Rands posts about Magic: The Gathering historyさんのイラストまとめ

DUEL MASTERS is Wizards of the Coast's other card game, currently sold in Japan & targeted toward a younger audience than MTG.

However, that franchise didn't start with its own standalone card game

It originally was a manga where the characters played Magic: The Gathering—

DRAGONS OF TARKIR officially launched 7 years ago today!

The set reintroduced the block's plane of Tarkir, which was now filled with Dragons.

Together with numerous Dragon creature & Dragons-matter cards, the set also added a few new keywords—Megamorph, Formidable & Exploit.

Japan's version of The Duelist magazine (1998-2002) had some absolutely breathtaking covers!

ive always been too busy straining to remember this printing of Dryad Arbor is ALSO a creature, that until now, ive never stopped to notice that there is a couple necking amongst its trees

am shocked to learn that after playtesting, Kird Ape got even better...🦍🌳⛰️🌲

Playtest version (c. Oct 1993) vs Printed version

In Magic's early days, Anson Maddocks' HURLOON MINOTAUR art became a kind-of mascot for MTG & Wizards of the Coast. It was used on everything from advertising to clothing!

Here are a few other early sketches that Anson experimented with before settling on HM's now-iconic design:

@servosavant Apparently the lei is in Bader's original painting (below) & was edited out by the Onslaught-era art department.

I'd speculate that its because it didnt feel "magic-y" enough at the time but when they pulled the art file again for the reprint, they either didnt mind or missed it

The war between Mirrans & Phyrexians ignited 11yrs ago today at MIRRODIN BESIEGED prereleases!

Cards like Sword of Feast & Famine, Inkmoth Nexus & Blightsteel Colossus hit tables for the first time & there were even special faction boosters—players literally had to take sides!

MTG players first experienced TORMENT at prereleases worldwide 20yrs ago today!

The set is unique for having significantly more Black cards but less White & Green.

It also introduced the Madness mechanic & memorably featured the first reprint of Sengir Vampire since 4th Edition

behind the scenes:
the image i ALMOST went with for the FRF b'day post