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Super Flashback by Josh Zandman

Created by: Josh Zandman

Super Flashback is a mind-blowing book test trick that allows the performer to instantly reveal the first word on any page of a book without needing to see it, even when the spectator is far away. This trick is part of the Universal Monsters book test series by Josh Zandman, featuring themed books like *Dracula*, *Frankenstein*, and *Hunchback of Notre Dame*. It's perfect for close-up, parlour, or stage mentalism performances, offering a range of routines from single spectator interactions to reading multiple minds simultaneously. The books are gimmicked to work together seamlessly, providing a versatile tool for magicians to create unforgettable experiences.

Key features

  • Works with any of the three books in the Universal Monsters series

  • Allows for instant revelation of the first word on any page

  • Spectators can be anywhere in the room, making it versatile for different performance settings

  • Minimal memorization required, making it accessible to performers of all skill levels

  • Books are lightly examinable, appearing ordinary to the audience

Pros

  • Highly versatile with multiple methods and routines possible

  • Can perform with spectators at a distance

  • Minimal setup and easy to perform

  • Engages multiple spectators simultaneously

  • Lightly examinable books add to the mystery

Cons

  • Books cannot be read cover to cover as they contain gimmicks

  • Requires purchase of at least one book from the series

Effect

The Super Flashback is a book test method where a spectator freely chooses any page in a book. The performer instantly knows the first word on that page without looking at it. The book appears ordinary, and the spectator can flip through it without noticing anything unusual. The effect is clean and direct, making it seem like the performer has genuine mind-reading abilities.

Full Details

Super Flashback is part of Josh Zandman’s Universal Monsters book test series, which includes Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The books are gimmicked to allow multiple effects, but Super Flashback focuses on revealing the first word of any page the spectator selects. The method is self-working, requiring no memorization or complex sleight of hand.

The books are lightly examinable, meaning spectators can flip through them without immediately detecting anything unusual. However, the books are not meant to be read cover to cover, as the text does not form a coherent narrative.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Super Flashback is ideal for performers who want a straightforward, powerful book test with minimal setup. It works well for:

  • Mentalists who want a clean, no-memory method.
  • Magicians who perform for groups or need long-distance mind-reading effects.
  • Beginners looking for an easy-to-learn but strong effect.

Difficulty

Super Flashback is rated as easy to perform. The method is self-working, meaning the book does most of the work. No memorization is required, though knowing a few key words can enhance the presentation. The handling is simple, making it accessible even for those new to book tests.

What Magicians Say

Michael O'Brien from MurphysMagicSupplies describes Super Flashback as "that quick and that easy," emphasizing that the book instantly reveals the first word on any page. He notes that the method is "lightly examinable," meaning spectators can flip through the book without noticing anything suspicious.

SaturnMagicShop highlights the versatility of the Universal Monsters series, stating that Super Flashback is one of several strong methods included. They mention that the effect works well even when spectators are far from the performer, making it suitable for stage or parlor performances.

Both reviewers recommend the series for its ease of use and strong impact, with O'Brien calling it "really freaking cool" and praising its self-working nature.

What people are saying about Super Flashback

MurphysMagicSupplies says...

The books are designed to reveal information to the performer, minimizing the need for memorization. [...] The books are also described as 'lightly examinable,' appearing ordinary upon a quick glance, though they won't make sense if read cover to cover.

SaturnMagicShop says...

The series offers a variety of methods, including the Super Flashback, where the spectator stops at a random page, and the performer reveals the first word on that page. [...] The books are lightly examinable, appearing as ordinary books to the audience while containing the necessary information for the effect.

Review videos