Great trick, easy to perform. If your card handling is ok, then learning this will be very quick. Now at first you'll be underwhelmed at what you receive, but go out and work this for some real reactions. There are two methods presented:

1) Spectator 1 chooses and signs a card, spec 2 simply memorizes another. You reveal spec 1's card has moved to the top, and spec 2 is now holding their card instead of the sharpie.

Version 1 is great for walk-around or table hopping and requires a 5 second reset. The pocket space required is minimal (an extra sharpie) and is an excellent card reveal. Of course if you've done the "memorize your card" bit before, you realize that all spectators forget their card within 30 seconds. So be sure to have them show it around to friends. You receive two special cards but get a PDF on the DVD to print more. NOTE: Use the full sheet sticker paper instead of trying to align up the template with whatever is offered at your local office supply.

How long the cards last depends upon how violent your spectators are with them. But with regular handling should last a good 3 months per card of regular use.

2) A single spectator chooses and signs a card, which transforms into the sharpie.

Version 2 requires you to print out special card stickers and affix them to the deck of your choice. You cannot use the included 2 special cards for signatures, since once those are gone, you gotta buy expensive refills. Alakazam said they were trying to get a full run printed so we can buy a whole deck of these, but until then you're stuck with the print solution. This requires some beginner card work to pull off, but still not all that difficult.

This is obviously the stronger version, as you can tell from the brunette in the demo rambling on about "best stuff evah". Version 1 gets a "wha?" kinda confused reaction, while v2 leaves them speechless.

Whichever method you choose, you will probably be happy with this very commercial effect. Especially at Penguin's price point.

This one is very easy to perform.The misdirection involved is close to a no-brainer. Before performing it I thought it would cause lousy reactions, but I was wrong. If there were cheap refills, so that we could work with signed cards, then this trick would reallly rock.

The idea is genius, performing this is always fun, I've tried it several times since I bought this and the fact it catches the crowd "with their pants off", not ready and surprised is so much fun! The rudeness and hidden light mockery of you boldly handing a gimmick right into the spectators hand with sure knowledge they'll miss it makes reactions!

This is a clever and simple effect whereby a Sharpie transforms into a selected card. If you've been doing magic a while and have basic performance and card skills, you should be able to do this with very little practice.

The negatives: you only receive two gimmicked cards so make them last. While they include templates to print and roll your own gimmicked cards, the results simply won't be the same and are more trouble then they are worth. Alakazam is supposed to start selling the gimmicks separately; however, this comes across more as an upsell to an idea which makes the overall effect rather expensive.

The routines on the DVD are pretty stupid in their construction. Suggest you work out your own routine where perhaps the transformation is in addition to something else rather than as the final climax.

Yes, it's a good effect with a good idea. But after performing it a couple of times, I notice people being skeptical. The sharpie marker feels so different from the gimmick that most people can feel it. Also, the effects are great if you want a signed card. But whats the point of taking out a sharpie marker if you dont need to sign anything? It's a good revelation but needs improvement. Furthermore, there are only 2 gimmicks so they must be used wisely. The printable ones feel even more different from the sharpie so that's definitely a no. Love the idea, hate the method.

at first i thought this would be great, but now after 2 weeks of performing the trick , it only solicits a small reaction from the crowd, I am now adapting the trick so I dont need to switch pens ,

This trick is just a KILLER effect. I looked at the gimmick and thought to myself...this wouldn't work in the real world. BUT boy was I wrong. This effect is just amazing and glad I got it. At times it doesn't work as hoped but the reactions are great. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

That's the most common response I've gotten with this effect. SPecs just have no explanation to the reveal. Some might think the "move" is a little risky, but like anything, just act natural. One negative could be the lack of refills though. but I don't think that's too bad at all.

at first I was disappointed , but after performing it , no one catches on, so its now in my repertoire, nuff said

I like your trick but I have not found anyone to try it on, BUT I will. Thanks for coming up with this trick. I am sure that I will perform it good. :)