Tabula Idem: A Queer Tarot Comic Anthology

by Iris Jay (Editor), Hye Mardikian (Editor), Ashanti Fortson

A 22 story, queer-centric comic anthology modeled after tarot's Major Arcana

TABULA IDEM is a 240+ page black and white comic anthology (with full color splash inserts), structured around tarot’s Major Arcana– 22 short comics beginning with The Fool, and ending with The World. Each story, featuring unquestionably LGBTQIA+ characters (including trans, genderqueer, genderfluid, and other non-binary/unique pronoun characters with queer romantic alignments), themes, and reflections, and will culminate in a tarot card image, either as a moment from the story, or a mirror of the comic as a whole.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Queer, Anthologies, LGBT, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics

236 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2017

Reviews

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of contributors and a nice, diverse selection of work with an interesting conceit (stories related to the tarot), but frustrating, too, because each one is so short. Just as you're wanting to know more about characters/their lives, it's over.

[chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork was stunning! I loved getting to see the works of all the different creators in this. I do wish some of the comics were longer, though.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing stories and illustrations with crazy different variations and characters. So fresh and non-formulaic which is surprising, given the archetypal nature of tarot.
my favorites were The Sun "Celebrating the Midwinter Birth of the Sun" Maia Kobabe & Alexandra Genetti for the always exquisite drawing of Maia Kobabe. Eir characters are always full and rich while eir storytelling and narrations are discreetly but deeply empathic and poignant. E is a sizzling refresher for the weary brain, eyes, and heart, always an incredible pleasure to read and digest. Adjustment "Belladonna" by Petra Nordlund & Muura for hilarious characters and plot an cheeky loveable gay boys. The Tower "A Tower Firmly Set" by Steve Foxe & Andrew Drillon for beautiful drawing, character design and development, and interesting costuming.
Brief and helpful synopsis before each card make understanding context simple for anyone unfamiliar with tarot.

[Jaina Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and illuminating exploration of the Major Arcana told as comix tales. The styles and stories are vast and varied, some more to my liking than others, however as a whole this collection is quite enjoyable and reveals new and contemporary insights into these beloved archetypes.

[Derek Newman-Stille · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories in this collection represent the vast gamut of the imagination, using science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, realism, cyberpunk, and the magical to tell essential human tales. Tabula Idem incorporates a variety of different queer identities that feature a variety of different relationships with a variety of different cultural backgrounds illustrating that despite what many publishers try to suggest, queer tales ARE universal tales, tales that speak to the human experience. These aren’t the tired old comics featuring white, straight, able-bodied, cis-gendered people. The comics in this collection add in the essential human variety, illustrating the richness of human experience and resisting the erasure of diversity that shapes many mainstream comics.

To read a longer version of my review, visit QueerPop at https://queerpopblog.wordpress.com/20...

[Reeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, wow, first 5 star book of 2019! Took me long enough.

Ok, so, I loved this. I love Tarot cards, I love Queer things, put those things together and BOOM! You got something I will buy immediately. Now, I just need someone to do a Queer Lotería Comic anthology.

This was also a rare anthology where I loved every single story, enjoyed the art, and read through it a couple times just to look for anything I missed. No spoilers here, this was amazing, go buy it and support some Indie LGBT+ Creators!

[Alexis Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tabula Idem is a breath taking series of stories, a tale of amazing beginnings. Each story ends with a new start and every start is the beginning of something amazing. The art is breath taking in nearly every story and each story provides a lovely world I wish I got more time in. Tabula Idem is truly fantastic.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories here include wild adventures, a talking sheep, wonderful creatures, ghosts, magic and budding romance.

This is a giant compilation of tarot inspired comics showcasing a wide range of story and art styles.

[Totee Footee]

First of all all her books are horrible second of all please can you look up Lauren wise yelling at the lady on the street on tiktok you would be shocked and I know you wouldn't want to support anyone like this. Please don't purchase her books.

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Chris A Grgich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. Haven't had a lot of experience with Tarot, but this was a great way to to learn.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic!!!

[Adrian Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! Great anthology of queer voices! Loved the diversity, the stories, and the tarot guidance.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories in here are perfectly sized, wonderfully drawn, and engagingly told. It’s a beautiful anthology.

[Jessie Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neat concept and well executed. There's a good variety of stories and art styles. I enjoyed all of them!

[zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many sweet queer short comics that made me smile! just what my heart needed!

[Sofya Pinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25⭐

[hr arch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic!!!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative anthology where artists visualize stories on characters coming from different orientations put into circumstances associated with the Major Arcana tarot cards. Sounds overwhelming, but it's interesting to see how each interprets them. Such examples as the Fool moving into a new and challenging environment, or a magician muse inspiring others to be creative, or the lovers dealing with the distance of a new job coming between their intimacy. I enjoyed seeing the interpretations and hope to look into more of these writer's and illustrator's works. Plus, seeing new tarot spreads to try in the index back. I had to break out my cards for that. Now they really need to make a 4 volume series on each of the Minor Arcana suits, maybe start off with the earthy Pentacles.

[Akiva ꙮ]

(review to come)