I got this fair-condition softcover from the used-book rack in Harrisons Comics. It's one of a 7-volume series about Pamela, a mysterious woman who tells fortunes via tarot cards, but things seem to get a lot more complicated...

The artwork is simply stunning, btw, with all the characters being very beautiful (and most of them very androgynous), with large, liquid eyes heavily rimmed with lashes. The chapter illustrations include full-page images of different tarot cards, with notes crediting a number of different tarot decks for the inspiration.

Later: The first of the "special customers" who show up after midnight is a tall, handsome cat-boy who, it seems, appears to normal humans as an actual cat (some Pet Shop of Horrors vibes here). This gets a little weird/funny when we see him - as a human-with-cat-ears - frolicking with the girl who rescued him from the streets! He loves her; she sees him as a beloved pet and nothing more. What will happen?? (We also meet the enigmatic Belus, who seems to have some kind of past with Pamela, and who likes to drop by and drop snarky remarks about what he considers the foolish decisions of the lovers who seek Pamela's aid.)

Then there's the tale of a handsome supermodel who happens to be blind - and, oh yes, a vampire as well...

The third story features a fairy who looks like a little girl but is many centuries old; she wants to return to her fiance but needs help from a mortal. This one has some amusing twists and turns, the lightest story in this volume.

The final story takes a very dark turn, when a young woman shows a cruel side with regard to the "court jester" - a being created by her husband to amuse her. When her husband sees the marks of her torture on the jester's body... this volume ends. So I'll have to dash off and read Volume 2 {grin}.

In a way, the episodic tales and the increasingly-odd back story remind me of Nightmare Inspector.

[There's a TV Tropes page for the series that's of interest, but do beware of spoilers.]

This book's going into my From the Beginning manga bookbox, which will be on its way to its first stop soon. Hope someone enjoys it! [Do check the forum page for the bookbox instructions; I want to keep the contents to the first one to four volumes of longer series, complete 2-, 3-, or 4-volume series, or stand-alone books.]

This book enjoyed a brief stop in San Jose, CA before continuing its travels in the Manga Bookbox!


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I have a copy of this book in my permanent collection.

Looks interesting, and I used to dabble a bit in Tarot when I was in high school/college.

Great series, or rather the start of a series as I've only read volume 1. Beautiful, painstakingly fine illustrations, sophisticated panel arrangement and use of tones, suspenseful story telling. The work of an established artist even though I'm unfamiliar with the name. The only thing I hate about this volume is that it doesn't wrap up on the last story, although I suspect things won't go well for the characters, like most others in this dark series.

Have a little bit of space left in my package to a BC friend, just perfect to fit this little book in, as I know she likes manga too.

Yay Manga! This one sounds fun. Thanks so much azuki for sending me all these books! :D