Dead Rebel Magic Explorers' Club Cryptozoological Playing Card Set
$51.81
The Dead Rebel Magic Explorers Club Cryptozoological Playing Card Set - bigblindmedia.com

The Hype:
LTD EDITION COLLECTOR'S SET - Two gorgeous bespoke decks and a branded leather carrying wallet
Dead Rebel Magic presents a mesmerizing collection of two intricately crafted playing card decks, each inspired by legendary Victorian expeditions to far-flung, mysterious continents. Drawing from the wonders of a rare 19th-century natural history book, Marvels of Nature on Earth, Sea, and Sky, these decks blend history with the fantastical.
Designed to resemble ancient, weathered volumes, the decks chronicle the breath-taking discoveries of flora, fauna, and cryptozoological creatures encountered on these daring voyages. Each of the 54 cards showcases painstakingly recreated artwork, bringing to life the mythical beasts and magical landscapes uncovered during these otherworldly expeditions.

My Take:
Cryptozoology may be a new term for many of you but believe me, it has been a part of your life. Wikipedia defines it as a pseudoscience and subculture that searches for and studies unknown, legendary, or extinct animals whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, particularly those popular in folklore, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, Yeti, the chupacabra, the Jersey Devil, or the Mokele-mbembe.

If, like me, you grew up a fan of monster movies, you will be very familiar with the concept. X-files had episodes featuring it. There was even a series of moves dedicated to the premise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. .At a magic convention on Cape Cod a few years ago, I noticed a couple of guys discussing magic books so I sat down and joined them. Turns out that one of them was an actor named Peter Maloney. who had been in “The Thing” with Kurt Russell where they burned him up. Never can tell just who you meet if you take the time to be sociable.

Since I first was introduced to Simon's Dead Rebel brand, I have been a big fan of his releases. The design and the packaging are stunning. Someday, if I ever start a magic museum, Dead Rebel will have its own wing. Unlike the other magic companies that use cheap plastic wallets for their tricks. Dead Rebel often packages their materials in leather pouches which add a a whole new level of class when you take out your props to perform. This, on your working table, gives you the appearance of a true professional. I have a number of Dead Rebel products and love them all. I only wonder how many cows had to sacrifice their lives for my enjoyment. (Just kidding, Simon).

What is in the box is a leather pouch holding two specially designed and printed decks including jokers a total of 108 beautiful illustrations of some of the strangest creatures you have ever seen. Giant insects (Remember the movie, Them with huge ants?), vicious big rats, yetis, lizards, things reminiscent of Cthulhu, some very strange children and all kinds of nasty other critters. A veritable cornucopia of your nightmares.

No routines are included leaving you free to create your own scenarios. If you have any trouble watch a few of the movies they like to play at 3:00 in the morning and craft your story around them. If you have nightmares, you should be able to find just the illustrated card that you need. I think there is no end to the fun you can have with these decks.

And did I mention how beautiful they are? They are all newly illustrated but have taken great pains to resemble the artwork of the period

A truly beautiful and memorable set. Buy this and relive those sleepless nights back when you were a kid.