Issue 112 of Kardify Magazine is now on Patreon!

Issue 112 of Kardify Magazine is now on Patreon! Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-August to mid-September. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contributions, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ Vanir: Designed and illustrated by Nicolai Aaroe, Vanir offers an abstract and artistic interpretation of Vanaheimr and the Vanir from Norse mythology. Check it out!

+ New Smoke & Mirrors: Room One and D&D have teamed up for this two-deck set inspired by the connection between illusion and the Chinese phrase “Mirror Flower Water Moon”.

+ ERROR (Laser Edition): Dealersgrip’s striking new addition to the ERROR playing cards series that pushes beyond its traditional black-and-white aesthetic. Have a look!

+ Fontaine Royal Fever: A playful and experimental decks designed by Arius Ziaee in White and Colored Editions, bringing the distinctive visual style of the Fontaines to a vibrant take on the traditional playing card.

+ World Heritage: A premium collection by 52 Musee inspired by iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites from around the globe through richly illustrated anthropomorphic artwork.

+ Republic: After more than five years since their OG REPUBLIC playing card release, the team behind UUSI continues the story with a newly released Second Edition. Find out more!

+ Golden Spike: Designed by Jody Eklund, this exquisite deck pays tribute to the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad.

… and more! 46-pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

On Kickstarter, Secret Tale Blackbeard Playing Cards

Dutch Card House Company returns to Kickstarter with the fifth chapter of its Secret Tale playing card series, this time turning to the legend of Blackbeard and a fictional mystery surrounding Edward Teach, Anne Bonny, and the Bermuda Triangle.

The story begins with a supposedly recovered parchment attributed to Anne Bonny, revealing an alternate history in which Blackbeard’s fearsome reputation was deliberately created to protect a mysterious portal hidden within the Bermuda Triangle. At the center of the legend is Nerovare, a colossal sea creature said to guard the portal and drive intruders away.

The project features three main editions. Black Guardian represents the legendary Blackbeard persona, with a dark oceanic design accented by gold, hidden anchors, compass roses, and Nerovare’s tentacles. White Guardian, a Kickstarter-exclusive edition with a minimum production of 150 decks, reverses the palette with a white background and numbered closure seals. Green Nerovare features a deep emerald-green tuck and is reserved for special Guardian Trio sets and the Triangle Wooden Display Box.

All three editions share fully custom artwork, including 12 court cards portraying figures from the story, custom Aces, geometric number cards, and Jokers contrasting an idyllic maritime “Mirage” with the supernatural reality beneath the Bermuda Triangle. The decks feature premium foil-stamped and embossed tuck boxes, with cold, nautical-inspired artwork throughout.

Also, during the campaign, updates and comments contain clues and puzzles that backers can solve together, culminating in a final challenge. A collector’s Booklet expands the lore, while gilded editions of the Black and White Guardian decks add metallic gold and emerald-green edges respectively.

With its combination of historical figures, pirate folklore, fictional mythology, and interactive storytelling, Secret Tale Blackbeard continues Dutch Card House Company’s approach of making the deck part of a much larger narrative.

Pledge starts from $23 on Kickstarter.

On Kickstarter, Draconian Aurelion Playing Cards

Inspired by the legendary dragons of folklore, Draconian Aurelion playing cards are the latest addition to Midnight Cards' Draconian series and bring a striking combination of fantasy artwork, metallic finishes, and luxury craftsmanship to the table.

Designed by Randy Butterfield, the deck features a mesmerizing borderless dragon-scale back design, classic courts framed by swirling scales, and fire-like fissures woven throughout the faces, pips, Aces, and Jokers.

The deck comes in a matte black tuck box with gold foil and spot-white detailing, while a limited White Gold edition, restricted to just 500 decks, was offered as a Kickstarter exclusive.

The cards are printed by Legends Playing Card Co. on double-sided gold holographic foil, creating a rich metallic appearance while maintaining playability. 

The deck also introduces Ultra Gold dyed paper edges, designed to give the cards a distinctive gold appearance and greater durability.

Pledge starts at $17 on Kickstarter.

Ashik Playing Cards by MAINTEREST

MAINTEREST’s Ashik Playing Cards brings the story of Ashik Kerib to life on Kickstarter through a richly decorated deck inspired by Caucasian art, music, and Sergei Parajanov’s visually distinctive adaptation of the tale. The story follows a wandering musician who leaves his love behind for seven years, carrying his saz as he travels in search of fortune.

The design draws heavily on the visual language of the Caucasus, combining geometric patterns, vines, palmettes, pomegranate branches, and recurring saz motifs. The 12 custom court cards portray characters and figures inspired by the story, with subtly different details on each half of the traditionally mirrored designs. Custom ornamental pips, illustrated Aces, and Ashik-themed Jokers extend the narrative throughout the deck.

Four editions are offered, each representing a chapter of the story: Turquoise, Dune, Pomegranate, and the limited Sapphire. All feature 56 fully customized cards with double-sided cold foil, while the foil color and edge treatment vary by edition. The Sapphire edition adds silver holographic gilded edges and 10 randomly arranged gemstones, making every one of its 777 numbered decks unique.

The standout feature is the gem-set tuck boxes, with hand-set gemstones embedded among the decorative patterns. Pomegranate includes eight gemstones and gold cold foil, while Dune and Turquoise each feature seven. The Sapphire edition is the most limited and collectible, available only through the Artist Box Set and limited add-ons.

The Artist Box Set brings all four editions together with foil detailing, four story cards, and a custom metal bookmark visible through a cut-out window. A separate wooden collector’s box also provides a display-focused way to house the complete collection, making Ashik as much a storytelling object as a set of playing cards.

Printed by WJPC on 300gsm German black‑core paper, finished with a linen texture. Pledge starts at $18 on Kickstarter.