I don't think that I've ever seen a version number attached to a new magic trick. It's usually software: Windows Vista, Windows XP and its ilk. So is Wow version 2.0 better than the original "Wow" that debuted a couple of years ago? 2.0 is actually two separate products: 1) a new version that can act as an ending to an ambitious card routine, and 2) the addition of an instructional DVD to the original version.
With the new "face down" version, you can end an ambitious card routine by placing a translucent piece of plastic (the Wow gimmick) on top of the face down deck and then place the spectator's signed card face-up in the middle of the deck. Spectators can see the back of the top card through the plastic.
With a shake of the hand, the spectator's signed card is now seen on top of the deck through the plastic. And when the gimmick is removed, the spectator's signed card is found to be face-up on top of the deck. The gimmick also allows you to perform a color-changing deck routine.
If you're familiar with the Wow gimmick, you already have a strong idea of how this is accomplished - here, the gimmick creates a virtual card back image. It's a nice, visual effect. However, while the ads state "This is THE strongest, most visible, and most practical ending to ANY Ambitious Card routine ever!" I'm inclined to disagree as ambitious card routines have numerous endings that can be just as strong.
The other product, the face-up version of Wow 2.0, is simply the original version with an added DVD. If you already own Wow, there will be nothing here for you to purchase.
Wow Factor
As I've written before, I have been impressed with the Wow gimmick and performed with it much of a summer a couple of years ago. In fact, I own two Wow gimmicks because I like to keep a backup of props that I often use.
Admittedly, I haven't performed Wow for more than a year - probably due to the fact that with tricks that rely on a single selected card, I tend to circulate these in and out of my strolling sets because of the many regulars that I perform for in my restaurants. For me, "Wow" never became prime, "A" material, but was a routine for spectators who had seen me before.
The Wow gimmick is visual and amazing, but before you go out and purchase the prop, be sure that you have a routine that will adequately incorporate and explain the odd-looking plastic sleeve. When Jason Randall performed with the prop on the David Letterman show, Letterman later commented in another magician's sequence about Randall's "tricky plastic sleeve." The prop must be adequately justified in any routine. You can watch Randall's performance with the prop (traditional face-up version) here.
More Reading:
David Letterman's "Close-up Magic Week"
Game Changers-Trick Innovations That Rock Our World
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