Deck Review: The Zombie Tarot

Stacey Graham (author) and Paul Kepple (illustrator), The Zombie Tarot. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-594745690.  (link to publisher)

Genre: Tarot decks

Subgenre: Zombies, vintage, Cold War era, humor

Format: Deck kit with small book and 78-card deck in box.

Source: I own this one, which I acquired used. 

 

This is a deck to have on hand if the zombie attacks break out. This deck "offers valuable advice on life, love, family, friendship, automatic firearms, premature burials, cannibalistic children, and more" (from description in the box). The deck and book come in a box that is shaped and decorated like a box of ammunition with some nice retro art. The kit includes a small instruction booklet and a deck of 78 cards. 

The small book has 96 pages of instructions and advice for the zombie outbreak and the Hard Times. The book is arranged as follows: 

• The Zombie Tarot: Your Weapon of Choice. A short introduction and description of the deck's concept. 
• Conducting a Reading. This includes some tips on reading the cards. You also get 5 card spreads. 
• The Major Arcana.
• The Minor Arcana.
• The back of the book includes some ads (parody) of products that may be of interest during zombie attacks. These resemble those ads you would see in comic books and some magazines in the 1960s or thereabouts.

 

The Emperor-IV card

The small book does make a good guide for the deck and the Hard Times. The content is simple and concise In these times you need simple instructions, but there is also a strong dark humor element.  If you recall some of the old public service documentaries from the U.S. Government, you will be at home with this book because it has the style of those documentaries. The card entries include a small picture of the card, a few keywords, and a paragraph of interpretation and advice. The interpretations can be humorous, but they also provide some serious messages. You could read the cards without the book, but I strongly recommend reading the book. The text can help you get in the mood to use the deck as well as appreciate its humor. The author did a very good job capturing the essence and setting of a zombie outbreak in the Cold War era with the book and deck.

The cards' art has a realistic style that combines a 1950s-1960s Cold War era aesthetic with a bit of dark humor. The zombies are threatening, but they also can have a playful element. The card suits in the Minor Arcana are swords, wands, cups, and hazards (for pentacles). Major Arcana cards retain their traditional names. The images at times fall within Rider Waite Smith (RWS) but not always. The art is colorful, in light coloring. This is not a bright deck. 

Some folks may look at the art and think this is not a serious deck. However, this deck is a solid deck for various readings. It gives good and reliable readings, and it can go in-depth. The images provide plenty of detail for intuitive readers. It also works well for readers who use the RWS system. 

Seven of Swords card

The cards measure about 4 3/4 inches by 2 3/4 inches. The card back image is not reversible. Card stock is a bit on the thick side; it has a soft matte finish. The cards slide fairly well, but the deck's thickness can make the deck a bit heavy on the hands. The card stock thickness means the cards are not very flexible. It could be an issue for riffle shufflers. They do feel durable with care. 

Overall, this is a very good deck. It may seem playful, yet it is a reliable reader. For some, it could work for shadow work. It is a deck you can use any time of the year. If you like zombies with a bit more humorous element and/or you enjoy decks with a vintage aesthetic, especially the 1950s-1960s, you will probably enjoy this deck. If you enjoy the Housewives Tarot deck by the same publisher, you'll like this one, especially if you want a deck with a darker element. This is certainly a good deck for the Hard Times. I really like it, and I am happy to have it in my collection. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

 

This deck kit qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: