Not So Old Fashioned Team-Up — Reviewing ‘Minor Arcana’ #7

Life hasn’t been normal or easy for Theresa St. Pierre since her return to her childhood hometown of Limberlost. There have been lost loves, sick mother, family dramas and the whole possibly development of some kind of psychic power.

While she’s finding more of a place in the town she once fled, nothing gets any easier with Minor Arcana #7. A whole new story arc begins as Jeff Lemire, Patricio Delpeche, and Steve Wands are joined by Letizia Cadonici.

There was a particular visual vibe to this series through its first few issues. Changing artists, especially when the previous artist is also the writer, can sometimes greatly change visual energy. Thankfully, not so much in this case.

While Cadonici’s style is a bit smoother on the surface level, it still very much captures the same rough lived in feeling that Lemire hit in the first six issues. Sharp edges and angular faces really set the mood for this story. Faces have a lived and worn look to them, even somewhat faded a bit at times for good effect.

Each of the spaces feels full and lively, and the characters still have the right amount of presence at all times. Paneling is a bit more standard this time around, as it is a more standard straightforward story, but that doesn’t change the energy. We still get some really great moments near the end as Theresa’s powers go to work.

Helping with the visual continuity is the colors from Delpeche. Previously, it was clear how much Delpeche was matching the almost watercolor-esque color style that Lemire employed in the first few issues. It shifts a bit here, naturally, because of the change in the overall artistic style but still very much retains that feeling. It comes in with a lot of very toned down almost washed-out color tones at times.

Allowing those moments where things need a touch more vibrancy makes them stand out even more. It creates a world that very much feels like a small town, or a space where things are seen as aggressively “normal” in many respects.

I love that Lemire keeps building more and more connections and moments in this series.

We get to see Theresa and Brad kind of team up here. Often in a situation like this, the current partner would be aggressive or jealous of the returning person. Brad is very secure in his relationship and understands how important Theresa was and still is to Missy. He wants to forge a connection and welcomes Theresa’s presence, asking for her help with this case seemingly tied to her and her mother’s psychic and tarot realm.

It’s the most comfortable we’ve really gotten to see Theresa once she lets her guard down. We love to see healthy relationships and especially male figures who are at home and peace with their emotions, their relationships, and their place in the world. There is still tension and delicate moments as they maneuver their unique situation, but it’s not the toxic which a lot of pop culture defaults to in such situations.

It’s not all bonding, though, as we do get a glimpse of a secret society of sorts connected to the mysterious marks, who have their sights set on Theresa. Surely that won’t go poorly for her and those around her.

Tons of talking goes down in this issue. Just a few voices overall but they all have important things to say. Wands handles it perfectly as he usually does, allowing the words to flow smoothly and logically around the page, delivering little shifts to the lettering or bubbles at times to indicate the natural changes in speaking tone. This allows the emotions to really resonate at all times and even make the more comedic moments punch just a bit more.

Minor Arcana #7 is now available from BOOM! Studios.