About

The Buzz

So far, 2016 has been an incredible ride. With the launch of our second deck back in April, we were lucky enough to be able to travel to Cardistry-Con in Berlin. We've all been seeing Joker and the Thief slowly expand over the last 2 years and it's extremely exciting to see. This year has brought opportunity in the form of market days, magazine features, features from larger companies, and even being invited to events to deliver speeches. This is all thanks to you, our backers, our family, our supporting team! We're striving towards something great and Dystopia is the next step. Let's take it together!

- James (Founder)

Welcome to the campaign page for Joker and the Thief: Dystopia Playing Cards. There's something about the monstrous roar of a V8, and the road stretching out into eternity ahead of you. There we were, in 2015, sat comfortably in the theatre for George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road. Our eyes and ears assaulted by the gloriousness of fuel, fire, and rage. Raptured by post-apocalyptic brilliance. The Dystopian reality that we were then thrust into quickly became inspiration for our newest project.

After 12 months in the making, Dystopia Playing Cards developed into a disturbed tribute to Mad Max, Muscle Car Culture and the Australian Film Industry and outback. With the wasteland as our playground, we realised we could dial everything on this project up to 11! In other words, we went a bit mad.

The Back Design

Good Luck. Good Bye.

The V8 engine in Fury Road it is worshipped as a mechanical deity - it emanates power. We decided to incorporate this motoring cult theme directly into Dystopia's back design. The big block V8 is equipped with supercharger, blower, and exhausts, reminiscent of Max Rockatansky's Famous Interceptor - an Australian icon.

The engine is suspended by wings, possessing divine messianic symbolism, cult worship and themes of angelic guardianship. Meanwhile it is chained down, a symbol of a false deity, a construct of man - the remnants of a society that unsustainably dismantled itself through environmental destruction and globalisation. The borders of this back design are considered the 'Pillars of Society' and are represented as cracked, chipped and broken - representative of humanity's descent into a lawless dystopian future.

Ace of Spades

Witness!

Iconic. In the apocalypse, anything is possible, and anything goes. Behold, the card of death itself.

Apocalyptic Royalty

Each of the court cards featured in our first two projects were distinct in character. Symbolic imagery scattered throughout the design formed a captivating mythological theme. This is apparent yet again in Dystopia - our courts cards are legends of the wasteland, muttering secret whispers across the stark landscape.

Road Warriors

Stoic Beauty

Wasteland Warlords

The Joker and The Thief

The Rambler. The Bandit.

Their slow descent into madness make them the last souls you'd want to meet in the wasteland.

Tuck Case

Shiny and Chrome. (Digital Render).

The tuck cases for Dystopia Playing Cards will be created with an all new supplier utilised by the Expert Playing Card Company.

(Digital Render)

Dystopia will feature beautiful rich hot foil stamping, as well as heavy embossing on the tuck cases. We will be utilising a premium imported dyed paper stock (as seen in the latest Skull and Bones deck) and high quality foil and ink.

Embossing on all sides and flaps

3 Foil Colours

Interior and Exterior foil coverage

and Exterior foil coverage Black Dyed Imported Paper

Custom Shape Foil Perforated Seal

This tuck case will look amazing on your poker nights, pulling them out to perform to a spectator, residing on a shelf amonst your collection, or featured in an opening shot of one of your Cardistry Videos.

Dystopia will be the prized possession in your collection.

Custom Seal

Wasteland Gold. Torn and tattered. Foil.

100% custom. Perforated for ease of access.

The Run Down

100% Custom Pips and Fonts - Distressed and Weathered.

100% Custom Court Cards and Art Work.

Premium Quality Imported Black Dyed Paper Imported for Tuck Case

Heavy Embossing

Hot Gold, White and Red Foil Stamping - Interior and Exterior

'Ripped Look' Perforated Custom Seal

Printed by Expert Playing Card Co.

Traditionally Cut for Smooth Edges and Superior Handling

Metallic Inks

Manufacturing

The Expert Playing Card Company will manufacture Dystopia Playing Cards. This ensures that you receive the highest quality product possible, and a deck of playing cards that is both incredibly durable and handles amazingly.

Joker and the Thief: Dystopia Playing Cards will sport the highly acclaimed CLASSIC Stock and Finish. This, along with being traditionally cut, ensures snappier, smoother, crisper and more responsive cards for maximised performance.

This praised finish has both the snappiness and durability of EPCC's previous decks combined with the more papery feel and slick finish of a traditional USPCC deck. It is the best of both worlds.

LEFT: Standard USPCC Cutting. RIGHT: Precision Cutting (Our Manufacturer) EPCC

Fulfilment Service

To ensure that your decks arrive safely and quickly, Art of Play will be returning to fulfil Dystopia Playing Cards.

We were extremely impressed by the quality of Art of Play's services during our last Kickstarter campaign. Each deck was sent out securely and quickly, with no delay. As one of the most trusted brands in the industry, it is an easy choice for us to turn yet again to Art of Play.

If you are not familiar with Art of Play, they are the sister company of Dan and Dave Industries. They were trusted to distributed pledges for campaigns such as Fontaine Cards by Zach Mueller, Saturns by Franky Morales, Mirage by Patrick Kun and many others.

Because Art of Play is handling the distribution of your playing cards:

You have peace of mind that your decks will arrive safe and sound

Art of Play ship globally. Wherever you are, we can send you cards.

You receive a tracking number sent directly to your email address.

Take advantage of Free Shipping options within the USA and discounted rates around the world.

Now with even FASTER shipping worldwide.

Who We Are

Hi there, my name is James Milaras and I would like to personally thank you for visiting the Dystopia Campaign Page and pledging your support today.

In 2015, our Kickstarter family breathed life into Joker and the Thief, allowing us to create a brand that we are not only extremely proud of, but passionate about pushing towards new heights. This campaign marks the second release for 2016, with your support, White Gold Edition and Dystopia will be the catalyst that will propel Joker and the Thief into the stratosphere throughout 2017.

You, yes you, members of our awesome, committed family have not only invested in a couple of brand new decks of playing cards, but have invested in something much greater - you believed in us, and have thus invested in a dream! Thank you for trusting our creative vision, and helping us forge the path we are on today. Thank you for making all of this a reality!

A special thank you to our in-house media specialist Reuben Nutt, and to Dystopia's extremely talented illustrator - Pedro Oyarbide. A shout out to all of our friends who have supported us and pushed us, you're the greatest.

James Milaras. Owner and Co-Founder.

"Joker and the Thief was founded by two Australian Cardists, videographers and photographers that have huge love for all things playing cards.

Back in 2012, we started up a YouTube channel called Joker and the Thief Card Deck Reviews. Through this we collaborated with Art of Play. We got together on our weekends, and in our spare time to go out and location scout to shoot. We then edited in house, usually side by side, listening to music and fuelled by snacks. We had minimal equipment and a very small budget (if there really was one) Oh the joys of indie film making!

We sought to change the way deck reviews were made and in doing so, many adventures were had along the way. Since we didn't have a car at the time, our bikes and our legs were the main source of transport in our city, if we were to shoot on location. With little time, little transport, a budget of... not much, and our favourite Youtubers, Film Makers, and Cardists as our inspiration, we slowly but surely developed our skills. We had some truly memorable moments along the way. We always knew that we were going to create a deck of cards... one day. And here we are - Round 3! Third time's a charm right?"

Other Rewards (Yay!)

Bandanas

Our first product in our line of apparel. Custom Dystopia bandanas. Professionally Screen printed on 100% black dyed cotton. Manufactured in London, UK.

Prototype - Not Final

Enamel Pins

Metal pins. Adorn your post apocalyptic jacket.

Uncut Sheets

Authentic uncut sheets of Dystopia Playing Cards. Removed from the press prior to cutting and boxing. A Rare and Exclusive collector's item. Oh, and it comes with a FREE DECK of Dystopia Playing Cards!

Ready for Framing. Measures 22 inches by 26.5 inches (55.88cm x 67.31cm).

Photographic Posters

Photographic Poster of Joker and the Thief: White Gold Edition Playing Cards. A3. Gloss Finish. Signed and numbered. Ready for Framing.

Testimonials

Add-Ons

Want to add on an extra deck or two, a bandana, uncut sheet or poster to your pledge? Follow our simplified, streamlined add-on system.

Simply add on the price of your desired item as seen in the bullet points below, and adjust your pledge amount. Then, please make sure that you shoot us a message specifying exactly what you would like.

$20 aud - Adding 1 Deck to your Reward - Price Per Deck

to your Reward - $111 aud - Adding 6 Decks to your Reward

to your Reward $206 aud - Adding 12 Decks to your Reward

$16 aud - Adding a Pin to your Reward

to your Reward $33 aud - Adding a Bandana to your Reward

to your Reward $46 aud - Adding a Photographic Poster to your Reward

Poster to your Reward $70 aud - Adding an Uncut Sheet to your Reward

EXAMPLE:

Backer of 4 Deck Pledge would like to add a bandana and one more deck to their pledge.

$75aud (4 Deck Pledge) + $20aud (Single Deck Add-On) + $33aud (Bandana Add-On) = $128aud.

This Campaign

The aim of this campaign is to keep everything as simple as possible. We want to create a seamless process that is uncomplicated so that we can eliminate as much confusion as possible.

Since we are based in Australia, the campaign is funded in AUD (Australian Dollars). In each pledge option we have supplied a conversion to $USD for your convenience.

If you'd like to back more decks or other rewards with your decks we have a simple add-on guide for you to follow! Its straight forward and easy to use.

The more decks you back, the cheaper they become. We are offering 100 individual decks and 50 two deck sets for all you early birds out there, and other limited rewards. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to message us or consult our FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

**If you are a wholesaler and would like to inquire about stock for your store, send us a message here on Kickstarter or send an email to contact@jtplayingcards.com. We have also supplied a pledge option for wholesalers for your convenience.

Get in Touch!