The Double Black Waterproof deck was produced at the same time as the Double Black Classic deck, a
recent project from Gambler's Warehouse. The overall design was a collaboration with artist John
Powell, also known in the playing card industry as Blackout Brother.
The first edition of
the Double Black deck was produced around 2014. The vision for this deck was to create something
that a secret agent would use and be proud of: "We envisioned a deck of playing cards that someone
as deadly and debonair as James Bond would pull out of their suit at a card game-- Classy and sleek
with just enough customization to be unique, yet still hold the classic style of traditional playing
cards. With this concept in mind, Double Black was born." The Double Black Classic deck is a
redesigned version of the successful original, but has more elaborate and clearer illustrations.
This special Double Black Waterproof deck was produced to complement the new Classic decks.
With this unique version, transparent spot varnish has been used on the tuck box to create a
textured and glossy look, with an embossed feel that is emphasized by the matt black of the box.
This deck features cards that are 100% plastic, and hence fully waterproof. The artwork
and designs have been applied to the cards by means of UV spot varnish, for a textured and glossy
look that matches the tuck box.
The overall effect is highly unusual and curious - the
cards look almost jet black at first glance, and it's only when you hold them up to the light at the
right angle that the glossy parts of the surface comes to life as the light reflects off it.
They're not practical for use in an actual game for this reason, but they certainly make a great
novelty item.
Unlike the main decks, due to the unique demands of all-plastic rather than
paper cards, this waterproof version has been produced in Taiwan, rather than in the United States
by USPCC. - BoardGameGeek reviewer EndersGame