Calandra Tarot

Artist: Michael Calandra 
Publisher: US Games Systems Inc
First Published: 2024
ISBN: 978-1-64671-220-5
Card Size: 2.75 x 5 inches
Language: English
Available at: https://www.usgamesinc.com/calandra-tarot, Amazon
Details: Borderless. 117-page Guidebook by Trish Sullivan.  
This 80-card deck includes two extras: one card called As Above, the other So Below.  According to the Guidebook, these two cards were created by the artist to "explore the duality of life" and can be used with the Major Arcana. 

Review: The imagery of many cards in this deck very closely follows the artwork of Pamela Colman Smith, while the rest veer off into other interesting interpretations.  Calandra is a fantasy artist who uses airbrush, acrylics, and colored pencil, and works with live models.  You can see some repetition of faces throughout the deck.  Occasionally, perspective and/or proportions are off, both of which can be distracting.  There is some diversity in skin color and body type.  The artwork is mostly Rennaissance-ish, with some Goth and a little bit of Steampunk thrown in, while adding modern elements here and there, such as people wearing glasses.  Although Calandra is a fantasy artist whose work has appeared on the cover of Heavy Metal magazine, his drawings of women in this deck generally show them modestly dressed and not overly voluptuous in most cases.  There is nudity in the Lovers card, and almost-nudity in the Star card but, in my opinion, neither is gratuitous.  Every card is colorful and detailed.  The card backs are very pretty and will accommodate those who read reversals.