Joker & Thief Publishing

My journey as a Dungeon Master began nearly four decades ago with the iconic Red Box in the late 80s, and I’ve been chasing dragons and crafting dungeons ever since. What started as a hobby quickly became a lifelong obsession with storytelling, world-building, and the unforgettable chaos of game night.

Since officially entering the publishing world in 2023, I’ve released over 25 titles through Joker & Thief Publishing, alongside a growing collection of community content and unofficial works. I also write Low HP, High Hopes, a blog exploring Shadowdark and the OSR playstyle I’ve come to love.

Much of this wouldn’t be possible without my amazing wife and five incredible kids, who let me disappear into the dungeon to dream up traps, treasures, and terrible ideas. Huge thanks to my long-time group, The Silverblades, for their relentless playtesting and feedback—and to the wider TTRPG community, whose support and creativity continue to inspire me.

The name Joker & Thief honors two of my most beloved characters: Mercutio Rashbrook (the joker) and his half-brother Decker (the thief), whose roguish adventures through Greyhawk lit the spark that’s never gone out. Mercutio was my creation; Decker was my real-life brother’s character—and together, their tales of mischief, wit, and camaraderie became the heart of our earliest games.

Thanks for reading, thanks for playing—and may your torches burn bright. —John Mitchell, The Joker