Pop Culture in Playing Cards

As the ‘culture of the people’, contemporary popular culture is a product of economically more developed countries and arises from a combination of advances in technology and increased leisure time. Popular culture is also informed by the mass media. Iconic brands aim to be sold to large numbers of people as a commodity. Certain currents of pop culture may originate from or diverge into a subculture. Many new cardistry and Kickstarter decks fall into this category.

Adventure Time
‘Adventure Time’ cult sci-fi playing cards published by Forbidden Planet.

Alien Arcana Tarot
A series of three tarot decks inspired by the Alien film franchise, created by Roy Huteson Stewart.

Avengers Playing Cards by Theory11
Marvel’s Avengers: The Infinity Saga Premium Playing Cards produced by Theory11 and designed by Mattson Creative, 2021.

Back to the 80s Lenormand
History meets pop culture in a 36-card set that pays tribute to Lenormand's legacy and the colourful world of 1980s Japanese-style comics.

Bandana
Bandana Argentine pop girl group playing cards 2002.

Beano Playing Cards
Beano Playing Cards published by Wild & Wolf, 2009.

Bicycle Cybertech
Bicycle Cybertech playing cards inspired by cyberpunk genre, illustrated by Jamie Meza, 2019.

Bicycle EveRydAy zomBIES
Bicycle “EveRydAy zomBIES” playing cards with artwork by Rob Sacchetto, USA, 2013.

Branded Tarot Decks and Modern Mystic Lifestyle
Taking a closer look at the rise of media tie-in branded tarot deck and esoteric lifestyle of younger generations.

Breaking Bad Playing Cards
“Breaking Bad” fan deck designed by Albino Dragon and manufactured by the USPCC in 2014.

Breaking Bad Playing Cards
A set of cards inspired by the hit TV show Breaking Bad, created by Jeff Nichol.

Britney Spears Oracle
Britney Spears Oracle: A Deck and Guidebook to Be Stronger Than Yesterday — a card set for Britney fans and collectors.

Calavera Playing Cards
Calavera playing cards designed by Jirs Huygen for Cartamundi, 2015

Crikey!
Crikey! Classic British Comics playing cards published by Bird Playing Cards, 2013.

Cult Movie Cards
Paul Willoughby has cleverly captured the quintessence from 54 classic cult movies into a pack of playing cards. How many can you identify?

Cyberpunk 2077 Tarot Cards
Polish cartoonist Jakub Rebelka created this set of tarot cards for the Cyberpunk 2077 video game.

Cyberpunk Playing Cards by Elephant
Cyberpunk playing cards, combining themes of lowlife and high tech. Created by Ben Jones, produced by Elephant Playing Cards, 2019.

Dandy Rock’n Bubble
56 rock and pop stars of the 1980s, issued in Denmark with bubble gum.

DC Comics Originals
Waddingtons ‘DC Comics Originals’ deck from 2014 featuring ‘Batman’,‘Wonder Woman’, ‘Justice League’ and ‘Superman’

Die Another Day 007
“007 Die Another Day” James Bond themed playing cards, 2002.