This is my first playing card project. I teased the project on my site but I wanted to drop the same info here.

In about a month’s time, Artist Carlos Bercini and I will be launching a custom playing card project on Kickstarter.com. We have been designing a playing card deck for release in late January called Bicycle Monster Montage. The deck is inspired by vintage monster and horror movies from the first half of the 20th century. While most of the designs are not being released at this time, we have decided to tease the new project by creating a teaser or “movie” poster that incorporates the major themes of the deck.

Below you will also see only two of the court card designs that will be featured in the project – The Mummy and Frankenstein’s monster. Two timeless monsters that are the epitome of the monster genre. Please keep your eyes out for more information on this project as it comes closer to the launch date in late January.

For those curious there will be no zombies apart of this deck. We really tried to pull from some classic monsters as well as make way for some monsters that haven't been given much attention. It will be a unique mix of monsters that haven't been overdone or played out.

Designs are subject to change.





http://tuckcase.com/2013/12/22/exclusive-bicycle-monster-montage-playing-cards-coming-late-january-kickstarter/

It sounds like you're on the right track with this, but I'd lose the court divider composed of a film reel and a few inches of footage and replace it with something else, perhaps something more closely associated with the monster in question - bats for a vampire, heavy cables for Frankenstein's monster, etc., unless you're planning to tie some element from the back of the deck as well to movies.  In your shoes, I'd rather cement a direct connection with the monsters in my audience's mind than a connection to the film industry and the studios that made these monsters more of a household name.  You never know when someone at Name-Your-Studio Pictures' legal department might decide to go sniffing your way - best to avoid even the chance of an association than spending money fighting your case in court.

Thanks for the feedback. Back design will be released a few weeks before launch.

As far as the divider goes, I really wanted to tie this in with film or the theater. During this whole process and going forward I will explore other ways to separate the cards.  Using something more related to the actual monster might actually be awesome.

What I have been told by a rep from Universal is that they only have rights to their specific characters (like Universal's Boris karloff Version of Frankenstein). They can't come down on me for using a film reel in the same image of another version of the monster. IF it isn't their monster in the image, they have nothing to come after me for.

Ah, but there is a NEW Frankenstein movie hitting theaters very soon starring Aaron Eckhart as the monster - you might want to check promo photos or the trailer to insure your Frank doesn't look too close to their Frank...

Nobody seems to be thrilled with the back design from the lack if responses?

yeah I am in a weird spot. I haven't gotten a lot of feedback on this. Usually people chime in regardless of their feelings on it. Love or hate it the forums seem like a place for opinions. Not sure what people think at this point.

here is the tuck case design. Note - we will be removed the fold marks on the box. 

It's live or should I say it lives!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scottcarey/monster-montage-bicycle-playing-cards?ref=discovery

I believe this deck could be improved by blowing up the monsters pictured in the courts. As-is, their small size makes them seem less significant. The back design could have thinner borders and please remove "monster montage" and just leave the Right side up, upside down "M" graphic.

Woops. I thought I read somewhere that a new thread is started when a project from the design goes live. Apologies. 

Looks pretty awesome! Might get a few!!