It's a bit fitting that Black is the song of the moment on I-Tunes because the gimmick that comes with the DVD is a black sharpie, if you're lucky and a red one if you're not lucky. The sharpie is gimmicked in an interesting way. However, the red one just does not work like the black on appears to work on the video demo.

Let's discuss a few points, shall we:

1. Gimmick/Method


2. Ad Copy


3. Practical-ness

Gimmick/Method

The gimmick is a clever idea, and they even teach you how to make a new one if you don't like the color supplied. I think they knew that red is not as good as black. There are a few problems with the method. However, I'm very much at risk of exposing the secret if I mention the issues, so I'll do my best to keep the secret and warn you at the same time. First, this is not something that is effective for strolling (i.e., multiple performances in one evening). Why? I can't tell you without revealing the method.

I'll just say that at the end of the effect you are left "dirty" in the most literal sense of the word. Each time you perform it, you get "dirtier" so much so that after 2 or maybe three performances you would not be able to do the effect again without going to the restroom and "cleaning up" a bit.

A couple of different methods are taught on the DVD. I tested them all, and in every case, the method was messy and would be easily discernible by the audience. Again, I'm tip-toeing here because of the risk of exposure. There was one effect, however, that I think the method is much safer (i.e., less discernible). It's also a very powerful effect. However it does not work with the gimmick supplied. If I were supplied with a black one, then it might work, or if I create a black one it might work. But the red one I was supplied with did not work.

Also, the pen I got is very leaky. I took the lid off and ink literally poured out all over my business card that I was using to test the gimmick. The bottom line here is that the concept is clever if/when it works. However it's nowhere near as clean/simple/clear as it should be (at least with the gimmick I received in my copy).

Ad Copy

The printed ad copy is almost accurate. It claims that this is a never before seen method. That's not true. There are other effects (in fact there one that I remember reading - I think it was in Tarbell - that uses the same concept). However, they were very open about how the effect is performed. They didn't fluff it. In fact, when you read the effect you may likely discern or get a sense of the method. If you do, then some of my comments above will make more sense.

The video ad copy, however, made a statement that is actual false. The ad copy says that you can get secret information out of their head that they've never said out loud and haven't told a single soul and they've been holding onto it the whole time. It's all true up to that last statement. I'm not sure what he meant by "holding onto it the whole time." If the "it" is referring to the paper they wrote their thought on, then this is a false statement. You MUST handle the paper for the effect to work. You have to take it and hold it between your hands and then give it back to them. Thus the spectator is not holding it the whole time.

Practical-ness

As mentioned above this is not the kind of thing you can do repeatedly in one night due to the method. Assuming you can get the method to work - I couldn't - you have the potential for a really good one off effect. There are, however, better ways to accomplish this effect that are much cleaner.

Final Verdict:
2 Stars with a Stone Status of Rubble.