Holy handguns, Batman! I discovered this sheet of totally unlicensed Japanese karuta (trading cards) in a Shimokitazawa toy-hole. Remember, kids: when you've got a trusty .45 automatic, you don't really need any "Superfriends."
I was all set to say that this find was ALMOST, but not as quite, as great as the illegal Star Wars cards I turned up at SuperFest a few years back. Or the ones that show Mickey Mouse cavorting with creatures from the underworld. Or that series featuring ET and some stoner kicking it together.
But then I discovered something that edged them into awesomeville: the back sides of the cards are covered with an hypnotic motif of Smurfs, grannies, and... hatchets. Damn it, this means something.
I think the backs of the cards are playing cards. (Joker, deuce, Queen).
Posted by: Blake West | May 10, 2010 at 11:41 PM
What's really strange is that's totally '70s Americomi style, kinda sorta between Neal Adams and Jim Aparo and looking like stock 'key art' from DC licensing.
Very, very odd.
Posted by: Steve Harrison | May 12, 2010 at 12:17 PM
old skool batman....thats awesome. i wonder if there is a robin series floating around too haha.
Posted by: Nova | June 18, 2010 at 12:45 PM