On Kickstarter, JAL Playing Cards

JAL playing cards by Orion Playing Cards is a tribute to water and humanity’s eternal connection to this life-giving element. Derived from the Sanskrit word Jal, meaning water. This beautiful crafted deck celebrates its transformative power, from tranquil seas to the mysterious depths of night.

The two distinct editions are available during the Kickstarter campaign: Tranquil Waters and Night Waters. Both are available in Standard and KS-Exclusive Gilded variants. The Gilded Editions are Kickstarter-exclusive numbered decks, limited to the total pledged during the campaign, ensuring their rarity for collectors. Tranquil Waters captures the serene beauty of calm oceans under a clear sky, while Night Waters evokes the mystique of moonlit seas.

Each deck is a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. The Gilded Editions feature holographic or fractal inky-blue side-gilding and intricate, quad-foiled tuck boxes with die-cut windows that reveal the vibrant gilding beneath.

The cards use holographic transfer printing, where foiling is applied first and then overprinted, giving them a luminous and three-dimensional effect. Tranquil Waters showcases holographic foiling that reflects sunlight in dazzling patterns, while Night Waters uses silver foiling for a moonlit shimmer. 

The court cards, designed by Bivas Bhattacharjee, tell stories inspired by humanity’s relationship with water. Kings, queens, and jokers represent water’s life-giving and destructive powers, with themes such as Poseidon commanding the waves and a monk casting blessings into the river. The pips incorporate aquatic motifs like fish, waves, and shells, while transparent areas on the cards allow the foiled details to shine through. Each card features a unique border pattern, ensuring no two cards feel alike.

The Tranquil Waters tuck box comes with holographic blue, matte silver, and deep blue foils, while the Night Waters tuck box incorporates deep inky blues, matte black, and cyan foils. Both editions includes embossed details, and the Gilded versions include die-cut designs that highlight the beautiful side-gilding. Even the inner tuck designs are meticulously crafted, with patterns inspired by ocean depths and mountainous waves.

Available now for $18 on Kickstarter.

Theory11's Wicked Playing Cards

Step into the enchanting world of Oz with Theory11's Wicked Playing Cards, a deck inspired by Universal Pictures' cinematic event, Wicked. 

This eye-catching deck captures the untold story of the witches of Oz, featuring a stunning blend of green and gold foil that evokes the magic of the Emerald City.

Inside the deck, journey down the yellow brick road with characters like Glinda, Elphaba, Madame Morrible, The Wizard of Oz, and more.

Each card is filled with hidden Easter eggs, a tribute to iconic moments from the film. From Elphaba’s signature green hue to Glinda’s elegant charm, this deck beautifully honors the film’s unforgettable characters and their bewitching allure.

Available on Theory11 for $12.95.

Kardify Magazine Issue 90 is Here!

Kardify Magazine Issue 90 is Here! 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-October to mid-November. 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:   

+ Assassin's Creed: From Room One these decks are a tribute to the iconic video game series, capturing the essence of its stealth, strategy, and intrigue. Check it out!

+ Wishers: Have a look at the first series from Rick Davidson’s new brand, SEQUEL. These elegant decks are inspired by 15th-century playing cards. 

+ The Last NOC: Alex Pandrea is officially retiring to pursue new ventures. To mark the end of this chapter, he is offering one final release: the NOC Private Reserve deck.

+ The Virtuoso Sea Glass: Have a look at the new deck designed exclusively for Cardistry, featuring “Adaptive Aesthetics” that enhances visual expression. Unlike traditional decks made for magicians or games, Sea Glass emphasizes fluid, dynamic designs inspired by real sea glass. 

+ King's Head: Joker and the Thief's deck inspired by vintage royalty and designed by Mexican illustrator Luis F. Cavalcanti. The deck tells the tale of the rivalry in the King’s court, where they ultimately plot to seize the throne. 

+ Beetlejuice: Theory11’s Beetlejuice Playing Cards are inspired by the macabre magic of Beetlejuice, brings the strange and unusual to your game nights, featuring vibrant slime-green and haunting purple accents!

+ Messymod V2: Art of Play’s minimalist, delightful and weird deck conceived by the Los Angeles based creative team, TRÜF. Find out more!

… and more! 56 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

The Return of the Green Man playing cards

The Return of the Green Man playing cards invite you to step into the enchanting world of forest folklore, celebrating the myths, magic, and legends of the plant kingdom. Created by Alessandra and Anthony of Jocu Playing Cards, this series draws on the rich traditions of the Celts, Romans, Greeks, Vikings, and other cultures to bring the Green Man’s story to life like never before.

The decks explore the seasonal cycle through four editions—Spring (Green), Summer (Turquoise), Autumn (Dark Red), and Winter (Light Blue)—each telling its own interconnected tales. Every card is meticulously illustrated by Sicilian artist Alessandra Gagliano, featuring unique court cards, number cards, and botanical imagery inspired by mythology and nature.

Each season tells a vivid story: Spring celebrates rebirth, with tales like the Sicilian Testa di Moro legend and the Anglo-Saxon myth of Ask and Embla. Summer brings warmth and drama, from the Wild Man archetype to Clytie’s transformation into a sunflower in her love for Helios. Autumn reveals darker tales, such as the gossiping juniper tree and Lady Elder’s dangerous power. Winter closes the cycle with haunting myths like the Wild Huntsman’s nocturnal ride and Bacchus’s celebration of the vine.

The beautifully designed tuck boxes, crafted by Boschiero & Newton in Italy, feature intricate multi-foil embellishments and echoes of the architectural settings where the Green Man has appeared throughout history, from pagan monuments to Gothic cathedrals. For collectors, Kickstarter-exclusive deluxe gilded editions include additional embellishments and are available only during the campaign.

Printed by WJPC and pledge starts at $19 on Kickstarter.