Nika Makes Tarot Cards!

Nika Makes Tarot Cards! is a project by illustration student Nika Alexandra, initially focusing on the 22 Major Arcana cards. These cards are designed as a companion piece to her webcomic, Sixty-Four, which explores themes of gods, ghouls, and gangs in a land scarred by holy war. The imagery of the tarot, with its roots in history and unseen power, was chosen to align with the webcomic's aesthetic, with characters from Sixty-Four cast into the roles of the Major Arcana.

The project began as a senior illustration project, with the goal of creating a full 78-card deck over time. However, the initial Kickstarter campaign in 2016 focused on funding the production of the 22 Major Arcana cards as limited-edition photopolymer etchings. Each etching was drawn with pen in a sketchbook, then burned onto a plate for reproduction. The campaign emphasized the unique nature of each print and the limited run of approximately 100 images per plate before quality degradation.

Backers received signed and numbered prints, double-sided with a decorative back, sized at 4.5"x 6.75". Some prints were also hand-colored with Caran-Dache watercolor. While the project aimed to eventually complete a full deck, the initial offering was a set of collectible art prints rather than a functional, mass-produced tarot deck, reflecting the creator's background as an illustration student exploring printmaking techniques.

This deck is primarily for collectors of unique art prints, fans of Nika Alexandra's webcomic Sixty-Four, and those who appreciate intricate, hand-drawn illustration and printmaking techniques. It appeals to individuals seeking a Major Arcana set with a distinct, narrative-driven aesthetic rather than a complete, traditional tarot system. Readers interested in the intersection of graphic novels and divination will also find this deck compelling.

Nika Alexandra, an illustration student and creator of the webcomic Sixty-Four, embarked on this tarot project as her senior academic endeavor. Known for her mini-comics about daily life, she sought to combine her illustrative skills with her webcomic's aesthetic, which delves into themes of holy war, gods, and ghouls. The project was driven by her interest in the historical and mystical roots of tarot, which she felt resonated with the narrative of Sixty-Four. Her goal was to create a full 78-card deck, starting with the Major Arcana as limited-edition etchings.