Coming Soon: A New Playing Card Deck by Midnight Card Company

Coming soon from Midnight Card Company, another stunning deck of Playing Cards by the very talented Randy Butterfield:

Draconian 

Inspired by a time of legendary dragons, this mythical deck features beautiful dragon scales, gorgeous colours and borderless back design. Draconian will be available in 2 different edition, the Lightning and Spitfire decks.

We are honoured to have Randy here on Kardify to tell us more about his first solo crowd-funded project:

Ivan and I chose today for the first reveal of the Draconians because August 14th is a special day for Midnight Cards. Exactly two years ago today was the release of my first Deck design, the original ORNATES! Since that time I've seen the landscape of custom Playing Cards change dramatically every six months or so. The current trend is to create super-limited and rare editions to coincide with even more exclusive "Prototype" versions. Of course, this brings with it higher prices for the backers and customers that reach well over $20 or more per Deck. Hopefully this trend will soon turn for the better. 

The Draconians will be printed, fittingly, by Legends Playing Card Co. The project will have a very simple setup - the Lightning and Spitfire Decks plus a Draconian Coin. NO high-priced "Limited", "Rare", "Exclusive" or "Prototype" Editions, just a strong design with the promise of a one-time printing and a print quantity to cover fulfillment plus a few extras for lost or damaged Decks. The Draconian is a one-off design (NO recolors) that will feature an Optical Illusion Borderless Back design and plenty of Foil, Embossing (Tucks) and Metallic Inks (Tucks and Cards) at a very cost effective price.

This project is scheduled to launch sometime next month (September). To keep up to date on the Draconian deck, follow Midnight Card Company on their Facebook page.

Review: The Ultimate Deck by Stranger & Stranger

The Ultimate Deck came out around the 2012 holiday season in a collaboration between the Buck twins and packaging design firm, Stranger & Stranger. The deck was created as a way for Stranger & Stranger to celebrate the 2012 work year as it was a pivotal year in new package design. The deck took over a year to produce as every single playing card in the deck contains a completely different custom design edge to to edge. Dubbed the "most expensive deck ever produced", The Ultimate Deck retails at a around $25 a pop.

The Specs:

Name: The Ultimate Deck
Company: Stanger & Stranger/Dan and Dave
Release Date: January 2013
Stock: Casino Bee
Finish: Air Cushion Finish
Colors: Multiple
Face: Standard
Size: Poker

The tuck case comes with a classic black matte finish with glossy embossing. It features nostalgic design elements that give the impression of holding an ancient book. The centerpiece is a glossy silver embossed two-way "Stranger" given the effect to create the impression of it being a two-way design. The design, however, is not a two-way design. Underneath the centerpiece on both ends, the one-way design is made apparent. When turned one way it reads "Ultimate Deck" but when turned the other way it reads "Stranger & Stranger." Each side of the embossed centerpiece either reads, "NYC" or "LTN" as well.

The tuck case features a stamp-like seal that is reminiscent of very early decks printed by The United States Playing Card Company. The stamp is totally vintage but it fits in perfectly with the overall concept. The stamp reads "1994 Dead Man's Hand" which is the year the company formed.

The tuck case is a very strong element of the entire deck. It might be the strongest given the amount of detail that goes into it with the gloss on matte finish complete with embossing. The design of the tuck is unforgettable as the two way illusion is created without even being a true two-way. The dark but vintage feel that dresses the entire box sucks you in to a world of mystery just begging you to open the deck to explore its many caves.

Once you break through the stamp seal, you will be greeted with 56 completely custom designed playing cards. It is clear from the start that The Ultimate Deck is 100% an art deck and does not lend itself to be played with. Some of the designs are too over the top and get in the way of actual play. Not to mention the price point of this deck is far beyond something you'd want to dirty your hands on.

Below is an example where the numbers and indices get lost in the artwork: the King of Spades ....or "King of Bulls." The only way we know this is the King of Spades is because the other Kings have been accounted for.

The deck comes with one gaff card and an ad card. Interestingly enough, the gaff card is a "create your own card" which can be used to create any of the other cards in the deck. Since this deck will most likely not enter play, this gaff card somewhat falls flat.

The back design is a flat version of the art on the tuck case. Designed to look two-way at a glance, the back design is most definitely one way as mentioned earlier about the tuck.

Without detailing every card in the deck, we thought we would pull out some notable cards and discuss their place in the deck.

The Ace Of Spades is the arch of any deck but when it comes to The Ultimate Deck, the AoS just becomes another card in the deck. It doesn't seem like Stranger & Stranger gave any special treatment to some of the better known cards in a deck. In fact, the Seven of Clubs got the same amount of effort as the AoS. The AoS features a spade shaped tree complete with a serpent and a snake. In other words, the AoS features The Tree Of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The biblical theme in the AoS shows the depth in The Ultimate Deck. Each card has a story and opens up great possibilities when discussing or learning about the art.

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While the tree is the focal point with it's bold red and green coloring, the card is complete with a weathered paper look almost as if it was taken out of the pages of an old book.

Creepy designs
Stranger & Stranger did not skimp on creepy. In fact, a lot of the cards in this deck are creepy pieces of art. Beautiful but creepy. With that said, the designers nailed the Suicide King. One of the most mysterious cards in a deck of 52 has got to be the King of Hearts. Was the King stabbing himself or was he being stabbed? Stranger & Stranger answered the former. Complete with bleeding hearts, macabre and a skeleton monarch; The Ultimate Deck's King of Hearts takes no prisoners and has no fear completing a story that has long been discussed.

Funny designs
In order to contrast, Stranger & Stranger knew they couldn't just feature all creepy art so they added a little bit of funny. The King of Clubs depicts a King scolding a leprechaun. Let the chuckles begin. For starters, Leprechauns are funny and mystical beings. When they are getting in trouble by bearded monarchs, the scene is just hilarious.

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Cute designs
Cute is probably the last adjective we would use to describe The Ultimate Deck but they managed to stuff it in. The Eight Of Hearts shows a little boy giving a little girl a valentine. Love is in the air as eight hearts float above the basket.

Given the small sample above, it is very clear that Stranger & Stranger created a deck that has a huge amount of artistic variety. The art on the cards features all different styles, themes and nothing is redundant or used more than once including the Jokers. It makes sense considering the amount and variety of product packaging they put out each year. The only thing consistent about The Ultimate Deck is that the artwork is great. As the artwork shines, it would have been the icing on the cake if the pips, numbers and indices were a bit more consistent throughout the deck. Let the artwork fly freely but don't make the pips and indices suffer in the process.

With that, we will not reveal or detail any more of the cards in this deck. Part of an art deck is so that is can be admired by the individual holder and we would like to respect that by only showing the few cards that were seen above.

Because this deck is an art deck, we did not handle it or break it in. We felt that after reviewing the cards and designs that the deck was not meant to be played with as much as it was meant to be admired.

Notes on The Ultimate Deck:

+ It is not clear how many designers worked on this deck but from the variety it looks as if the entire team was on board.
+ Stranger & Stranger primarily works on alcohol packaging but the ad card mentions that this project came to be to celebrate their expansion into other packaging markets.
+ Dan and Dave distribute The Ultimate Deck.
+ The deck is being sold on ebay for above the normal asking price.

Final Assessment: 
The artwork is incredible. They have that in the bag. They also added some of the history of playing cards into their designs, which was nice to know they didn't neglect it. The work can be admired from more than just playing card fans. In fact, it is probably admired more by those that don't handle cards. Collectors, fan's of product packaging, marketers, Stranger & Stranger fans will jump on this deck. Heck, this deck has the ability to turn people on to the world of playing cards. From there, we hit a wall. Art decks are fun and hip and should be on every card collector's shelf but other than that, this deck is going nowhere. On certain cards, the pip and indices look like afterthoughts or look muddled. This deck would shine if the "playing card" art was more apparent and consistent. If the suits were even recognizable, the deck might be playable making this deck practical and beautiful. However, fanning through the cards, we see zero consistencies where there should be consistencies. Kudos to Stranger & Stranger on creating a work of art but next time they should pay attention to what makes a playing card, a playing card.

Final Score: 8.5/10

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Kickstarter: 7 Questions with Riccardo Conturbia of Passione Playing Cards

Not too long ago "Passione" popped up on Facebook, not much was known outside of it being an Italian based Playing Card Company. But today Kardify has a little more insight into the passion or "Passione"

Riccardo Conturbia is the man heading up this new venture. Married with 2 children, Riccardo is an Electronic Engineer currently working in a Project Management Office. Originally a Vintage Playing Card collector, Riccardo, like many, stumbled on to the cornucopia of modern playing cards and there was no turning back.

"I always used to collect vintage decks in my own country and when, a couple of years ago, I accidently discovered companies like Theory11, Ellusionist, Dan & Dave and many others, I was able to admire beautifully designed modern playing cards; my wallet has become much lighter and the seed for following their footsteps was sown"

Riccardo and Passione will soon be launching their 1st project on Kickstarter, we had a lot of questions about the company, designers and projects and Riccardo was gracious enough to share quite a bit of what's on the horizon for this new Italian based company.

Why the name "Passione"?

“Passione” is the Italian word for “passion” and conveys the key concepts of Italian design: vivid colors, elegance and emotions; Italians tend to do things for mainly two reasons: because they have to (and usually they are not so happy about it) or because they have a “passion”. In this second case they can overcome difficulties and, sometimes, create masterpieces. We are young, but motivated to follow our  “Passione”.

What motivated the creation of this company?

While working on the first ideas, I met several designers, and explored different concepts. We soon realized that a single project or a one-man company was not enough to satisfy our passion; our projects are growing and we felt the need to give solid foundations to our efforts and dreams.

I don’t want to disclose too much, but I can tell that we are planning a trilogy on Dante’s “Divina Commedia” that will have very special features.

Right now we are building our website and we will participate with our brand at PratoComics+Play, a trade show on comics, games and much more, that will take place in Prato, Tuscany, from 12th to 21st of September.

Divina Commedia first look

Who are some of the talents that will be producing for Passione?

I'm proud to present them:

Marco Guerrieri is a cartoonist and illustrator since 1999. Among his most successful works, "Milano Criminale" (published by Mondadori), "John Doe" (Eura Editoriale) and "Jonathan Steele" (Star Comics). Marco draws from his childhood because, he says, in this way he can give shape to his fantasies and dreams, getting in instant communication with others. Passionate about Formula 1, Marco produces dynamic models of the 70s and 80s for slot tracks. You can see him drawing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qkNAXaeTLA

Maurizio Toccafondi, owner of the design studio “4I”, is an industrial designer and illustrator, cofounder of the cultural association “Colored Noise” and “+Prato”. He loves SCI-FI and comics. http://www.colorednoise.it/

Stefano Protino developed the passion for drawing since childhood. He graduated in graphic design and has attended a course in Illustration at IED Turin. He currently works as an art director in a creative digital communications agency with expertise on fantasy character design and painting techniques. You can see some of his works here: https://www.behance.net/stefanoprotino

How diverse are the designers involved with Passione?

“Passione” combines and coordinates multiple skills. The main designer for each deck is chosen accordingly to the theme and to the characteristics of the artist; in our team we have cartoonists, fantasy illustrators and industrial designers, each with personal approaches to the design of figures and pips . The styles are therefore very different, ranging from the "ligne claire" to underground style, from traditional media paintings to digital art.

How will projects be released to the community?

Kickstarter and other crowdfunding platforms will probably be used for every “inaugural edition” but we plan, as we grow, to directly sell our playing cards.

Is there an inaugural project in the works?

Yes: “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”: a deck, designed by Marco Guerrieri. The Kickstarter campaign will begin this fall, probably in October, we are finalizing the artwork these days. “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” represents a foray into the past, from the beginning of 20th century to the seventies.  It will feature aristocrats, femme fatales, seductive women, latin lovers, gangsters and other mysterious and shady characters.

I want to personally thank Lorenzo Gaggiotti, creator of Heretic and Requiem playing cards for his advice and counsels.

What are the goals of Passione and its designers?

We have a mission: to bring the Italian design and creativity into the world of custom playing cards and to bring the custom playing cards culture in Italy. We believe that this mix has an high potential to make an impact.

I want to thank Riccardo for taking the time to share the upcoming release of "Smoke in your Eyes" the 1st deck slated for release from "Passione" Italy. You can keep up to date on releases, projects and news on Passione by following there Facebook page.

I'm always excited to see some new ideas and visions form a new set of designers and I'm sure Passione and it's talented crew will not disappoint..........looking forward to watching the journey.

Deck View: Legends #202 Egyptian Edition

Mythology. Ancient. Legends.

Beautifully hand illustrated by Mark Stutzman, the Legends #202 is an Egyptian themed playing card deck with a touch of elegance and luxury. 

This intricate deck is printed by the Legends Playing Card Company,  featuring a gold foil tuck box and interior making for an impressive display when one takes out the deck. Simply stunning!

The LPCC have proven themselves yet again, in creating the highest quality playing cards. Find out more at legendsplayingcards.com