Dungeon Crawler Carl Official Release: Why the New Cards Are Facing Serious Backlash

Trading cards draw criticism

Borant Corporation, the officially licensed collectibles brand operated by Playmates Toys, has expanded Dungeon Crawler Carl merchandise with trading cards. Its products have also included action figures and Princess Donut plushies.

In an online discussion, one collector described buying two packs at Target for $6.99 each and disliking their physical quality and presentation. They said the cards felt cheaply made, with hard edges and poor printing, even when the artwork was appealing.

Other collectors reported minor corner damage, which they attributed to the cards’ square cuts. Some questioned why officially licensed items did not meet a higher standard.

Artwork reactions vary

Fans have also disagreed over the illustrations, with some criticizing the character designs and others objecting to differing artistic styles across the collection. Several commenters said they had seen stronger fan-made art of Matt Dinniman’s characters.

The response has not been entirely negative. Some collectors highlighted illustrations of Uzi Jesus and Architect Houston, while others said they were excited to collect the full set. The criticism reflects a limited sample of the fanbase, and the cards have found buyers despite the divided early response.

Set details and availability

The first series includes 100 base cards, along with variants such as foil, emerald and signed cards. The collection has appeared at Target and Hot Topic, where prices and availability differ.

Hot Topic also offered packs online, but its initial stock sold out. Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, BoxLunch, Urban Outfitters and Five Below were previously named in the broader merchandise rollout; whether those retailers carry the cards specifically has not been confirmed.

Questions about merchandise quality

The mixed reception has renewed questions about whether the expanding merchandise lineup can consistently satisfy fans. The trading cards show demand for Dungeon Crawler Carl collectibles, but some buyers say disappointing quality can undermine that appeal. Some collectors are pleased with the artwork and eager to complete the set, while others are unhappy with printing, construction and presentation.