The Hangman and how Nick is brilliant
The Hangman is an odd card, traditionally it suggests "sacrifice" and that is what Nick Spencer has done in this issue, he sacrifices Jade and her "Jaded" views of the world so we can see the clearer path of what he is doing.
The flaw in this presentation is most people will just see a hanging and without knowledge of the tarot will not understand the transition outside of the "holographic" world we live in. Spencer addresses this with a Morning Glory blowing gently across a silent splash panel. I've mentioned in previous reviews that I loved the name Morning Glories because of its Phillip K. Dick connection of drug hallucination.
This transition leads me to discussing more about the Hangman itself. The Hangman is funny because looking at the card, the man is (1) upside-down which suggests seeing the world in a different view, (2) right-foot tied and hanging while the left-foot is free which suggests suspension since the right foot is the foot of action. Meaning stop and think , and now (3) arms are traditionally behind the body to suggest no struggle and acceptance. Jade accepting this hanging instantly triggers the symbolic reflection of what the Hangman is about.
This issue would not just defined Jade but also explain a lot about the characters if you are willing to get lost in the "deck" and understand the "sacrifice". This issue is a great example of how the Tarot can help story writing. I loved every moment in this comic. I really feel for Jade after reading this issue. She is broken and I wish I could fix her. I thank her for her selfless Sacrifice.
I hope this "review" helped to make more sense of what really is happening in Morning Glories.
Cheers
- Silkcuts