About
The Hanzamonstas Playing Cards is borne out of a dream that gave my days colour during the last Covid-19 lockdown in Melbourne. In October 2021, I drew daily to Inktober prompts, with the intention of designing my very own deck of cards. The Kickstarter campaign for Hanzamonstas Playing Cards was fully funded on 3 April 2022. The cards are currently being shipped to Australia to be repackaged and mailed out by the end of July 2022. During this time, you can still pre-order decks of cards at the same price as backers in the campaign.
Card Specs
The Hanzamonstas playing card deck has 55 cards: a custom card back, standard number cards, 12 custom face cards, 2 custom jokers, a custom ace of spades, and a double backer gaff card. They are printed on 310gsm German black core paper, linen stock, for topmost quality and smooth handling.
Jacks
Jack of Spades was inspired by the prompt "Raven". I was playing a videogame set in ancient Greece, and my character would upgrade their masks, wings, armour and weapons through the game. My Jack of Spades is a melding of mask and wings to look like a raven.
Jack of Diamonds was inspired by the prompt "Sour". I love stories; when I saw this prompt, I thought about the fable, The Fox and the Grapes.
Jack of Clubs was inspired by the prompt "Tick". My tick, as in tick tock, led to me thinking about a pocket watch (because they are cool AF) and that led to the White Rabbit in AiW.
Jack of Hearts was inspired by the prompt "Pick". Claw machines are trending in Singapore at the moment. My Jack of Hearts was the pick of the day for me!
Queens
Queen of Spades was inspired by the prompt "Moon". Moon, owl, kinda self-explanatory.
Queen of Diamonds was inspired by the prompt "Crystal". The diamond suit is of the earth element, so I coupled the crystal with fungi for the earthy feel.
Queen of Clubs was inspired by the prompt "Patch". This is a patch on a mask. Like I said, I'm into masks.
Queen of Hearts was inspired by the prompt "Vessel". The heart suit is of the water element, and is a vessel; and the queen of my heart has to be a pirate queen.
Kings
King of Spades was inspired by the prompt "Pressure". Being in a labyrinth with a minotaur will surely be an episode of extreme pressure.
King of Diamonds was inspired by the prompt "Helmet". This is a samurai helmet, a la Shredder in TMNT!
King of Clubs was inspired by the prompt "Knot". I started drawing a hipster with a knotted beard and hair, then added a celtic knot on his forehead for good measure.
King of Hearts was inspired by the prompt "Risk". The vampire is risking his life to see the sunset.
Ace of Spades and Jokers
Ace of Spades was inspired by the prompt "Suit". The spades suit is of the air element, so I drew an air mask which, coincidentally, fits the spades shape to a tee.
Joker #1 was inspired by the prompt "Compass". Literally.
Joker #2 was inspired by the prompt "Loop". The wrap loops around the mummy's face.
If you'd like to tattoo any of these artwork, you can do so by purchasing a tattoo ticket.
