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"Toony Angel" by Michael Maxwell
Suggested Retail USD$14.95
Available direct from A1 Magical Media
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

I never liked "CardToon", "CardToon 2", or any of the variations or rip-offs that appeared on the market when Dan Harlan's original creation hit the streets. I'll bow to Harlan's genius -- it's a damn clever trick -- but I just won't be doing any of those "flip-book-as-deck" tricks on a regular basis.

Even when it's as slick as Michael Maxwell's "Toony Angels", which, if I did feel so inclined to do such a trick, would be the one I'd do.

Maxwell's version takes Harlan's "Card Toon" idea, coming up with what Maxwell refers to as a "more organic" version, and now the trick proceeds something like this:

A little tale is about using your imagination when you were a kid by putting a playing card into the spokes of a bicycle wheel. The spectator names any card in the deck (no force) and the card is placed face up on the table. The deck is held with the back facing the spectator and the cards are riffled off the thumb. One of the angels on the back of the deck starts pedaling, moving around, waving, popping a wheelie, and suddenly a red-backed card is seen in the tiny spokes of his bicycle. The angel then reaches down, removes the card, turns it over, and shows it matches the spectator's selected card.

It's cute. The animation, designed by Maxwell, looks very slick (the extra animation over "CardToon" was really attractive to the eye and seems to be more animation than a simple deck of cards should allow). The handling is simple and direct, as is the reset. And people get a kick out of the little guy pedaling his heart out and making like Evel Kneivel.

So what's my problem with "Toony Angel"? The same thing that was my problem with "CardToon" and etcetera:

Performing this for more than one person either waters the effect down tremendously or requires spectators to become more intimate with each other than they probably would like as they cram together to watch the magic happen. The focal point of the magic is so small that performing this for more than a single person -- maybe, with luck, a couple of people -- is just not practical.

I won't hit this one too hard, but I very rarely like a trick which requires me to carry a separate deck that can only serve to perform a single trick. My pockets ain't big enough, my case isn't deep enough, to worry about limited-use gimmick decks.

Combine those two -- a single-use deck that can only be seen by one spectator at a time -- and the whole concept is just too impractical for me.

If those two things don't bother you much, then "Toony Angel" really is a nice trick. It's quick, certainly, and the appearance, while not necessarily that magical, is delightfully entertaining (reactions when the angel starts moving are pretty solid -- hey, it's cute and cute usually get a nice response). The reset on it is quick and easy, too, which is plus. All that aside, Michael Maxwell also has a neat little added version (good for a one-off repeat) where the card is chosen (you'll have to forget that "no force" statement found in the original version of the trick) and it's shown to be the only red-backed card in the deck, just like the little angel's card.

Again, it's cute. And it's attractive in its own right.

But is it practical enough for you? That's the big question you'll have to answer for yourself and also answers the question of whether "Toony Angel" is something you'll like and use or if it stays on the shelf.

"Toony Angel" by Michael Maxwell
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

Practicality: 4
A one-trick deck which can really be performed for only one person for best effect (maybe more if you can cram them in front of the deck). The reset is quick and easy, which is its immediate saving grace, even if pocket space and performance options suffer.

Workmanship: 10
The deck is beautifully printed on Bicycle stock and does look great.

Documentation: 6
Some of the text is confusing, but the color photos make up for it. Bonus points for an alternate handling for a slightly different effect.

Effect: 6
This is not one to send them screaming your name in the streets, but it is a fairly solid piece, more cute than powerful, but still entertaining.

Presentation: 5
Imagination, a bicycle when you were a kid, and a playing card in the spokes. It's a good enough presentation (the actual animation adds to it considerably), but needs something more to take this up a notch.

Originality: 8
It's Dan Harlan's "CardToon" with the added thought of having one of the angels do the work instead of (purposefully drawn) crude stick images. That's worth an accolade or two by itself.

Available direct from your favorite dealer for around USD$14.95. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.

Shane