Karnival Dead Eyes Playing Cards

Karnival Dead Eyes Playing Cards are the darkest and most fully realised entry in the Karnival series, combining macabre illustration with complete customisation across the entire deck.

Designed by Sam Hayles, every card is illustrated in full colour and themed throughout. Unlike standard Bicycle-style decks, all 56 cards are custom, including number cards, courts, jokers, and bonus cards, each reflecting the deck’s gothic, distressed aesthetic inspired by medical imagery and true-crime symbolism.

The artwork leans heavily into aged textures, blood-splattered details, and unsettling character design. Card values are printed along both long edges, allowing them to be clearly read during ribbon spreads, a deliberate choice for magicians and performers.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company using Bicycle’s sheet-fed press, the deck features USPCC Air Flow Finish for smooth handling and durability, despite the heavy ink coverage.