Fradella Adventure Tarot

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Logiatrix	25 Nov 2003
I just acquired this deck with the book... It's been out for a little while, so I'm wondering if anyone is actually using it for readings now. Opinions? Thanks, Tauni :)

Alta	25 Nov 2003
I have it and use it. Funny, it doesn't seem like a deck that I might like but it clicked right from the start. That being said I do not like every card, but what the heck. The deck has a very masculine feel to it, which is okay for me even I though I am not. I never did read the book though.

Logiatrix	26 Nov 2003
...someone answered me! I shoulda guessed it would be YOU, Marion--you renegade! :D Well, the verdict is still out on the Fradella for me, as to whether it's an actual reading deck, but I'm enjoying the study of it. I hadn't thought of it 'till you said so, but there are some cards I don't like, also. And I, too, was even suprised that I gave it so much as a second look--but here I am, currently immersed in the stories behind the cards. I know what you mean about the masculine feel; this intrigues me as to where this comes from: the superhero archetype in the cards, or the male creator behind the cards? All in all, I think this deck has lots of artistic merit and creative mystery, and that's what I am enjoying right now. :)

Rusty Neon	26 Nov 2003
I saw a sample deck at the store. Compared to other modern cartoon style drawings, the drawings in this deck don't have enough "detail" such that my attention in the cards could endure.

Demonesse	27 Nov 2003
I'd be interested to hear which cards you don't like - and why? :)

dolphingirl	27 Nov 2003
Hi There I wrote a review of this deck http://www.tarotpassages.com/fradella-sk.htm and have to say I really love it, if you get it you should get the book as well as it is a real gem

Chronata	24 Aug 2004
I am bumping this thread because I just got this deck, and I have become quite smitten with it! My Mother actually bought it (because it was real cheap at a discount book store) and then instantly regretted it. She asked me if I could do something with the "ugly deck" and maybe trade it away for something better. I took her word for it that it was ugly, and put it away to deal with later. But the other day, I opened the pack and started to actually look at the cards. Some were mildly amusing, and others were striking, and still others made me nod appreciatively at the reinterpretation of the symbolism,(RWS) that still allowed the meaning to be very clear. By the time I got to the 3 of masks I knew this deck was never going to be traded away, and if anyone wanted it, they would need to pry it out of my cold dead fingers!! I was really drawn into the whole super hero thing...and although I have a huge collection of comics, I never considered myself a real fan of the superhero genre... yet I could understand EVERY one of these cards...and the depiction of the hero on each one...as each seemed to remind me of other comic heroes in other comic worlds that I was familiar with. (oh...this is iheroes version of Superman...or Swamp Thing...or...whatever...) I am so intrigued now with this deck that I feel the need to do the research, and find the stories and lengthier descriptions of these characters via the creator's website. Anyone on the fence about these...or those of you who have never given them any thought, but are open to new deck possibilities...I recommend you check them out. They are a wonderful and delightful surprise! And I can tell that they are going to be much more than just a novelty deck for me...because the first reading I did with them was such a pleasure!

MeeWah	24 Aug 2004
As a comic book & Tarot fan, I love this deck! Fradella Adventure combines both elements. I have not read the book through but read a couple of books available through the creator's website & subscribe to the monthly newsletter. It offers stories including serial stories based on various of the characters. What I like most about these characters is that they are largely ordinary humans & thus flawed. Not endowed with "super powers" though some may have acquired such unexpectedly or by unusual means. They share in common a belief to contribute to society by defending the meek & to right wrongs. Some tend towards a renegade/vigilante mentality but that seems more a part of the personality that seeks to make changes or a difference.

ArwenNightstar	21 Jan 2005
I bought the Frank Fradella Adventure Tarot as a lark and because Frank is someone I've chatted with online a little. Thought I would help him out, ya know. Then I set them on my bookshelf and left them there for a while. One night at a party at my house, someone wanted to see them so we opened them up. Then we did some readings. This deck resonates with me. I don't know why. Yes, I loved Super Heroes as a kid and wanted to be one so maybe that is it, but this deck is awesome for an intuitive reader. My favorite part of this deck is that Cups are called Masks. It is such a great representation of things emotional to me.

FlashFighter	24 Jan 2005
I love this deck. Using this as my regular reading deck. It kind of helps that I grew up on a steady diet of comic books and superhero cartoons, but the deck is rather easy for me to read. I mean for example, the Two of Masks (Cups)... what better way to represent it than 2 heroes trusting each other with their secret identities....

ArwenNightstar	24 Jan 2005
FlashFighter wrote: I love this deck. Using this as my regular reading deck. It kind of helps that I grew up on a steady diet of comic books and superhero cartoons, but the deck is rather easy for me to read. I mean for example, the Two of Masks (Cups)... what better way to represent it than 2 heroes trusting each other with their secret identities.... Absolutely! That is probably the best rendition of a two of Cups that I've ever worked with.

Annabelle	31 Jan 2005
I bought the Fradella Adventure tarot a week or so ago when I spotted it on clearance at a local store for $3.50, but had initially decided to leave it in the shrinkwrap and try to trade it sometime, since the whole superhero thing didn't appeal to me. But last night, I just couldn't resist. I unwrapped the cards and looked through the deck...and to my surprise I found that I really like this deck. The cards feel wonderful, for one thing...they are very nicely coated--it's pleasant to touch and shuffle them. The colors are beautiful, and the art is better than I expected. I especially love the suit of Masks. The only part of this deck that I don't care for is some of the Major cards--for example, the Wheel of Fortune card is just plain boring. But maybe if I had the accompanying book, the stories behind each card would make it more interesting. Overall I'm happy with this deck. Definitely a pleasant surprise for only $3.50!

ArwenNightstar	31 Jan 2005
Annabelle4 wrote: The only part of this deck that I don't care for is some of the Major cards--for example, the Wheel of Fortune card is just plain boring. But maybe if I had the accompanying book, the stories behind each card would make it more interesting. 3.50? I am SOOO jealous! And the Wheel of Fortune is one I just love for the idea of ... is he stuck there or is he running his own game?

ArwenNightstar	07 Apr 2005
FlashFighter wrote: I love this deck. Using this as my regular reading deck. It kind of helps that I grew up on a steady diet of comic books and superhero cartoons, but the deck is rather easy for me to read. I mean for example, the Two of Masks (Cups)... what better way to represent it than 2 heroes trusting each other with their secret identities.... I love the 2 of Masks in this deck. One of my favorites has to be the Nine of Discs. I love the sereness of it with that dragon on her fist reminding her of her power and temper. What is your favorite Major Arcana from this deck and why?

Annabelle	07 Apr 2005
ArwenNightstar wrote: What is your favorite Major Arcana from this deck and why? It's hard to pick a favorite, but I'd have to say mine is Judgement. Not only do I find it visually appealing, I also find that it fits nicely with my idea of what an ultimate "judgement day" might be. A close second favorite is The Chariot, because it so effectively conveys the power and movement involved with this card. Of course, my favorites might be different if I knew anything about the characters portrayed in the cards (which I don't) or if I had the accompanying book for this deck (which unfortunately, I don't). I'm finding over time that I like this deck better and better. I've done a few readings with it and found them to be surprisingly accurate...and found this deck to be very pleasant to work with.

Chronata	09 Apr 2005
I went on a quest recently to find the book that accompanies this deck. Happened to find it at the same discounted book store that the deck was discovered in. I sat and read the whole book in the store and was rather disappointed. There is really not much more in these descriptions. It is one small paragraph in the middle of each page. The LWB has almost as much information as this book does. I recommend the website, however. you get a great sense of many of the characters by reading about them in action.

The Fradella Adventure Tarot thread was originally posted on 25 Nov 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.