Deathstalker Gets a Magic: The Gathering Makeover — Wild TCG-Style Cards Showcase Practical Monsters
Steven Kostanski’s new film Deathstalker brings back loud, lo-fi fantasy with practical creature effects, stop-motion and 2D animation. The movie stars John Wick stuntman Daniel Bernhardt as the title swordsman and features Patton Oswalt as the voice of his sidekick Doodad. In addition, artist Justin White created a set of collectible, TCG-style monster cards that Shout! Studios shared to promote the film.
Movie overview
Deathstalker is a modern take on the 1983 B-movie fantasy of the same name that emphasizes attitude and practical effects rather than big-budget spectacle. The plot follows the hero Deathstalker and his companion Doodad as they try to stop the resurrection of the evil sorcerer Nekromemnon. Daniel Bernhardt plays Deathstalker, while Patton Oswalt provides the voice of Doodad.
Visual style and effects
The film intentionally channels an ’80s aesthetic. Consequently, you’ll see practical monster suits, stop-motion creatures, and 2D animation mixed together. Director and special effects lead Steven Kostanski — known for his work on practical effects and genre projects — leaned into physical effects and creature design for most sequences.
TCG-style cards
To promote the movie, Shout! Studios released a set of trading-card-style images that depict monsters and characters from the kingdom of Abraxeon. These cards were created by Justin White. They are purely promotional and not tournament legal for any organized card game. However, they give a clear sense of the film’s creature designs and tone.
Monster gallery
Below are the promotional card images shared for the film.
Release and credits
Deathstalker was released by Shout! Studios on Oct. 10, 2025. The film was directed by Steven Kostanski and stars Daniel Bernhardt, with Patton Oswalt credited as the voice of Doodad. The original 1983 film was produced by Roger Corman; this 2025 production references that lineage while updating the effects and stunt work for a modern audience.
