Warning: minor spoilers ahead for Magic the Gathering #1!
A preview for the upcoming Magic the Gathering (MTG) comic introduces Guildmaster heroes. The popular card game franchise is expanding and fans now have a look at what the series is about. Just like the cards, the cover art is enchanting. The world of Magic is definitely ready to be explored further.
Originally created in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast, Magic the Gathering has expanded into a massive game franchise. The game frequently releases new expansions, adding new cards and expanding the lore of the broader world. This is not the game's first comic series, though it is the first from Boom! Studios. Comics were previously published by Armada Comics, Dark Horse, and IDW. Each world in the game exists on a particular plane. Many novels and comics have focused on the Planeswalkers, beings who can travel through the world of Magic's Multiverse. This series is no exception.
New preview pages have been shared by Comic Crusaders. Written by Jed MacKay with art by Ig Guara, Magic the Gathering #1 will tell the story of three Planeswalkers in the city Ravnica. Ravnica was last seen in the 2019 expansion, War of the Spark, which provided a storyline involving a Planeswalker war. In this comic, the Planeswalkers are not at war—they are being targeted. Each of the attacked Planeswalkers is also a Guildmaster of a Ravnican guild: Ral Zarek, Vraska, and Kaya. So far, cover art has been revealed featuring Liliana Vess, Sorin Markov, and Kaya, but the following preview pages reveal more about the three Guildmasters and their world:
The preview begins with an overview of the world of Magic before centering on Ravnica. It culminates in the previously mentioned assassination attempts on Kaya, Ral Zarek, and Vraska. Each is shown in their own settings, before destruction ensues. So far, there isn't too much to go on beyond the summary that Boom! Studios previously provided. This preview doesn't add much more to what fans know, but it does show that the comic has the potential to be accessible to new readers who are less familiar with the world of Magic. A quick breakdown of the world and the Planeswalkers has already been provided and each main character at the beginning introduced. What happens next appears to be anyone's guess.
The inclusion of the Orzhov Syndicate, Izzet League, and Golgari Swarm covers the full spectrum of mana colors from the game. However, they also cover the broader hierarchy that makes up many societies. The Orzhov Syndicate (white/black) focuses on wealth, and is made up of bankers. This is the higher echelon of Ravnican society, while the Golgari Swarm (green/black) would be perceived as lower tier. The Golgari Swarm focus on the juxtaposition of life, death, and gaining power through growth. They are considered bottom of the barrel individuals, focusing more on nature and natural balance. Finally, the Izzet League (red/blue) makes up more of a higher working class dynamic, focused mostly on discovery and curiosity regarding scientific pursuits. Though each group has a Guildmaster who is high ranking and powerful, the attempts on each of them prove that status or allegiance are not inherently causes. This could prove to be a treat for long-time fans and readers just getting introduced to the franchise. Magic the Gathering has a large variety of locations, characters, and creatures that make up its world, which hopefully this comic series will successfully highlight.
Source: Comic Crusaders