3 new Handlordz decks for 2013: MMD #1 sketch ed., MMD #2, companion Blades deck

[Don Boyer]

This is the latest from Handlordz on Facebook, courtesy of Dee1orean:

HL Custom Decks for 2013 - Right now all our efforts are going to the AMAZING Magicians Must Die Comic Deck. We are making a special Comic Con reprint of the first issue with sketch comic cover, will have the all new HOT 2nd issue, and a companion "Blades Deck" featuring the back design of the Blades cards that appear in the 2nd issue. It will be a Cross-over "Blades Deck" made in limited runs. Will feature normal Blades faces, stock and finish, but will have a special back design made specially for each issue featuring a weapon from the comic. Those of you that have MMD #1 saw that the cards used was the Blades Blood Edition, and people loved this! So we decided to make a Blades companion deck with each issue. The will be sold separately. There "may" be a Special Edition Blades Deck and another PRO XCM Deck in the future, but right now everything is geared toward Denver Comic Con and our one of a kind Comic Decks. That's all we have planned thus far for 2013, but anything can happen!

...and DISCUSS! 

[KPopFever605]

(yawn) .... lost me at Blades...

In all seriousness, if his decks are a success, I may decide of picking up one of each issue. Although I didn't pick up the first issue, I kind of like the whole idea of a comic book deck. Haven't read a comic book in a long time.

Who knows, maybe these comic books will skyrocket in prices, like all those mint-condition comics online.

[Don Boyer]

A big announcement from Handlordz, sent by email today:

The hottest playing cards this year are coming in just a couple of weeks - end of April!

DE'VO'S BLADES - THE BRAND NEW MMD MIDNIGHT EDITION (Blood Spear)
One of our best selling and acclaimed decks of all time - The Midnight Edition Blades - are coming back with an all new back design featuring weapons used in our amazing MMD Comics.  This deck features all black faces, a new back design, double black ink, special stock/finish combination and a couple of special things we do to our Blades decks making them the best handling decks on the market!  The bold colors and amazing faces make these special Midnight Edition Blades stand out. http://www.xtremehandz.com/catalog/item/1177704/9797956.htm   

PRICE - These hot new decks will have a special introductory price of just $6.99 on our store, but will go up between $9.99-$11.99 end of May if they even last that long.

MMD #2 COMIC - Magicians Must Die
This is the 2nd issue to our very popular Magicians Must Die Comic Deck series - the world's first comic series printed on a deck of playing cards!  This issue continue the journey where the first left off, diving into a crazy world full of amazing characters and events.  With amazing artwork by Jay Peteranetz, many of our fans frame the comic on their wall.  The story and artwork make this one of a kind series a piece of art every card lover and magician must have!  This deck features special Ace of Spades, and Custom Jokers, with Blades face cards.  4 color back design that transforms into a giant comic about magicians and card masters.  One of a kind unique and amazing product! http://www.xtremehandz.com/catalog/item/1177704/9758821.htm

PRICE - The amazing 2nd issue of MMD will have a special introductory price of just $7.99 on our store, but will got up between $9.99 - $19.99 end of May.

MMD #1 Comic reprint - Special Edition Sketch Cover
The very first issue of MMD sold out in just a week and a half, and some copies can now be found on ebay for $40 or more!  We now offer the first issue again for those that didn't get a copy, but with a special sketch cover. The back side of the deck is blank so that you, or an artist can "sketch" their own cover.  The artist of MMD may be available to make custom cover sketches for a fee yet to be determined.  If you missed the first issue, or are a collector, be sure to pick up the special sketch cover edition of MMD #1! http://www.xtremehandz.com/catalog/item/1177704/9554633.htm

PRICE - The amazing 1st issue of MMD will have a special introductory price of just $7.99 on our store, but will got up between $9.99 - $19.99 end of May.

DENVER COMIC CON
HANDLORDZ, Jerry, De'vo, Q, and Jay Peteranetz at Denver Comic Con!
31 May, 1 June, and 2 June 2013 we'll have a booth at Denver Comic Con for our super hot comic "Magicians Must Die".  We will have additional HL products there as well.  Jerry the Flourishman, Q, De'vo and the MMD artist Jay Peteranetz will all be at our booth and available for signing products on Saturday 1 June, from 1-4 pm.  Don't miss this very special chance to meet our superstars and pick up some incredible products!

NEW STORE CART
In preparation for this launch in just a couple of weeks, we will have an all new store cart to help properly calculate shipping prices and make your shopping experience a great one!  The URL of xtremehandz.com will stay the same.  Thanks for your continued support, as we strive to make improvements.

Thanks for reading the HL Newzletter,
HL TEAM

It's a little confusing, because they've already announced a release date of June 1st for the two MMD decks, but now they're saying they're coming before the end of this month...  Even the ad copy on the pages isn't entirely clear on this.

At least we now know what's the deal with the MMD #1 Sketch Edition - it's the same deck with a blank back on the box, and the artist will be at Denver Comic-Con drawing on tuck boxes for an unspecified fee.  It's a bit less exciting if you aren't going to the convention...

[Michael]

When I see these and state at them they might grow on me so I'll hold off deciding on getting them or not. But I don't have any of De'vo's decks in my collection so if these do end up growing on me, they'll be the first!

[Don Boyer]

I started losing interest in Handlordz decks with that "Pro Cardistry" deck.  I found Dominion to be impractical on so many levels, and the final straw was MMD #1 - he usually uses this euphemistic acronym rather than the actual title, "Magicians Must Die," when selling it because if the parents of the kids who buy this stuff caught wind, they'd have a much more negative opinion about it.  Frankly, I found the idea offensive, and the fact that he keeps playing up some silly, now-dead rivalry between cardists (oh, forgive me - "XCMers") and magicians for profit is even more offensive.  He markets and sells this stuff to people to give them a sense of belonging to something exclusive and elite which doesn't really exist and it's gone beyond ridiculous.

If he needs this stuff to make himself feel special (and wealthy), then whatever - but that doesn't mean I should feel compelled to make him wealthier.  I find that my money can be better spent than by promoting and furthering the agenda of someone who makes his money by creating divisiveness and conflict.

[Michael]

Hmmm rereading my post I realize I didn't put in part of what I wanted to say. I forgot to mention that "Magicians Must Die" is kind of crude and not really a good choice when selling playing cards.. That magicians tends to use. But hey, someone will always buy it.

[Don Boyer]

Hmmm rereading my post I realize I didn't put in part of what I wanted to say. I forgot to mention that "Magicians Must Die" is kind of crude and not really a good choice when selling playing cards.. That magicians tends to use. But hey, someone will always buy it.

You may or may not know this about De'vo, but he doesn't give a rat's ass about magicians.  He's so "exclusive", he doesn't even give "flourishers" or "cardists" the time of day (hence the April Fool's deck of last year, the unicorn-friendly "Pro-Cardistry" deck) - he's all about the "XCMers".  Seriously, it rolls off the tongue like a barrel of broken glass with nails sticking out.

His pet peeve is that when "XCM" tried branching out into its own art, with him somewhere behind it, magicians supposedly scoffed at the idea and openly ridiculed it.  I've never heard this from anywhere else but him, and some of the best-known cardists, such as Dan and Dave Buck, are also accomplished magicians.  But when advertised with his "us versus them" mentality, his decks have a certain appeal to people (mostly teenagers and young adults) with feelings of alienation as it gives them something uniquely theirs to which they can "belong" - if they buy all the stuff Handlordz sells...  It's like one of those celebrity fan clubs the sole reason of which to exist is to hawk the celebrity's branded wares.  Such a schism may have existed once to some minor degree, but if so it's long gone except in the mind and wallet of De'vo vom Schattenreich.  (Don't even get me started on that wackjob of a stage name...)

[Michael]

I actually didn't know a lot of that but it certainly does alter my anticipation of any of these decks. I mean I would still like to see it for the sake of seeing it but it makes me adverse to buying it in support. I wouldn't consider myself a magician but I definitely like practicing small sleights here and there and tricks and have a healthy respect for magicians.

[Don Boyer]

I actually didn't know a lot of that but it certainly does alter my anticipation of any of these decks. I mean I would still like to see it for the sake of seeing it but it makes me adverse to buying it in support. I wouldn't consider myself a magician but I definitely like practicing small sleights here and there and tricks and have a healthy respect for magicians.

When a guy names a deck "Magicians Must Die" with graphic depictions of magicians being executed, well...it says something.

[Michael]

I actually didn't know a lot of that but it certainly does alter my anticipation of any of these decks. I mean I would still like to see it for the sake of seeing it but it makes me adverse to buying it in support. I wouldn't consider myself a magician but I definitely like practicing small sleights here and there and tricks and have a healthy respect for magicians.

When a guy names a deck "Magicians Must Die" with graphic depictions of magicians being executed, well...it says something.

Yes. It's a clear dislike (dare I say hate?) for magicians. Tactless if you ask me. Well, maybe there's a good reason that I don't own any of his decks.

[Don Boyer]

Yes. It's a clear dislike (dare I say hate?) for magicians. Tactless if you ask me. Well, maybe there's a good reason that I don't own any of his decks.

He's behaving ungratefully, when you get down to it.  Without magicians, his preferred art form wouldn't even exist.