UC 2014 Annual decks: "Grotesque" by Lotrek

[Sher]

pssst... Friday, the 1st - on CardLauncher. Funding begins at 12:01AM Eastern/NYC time.

That's messed up. I actually whispered in my head while reading that.

Haha im not quite sure i follow ? I dont think its that much of a secret that dark venexania will be at the starting line up of CL's launch

No, it's not but he wrote "pssst" and for some reason I read the rest of it whispering to myself. That's what was so funny.

It's okay. That's how I read it to myself, too.

[Mike Ratledge]

That's messed up. I actually whispered in my head while reading that.

Haha im not quite sure i follow ? I dont think its that much of a secret that dark venexania will be at the starting line up of CL's launch

No, it's not but he wrote "pssst" and for some reason I read the rest of it whispering to myself. That's what was so funny.

It's okay. That's how I read it to myself, too.

Just to keep everyone up to date, because of the screwup by the people cutting the Venexiana Gold deck the first time, these might be delayed to the 19th 'second wave'. Probably I'll have to say at this point.

[Cbkimble]

Just to keep everyone up to date, because of the screwup by the people cutting the Venexiana Gold deck the first time, these might be delayed to the 19th 'second wave'. Probably I'll have to say at this point.

The 19th of August?

[chach]

Just to keep everyone up to date, because of the screwup by the people cutting the Venexiana Gold deck the first time, these might be delayed to the 19th 'second wave'. Probably I'll have to say at this point.

The 19th of August?

I think he means the Venexiana Dark launch, which was supposed to launch with the kickoff of Card Launcher on August 1st, will now start around the 19th, but who knows really, shit changes around here all the time, but perhaps a new thread should be started to discuss Venexiana Dark since this is the Grotesque thread...

[Cbkimble]

Just to keep everyone up to date, because of the screwup by the people cutting the Venexiana Gold deck the first time, these might be delayed to the 19th 'second wave'. Probably I'll have to say at this point.

The 19th of August?

I think he means the Venexiana Dark launch, which was supposed to launch with the kickoff of Card Launcher on August 1st, will now start around the 19th, but who knows really, shit changes around here all the time, but perhaps a new thread should be started to discuss Venexiana Dark since this is the Grotesque thread...

Oh ok. I see now. Yeah, a new thread might be a good idea.

[mmiikk]

so has anyone finally got one yet? im super keen to hear and see how they turned out.

[Mike Ratledge]

so has anyone finally got one yet? im super keen to hear and see how they turned out.

I have a couple waiting for me at home, but the general shipping just started. I had them ship me a set of 3 each to see how they turned out. I will post pix here this evening.

I'll also start a new thread for "Dark Venexiana" - coming August 19th to CardLauncher.

[Mike Ratledge]

With all the teasing and tormenting I do, I laid off this, but it is with great pleasure for Lotrek & myself I do the grand reveal:

The UC2014/Grotesque decks, and also the cards nobody saw: Joker diptych complete with yours truly and wife on the right, and Eoghann and wife on the left.

Also, one of the gaffs - a second King of Hearts with a smile, so you Magicians can turn the original KoH frown upside-down.

On their way from us to you...

[Widdee]

Sweet, sweet, sweet! Looking forward to getting my meathooks on these.

[Sher]

Mike, do you have a clearer picture of the first one? I'd love to see the details on the diptych jokers.

[Eoghann]

Here's a pretty much finished sketch minus a few alterations.

For what it's worth, upon seeing the tier, my intention was to "keep it in the family" and not let some other user outside UC nab it. Made more sense to me.

Rounding up the entire staff and splitting the tier into itty bitty pieces would've proven a difficult task and not to mention unfair for Lotrek to draw everybody when the tier only called for one person's pledge. Figured I'd go halfsies with the owner of the site and Lotrek was cool with it.

Just for fun, here's would it would've looked like had I not shared the tier. When more joined in, we suggested Lotrek to do a group of gargoyles holding the UC logo, I think he did a fantastic job.

Really hope you guys like it.

[chach]

Very cool.

[Mike Ratledge]

Here's an art print of the diptych. I have had it for months - literally, and kept it quiet until all was ready. After all, Dan and I are wired beasts...

[volantangel]

Haha I was in on it as well mike, now when is my "special" package gonna arrive..

[MagikFingerz]

Damn, you guys must work out

[mmiikk]

that ace of spades is still my all-time favourite. cant wait to play this deck.

[Lotrek]

Mike, you have a real talent on taking blurry photos!

[volantangel]

Mike, you have a real talent on taking blurry photos!

Hahaha +1

[Strag]

On their way from us to you...

Are you using Michigan Mailers? If so, have you told them about all the problems with the shipping of Rick's deck and are they going to be changing processes? Just curious because I am seeing more and more damaged decks due to horrible packaging lately.

[Sher]

On their way from us to you...

Are you using Michigan Mailers? If so, have you told them about all the problems with the shipping of Rick's deck and are they going to be changing processes? Just curious because I am seeing more and more damaged decks due to horrible packaging lately.

Mike did talk to them, so hopefully the Grotesque decks will arrived undamaged. I found this on the Origins thread:

I've received decks in those bags before. they were just wrapped tightly in bubble wrap and then again with the envelop. IMO, Michigan Mailers dropped the ball big time. I hope Lotrek's Grotesque doesn't suffer the same fate.

I"m willing to bet that they won't, actually. I kind of sat up and took notice, and sent out a 'uniform shipping method' statement to all the fulfillment vendors, and LMM is one of them. I'm not willing to say it can't happen again, but if it does, please let me know as soon as possible. I +am+ willing to say the it =should= not happen again.

[Mike Ratledge]

Mike, you have a real talent on taking blurry photos!

Hahaha +1

You laugh all you want, Kai! I'm going to make you fly into Charleston in October 15-18th to be at the 52+Joker convention and I'll get some lessons. It's just a crappy cell phone, and I don't often bother to grab my Canon 20mp unit and use it. Yes, I'm lazy. Yes, I am painfully aware that I take crappy pictures, but the second one of the print came out much better - I opened the curtains for more natural light. That comes at a price here right now: heat indices for the past three days have been 110+ and Monday it was 117.

It takes two hours to cool the room back down if I open the front bay window for more than about a minute...

[Mike Ratledge]

On their way from us to you...

Are you using Michigan Mailers? If so, have you told them about all the problems with the shipping of Rick's deck and are they going to be changing processes? Just curious because I am seeing more and more damaged decks due to horrible packaging lately.

Actually, I established a new baseline for packing standard across the board with all of the fulfillment centers and LMM is indeed one of them. Let me know how that goes.

[MagikFingerz]

Mike, I don't like to brag but I'm actually a much better photographer than Kai. You should fly me in instead

[Mike Ratledge]

Mike, I don't like to brag but I'm actually a much better photographer than Kai. You should fly me in instead

Good, I need all the help I can get - obviously!

[Eoghann]

I work great as scenery. Really make the decks pop. Fly me! Fly me!

[Maddest Hammer]

Mike, I don't like to brag but I'm actually a much better photographer than Kai. You should fly me in instead

Good, I need all the help I can get - obviously!

What neither of these guys have bothered to mention, one of the rules of photography...Mediocre light, mediocre pictures. Either that, or hold your phone with both hands...

[sinjin7]

If Mike's using his cell phone, he's probably not wiping off the lens before taking the picture. The blurriness might be from fingerprints or smudges on his cell phone.

I can't wait to get my brick! Speaking of the Annual UC deck, shouldn't we be hearing about who's lined up to do the 2015 deck?

[Mike Ratledge]

If Mike's using his cell phone, he's probably not wiping off the lens before taking the picture. The blurriness might be from fingerprints or smudges on his cell phone.

I can't wait to get my brick! Speaking of the Annual UC deck, shouldn't we be hearing about who's lined up to do the 2015 deck?

Well, it's not the lens, it's the photographer and the lack of good lighting, frankly. I can do better, but it's so damned hot I just can't stand opening the blinds right now. I always screw up flash photography, so that's not the solution, either.

The UC2015 Annual Deck artist is classified, and in fact will not be revealed until around the holidays, although I suspect that we will fund the deck (on CL of course) around the middle of October so we can actually celebrate the new year or soon after with the arrival of the decks, rather than be sitting here 3 months after USPCC was supposed to have them to us still waiting on shipping to arrive.

I can say that as of today, the shipping is substantially complete, at least 90%+ anyway. Supposed to be done tomorrow. You'll like my choice for the 2015 deck, quite certain! I don't see how it's possible otherwise.

[chach]

. You'll like my choice for the 2015 deck, quite certain! I don't see how it's possible otherwise.

Dude, let Loenzo take a break for a bit.

[Cbkimble]

Beautiful decks, all came wrapped in two layers of bubblewrap and foam peanuts for extra protection. Excellent job by LMM this go round. Still waiting on my uncut though.