Houdini Magic Seance Deck (KS)

[Nurul]

Houdini inspired deck
Creator: Ars Felix (1st created)
Goal $12,000
To be printed by USPCC

Can pledge for a normal deck or a special limited edition stripper deck.
Also uncut sheets and ink drawings available.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arsfelix/houdini-magic-seance-card-deck-uspcc-printed

[Nurul]

Some more images. Sorry for the double post, but only 5 images can be uploaded at a time

[MrMollusk]

Interesting.

It isn't an amazing deck, but it's far from a bad one. I usually find decks with writing or quotes on them unappealing, but the theme is cool enough to make it work. The courts aren't too special, but they're simple and they work. The back design could be better, but it's fine.

That AoS though... That's a freakin cool gaff.

[Don Boyer]

It's a very cool gaff, indeed!

This is less of a magician's deck - unless you're doing magic that incorporates a fortune-telling routine.  It's a really cool fortune-telling deck.  Seriously, it could work as a quasi-substitute for a Ouija board!  I kinda like this one.

[Ars Felix]

Thank you, I didn't want to spam the board with a link to my project.  It is my first deck design, and I am obviously still learning and growing as an artist, so tried to keep it simple.  But I was excited about the Ouija planchette idea and possibly using the deck to draw someone's "fortune" or make "spirit messages" in a creative/magic way.  The gaff idea seemed fun too, thank you!  I am pleased with how it came out, and am excited to share the project on Kickstarter.  I'll be spending more time on this forum to LEARN and share future project ideas too!  Thanks!

[Nurul]

Yuo, that AoS is definitely a winner. Very well thought through. Ars, that's a great Houdini quote you have on the back design, may I ask why you chose that particular quote?
Also, why Buster Keaton as the joker? Wasn't Houdini affiliated more with his father than buster himself?

[Ars Felix]

Yuo, that AoS is definitely a winner. Very well thought through. Ars, that's a great Houdini quote you have on the back design, may I ask why you chose that particular quote?
Also, why Buster Keaton as the joker? Wasn't Houdini affiliated more with his father than buster himself?

Houdini and his wife toured with the Keaton family in a medicine show.  I chose Buster as the Joker because according to legend it was Houdini that first called him "Buster" after a particularly hard spill as a child that he took in stride.

I chose the quote because it seems to embody Houdini's attitudes while still being ambiguous.  "My brain is the key that sets me free" I think is meant as a statement that willpower and problem solving can overcome all obstacles, but it was also Houdini that was locking himself inside of these elaborate chains and devices.  Specifically in regard to the Spritiualist movement of the turn of the century, I think it can also mean that rational thought sets him free from superstition and belief in the "spirit fakers" who were rampant and exploitive. 

Thanks again!

[Don Boyer]

Well, it's very clear to see that you've thought out this deck for some time.  Best of luck.