2022 Year In Review and Look Ahead

Well, that's a wrap! We want to thank you for sharing in the wonder of playing cards with us in 2022. It was an amazing year with many successes throughout the year, made possible by each of you. 

Here's a run-down of 2022 and what to expect in 2023!

• Ukraine Wonder - In early 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and displaced millions of refugees. Feeling a need to help, we reached into our pockets to produce the Wonder Playing Cards - Ukraine Edition. All proceeds from that deck have been given to refugees in Ukraine. To date, we have given over $10,000. This was a community accomplishment and we're grateful for the support. 
• We launched, and successfully funded, our fourth successful Kickstarter campaign - Royal Wonders. Nearly 400 backers supported this campaign to make it possible!
• In early 2022 we started work on the all new TRICS deck that we revealed at the Carolina Close-up Convention November. The deck was designed in collaboration with Ade Suryana and we couldn't be happier with the results. If you're into magic and want to see the best magicians in the world, you should really check out the TRICS convention. 
• The 52 Plus Joker Convention convention in Pittsburgh was a blast! We got to hang out with most of the top designers, collectors, and card makers in the world. If you're not a member of the club, you should really consider joining. 
• We closed out the year with over 400 mystery decks and nearly 1000 WIN points awarded in Golden Tickets. Be on the lookout for these again next holiday season.

What you might not have known is that during 2022 we were steadily working on decks to be released in 2023 and 2024. I'm excited to announce some exciting partnerships and give you a sneak peek at what's coming! 

• First, in February of 2023, we are launching our final Wonder Playing Cards campaign on Kickstarter. We may do another one in the future, but this is the final one for at least a year or two. This one is the Emerald Wonder and might be my favorite one yet! 
• In September or October of next year we are launching another Kickstarter, but this time in collaboration with Jody Eklund. Jody is the mastermind behind BlackInk Branded and the illustrator of some amazing decks including the 52 Plus Joker deck for 2022. Jody is starting the artwork in the next couple of weeks, so I'll be sure to share progress as we move forward. 
• Also in 2022, I worked with a talented artist, John Battalgazzi on a deck inspired by the incomparable Dizzy Gillespie from my hometown in South Carolina. We'll be releasing that deck in 2023, so stay tuned! 
• Another deck in the works is something outside our normal decks with intricate artwork and foil tucks. We are working on a series of decks based on artwork from different decades. Certainly, more to come on this one!  
• For over a year I've been talking to the uber talented Russ Gray, the mastermind behind decks like The Avengers, James Bond, Harry Potter, Batman, and many other decks about doing a project for us. We finally arrived at the perfect concept for a deck and I'm happy to say, Russ has already started working on it. These decks are based on German folklore and fairytales with the first deck being release in 2024. In fact, we're heading to Germany in early 2023 to do some scouting and research for the project! We're really excited about this deck and can't wait to share the creation experience with you over the next six months. 

As you can see, we have a lot in store over the next several months and I couldn't be more excited to go on this journey with you. 

Until next time, happy holidays! 

Chris