Revealed: Karnival Delirium First Look

Early this Monday morning Big Blind Media's playing card division, Karnival, has released images of their upcoming deck called Karnival Delirium.

The artwork, which was posted early Monday morning US time, features trippy design work by Sam Hayles. Hayles is primarily Big Blind Media/Karnival's artist. The centerpiece on the tuck case includes a plague doctor wrapped in spiraling checkerboard, skulls and a faint color palette that screams a certain psychedelic darkness.

While there is no release date officially released for Delirium, we do know that Big Blind Media usually and in the past has teased their releases at least a month in advance. However, this is not a definite account of the release date. Strictly, prediction.

News: Big Blind Media Sets Limited Edition Karnival Gold Release Date

As Big Blind Media releases two of the hottest playing card decks of the summer today 7/19 - The Discoverie Deck and Karnival Elite, they are also gearing up for yet another summer 2013 release. This next release is a color variation of their highly successful Karnival original series. Karnival Gold Playing Cards will be released on August 16, 2013 in very limited amounts of only 4,000 decks. These cards will be printed on the same Bicycle stock and finish as the originals and do not feature any additional changes other than the gold color change.

The original Karnival playing cards were done in all white and black and were released 5 years ago in 2008. The original Karnival playing cards have been sold out for quite some time with no plans for a return.

Review: The Discoverie Deck (Pre-Release)

The Discoverie Deck is a collaboration between Big Blind Media and Vanishing Inc and pays homage to Reginald Scot's "Discoverie of Witchcraft". The design is unlike any either company has ever released and will only be released in limited quantities. The deck has been somewhat of a mystery up until now when only a select few have been given any information regarding the deck. Currently on pre-order for a July 19th release by select retailers including JP Playing Cards in the UK, The Discoverie Deck is much more than a regular deck of cards. The Discoverie Deck is history wrapped in 56 custom designed playing cards. Here is the story of the deck as told by Big Blind Media and Vanishing Inc:

In 1584, magic was changed forever by one man and one book Reginald Scot published the Discoverie of Witchcraft, one of the first ever magic books written in the English language. Discoveries showed a superstitious public that magicians were not witches, but entertainers with clever effects and methods. We commemorate this historic moment in history with a deck befitting the Discoverie legacy.

The Discoverie Deck is designed in a style of a rare first edition Discoverie of Witchcraft. Intricate woodcuts from the book are featured on the faces of the cards, and the Aces are adorned with a passage from the book. Written in elegant calligraphic style of the day. The tuck case act as "covers" to protect the "pages" cards within. The Discoverie Deck is printed on premium grade USPCC Stock

Without Discoverie the world of magic would have been a very different place. It is the first and only pack of cards ever produced by vanishing inc magic, and has been printed in a very limited edition.

The specs:

Name: The Discoverie Deck
Company: Big Blind Media and Vanishing Inc.
Release Date: To be released on July 19, 2013
Stock: Bicycle 
Finish: Air-cushion
Colors: Deep reds, browns, beige, burnt orange, antique colors
Face: Standard
Size: Poker

The Discoverie Deck features 56 cards including 2 Jokers and 1 gaff and a "history lesson" card.  The tuck case is quite the change from what Big Blind Media usually releases as it is designed to look like the first edition of "Discoverie of Witchcraft" book released in the 1500's. The entire tuck case looks like an almost ancient book with a leather binding and weathered pages. Although printed by USPCC, the Bicycle logo does not don this deck. In fact, the only wording on the Tuck Case is "Discoverie Deck" across the the top front and left side.

Once inside this deck, you are met with a design that takes actual images from the original "Discoverie of Witchcraft" book. The back design continues the concept of the leather bound book. It almost seems as if it is the inside of the book cover. A small downside with the back design is that it is one-way but given it's simplicity, the one-way design is not extremely noticeable and does not take away from the overall deck. More than likely a spectator will never notice the subtle differences that make this a one-way design. It is true to a book cover in that book covers are not normally two-way.

The Ace of Spades is not the keystone of the deck as it is combined with all of the other Aces to create a message taken right from the book. By downplaying the Ace of Spades, which is normally the arch of the deck, designer Sam Hayles puts emphasis on the message of all the cards combined instead of the individual cards separate. This brings the concept of a "book" into light as each card becomes a page in the book creating a much larger story.


Every card in the deck dons a background that looks like an old page in a book with burnt orange, beige and other colors to give the effect of  discolored or antiqued paper. The Jokers take images right out of the book as seen here in a later edition of Scot's classic:


The number cards feature the antiqued book paper look as well. Interestingly, the two's and four's have a Joker image as well as another book image on them. This can be used creatively for different card magic routines. This is something you do not see often or ever in standard playing cards. In fact, most custom decks do not even add this type of design to the number cards.


Up close look at the number cards' detail:

The court cards were designed with custom coloration on an antiqued paper background that overlays the royals. They still feature the Anglo-American royals that are normally on traditional playing cards. Given the the theme of this deck it would have been interesting to see more customization on the court cards with artwork depicting early magicians and other historical figures from the 1500's when the book was written. It can only be imagined that magicians in the 1500's were under a lot of scrutiny and pressure, which is extremely stressing. Although the current court cards are not far from that period's style, a more emotional looking court card dressed with items that early magicians and witch hunters used would have been a unique touch. Despite that, the colorization of the court cards provides a cohesive look and feel throughout. Because of that, the cards do not feel out of place at all and actually become more of the pages in the book that this deck is based on.

The cards handle like a standard USPCC/Bicycle deck. They are smooth but not slippery. There are no complaints on fanning, shuffling and overall handling.

Notes on the The Discoverie Deck: 

• Reginald Scot died in 1599, 15 years after "Discoverie of Witchcarft" was published. 


• James I ordered all copies be burnt in 1603.


• There have been later editions released including downloadable copies. 


• The Discoverie Deck is limited with less than 10K printed.


• Designer Sam Hayles designs all of Big Blind Media's cards including the upcoming Karnival Elite being released on the same day.

Final Assessment: The Discoverie Deck is an extremely unique deck of playing cards that should appeal to collectors and magicians. The story behind the deck goes back hundreds of years, which can be very beneficial for those magicians that love to tell stories in their routines. Because the story is so rich in history, it can even help those that struggle to tell stories. The design of the deck isn't the most detailed or most eye popping but the sum of this decks parts makes this deck stand out among some of the super detailed and illustrated decks. This deck was meant to tell a story and to pay homage to one of the first books on magic ever written. It accomplishes both tasks and then some. The Discoverie Deck becomes the book. And that is what makes this deck such a must have.

Final Score:  9.5/10

Designers: Big Blind Media Interview Part II- Dose Production's Sam Hayles Discusses Karnival Elite

This is part II of a two part interview series with Big Blind Media. Part I interview with Big Blind Media's Owen Packard can be read here. 

As Owen Packard mentioned in Part I of the Big Blind Media Interview, he calls on the creative mind of Sam Hayles. Sam is the designer for all of Big Blind Media/Karnival playing cards and is not new to the style Owen seeks to obtain. Sam runs Dose Productions out of Edinburgh where his design background reaches back to the late 90's. With Dose Productions, Sam has created some of the darkest, most bomb-dropping and edgiest designs to ever grace the music scene and now the playing card and magic industry.

Sam's work defies what we thought we knew with designs that range from futuristic color bombs to abstract premonitions of the apocalypse... or of an alien abduction...or of a trip to Hell. And just when you thought Sam was only about heavy metal, he throws in a touch of elegance and sophistication. It is all there.  His most colorful designs are his darkest designs with a depth that just can't be reached. Sam Hayles' artwork is all out madness that sucks you in every time you pick up a deck of his cards or flip through the cover art of an album he designed.

In Part II of our interview with Big Blind Media/Dose Productions, TuckCase.com spoke with Sam about his venture into the playing card world and his thoughts on the upcoming Karnival Elite.

Tuck Case: In terms of concept and design, what kind of images/imagery can we expect with this deck? and why did you go with those images?
Sam Hayles: The concept for this deck : Elegance, dark and baroque. I used lots of ornaments and also images of imaginary animals like unicorns and a phoenix.

The deck is all black with lots of white and a hint of red. No skulls in this one. Oh surprise! Just to prove that we can do it!

Tuck Case: How long was this deck in the making?
Sam Hayles: I would say a couple of months as we first talk about the concept of the deck and then find and decide on the the name. We then try out different typography. I then work on experimenting the first designs to find the style we will use on the full deck. I usually start with the Ace Of Spades or the back design.

I did a nice owl design for this one but at the end we didn't use it as we only wanted to use imaginary animals.

Tuck Case: Since your decks have a lot of "heavy metal" imagery, what bands have you been listening to lately while designing? Any specific band on your playlist during the creation of Elite?
Sam Hayles: This was done between end of 2012 and beginning of 2013. I always listen to music when I work so I do have a LOT in stock.

I can't remember what was on my playlist during the Elite period of creativity. I am currently enjoying listening to the latest albums from Alice In Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, Boards of Canada, Clutch, and Earthtone9. My regular favs in my playlist are bands like Faith No More, Soundgarden, Interpol, NIN, Killing Joke, Fugazi, Massive Attack, Napalm Death… I also listen to a lot of film soundtracks.

Tuck Case: It is known that USPCC/Bicycle censored some of your work from being printed. How has that impacted you and your work going forward?
Sam Hayles: It hasn't changed a thing really. I oppose all kind of censorship and I truly believe that the worst thing about censorship is........

Tuck Case: What do you use to design? What is your tech setup/workstation?
Sam Hayles: I am a pure 100% Mac user. My dad bought the first Apple Macintosh in 1984 and as a kid I was like amazed by this machine.

Today - I have a Macbook pro, the latest iMac 27" with a second 24" screen and a good old Power Mac G5, which has been serving me well for more than 7 years now.

I mainly use Photoshop and Illustrator. I don't use a tablet much. I rather draw on paper and scan in my drawings.

Tuck Case: What advice can you give other designers looking to produce a custom deck of cards?
Sam Hayles: Be original and creative and do your own thing.

Here are some of Sam's designs courtesy of Dose-productions.com as well as a video of Karnival Elite Playing Cards in action by Ric Edgell:

Designers: Big Blind Media Interview Part I- Owen Packard Talks About Upcoming Karnival Elite Playing Cards

Based in the UK, Big Blind Media is a magic media and playing card company known for their "heavy metal" and edgy design work in both their magic videos and on their line of Karnival playing cards.  Makers of the darkest playing cards on the market such as Karnival Inferno, Karnival Assassins and Karnival Death Heads (images below); Big Blind Media is not afraid to push their capabilities and push the limits of what USPCC feels comfortable with printing. Fans know them for it. Fans love them for it.  Fans keep coming back for it!

Big Blind Media  is run by Owen Packard, who is also a guitarist in heavy metal band Earthtone9. One listen to the band's aggressive style and you will understand where Big Blind Media gets their vision. Owen does the same for the magic and playing card industry that he does with his band - always driving new ideas louder than ever each time he goes to work.

With that, TuckCase.com spoke with Owen as well as designer Sam Hayles as they gear up to release the next deck in the Karnival line of playing cards - Karnival Elite playing cards. In this two part post, you will learn the story behind Karnival Elite directly from Owen and Sam in two exclusive interviews only on TuckCase.com....


Tuck Case: Your next deck, Karnival Elite, is coming out rather soon, do you have a release date in mind?
Owen Packard: Yep - we are looking at mid-July for the Karnival Elite to land. It is always a loooooooooong process from first thought to release date, and we get very impatient waiting ha! But each step of the process is quite involved, so it can take a long time to get a new deck into somebody's hands!!!

Tuck Case: Why the Karnival Elite playing cards? What inspired the idea behind Elite?
Owen Packard: Well, we wanted a deck that was slightly more elegant. Something that embraced everything that defines the Karnival range (edginess, rock 'n roll, etc....) but presented a more baroque and refined vibe. Sam (Hayles - designer) and I talked at length and fiddled with a lot of ideas before we settled on this look. We are really pleased with it. It's clearly a Karnival Deck... but it's something a bit different too.

Tuck Case: What stock will the Karnival Elite playing cards have?
Owen Packard: It'll be on the standard USPCC stock. We don't tend to fiddle with the stock too much - we just use the tried and tested USPCC stock (and finish) for that unparalleled feel and quality.

Tuck Case: In a post on BMPokerworld.com it was said that there will be 5000 printed for the release? Is this a one time only limited release?
Owen Packard: Yep - just 5000!!!!

Tuck Case: In the same press release from BMPokerworld.com, it also mentioned there will be a Standard Red Bicycle 7 of clubs face up in the center of the pack. Why is this being done?
Owen Packard: Aha. Well, let's just say that magicians might be able to find a use for an errant card from another deck being face up and SEALED INSIDE a deck of Karnival Elite's!!!

Tuck Case: As a UK based company, what challenges do you face working with a US based production company USPCC?
Owen Packard: We work with USPCC via their European sister company Fournier, so there are a lot of people involved in each step of the process ha! But to be honest it is not too much of a headache. We have a US office in Florida too, so we have all global positions covered. We have been doing decks with USPCC for over 5 years now, so we have the system pretty much down, and we have a great relationship with them. And let's face it - if you want the best playing cards - you want BICYCLE!

Tuck Case: Karnival Elite Designer, Sam Hayles, has designed all of your decks, correct? How did you team up with him?
Owen Packard: Sam and I go way back. He has worked with a lot of the heavy metal and rock bands I know over the years. In fact, Sam has done the artwork for the last two albums my own band released. So we are close anyway. I would use Sam on ANY project that needed a design element. I love his work. I love his style. Plus he has an amazing ability to take ideas and generate something cooler than you can even imagine.

Come back tomorrow to read the Part II of the interview with Big Blind Media as you will hear from designer Sam Hayles.