Whedonesque Mobile : Comments on 16696 : Buffy Tarot Deck cancelled.

Aw, damn.

pat32082 | June 25, 16:45 CET

Total letdown. I had the cash in my hands, Dark Horse. Your loss.

I wonder what kind of drama conspired to bring down such a wonderful idea?

CowboyCliche | June 25, 16:57 CET

That's a shame since this tie-in seemed to generate a lot of interest.

Given that, it presumably wasn't for lack of demand, wonder what happened ? Copyright infringement (can you copyright superstitions ? Cos if so, dibs on touching wood and the one about spilled salt ;) ? Or maybe someone vetoed their likeness ?

Saje | June 25, 16:58 CET

Oh damn, damn, damn:/
This was the one piece of fanswag I wanted all year. DAMN.
*sniff*

JessicaMelusine | June 25, 16:59 CET

That is a bummer. Maybe they could put the images online for wallpaper purposes (she says more in hope than any belief that would actually happen).

moley75 | June 25, 17:02 CET

Too bad -- must have been a problem with the music rights.

doghouse | June 25, 17:11 CET

Moley brings up a good point. What happens to all the fabulous paintings for the cards? That's an entire deck of beautiful pictures that, what, gets put away in some Dark Horse vault? Weak...

CowboyCliche | June 25, 17:12 CET

Anyone know of a good email contact for which I (and anyone else if they wish) could at least let them know that would have been super keen.

Will we ever know what kind of "circumstances beyond our control"?

paxomen | June 25, 17:16 CET

Well, poo.

OzLady | June 25, 17:17 CET

That sucks. I really wanted one of those.

missmuffet | June 25, 17:22 CET

That wasn't on the cards. I wonder if the Ouija board will go the same way.

Simon | June 25, 17:26 CET

Paxomen, I went to "Contact Us" at Dark Horse and wrote. Hope that helps.

Again, sigh.

JessicaMelusine | June 25, 17:36 CET

I'm drawing a blank, did they ever use a ouija board on Buffy? Or even Tarot Cards? But even if they didn't use the cards, I still would have got a set. I collect Tarot cards.

NYPinTA | June 25, 17:39 CET

Tara did tarot. (I made a funny.)

pat32082 | June 25, 17:43 CET

That wasn't on the cards. I wonder if the Ouija board will go the same way.

*rimshot*. Re: Ouija board ... ~~P ... R ... O ... B ... A ...~~ ... Y ... E ... S ...

Saje | June 25, 17:45 CET

NypPinTa, Drusilla used tarot cards in season 2 a few times, too. As for a ouija board, I don't recall them ever using one (those things frankly creep me out).

Meltha | June 25, 17:46 CET

"Tara did tarot. (I made a funny.)"

Pat32082As I recall, she used the Thoth deck, but I'd have to go check my screencaps...!

JessicaMelusine | June 25, 17:49 CET

Wow, I really wanted to get this, not so much because of the tarot aspect but because the art they had shown was amazing. I really hope, like Moley said, that they could put the art to some sort of use, because it was really well done.

ChampBlankman | June 25, 18:23 CET

Crap. This was the first piece of Licensed Merchandise I'd had any real interest in for a long time.

Rowan Hawthorn | June 25, 18:25 CET

This makes me really really sad. :(

Sweet Fragility | June 25, 18:25 CET

I'm not interested in Tarot, but I really wanted the deck. The artwork looked amazing.

redeem147 | June 25, 18:28 CET

Well that's sad to hear. They seemed to have put a lot of thought and work into it. I feel bad for the artists.

Sunfire | June 25, 18:31 CET

NOOOO!

Damn!

DebLipp | June 25, 18:33 CET

NYPinTA, Drusilla used tarot cards in season 2 a few times, too.

Oh right. Thanks.

NYPinTA | June 25, 18:44 CET

I didn't want to buy these, but I did want them to exist. I would have liked to see how they did them, so I'm hoping some more images and explanations will make their way to the net.

ManEnoughToAdmitIt | June 25, 18:57 CET

Ouija boards were a Charmed thing, for a while anyway (though it had a special design and, IIRC, was called a "Spirit Board", presumably for copyright reasons). I can't recall ever seeing one on BtVS.

Charmed used it as a plot device to get needed information into the characters' hands. Buffy's writers just had the Scoobies do research or beat up Willy.

It is a shame about the Tarot deck. I was seriously considering to get one for use in the Buffy RPG series I'm getting ready to start running.

Vague That Up | June 25, 19:22 CET

This is very sucky news.I was really looking forward to picking this up.

Buffyfantic | June 25, 19:38 CET

Darn, I preordered this as soon as I could. Color me disappointed.

Mal'sGal | June 25, 19:41 CET

dang it, i really wanted those.

whiterabbit | June 25, 19:48 CET

I'll speculate that this is more of a production cost issue than anything else. I remember the price being $14.95 a few months back when this first was announced. Now when I click the link, it shows a price of $30. I could be wrong (as this is just from memory) but I can totally picture myself saying, "wow, 15 bucks, maybe I'll get two sets."

I'll bet the cost of production of this high quality, heavy paper set was much higher than anticipated by Dark Horse.

alexreager | June 25, 19:52 CET

This was going to be my first ever Buffy-related purchase. Dang.

daevid | June 25, 19:54 CET

I don't know why this issue would have cropped up now and not much, much sooner, but is it possible one of those whose likenesses were to appear hadn't been checked with? Perhaps they don't have to have everyone's approval on the comics, but didn't realize this might not be the same contractual thing?

Also, I've had a few friends who, despite not being particularly superstitious, are really, really wigged out by tarot cards. If someone who was going to appear in the cards falls into that category, they might be expected to make a big fuss.

Totally unfounded speculation, go! But I am curious how one negotiates rights to this sort of thing, especially with such a large cast potentially appearing.

(Also, aww. They were indeed listing at 15 bucks, but I most likely would've bought one at 30 if that'd been it)

siwangmu | June 25, 20:30 CET

Seems if it was just production costs, they'd say so, and maybe float the higher offer.

The 'nothing to see, move it along' feel of the announcement makes me wonder if some thoughtful zealot shot it down.

You know, to protect the children.

WhoDied | June 25, 20:30 CET

I think it's just a reflection of the economic times we're in. I reckon we're going to see more and more comic book/tv related products getting cancelled across the board. Diamond has pretty much killed off their Buffy action figure range (last time I looked anyhow).

Simon | June 25, 20:32 CET

Ugh, I was really looking forward to this.

Ameer | June 25, 20:33 CET

Now I have to find another birthday gift for my one and only Buffy friend. She's very wiccalite and would have loved them. Plus I had a deck reserved for me. Sucks.

Here's hoping that another company will produce them since Dark Horse is out.

deadbessie | June 25, 20:57 CET

I think it's a long walk to blame the economy for a tarot deck being cancelled -- it's not like people are buying fewer Wii's.

Personally, I always thought it, and the "Not a Ouija" board were... pretty tacky as far as merchandising tie-ins. What was coming up after that, Sunnydale Monopoly (okay, that would be pretty cool)? Season 8 "Risk"?

Fewer parlor games, somewhat more console or PC games, an MMO, maybe a direct-to-DVD animated movie to fill in between Season 7 and Season 8.

KingofCretins | June 25, 21:02 CET

Season 8 Risk, would be so entertaining. Big fan of Risk, which weirdly is calld "War" in Brazil.
The Monopoly thing would be interesting also.

Anyway, I did pre-order it, mostly for the art work, so it's just a little less money I'll be spending that month.

Numfar PTB | June 25, 21:06 CET

I hope it wasn't complaints about the choices of characters for various cards that got it cancelled, because that would be... well, dumb.

[ edited by KingofCretins on 2008-06-25 18:08 ]

KingofCretins | June 25, 21:08 CET

I think alexreager probably has it right.

Given what we know of the actors, the only one who seems likely to entirely withhold permission might be Robia LaMorte, and her absence might diminish, but would certainly not torpedo, the deck. HOWEVER, I can see that licensing costs might be too high for some actors or charaters--does IDW have any sort of exclusivity over Angel, Spike, etc.?

jclemens | June 25, 21:09 CET

Aw that sucks. I was looking forward to getting them

Mr.Pointy | June 25, 21:23 CET

It could be a legal rights squabble between various companies, too, with none of "our heros" involved.

htom | June 25, 21:32 CET

Monopoly: Sunnydale would be awesome. Instead of jail, it'd be a hell demension. Instead of railroads and utilities, they'd be power items and spells! C'mon. That'd be fun. I'm the Top Hat!

NYPinTA | June 25, 22:19 CET

NYPinTA, I'm with you! (and I'm the car ~ a DeSoto of course) How tremendously cool would a Sunnydale Monoply be?

Think of the properties: Willy's Alibi Room, The Bronze, City Hall, Sunnydale High, each of the character's houses, Spike's crypt, the sewer system, Lowell House and UC Sunnydale, the Initiative complex,... the options are endless and all spectacular!

I may be imagining it, but I swear I remember seeing a "make your own"-opoly kit or template for sale online somewhere. I may have to do some investigating......

ETA: The "make your own" kits are pretty lame and missing key Monopoly aspects. The official Hasbro-sanctioned kit allows only limited customization and is available only to UK customers, although it is printed on an official board and comes with nice packaging and all the original bits and pieces.

[ edited by thundercat on 2008-06-25 20:26 ]

thundercat | June 25, 22:36 CET

Monopoly, Buffy Edition! Each color-bar neighborhood a different season's locations: purple (season 1) Principal Flutie's office and the school cafeteria, gray (season 2) the school library, the cemetery and the factory, maroon (season 3) Giles's apartment, Angel's pad and the Mayor's office, etc. Jail is the Hellmouth, Free Parking is the Bronze.

I'm the shoe.

doghouse | June 25, 22:43 CET

Well, this is the uber suck. :/

Jossfan_21 | June 25, 23:02 CET

I had one "Scotland Yard" game where we are supposed to play as Sherlock Holmes to solve crimes.
This could be a good game with a Buffy version. Like, we should find out who had commited the crime, how and the way to kill the monster.

Brasilian Chaos Man | June 25, 23:31 CET

Aw, what a pity! I pre-ordered the deck as well, and was looking forward to getting it.

Mae | June 25, 23:39 CET

Maybe it's because there wasn't enough pre-order interest, and so they decided to ditch them.

Seems strange to leave it so late in the day though.

sueworld2003 | June 26, 00:31 CET

Like, we should find out who had commited the crime, how and the way to kill the monster. Like Clue, but then you get to dust the killer? I'd play that too!

NYPinTA | June 26, 00:40 CET

Does anyone know who the artist was for these cards? It's very possible that the originals may be for sale.

Night Gallery | June 26, 00:54 CET

I'm really sad about this too. I don't think it was production costs that killed it; many tarot decks are in the 30 dollar range. There's a Vertigo tarot set that costs 40. The "circumstances beyond our control" line makes me think it has something to do with rights.

EmmBee | June 26, 00:54 CET

Sunnydale Monopoly? I'm in!

Shame about the cards.

zillah | June 26, 01:03 CET

It's on the Dark Horse front page as well. A lot of people must have pre-ordered it to warrant such an apology (plus there was all that publicity as well).

Simon | June 26, 01:10 CET

I probably wasn't going to buy it, but it's a shame that all those nice pieces of art won't get to see the light of day. I hope the artists were compensated, at least.

dingoes8 | June 26, 02:29 CET

I, for one, am outraged. I was really looking forward to it... REALLY... I was going to buy two decks, one to keep in the package forever (and to therefore accumulate value), and one to play with and admire, and possibly frame... T_T

I'm so heartbroken =(

Mrs.BigPileofDust | June 26, 02:35 CET

I pre-ordered it from tfaw. I noticed a few weeks ago that my pre-order had been canceled by them, and was trying procure another source. It never occurred to me that they might be canceled.

I would hope that Dark Horse got all the permissions they needed before they starting advertising it.

It's a sad sad Buffy day.

whedongeeky | June 26, 02:41 CET

Like Clue, but then you get to dust the killer? I'd play that too!

It was Gwendolyn Post, in the mansion, with the Glove of Mynegohn!

As for the card deck, that really sucks.

UnpluggedCrazy | June 26, 04:41 CET

Bummer...this was one little item that my partner and I were both looking forward to. She was rather excited when I told her about them.

GrrrlRomeo | June 26, 04:41 CET

Boo nouns! I was really looking forward to that deck. It was part of my ultimate plan to make my entire store Whedonized (you should see our Graphic Novel display!) Man, like, if you do Tarot, shouldn't you have seen this coming? The creepy Ouija board says....YES.

ninjapigeon | June 26, 05:03 CET

*sob* I really wanted this, as I've been thinking about learning tarot for a while now, and it seemed like the perfect way to get into it.

I'm more bummed about the art, though. It's so fantastic that I sincerely hope that Dark Horse or the artist figure out some way to get that out to us. I don't think I could afford originals, but I'd love to buy a print. And such work should absolutely not go to waste, especially as it seems that there are so many of us who wanted it.

If it is some sort of permission issue, I wonder if there's a way around it that would lead to a different version of the deck being released sometime in the future? Please?

BandofBuggered | June 26, 05:07 CET

Ha ha, There is a "Make Your Own Opoly" and I completely am in the process of making my own Buffy-opoly. I was torn between using locations or using episodes for the specific spaces. Cause who wouldn't hold out to buy Hush or Once More with Feeling?

ninjapigeon | June 26, 05:11 CET

*offers shoulder*

Sorry. I did enjoy the art. Here's hoping we'll know more by Comic-Con. Is it me or does it seem like Buffy's sort of shutting down, merchandise-wise?

korkster | June 26, 05:12 CET

You are definitely right, korkster. I've been thinking the same thing for a while now. Which I guess is to be expected, since it's been off the air for five years.

UnpluggedCrazy | June 26, 06:06 CET

Never!

Even though my cynnical side agrees with you, UnpluggedCrazy, my childhood grips on to the idea that pigs will always fly, orange is the color of the sky, and Buffy will never die.

I mean, come on, Joss tried to kill her twice and she's still here. No old folks home for her!

Maybe with Dollhouse around the corner, it'll breath more life into the merchandise of our favorite slayer (Faith).

korkster | June 26, 06:35 CET

This really bums me out, I'd pre-ordered two decks. :(

Whistler | June 26, 10:06 CET

I'd ordered this through my local comic store. I have a couple of Tarot decks and I really wanted the artwork on this one.

samatwitch | June 26, 11:27 CET

I completely forgotten about Dru and Tara using the tarot cards. For the life of me, didn't Dawn have a run in with the ouija board that creeped Buffy and Giles out? My brain is getting so rattled.

Madhatter | June 26, 11:56 CET

June 25 2008