Gather the Enemy: Democracy Trading Cards

In February, I discussed graphic artist Todd Alcott's work. fantastic propaganda posters For the fascist oligarchy, however, his latest endeavor is truly remarkable, and I simply must draw these to your notice as well.

Alcott is producing a set of cards styled after 1970s baseball collectibles, aimed at depicting members of Trump’s alleged “Enemies of Democracy.” These creations showcase Alcott’s darkly humorous approach along with their impeccable design. Keep up with their work here. Alcott's Instagram account .

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And Alcott is currently working towards producing a complete set of 54 genuine, tangible playing cards. You can preorder his project now through the Kickstarter campaign. right here .

I sent an email to Alcott regarding this matter, and he responded as follows:

After the inauguration, I began feeling this way. Just like everyone else, I experienced a sense of helplessness and frustration; the newly established government seemed overtly malevolent, while the Democrats appeared oblivious to what was unfolding. This made me realize that ordinary citizens around the globe are now at odds with the global elite. It would be powerful to create some kind of diagram illustrating wickedness.

Back during the Gulf War, the Department of Defense created playing card decks highlighting key targets for troops. Additionally, Topps released a set of trading cards related to the conflict. Inspired by these concepts, I envisioned merging both ideas. Given my personal style, I chose to design them reminiscent of 1970s Topps baseball cards since that period marked my fascination with trading card aesthetics. Though not particularly interested in baseball, I've always been captivated by their visual appeal.

I considered portraying our squad of malevolent jesters akin to a baseball team, wherein every member plays a distinct role during the match. However, these players symbolize our foremost adversaries against democracy; they aim to dismantle the world I knew after WWII and the one I envisioned for my kids. These individuals seek to invalidate the contributions of those who fostered an era of wealth and progress following World War II. Moreover, since the media is under their control, it joyfully roots for them without reservation.

Living through this ordeal feels like a never-ending nightmare, and my biggest challenge has been figuring out how to appropriately portray the imagery without losing sight of who these individuals truly are—both extremely perilous and profoundly foolish. My constant endeavor involves finding equilibrium; ensuring they appear intimidating enough yet simultaneously absurd, as fundamentally they embody nothing but nonsense—a vast collection of bare-faced rulers, none deserving even slight reverence. These figures are corrosive, shortsighted fanatics and lawbreakers who have ensnared global attention within their lunacy—an immensely tough task when attempting to depict such chaos unfolding before your eyes.

I’ve also spent considerable time examining protest and propaganda artwork from the 1940s, 1960s, and 1980s, to understand how others resisted oppressive regimes. These pieces appear to bridge the gap between John Heartfield’s work in Germany during the 1930s and Drew Friedman’s contributions to Spy Magazine in the 1980s, employing visuals to craft powerful satirical depictions of contemporary villains.

These designs evoke Drew Friedman’s style, and they also bring back memories of another iconic 1970s trading card series: Wacky Packages.

I just can't resist sharing a few more of these! They're brilliant.