By: Jonathyn Lopez
A book like Tarot Stories comes around once every so often. Tarot Stories is a book of short stories based on tarot cards. It has a different art style for each chapter, blends genres using different narrative styles, and weaves together new stories using old mythologies. When the book launched this past summer, it was a popular release on Amazon for a brief period and was noted by many as a ‘hidden gem’ of 2024.
Constructively speaking, Tarot Stories is an oddity. The book had many methods and programs, both digital and physical, used in its construction. Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and good old-fashioned pen and paper are everyday players in modern book design. However, Tarot Stories goes the extra mile to create some of its art styles. The book includes actual, literal leatherwork for some photos and illustrations made over four decades ago, only to be finally published in the project last year. That variety is rare, significantly beyond the face value of the book’s presentation. It does not reveal how the magic was created in Tarot Stories, only the result. With so many diverse personalities working on a book like Tarot Stories, it can be fascinating to hear what other methods the artists used to create something more than the sum of its parts.
Start with Charles Mazzeo. A New York Artist and Manga Creator, Mazzeo teaches art to his bright inner-city students during his day job. In his free time, he contributes to projects like Tarot Stories, adding and revamping existing designs. Mazzeo’s ability to wield a variety of computer programs to get whichever precise look the team needed, combined with a firm hand to draw anything that came close enough, gives a book like Tarot Stories the edge. Three stories in the book, distinctively titled “Portrait of an American Man,” “Portrait of an Asian Man,” and “Portrait of an Australian Man,” were each created to mimic their culture’s art style. Artist Charles Mazzeo took original illustrations from Police Sketch Artist Ralph Stiles and interpreted the drawings in response to the appropriate culture. The “Portrait of an Asian Man” was done in swift brushstrokes and deep inks.
In contrast, “Portrait of an Australian Man” resembles an outback art style, with original patterning and a circular design philosophy. Mazzeo even went through the length of finding someone of the appropriate demographic for each picture, if only to show their hand posing as the meta/in-universe ‘artist’ of those chapter photos! That hidden ‘touch’ runs across all the stories in Tarot Stories, and the creative contributions of its team members are to thank.
Tarot Stories received help from Christopher Matteo, known as his popular internet streamer Zyruu. Zyruu lent his editing experience to help create advertising materials and promotional videos for the book. While the project started small initially, these materials allowed Tarot Stories to maintain a strong presentation and get picked up by major outlets like Walmart and Barnes & Noble. Tarot Stories is a book made by creatives and polished by professionals. The variety of talent involved within the book crosses as many dimensions as its subject matter. While it may be chock full of fun metaphors and mythic allusions, few books have a digital & physical history as rich as the subject matter it presents. From decades-old drawings to notes taken on diner napkins, all the way into scrutinous digital remastering and video production design, the creation of “Tarot Stories” over five years has almost as much history as the subject it embodies. It is available now wherever books are sold. Charles Mazzeo is currently expanding his portfolio as a sharp new Manga Artist worth keeping an eye on. Christopher “Zyruu” Matteo is revamping his YouTube channel for his dedicated base of thousands of subscribers.
From decades-old drawings to notes taken on diner napkins, all the way into scrutinizing digital remastering and video production design, the creation of Tarot Stories over five years has almost as much history as the subject it embodies. For readers looking for something genuinely original and something that pushes the boundaries of storytelling while celebrating art in its many forms, Tarot Stories is a must-read. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary experience. Pick up your copy today, wherever books are sold, and immerse yourself in a world of myth, mystery, and masterful storytelling.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of any individuals, companies, or organizations mentioned. The information provided is for informational and promotional purposes only. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before purchasing any products or engaging with the featured creators.
Published by Elle G.
