Just Dropped on Patreon! Kardify Magazine Issue 113

We just dropped Issue 113 of Kardify Magazine 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-September to mid-October. 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:   

+ Tails of Mischief 2: Four decks, one epic landscape: Jack Brutus Penny’s Tails of Mischief 2 turns custom playing cards into a puzzle-packed tabletop adventure. Check it out!

+ Kovadrin: Discover Kovadrin Playing Cards by the Cantrell Brothers, a visually striking deck featuring original artwork and visionary design by Kevin Cantrell.

+ Tiger Vs Snake Vintage: Inspired by vintage matchbox art, Alex Haines pits beast against beast in Tiger vs. Snake, a vibrant, hand-illustrated retro duel built for collectors. Have a look!

+ Draconian Aurelion: Designed by Randy Butterfield, Draconian Aurelion features double-sided gold holographic foil and mesmerizing dragon scales. Have a look!

+ The Hobbit: Funded in four minutes, Jackson Robinson's hand-painted Hobbit playing cards bring Tolkien's legendary Middle-earth adventure to life in exquisite watercolor detail.

+ Top 5 Coolest Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Cards: Forget the market hype. From ethereal brushwork to cosmic palettes, we break down the 5 most visually breathtaking cards from the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration.

+ Fulton's White Owl: A sweet twist on cryptic autumn nights: Fulton’s White Owl, illustrated by Ethan Kowaleski, emerges as the candy-coated companion to Black Cat. Find out more!

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

Oakford Reserve Playing Cards

Final days on Kickstarter, Oakford Reserve Playing Cards by Jody Eklund bring the heritage of American bourbon to the collector market with a fully custom series inspired by historic distilleries, charred oak barrels, and vintage whiskey packaging.

The collection features three editions, each with hand-illustrated artwork depicting distillers, bootleggers, and the characters behind the bourbon trade. Ornate card backs, custom courts and detailed Aces draw on traditional whiskey labels and the visual character of the Prohibition era.

Three editions are aviailable during the campaign. The Classic Edition features metallic inks, embossing and hot-stamped foil on a black tuck box. The Limited Edition adds cold-foil detailing and individually numbered seals, while the Premium Edition combines cold foil with striking green-gilded card edges.

Each deck comes with custom illustrations throughout. Collectors can also opt for the Distiller’s Legacy Set, which includes all three editions in a premium magnetic-closure presentation box with embossed details and gold foil accents.

With its combination of vintage Americana, intricate illustration, and premium production techniques, Oakford Reserve offers a distinctive addition to the growing market for themed and luxury playing cards.

Printed by WJPC and pldege starts at $17 on Kickstarter.

Nocturnal: Raccoon Edition Playing Cards

Nocturnal: Raccoon Edition is the latest offering in the Nocturnal series by designer Destino and produced by EmilySleights52, drawing inspiration from the quiet beauty found within the darkest hours. Following the success of the inaugural owl-themed release, this deck serves as a brilliant expansion of the series.

Inside, the court cards feature recolored, classic illustrations that maintain a familiar feel while embracing the nocturnal theme. Every aspect of this deck was thoughtfully planned and no detail was overlooked, from the custom-designed pips to the elegant two-way back design.

The tuck box is a masterpiece of tactile design, crafted on premium ivory paper stock. The intricate debossing and a hidden 4 of Clubs reveal further amplify the beautiful artistry that defines this unique release.

This is a beautifully crafted deck and strikes a balance between artistic storytelling and the functional needs of sleight of hand artists and collectors alike. 

Printed by WJPC and available on Kickstarter for $13.

Fultons October V2 Returns in Pumpkin Orange for 2026

Fultons brings back its October Playing Cards for 2026 with the new V2 Pumpkin Orange edition, marking the 13th year of the popular autumn-themed series.

Described on the product page as the most Halloween-focused October edition yet, the deck features an all-new tuck box illustrated by acclaimed artist Steven Noble, with the striking Pumpkin Orange colorway reinforcing its seasonal character.

The cards include custom pips and court cards, giving the traditional playing-card format a distinctive October treatment. 

It is housed in an embossed tuck box printed on paper made in England, adding another premium detail for collectors.

After more than a decade as a seasonal staple, October V2 continues Fultons' tradition of creating atmospheric, Halloween-inspired playing cards, with the 2026 Pumpkin Orange edition offering collectors a fresh take on the series. Available now for $14 on Fulton's Playing Cards Store.

FORMA Playing Cards

Geometric. Dynamic. Expressive.

FORMA Playing Cards are a visually dynamic deck designed specifically for cardistry by Uruguayan designer Ale Urrutia and TCC. The deck takes its name from the Spanish word for “shapes,” reflecting its strong geometric inspiration.

Half a year in development, FORMA is built around basic geometric forms such as circles, triangles, and squares. The artwork was created using real paper-shaped objects, giving the deck a distinctive tactile and dimensional quality while maintaining a clean, contemporary appearance.

The cards comes with a bold blue, red, and white colorway, combining geometric shapes and patterns with a carefully balanced mix of muted and vibrant colors across the faces. The dynamic designs are particularly suited to cardistry, creating striking visual effects during fans, spreads, spins, cascades, and other flourishes.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company.

Theory11's X-Men Playing Cards

Theory11's X-Men Playing Cards brings Marvel’s legendary mutant team back to the 1990s, with a vibrant deck inspired by the bold comic-book artwork and larger-than-life style from the 90's.

The deck features completely reimagined artwork throughout, bringing characters including Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Beast, Jean Grey, Professor X, Magneto, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee into a custom playing card design. Fans can also expect plenty of Easter eggs hidden throughout the deck.

Visually, the cards comes with explosive colors, dynamic comic-inspired graphics, and the energetic look of classic X-Men issues. Each card is designed to feel like a small piece of the mutant universe rather than a standard deck with licensed characters simply added to it.

Inspired by both the classic comics and the renewed popularity of the franchise through X-Men ’97, the deck offers a nostalgic celebration of the Children of the Atom for collectors and fans alike. Available now $12.95 on Theory11.

Just Launched on Kickstarter, Aoi Koi Playing Cards!

A beautiful fusion of Japanese art, traditional symbolism, and contemporary playing-card design, Aoi Koi Playing Cards by Stacey Jay Kelly invites collectors beneath the surface of tranquil Japanese temple ponds. Inspired by the elegant blue koi known as Asagi and the traditional indigo-dyeing technique Aizome, the deck embraces a rich palette of blues, delicate detailing, and shimmering foil effects.

The tuck box immediately establishes the deck’s luxurious character, featuring a continuous koi pattern that flows around every corner, complemented by holographic foil, glittering fish scales, and a textured red seal. 

Inside, deep navy coloring provides the backdrop for blue temple-style stamps with a subtle iridescent glow. The card backs continue the theme with a mirrored koi design, where layers of blue ink interact with holographic foil to create shifting highlights across the fish’s fins and scales.

The custom faces bring Japanese cultural influences to life throughout the deck. The ace cards feature blue koi swimming through their central pip designs, surrounded by shimmering water and the traditional Seigaiha wave pattern. 

The Kings portray Japanese warriors in intricately patterned robes before traditional Shoji screens, while the Queens depict Geishas beneath Wagasa umbrellas. The Jacks represent younger Kabuki actors, accompanied by flowering water lilies. 

Two differently colored Jokers showcase mirrored koi designs, while every pip card features a Goshuin-inspired composition referencing the sacred stamps and calligraphy found at Japanese shrines and Buddhist temples.

Backers have several editions to consider. Alongside the main holographic deck, a Slim Edition offers a format half the width of a standard poker-sized deck. The limited Furoshiki Edition combines both the holographic and slim decks with a 100% cotton Furoshiki scarf and a small signed art print. The set is presented in an embossed display box crafted from fibrous navy card and finished with a red band.

Printed by Legends Playing Cards Co. on Classic Finish. Pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.

Butterfly (Wedding Edition) Playing Cards

Butterfly Playing Cards has marked a special occasion with the release of the Butterfly Wedding Deck, created to celebrate the wedding of founder Ondrej and his partner, Hanka last month.

The deck is a borderless, unmarked edition featuring a gold-foiled back design and completely custom faces. The Jokers portray Ondrej and Hanka, while the couple also appears at the center of the Ace of Hearts. The Two of Hearts features their daughters, Josefina and Rozalie.

Printed by Room One on 270gsm Sleight Stock with a traditional cut. Only 200 decks are available for individual purchase, with a maximum of 12 decks per customer. Ondrej originally printed 500 decks, with more than 100 given as gifts to wedding guests and the remainder held for personal use and occasional promotions.

The decks can also be signed by Ondrej, with up to two signed decks available per order. Available now on the Buttefly Magic Store fot $28.

The Hobbit Playing Cards Bring Tolkien’s Adventure to Life

Continuing the successful Lord of the Rings playing cards series by Kings Wild Project, the new The Hobbit Playing Card Deck brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy adventure to the table through hand-illustrated artwork by Jackson Robinson. The project was reportedly funded in just 4 minutes!

The release consists of two distinct decks. The Expanded Edition features 54 traditional cards plus 12 additional Dwarven court cards, bringing the total to 66 cards.

The Companion Edition is a traditional 54-card deck with its own character artwork, designed to complement the Expanded Edition.

Every court card was traditionally hand-inked and painted with watercolor, giving the artwork an organic, handcrafted character. Both editions are available with standard or gold-gilded edges.

Collectors can also opt for a two-deck Collector’s Set, bringing both editions together in a custom presentation box. A Gilded Collector’s Set is also available for those looking for the more premium finish.

With its beautiful hand-painted artwork, expanded Dwarven courts and multiple collector options, The Hobbit Playing Cards offer a detailed tribute to Tolkien’s world while maintaining the functionality of a traditional playing-card deck.

Pledge starts at $14 on Kickstarter.

Deck View: Lucky Draw Playing Cards

Modern. Geometric. Luxurious.

The Lucky Draw Playing Cards, released by Art of Play in collaboration with Sideshow Press, combine a clean modern aesthetic with subtle luxury and geometric detailing.

The deck features a minimalist card back complemented by contemporary faces. The custom court cards use abstract geometric artwork, while the pips incorporate distinctive maze-like patterns that continue across the Jokers and Ace of Spades. When put together, these elements give the deck a cohesive and sophisticated visual identity without overwhelming the clean design.

The cards are housed in a striking letterpress-printed tuck box, adding a tactile and premium element to the presentation. Printed by the United States Playing Card Company on premium crushed stock.

Tails of Mischief 2 Turns Four Playing Card Decks into a Tabletop Adventure

Tails of Mischief 2 by Jack Brutus Penny takes playing cards beyond traditional deck design, combining four hand-illustrated decks into an interconnected artwork, puzzle and tabletop game.

Within, every card face features holo foiling integrated directly into the illustrations. 

The foil reveals hidden pips, numbers and symbols as the light catches the cards, creating a striking effect where the artwork appears to conceal the playing-card information.

The four decks also connect visually. For example, cards in Decks A and B form continuous compositions, while Decks C and D add additional scenes and pathways. When combined, the four decks create a larger tabletop landscape filled with mice, fields, farms and hidden details.

The collection also introduces three ways to play, inspired by Japanese sugoroku. The Journey focuses on racing along the path, The Adventure adds strategic route choices, while The Hidden Garden incorporates creatures hidden within the artwork as gameplay elements.

With its combination of illustration, holographic production, puzzles and gameplay, Tails of Mischief 2 offers a distinctive take on the modern playing-card deck... one designed to be collected, explored and played. Pledge starts at $21 on Kickstarter.

Tiger vs. Snake Vintage Playing Cards

Tiger vs. Snake Vintage Playing Cards bring a colorful dose of vintage-inspired artwork to the playing-card market, drawing on the look and character of classic matchbox packaging.

Hand-illustrated by Alex Haines, the deck uses a vibrant orange and green palette, with the central artwork depicting a dramatic battle between a tiger and a snake. 

The nostalgic presentation continues onto the luxury paper tuck box, giving the deck a distinctive retro character.

The cards feature a full-color, hand-illustrated one-way back design. The faces use bold artwork and four-corner indices, making the deck suitable for both right- and left-handed players.

Printed on 300gsm linen stock and available now on A.Haines Playing Cards for $20.