🎭 A summer with Diabolik: the appointment with the Karte
Like every season, with the arrival of summer comes an unmissable event for fans of the King of Terror: the return of the increasingly sought-after and beloved Diabolik Cards . These exclusive gadgets accompany the release of the comic at newsstands or in special editions, and have become a consolidated tradition for several years now.
🃏 From 2022 onwards: A compelling overview
2022 – Diabolik Cult “Who are you?”
July 2022 saw the return to newsstands of a reprint of the memorable 1968 episode, "Who Are You?", with two decks elegantly illustrated by Riccardo Nunziati. The packaging reproduced the famous cover of the "Cult" issue, a visually striking design. Affordable pricing and limited distribution made these cards a collector's item in record time.
2023 – Cult “Memory of the Past”
Also in July, the album celebrated a historic chapter from 1969 featuring Eva Kant. The two decks, designed by G.F. Massaglia and S. Caretta with colors by M. Chillura, featured Eva on vivid and sophisticated covers. The blend of nostalgia and artistic quality won over readers and collectors.
2024 – Upside Down: “A Quiet Place”
The initiative became even more original with an unpublished story written by Tito Faraci and illustrated by Silvia Ziche. The two deck boxes featured meticulously crafted covers: a red one featuring Eva Kant in the foreground, a black one featuring a somewhat wary Diabolik. The backs and frames of the cards bore the double wording "Diabolik," and each card—from aces to court cards—featured stylish, coordinated illustrations.
2025 – Cult “Invisible Threat”
This July, "Invisible Menace" was released, a cult classic originally published in the 1970s and reprinted in a limited edition. This year, the two-deck poker set is back, with meticulous attention to artistic detail. Anticipation is already sky-high...
💡 Why are these cards so irresistible?
- Really Playable Quality – Not just gadgets, but professionally printed, paper-quality poker decks with 54 complete cards including jokers.
- Art and storytelling – Every year, renowned illustrators (Nunziati, Caretta, Ziche…) dedicate their talent to exclusive designs.
- Collectible Icons – Limited-edition reprints, numbered at newsstands, become objects to be displayed or carefully treasured.
- A mix of past and present – Classic and unpublished albums alternate, accompanied by modern or vintage packaging depending on the theme.
🔍 Origins: Let's take a look at the history of Diabolik cards
Diabolik-themed cards are nothing new: back in 1996, renowned card publisher Lo Scarabeo published a "Diabolik Poker" deck with artwork by Sergio and Paolo Zaniboni. At that time, the deck also included one copy of each traditional suit card, plus two jokers and a title card.
Over the years, thematic tarot cards (“Black Tarot”) and many other limited-edition game variants have appeared, well before the current era of gadgets attached to the albums.
Diabolik Cards have become one of the most anticipated summer events among fans: not just gadgets, but unique pieces , the perfect blend of design, collectibles, and comic book storytelling. From the nostalgic cult of 2022 to the intriguing 2025, each deck is a little story to play, preserve... or display as your own personal summer relic.
