, in a way.

Mom is dying of lung cancer, and defiantly chain smokes, anyway. She meets a guy at the door trying to do some local environmental work and they connect, as she says, wistfully to him, “I’m wondering if this might have been my last first kiss.” Theresa always thought Tarot Cards and psychic stuff was crap, but. . . She was having visions in the last volume, and this continues. Like: psychic visions, prescient. She reluctantly takes over Mom’s biz and actually helps people, and she also agrees to help a local cop she ordinarily would have given the finger to, but she also has a dark vision of his future. She doesn’t want this psychic responsibility! Yet she seems destined. Usually in this kind of story the Mom would be the die-hard psychic and the daughter the skeptic, which was initially the case, but this is a twist as Mom admits it is all crap but Theresa realizes that for her, it most def is not. The last issue gives us some back story about Theresa’s grandpa, in jail, who also has “the gift.” I am really into it.

I’m not so interested in the stereotypical bad guy set up—the group that is anti-environmentalist and another that is anti-psychic, eh, but the rest of it, the character development and the darker vibe, I like.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My Mom never really had time for me. She was one of those Moms who never really warmed up to being a Mom..
To her, I was always just distracting her from doing what she wanted to do"

Poignant dialogue is kind of reminiscent of some of Lemires Small Town Canada work.
Obviously his Super Hero books..pays the bills..but its something like MINOR ARCANA that sticks with you.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. In this volume, Theresa begins to confront herself and grow into the role she’s destined for a little bit more. The subplots and setups for side characters are really interesting and I’m excited to see them pay off. We aren’t quite sure where this story is going yet, but some clear stakes are being drawn and we’re starting to see the seedy underworld of rural Limberlost start to take shape.

[Eric Morneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

bien hâte de lire la suite!

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysteries of Limberlost continue to unfold as Lemire balances human drama with the supernatural side of things.

The atmosphere for this title is unlike anything I've read in a while, it really feels like it captures the whole 'tiny town where nothing happens until it does' vibe. Theresa's a flawed but surprisingly likeable protagonist, and even the addition of a new artist (House Of Slaughter's Letizia Cadonici) for three issues doesn't slow the pace at all.

The final issue, another flashback that fills in some of Theresa's grandfather's life, gives us a little more context, and I'm glad to see that it seems like there's still a lot of story left to unfold - I'm tired of 'ongoing' meaning like 15 issues or something.

[Fraser Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm, even more promise than the first, but still pretty opaque as to the antagonists and stakes. But I did like the much improved character work and the guest art has done a lot to endear me to the characters, with much more nuanced reactions to events and others. There’s a bunch of interesting B plots to go with the secondary characters too. Like I said, promising.

[Josée Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great - loving this series. Can't wait for the next one!

[Jaimie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book ages ago, and slacked off on writing the review, and sadly almost none of the story actually stuck… The premise based on tarot cards, rediscovery of the past, and magical reckonings seemed totally intriguing - and like exactly the kind of book I would be obsessed with (especially with the added visual element that graphic novels provide) - but the pacing is just too slow to hold my attention or stick in my memory. With the limited narrative movement provided in the 5 chapters contained herein the focus shifts to minute details (which are admittedly just fine, as far as writing and artwork goes), and the abrupt halt just as I was getting back into the characters, setting, and themes came far too soon. Maybe I would be able to enjoy the story more once it’s fully complete, and I can read it all in one go, but until then, this series has become a bit of a miss for me.

[Jess Klug · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
It’s a slow burn. Hard for me to wait for the next volume when I’d really just like to tie this story up.

[Tara Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire is always good. A mystery of sorts. Tarot, life, and an underlying darkness.

[AJ Easterday · Rating 5 out of 5]

So addictive that I finished it in one sitting! I'm so glad I decided to buy this volume and continue the series because this is even better than the first volume! We really get to know all the characters and the town more, especially Theresa whom I have grown to love. The plot is quiet and slow-paced, but I don't mind it at all. It just feels like Jeff Lemire is really taking the time to properly explore the characters and the setting.

I also really love the art of this series, both the issues drawn by Jeff Lemire and those by guest artist Letizia Cadonici. I adore when Lemire does fun stuff with the panel layouts, like the pages where the panels look like tarot cards. Genius! This series has some of the best artwork I think Lemire has ever done.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minor Arcana continues to appeal as a small-town supernatural story. Theresa is leaning into the family business now that she's realized she truly is psychic. Chain-smoking mom's got a new boyfriend and Theresa's other acquaintances around town are softening to her, just as she's softening to them.

In other words, it's less harsh, more charming volume than the first, though still perfectly up Jeff Lemire's well-trod alley. The only disappointment is the introduction of a "big bad," a cabal of psychics who are out to stop Theresa. Feels like an unnecessary complication. The end issue featuring more backstory for Theresa's grandfather is like an after-dinner mint - welcome but rather forgettable.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minor Arcana, volume 2, by Jeff Lemire.

This long awaited follow up to the first volume was much slower in its narrative and yet there is still the building sense of anticipation of a dramatic conclusion in the upcoming volume 3.

#6 - The Empress - "When I was a little girl my grandfather and I were inseparable."
#7 - Wheel of Fortune part 1 - "Excuse me, do you have a license to solicit and post advertisements on town property?"
#8 - Wheel of Fortune part 2 - "What's wrong with you?" "What makes you think anything is wrong?" " You're not smiling, you're always smiling."
#9 - Wheel of Fortune part 3 - "You know when you wake up and you immediately have a feeling you just know that that day is going to be a total s*** show."
#10 - The Ballad - "This is where I belong ."

[Comic Book Yeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very solid edition to what is one of the surprise comics series of 2025 for me. In volume 2 Lemire expands the back stories of the central characters after doing the heavier world building of the small town in volume 1. Now with more established stakes, I more interested in where this goes than ever.

Volume 2 feels more mundane and less magical to me but that’s due to the strength of the characters, ultimately flawed and relatable people navigating the common and the tragic in equal portions while facing the challenges of a mysterious family past that our main protagonist Theresa has gotten wrapped up in.

[Travis Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid volume two for Minor Arcana. Lemire continues to develop a very well crafted town full of intrigue. All the characters step up their stories that all tie into Theresa. She makes up with missy and helps her husband on a police case, this is bound to be an issue. Theresa's mom meets a new man that gets a violent twist. A new team of psychics show interest with Theresa and send some emo dude to stop her. Theresa remains the draw of the story and explores her powers while she continues to fight with her mom. Solid series from Lemire, one of my favorite in a long time.

[Nuno Ferreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire é já um consagrado da nona arte. Até hoje, não houve um livro dele que não tenha gostado, e Minor Arcana não foi exceção. Os dois volumes inaugurais desta nova imersão do autor são bons, revelando a sua mestria tanto em construção de enredos, originalidade e desenho. Sim, além de argumentista é um excelente ilustrador.

No entanto, a história ainda está meio confusa para mim, e preciso de mais capítulos para poder dizer o que a leitura significou para mim. Para já, é apenas uma história engraçada, com pano para mangas e grande potencial, mas ainda não me arrebatou.

[Bethany Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just got ten times better. I’m in love with not only the art and the characters, but the STORY. The PLOT….. everything about this is fantastic. I’m so excited for this graphic novel series to continue.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main story is still good but it gets a bit repetitive and indulges in some politicking to bring down the overall enjoyment.

[Michael Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Bertazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first volume made us think that Lemire was doing a procedural with a hint of paranormal. But now we can see the story is bigger than that.

[Rhobot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything by Jeff Lemire …. Heavy hearted love for his writing the emotional damage he caused and the continuing why isn’t their more write like your running out of time please

[Andres Pasten · Rating 4 out of 5]

vertigo a la vena

[Tom Zilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Lemire does some interesting things with the art but
the plot overall is feeling repetitive & moving very slowly.

[Xroldx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lemire seems to have struck gold as well with this 2nd volume enriching and deepening the story.

[lucy black · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this series but I don’t. I like all the ideas but not the execution. It’s too convoluted and noir and messy.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked darker vibe with moments of hope plus nice character development. An awesome series so far.