The Wars of the Roses Playing Cards

The Wars of the Roses Playing Cards by ZeYang transform one of history’s most dramatic power struggles into a richly illustrated playing card collection. More than a single deck, the series presents a visual chronicle of 15th-century England, where ambition, loyalty, and betrayal collided in the conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York.

Inspired by historical accounts and Shakespeare’s Henry VI, the artwork is rendered in a retro woodcut style that evokes period engravings while maintaining a refined, classical tone. The court cards portray the central figures of the war, divided by suit to reflect their allegiances: the House of York, the House of Lancaster, the Neville family, and the Tudor dynasty... each suit forming a narrative thread that culminates in the rise of Henry VII.

The number cards extend the storytelling through battle-inspired designs. Each suit references a pivotal conflict, from the chaotic opening at the First Battle of St Albans to the decisive Battle of Bosworth Field, with patterns and textures echoing bloodshed, snow, and shifting fortunes.

All editions feature premium matte tuck boxes with layered production techniques including hot stamping, embossing, and foil detailing, giving the series a distinctly high-end presentation.

Also, the collection is released in several limited editions, each with its own visual identity. The Standard Edition draws from Lancaster red and gold, the Gilded Edition adopts York white with silver accents and gilded edges, and the Special Edition leans heavily into theatrical and Shakespearean influences with bold, borderless backs and enhanced foil treatments. A Blue Edge-Dyed Edition, commemorating the creator’s first release, introduces a deep Pantone blue palette with patterned edge dyeing.

Printed by King Star and pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter.

Kardify Magazine issue 104 is Now Avalable on Patreon!

Issue 104 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-December to mid-January. 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:   

+ Milestone: Designer Brendan Hong created this beautiful commemorative deck, a testament to Kardify’s decade of dedication, creativity, and passion. Check it out!

+ Hotel Fur Elise: Inspired by classic haunted-house tales, Anti-Faro’s latatest crowd-funded deck blends early-century elegance with unsettling stillness.

+ Flare: A striking collab between Canadian Flare.io and Thirdway Industries, inspired by hackers, digital threats, and the hidden layers of the internet. 

+ God of War (Blades of Chaos):  Dyenamik’s officially licensed deck is forged as fiercely as the weapons that inspired it. Built around Kratos’ legendary dual-chained swords, the deck commands attention. Find out more!

+ Kardify's Deck of the Year: We’ve wrapped up our annual review, looking back on the events of the playing card industry over the past year. Find out who won our biggest recognition of 2025.

+ Cardistry-Con Orbit V4: The Orbit deck marks a bold return, created exclusively for the New York Cardistry-Con last year. The CCV4 deck makes its presence felt with confidence and attitude, drawing directly from the city’s unmistakable visual language. Have a look!

+ Top 5 Most Funded Kickstarter Playing Cards Project of 2025: We’ve compiled a list of the top five most funded Kickstarter playing card projects for 2025, showcasing the incredible creativity and support that these campaigns have garnered. 

… and more! 48 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Stranger Things: Hive Mind (Special Edition) Playing Cards

Just in time for the series finale! Theory11's Stranger Things: Hive Mind Special Edition Playing Cards plunge fans straight into the heart of the Upside Down. This new special edition deck embraces the full takeover of the Mind Flayer, with its creeping hive mind vines consuming every detail of the design. 

The outer packaging is wrapped in holographic foils and deep embossing that trace the Mind Flayer’s tendrils across the tuck box. It’s an unsettling, immersive presentation that makes opening the deck feel like crossing into another dimension. 

Inside, the deck appears lost in time, as if abandoned within the Upside Down itself. The cards are intentionally aged and distressed, reflecting a world slowly drained by the Mind Flayer’s influence.

Familiar characters and iconic moments from the series emerge through this weathered aesthetic, creating a nostalgic yet ominous tribute to Stranger Things.

Beyond the visuals, the Hive Mind Special Edition invites interaction. A hidden puzzle from the Rightside Up challenges fans to decipher its secrets and escape the Mind Flayer’s grasp, all while revisiting battles against Demogorgons, Vecna, and the dark experiments of Hawkins National Laboratory. 

Available for pre-order on theory11 for $14.95.

Deck View: Sushi Cats Playing Cards

Playful. Whimsical. Delicious.

Following the success of MEDCHA, Mijiko returns with Sushi Cats Playing Cards, a light-hearted deck that blends Japanese food culture with charming character design. The card backs feature two cats holding onigiri beneath a “Sushi” banner, flanked by fish motifs, with a subtle one-way element formed by the Japanese character for sushi at the center. Orange-pink foil gilding adds a shimmering, salmon-like finish.

The number cards reinterpret pips as sushi and onigiri neatly arranged on wooden trays, while the courts showcase 12 original Sushi Cat characters by PinLuck Butter, each themed around a different type of sushi and paired with humorous captions. The Aces use bold Japanese calligraphy, with the Ace of Spades featuring a wave-inspired illustration dotted with lounging cats. Two unique Jokers complete the set, depicting cats and sushi in playful repose.

Packaging continues the theme with a tuck box illustrated with cats clinging to seaweed-wrapped sushi, enclosed in a clear printed sleeve that completes the artwork. 

For enquiries and orders head to Mijiko's Instagram: @hyugamijiko.