Deck View: Delirium (Absolute Edition) Playing Cards

Vibrant. Luxurious. Surreal.

Delirium (Absolute Edition) Playing Cards by Giovanni Meroni is the luxurious centerpiece of the Delirium Lost series, combining playful fantasy with premium production.

Exclusive to Kickstarter back in 2018, the Absolute edition shares the same whimsical card artwork as Delirium Ascension, featuring the signature Delirium creatures across the courts, Jokers, Ace of Spades, and card backs. The real distinction lies in its striking presentation.

The tuck box is lavishly produced with deep embossing, shimmering gold holofoil on the exterior, and rich gold foil interior printing, giving the deck a highly reflective, collectible finish. Combined with Giovanni’s bold use of color and layered design language, the deck feels both energetic and refined.

As with many Thirdway Industries releases, the visual identity remains cohesive from box to cards, blending surreal character art with ornate detailing in a way that stands out immediately in any collection. Available now on Thirdway Industries,

The Limited Edition Flare Playing Cards

Flare Playing Cards is a striking collaboration between Canadian cybersecurity company Flare.io and Thirdway Industries. The deck is inspired by hackers, digital threats, and the hidden layers of the internet. Designed by Giovanni Meroni, this deck serves as the official playing cards of Flare.io and stands out as one of the most concept-driven releases in recent memory.

Like all Thirdway's deck, this custom deck features a lore where the four suits represent opposing forces in cyberspace. Hearts and Diamonds embody threats such as social engineering, malware, and automated attacks, while Spades and Clubs symbolize the analysts, researchers, and defenders working to stop them.

Each court card is thoughtfully illustrated as a specific role within this digital battlefield, transforming familiar figures into phishers, ransomware operators, SOC analysts, CISOs, and cyber law enforcers.

The Jokers continue the theme with clever symbolism. One represents the onion, a nod to the Tor network and the anonymous, unpredictable nature of the dark web. The other reimagines Telegram as a vintage communication device, referencing its central role in modern cybercrime networks. 

The luxury tuck box is finished with custom paper and silver foil, reinforcing the deck’s high-end feel.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company, Flare Playing Cards feature pure silver metallic ink on the cards themselves, adding a sleek, technical sheen that complements the theme. Limited quantities available on Thirdway Industries for $28.

Kardify's Deck of the Year 2025

We’ve wrapped up our annual review, looking back on the events of the playing card industry over the past year. This year... our biggest recognition ‘Deck of the Year’ goes to....

Moonbound by Thirdway Industries. 

Moonbound is 52 Plus Jokers club deck this year and it is a striking collaboration that unites the creative vision of Giovanni Meroni with the craftsmanship of Boschiero & Newton and Legends  Playing Card Company. 

Inside, players and collectors will find gold cold foiling on both the faces and backs, creating a luminous shimmer that highlights the intricate illustrations. 

The deck includes the 52 custom cards along with two Jokers, each rendered with the same meticulous artistry that defines the whole project. Each deck comes housed in a custom die-cut outer sleeve textured and foiled. 

Congratulations to Giovanni Meroni!

Oh... if you want to vote for YOUR favourite deck of 2025, head to the Deck of the Year awards website and select your favourite deck or designer in one of 14 categories! The DOTY's are a celebration of playing card design and those who create them. With a focus on poker-size decks that have come out within the calendar year.

Deck View: Arcane Tales Playing Cards

Enchanted. Illustrated. Playful.

Arcane Tales is the second entry in Thirdway Industries’ Tales series, a collection inspired by classic fairy tales, fables, and timeless storybooks. Designed by Giovanni Meroni, the deck brings together magical characters drawn from beloved stories like Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, all reimagined in Meroni’s bold, narrative-driven style.

With elegant metallic inks, Arcane Tales is fully custom and richly illustrated, offering a world of wizards, faeries, enchanted creatures, and iconic archetypes. Each suit represents a different realm of magic: the spellcasters of Spades, the romantic legends of Hearts, the wild forest spirits of Clubs, and the mythic mountain dwellers of Diamonds. 

The deck also includes two alternative court cards featuring different characters, adding even more storytelling potential. Printed by USPCC on Bicycle stock and available now from Thirdway Industries store for $16.

Kardify Magazine Issue 101 Now on Patreon

We just dropped Kardify Magazine Issue 101 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:   

+ 52 Plus Joker 2025 Club Deck: The official 2025 club deck, Moonbound, a striking collaboration of Giovanni Meroni, Boschiero & Newton and Legends Playing Card Company. Find Out More!

+ Odd Fellows: The story of Stockholm17’s Odd Fellows continues at 17 Sinner’s Street. The story unfolds through a deck of playing cards smuggled inside modified hip flasks.

+ Dualism Chroma: Check out the latest creation from Thirdway Industries, explores the delicate balance between good and evil through this extraordinary playing cards series. 

+ Medusa: Designed by Midnight Cards and produced by Mike Wilson, this striking deck features a hypnotic back design of swirling snakes in vivid green and orange, printed on holographic foil. Check it out!

+ Strange tales from a Chinese Studio: Bloom Playing Cards latest deck transforms ancient Chinese tales of love, and the supernatural into an intricate collection of illustrated cards. Find Out More!

+ Butterfly Try-All Set: Butterfly Cards is asking fans and collectors to help decide the future of the next Butterfly deck by allowing you test and compare three unique card stocks, while influencing the deck’s upcoming second edition.

+ Virtuoso P1 SG: The Virts announced the launch of a special edition Virts deck created to honor Singapore’s 60th anniversary!

… and more! 54 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Dualism Chroma Playing Cards

Dualism Chroma, the latest creation from Thirdway Industries, explores the delicate balance between good and evil through this extraordinary playing cards series. Designer Giovanni Meroni transforms the eternal conflict of light and darkness into a tangible work of art, a meditation on humanity’s inner contradictions.

Three decks are on offer during the Kickstarter project: Dualism Nightfall, embodying darkness and corruption; Dualism Sunrise, representing purity and virtue; and Dualism Twilight, a striking fusion of the two, where good and evil meet in a single design. 

This new edition expands upon the original Dualism deck that debuted in 2024 as an exclusive reward for Thirdway Industries patrons. The Chroma version introduces new foil tones, upgraded materials, and refined print techniques, while retaining the same symbolic DNA that made the first edition a cult favorite.

Inside, the card backs feature an intricate design of a two-headed dragon, inspired by both the Ouroboros and Yin-Yang, symbols of eternity, self-destruction, and rebirth. The result is an image that feels ancient yet alive, evoking an endless struggle between creation and decay.

Each court card appears in three distinct forms across the decks benevolent in Sunrise, sinister in Nightfall, and divided in Twilight, where the artwork itself is split down the middle in a one-way configuration.

Also, the court cards in the deck personifies a human contrast: love and lust, order and tyranny, wisdom and arrogance- reflecting how fragile the line can be between virtue and corruption. Through its art, Dualism Chroma invites players and collectors alike to explore that ambiguity and, perhaps, to confront their own.

The decks are packaged in tuck box by Boschiero & Newton featuring pearlescent paper, holographic foil, and embossed detailing, both inside and out

Each deck is limited to 777 individually numbered units, ensuring exclusivity for collectors. Printed by Kingstar, the decks feature holographic cold foil on both the faces and backs. Pledge starts at $87 for a set on Kickstarter.

Moonbound: The 2025 Club Deck for 52 Plus Joker

The 52 Plus Joker club just has revealed its official 2025 deck, Moonbound, a striking collaboration that unites the creative vision of Giovanni Meroni with the craftsmanship of Boschiero & Newton and Legends Playing Card Company. 

Produced exclusively for club members, the release is limited to just 1,000 decks, making it one of the most anticipated collector’s editions of the year.

At first glance, Moonbound is unmistakably Giovanni. The design is symmetrical, steeped in symbolism, and infused with the distinct storytelling language of Thirdway Industries. Inspired by French traditions yet modern in execution, the deck feels both timeless and avant-garde.

Inside, players and collectors will find gold cold foiling on both the faces and backs, creating a luminous shimmer that highlights the intricate illustrations. The deck includes the 52 custom cards along with two Jokers, each rendered with the same meticulous artistry that defines the whole project.

The presentation is as ambitious as the design itself. Each deck comes housed in a custom die-cut outer sleeve textured and foiled.  A numbered 52 Plus Joker seal completes the package, giving each deck its own unique place in the limited run.

Printed by Legends Playing Card Company on Classic Finish paper stock. ONLY limited to three per member, Moonbound is more than a playing card deck, it’s a collectible artifact that captures the essence of the club’s legacy and the artistry of modern card design. 

Available for 52 Plus Joker members for $35 on the club website.

Obsession (Rapture Edition) Playing Cards

Opulent. Symbolic. Irresistible.

Obsession Rapture Playing Cards by Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries is an extravagant, art-driven deck that explores the darker shades of desire and fantasy.

The Rapture edition in the Obsession series stands apart with full hot foil on both card faces and backs with eye-catching pink and magenta foil illuminating the Hearts and Diamonds, while Clubs and Spades shimmer in green. This opulent treatment extends to green metallic gilding on the card edges, giving the deck a rich, iridescent finish.

Inside, you'll find fully custom aces, pips, backs, and one-way courts in Meroni’s signature style, an intricate fusion of elegance, symbolism, and intensity. Even the four jokers mirror the deck’s bold contrast of pink and green, completing this rare collector’s piece.

Limited to only 777 decks, each deck is housed in a luxurious Italian paper tuckbox, wrapped in deep green hot foil. Printed by King Star and Available now for $44 on Thirdway Industries.

Deck View: Incubo Mezzanotte Playing Cards

Intricate. Visual. Midnight.

Incubo Mezzanotte Playing Cards by Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries brings nightmares to life with intricate, hauntingly beautiful design. This art-focused deck prioritizes storytelling and visual impact over traditional playability.

The Mezzanotte edition features a luxurious tuck crafted from Italian black paper, adorned with two layers of matte foil and embossing. Yellow and white matte foil form the artwork, while the interior reveals a hidden design in black metallic foil.

The card backs display a striking two-way illustration: a raven trapped in a birdcage holding a key, framed by vivid yellow borders. Inside, each face card presents a unique one-way, full-length character illustration—16 in total, including 12 courts and 4 jokers—all drawn in Meroni's signature style.

Printed by USPCC and limited to around 1,600 decks. Available NOW on Thirdway Industries for $29.

Celestial Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries:

Thirdway Industries just launched Celestial, a stunning new series of playing cards inspired by angels and the divine choirs of Heaven. Each deck features entirely unique illustrations, reimagining angelic beings through the lens of symbolic, powerful design illustrated by Giovanni Meroni.

The Celestial series includes three distinct decks: Sophia, Fulgida, and Amor Dei, each representing a facet of angelic virtue: wisdom, radiance, and love. While the fully custom face cards remains consistent, the artwork of each are wholly individual.

Each court card represents a different angelic choir- Seraphim, Dominions, Ophanim, and more... rendered with entirely unique character art per deck. Every edition is housed in an ultra-premium German paper tuck, foil-stamped inside and out, manufactured by Boschiero & Newton in Italy.

Celestial Sophia shimmers in rose and teal, printed with pure silver and azure metallic inks by USPCC. It evokes mystery, patience, and insight—heavenly knowledge made manifest.

Celestial Fulgida blazes with gold and rose gold inks, symbolizing divine justice and the raw brilliance of truth.

Celestial Amor Dei, the rarest in the series (just 775 copies), is wrapped in holographic foil from edge to edge, both on the cards and the gilding, and is a Kickstarter exclusive. 

Add-ons such as box sets, coins, uncut sheets and lore booklets are available during the campaign. Pledge starts at $19 on Kickstarter. 

Obsession Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries

Obsession Playing Cards are an artistic exploration of desire, dreams, and the fine line between fantasy and nightmare. Designed by Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries, this series delves into the theme of obsession, crafting a collection that blends elegance, passion, and mystery.

Two decks are on offer during the Kickstarter campaign, Obsession Yearn and Obsession Rapture. The Yearn edition is the foundation of the series, embodying refinement with a striking color palette and a luxurious tuckbox. 

The design balances classic playing card elements with the distinctive Thirdway Industries aesthetic, ensuring a deck that is both functional and captivating.

Obsession Rapture edition elevates the theme with a more opulent approach. This exclusive edition features hot foil on both the faces and back of the cards, with pink and magenta foil for Hearts and Diamonds, and green foil for Clubs and Spades.

The deck is further enhanced with green metallic gilding, adding a layer of sophistication. Limited to just 777 copies, Rapture is a rare collector’s piece, housed in a luxury Italian paper tuckbox with shimmering green hot foil accents.

Inside, both decks feature fully custom elements, including aces, pips, and backs, while maintaining a familiar structure for ease of play. The four unique jokers combine the pink and green foil elements, creating a visually stunning addition to the set.

The decks are printed by Kingstar PCC and pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter.

SINS Red Corpus (Player Edition) Playing Cards

Origin. Garden. Temptation.

The SINS Red Corpus (Player Edition) playing cards by Thirdway Industries is part of the SINS Reborn series, reimagined of the 2017 collection inspired by the seven deadly sins. Deeply rooted in biblical themes, these playing cards reflect the concept of sin as depicted in the Holy Bible.

Inside, the fully custom court cards symbolize sins that affect the body: Wrath (Diamonds), Gluttony (Clubs), Sloth (Spades), and Lust (Hearts), all brought to life with luxurious metallic inks.

Like all Giovanni's decks, SINS is rich in intricate details, hidden meanings, and symbolism. The card backs depict Eden—the birthplace of the first sin. For SINS Corpus, the design portrays the Garden of Eden shrouded in eternal night, symbolizing the moment Eve ate the forbidden apple and was cast out, leaving Eden in darkness without her and Adam.

Printed by USPCC and available now on for $25 on Thirdway Industries.

Odissea Aegis Playing Cards

Shield. Goddess. Legendary.

The Odissea Aegis Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries is a limited deck packaged in a digitally printed tuck box from the Minerva deck. Aegis was the legendary shield of Jupiter, but mainly held by his daughter Minerva. This shield is an iconic symbol of the Goddess of Strategy, and it also represents her role toward Ulysses. She’s his protection against all the threats he suffered during the Odissey.

Due to a production problem during the Odissea project, some of the original Minerva tuck boxes were lost, so there were some USPCC cards without a box. To rectify the issue, Giovanni Meroni and Gamblers Warehouse produced some new digital boxes for the loose Aegis cards.

Inside, the art style is an evolution of SINS and Dedalo – Giovanni tried to mix them to have the malice of SINS and the mythology of Dedalo. Apart from colors and name, there are subtle differences between Minerva and Neptune decks from Thirdway Industries.

Available now from thirdwayindustries.com for $30.

Fantasma Revenant Playing Cards Final Week on Kickstarter!

Last year, designer Giovanni Meroni designed and produced Fantasma Playing Cards, decks based on ghosts. The decks featured invisible artworks made of UV inks, receiving the “Best Innovation” from UC’s Deck of the Year 2023 awards. Now, Thirdway Industries returns with this series’ sequel, Fantasma Revenant Playing Cards on Kickstarter.

There are a total of three editions for this series: Ectoplasm, Vision, and Extreme. Both Ectoplasm and Vision are available to be obtained separately or as a bundle. Extreme is the most exclusive edition and can only be obtained within a very limited bundle.

The artwork for the cards is the same as its predecessor, but they will be printed with flashy neon inks. The artworks are visible in normal light, although they will shine bright when illuminated with a black light.

The illustrations will use green neon ink for the black suits, while orange neon ink is used for the red suits. The yellow neon ink is used for the small details of the artwork. The tuck box for Ectoplasm features custom neon green paper stock with artwork embossing. The box is printed with yellow neon foil along with holographic black foil.

The tuck box for Vision is two-layered. The outer sleeve is made with white premium stock with neon green and transparent wavy holographic foil. There is a small die-cut window that shows the skull image of the inner box, which features illustrations done in orange and green ink.

Fantasma Extreme is the most experimental deck for this latest sequel. The tuck box is made with pearlescent white metallic stock with holographic gold foil and embossing. The back design is made with hot foil stamping gold holographic foil.

The faces will have completely invisible artworks, which can only be revealed with the blacklight. When illuminated, the artworks will reveal FOUR different shades of invisible UV ink: red, orange, light blue, and blue. It is crazier than Fantasma Duplex from before. This deck would be the first TWI deck printed with Kingstar Playing Cards.

The cards for Ectoplasm and Vision will be printed by USPCC, while the cards for Extreme will be printed by KingStar Playing Cards Co. All of the tuck boxes will be printed by Boschiero & Newton. Pledge starts from €16 for Fantasma Ectoplasm on Kickstarter.

Modern Idols (Hope Edition) Playing Cards

Neon. Custom. Worship.

Modern Idols Hope Edition is a part of the Modern Idols series of playing cards by Thirdway Industries, based on the beliefs of the modern age. Designed by the Italian designer Giovanni Meroni, the Hope deck is inspired by a TV Series about American Gods – the story is about the new Idols that replaced the Old Gods. 

Modern Idols Hope deck incorporate Giovanni’s recognizable artwork, and vibrant neon color palettes with a new mythology. The artwork is fully custom with the card backs featuring Pure Silver Metallic ink combined with Neon inks. Meanwhile, the faces use 5 different colors: 3 neon inks that go fluorescent under blacklight!

Printed by the USPCC and available now from Thirdway Industries for $25.

Now on Patreon, Kardify Magazine Issue 77

Issue 77 of Kardify Mag is now available 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-Septeber 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:   

+ Cirque Luciole V2: Designed and produced by Marianne Larsen this deck is a follow-up to the award-winning Circus playng cards. Find out more!

+ Let’s Play: Meticulously crafted by Luke Wadey, this eye-catching deck is a fresh and innovative take on traditional playing card design. Check it out!

+ Bicycle Disney Classic Mickey: An homage to the iconic global cultural figure, Mickey Mouse, serving as visual narratives of his most endearing moments

+ White TIger: Return to the realm of Chinese astrology and celestial creatures with ARK‘s grand finale. This beautiful deck is the culmination of ARK’s acclaimed Four Beasts series! Check it out!

+ Incubo For this brand new deck series, designer Giovanni Meroni manifests the nature of monstrous nightmares onto decks of playing cards. 

+ Fantastica: Have a look at Carolina Cabedo’s striking deck, a tribute to the Circus.

 + Smoke & Mirrors 15th Anniversary: Dan and Dave with Brad Fulton, have released a new fifteen-anniversary edition in a green colorway that takes inspiration from 19th-century typography. Have a look!

+ Black Panther: Take a look at the exquisite deck by Theory11 crafted in honor of one of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most notable superheroes. 

… and more! 52 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Incubo Playing Cards by Thirdway Industries

For this brand new series, Giovanni Meroni of Thirdway Industries manifests the nature of monstrous nightmares onto decks of playing cards. Incubo Playing Cards are now seeking funds on Kickstarter.

There are two main editions on offer during the campaign: Mezzanotte and Divoramondo. Incubo Mezzanotte features tuck box made with Italian luxury black paper with 2 layers of matte foil and embossing. The artwork is done with yellow and white matte foil. The interior of the box has an artwork done in black metallic foil.

The card back design features a two-way graphic artwork of a bird cage keeping a raven with a key and the border is colored with vibrant yellow.

Meanwhile, Incubo Divoramondo features a tuck box made with premium “reef” paper with ultra-red foil and embossing. There is a beautiful and shiny bloody red foil on the box, with interior artwork done in black foil. The box comes with a custom-numbered seal.

The card back design features a two-way graphic artwork of glowing patterns in circular arrangements. It has a deep black background with hot foil stamping in red foil. The edges will be gilded with stunning red metallic foil.

The series features at least 32 distinct characters: 16 for each deck – 12 court cards and 4 jokers. The characters are illustrated as one-way full-length artworks.

As the decks prioritise “art” over playability, the faces of the cards only have one index located in the top left corner. A booklet is available as an optional add-on if you like to explore the lore of the characters.

All of the tuck boxes are crafted with Boschiero and Newton. The Mezzanotte edition will be printed with USPCC, limited to around 1600 decks, while the Kickstarter-exclusive Divoramondo edition will be printed by Legends Playing Cards, limited to around 975 decks.

Pledge starts from $18 for Incubo Mezzanotte OR $42 for Incubo Divoramondo on Kickstarter.