When Art Arrives December 31, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Art, Magic Arcana, Magic: The Gathering, New Set
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So this is a blatant repost of the Magic Arcana today, When Art Arrives.
I really like this article showing how they post art for a new set as it comes in. As an art director it is cool to see how other creative groups work etc.
I wanted to post a question in the forums about this but I can’t make heads or tails of them. Either I’m forum deficient or the forums are just over loaded with other randomness. (sorry for that mini rant)
I’m wondering if those are all the original artworks or if they are scans or just digital prints? I can’t imagine that all the artists work traditionally. It does look like there is some original art on that wall (follow the link to the article and you can see better shots).
It would be cool if wizards posted some concept art to finished product. I know they have done this before but I like to see that thinking process as well.
Magic Comics – Ice Age December 30, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Comic Books, Ice Age, Magic: The Gathering
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Today I got back to work from the holidays and low and behold my first magic comics are waiting for me. I picked up all four books in the Ice age series for $1 on ebay (plus shipping of course). I haven’t gotten a chance to look at any of them, but I will let you know when I do.
However I do have a certain dilemma regarding these books. Number 3 and 4 are still in the original packaging. Not sure if I should go there and open them. Obviously they are not that valuable since I got all four for one dollar. But still. I guess it will depend on how good the first two books are and if I want to know what happens.
Here is the best list of all the Magic: the Gathering comics I could find online, at the visually offensive Troll and Toad website.
Since today’s posting theme should be comic here is another online comic I just found, Breaking the Magic. It focuses on more than just MTG but there are some good ones.
Good Bye UG Madness December 30, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Magic: The Gathering, UG Madness
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This week we bid farewell to UG Madness. The only definitive Magic: the Gathering comic strip.
I started reading around the Eventide release and I’ve never missed a week. I’m sad to see it go but all good things must come to an end as they say. Unless you resolve Time Stretch but who ever has that much mana anyway.
Thanks Jason for all your hard work, free fake playset of foil Nicol Bolas for you sir.
Home for the Holidays December 29, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Christmas, Menger Sponge
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The past few days I’ve been home with my family. I figured since it is the Holidays I’d have lots of time to sit around and write posts for the blog, dream up new deck lists and play a lot of magic. That seemed to happen during this past Thanksgiving but not Christmas. I guess all the traveling we had to do put a damper on that plan. Driving to Cleveland Christmas Day and then to Michigan the day after (where we hit a major ice storm). All that adds up to me not getting any playing or much internet time, but since it’s the holidays I know its time to be with friends and family.
Well now I’m back in Pittsburgh and the only magic I played was with my brother. Santa brought me the Jace vs Chandra duel precon, and we played one game where I lost with the Jace deck.
Just clicking around this moring I saw this over at the official site, they call it a Menger Sponge:
One other thing. If anyone is an advanced ebay seller can you give me a quick buzz. I’ve got a buddy who is in the middle of a frustrating ebay situation and he could use a suggestion or two on how to handle things. You can email me at normhuelsman [at] mac [dot] com or just comment on this post and I’ll get back to you. Thanks!
Dance of the Planeswalkers December 24, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: Ajani Goldmane, Chandra Nalaar, Christmas Command, elf, Elspeth, Knight-Errant, Liliana Vess, Planeswalkers, Sarkhan Vol
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So I made an elf yourself with 5 planeswalkers but I couldn’t save the the file or provide a link without paying money. So that was about 30 minutes well wasted.
I didn’t even get a screen shot.
Merry Christmas everyone. Here is my Chiristmas card for ‘08.
Card name: Christmas Command
Mana cost: 2
Type: Instant
Card text: Choose two. Put a +1/+1 counter on creatures your opponents control; or regenerate every creature in play; or each other player gains +10 life; or each other player draws a card.
Flavor text: Tis’ better to give than receive.
I didn’t have time to make an actual card so you can just imagine your own artwork. Or if someone wants to make this into a card with an editor send it over and I’ll post it.
Conflux Continues: Intro Packs December 18, 2008
Posted by Norm in Conflux, Spoilers.Tags: Conflux, Intro Pack, Spoilers
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Like said in my previous post I got a double shot of Conflux spoiler today, part 2: Intro Packs. Obviously they are keeping each shard in its own deck pretty much the same as in Shards of Alara. There is no sign of deck lists yet but here are the deck images and names.
For larger images and the official announcement click here.
One other thing.
Wizards released this video with more art and names, from Worlds.
Conflux Fat Pack Attack December 18, 2008
Posted by Norm in Conflux, Spoilers.Tags: Conflux, Fat Pack, Spoiler
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Today I wake up to Conflux in my Google Reader. Didn’t I say spoiler season is like the 60 days of Christmas. Anyway. Take a look at the box and art. Thanks wizards for the previews now I can get back to wondering when we are going to start seeing some card previews.
One news of note about this round of Fat Pack; there will now be 8 booster packs. Everything else is standard fair.
Conflux Packaging Revealed December 17, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.Tags: booster box, Conflux, packaging, Spoiler
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Today we get a taste of the Conflux packaging in Magic Arcana. Here we have this nicely photoshoped view of the booster box. Honestly I think this is one of the coolest looking booster boxes in a while. This box just says, “I contain massively awesome creatures buy me.” Love that Apocalypse Hydra and all his nasty teeth.
Here are images of three booster packs too.
Can’t wait to start drafting the new set.
Conflux Spoilers Continues December 15, 2008
Posted by Norm in Conflux, Spoilers.Tags: Conflux, Duels of the Planeswalkers, Nissa Revane, Spoilers
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I love a new set spoiler season. Each day is like a mini christmas!
There have been numerous postings about this information on MTG Salvation and around the web. Copy Six at MTG Realm beat me to blog on this info, so since I’m kind of busy today, you can read about the World’s Spoilers and announcements on his site.
The one announcement I’m kind of stoked about is the foil Garuk players will receive when buying a copy of Duels of the Planeswalkers for XBox360. Since I’m already planning on picking up the game this will be an extra bonus for me. I don’t know why they are mailing the card to people when they could just include on in the game packaging.
One worried thought I have is that the game isn’t that great so that is why they are choosing to give out a good card with the game. Instead of Garuk Wizards should release exclusive copies of Nissa Revane. That would really get the game flying off the shelves.
Shichifukujin Dragon December 15, 2008
Posted by Norm in Casual.5 comments
While brushing up on ultra rare magic cards I came across this Shichifukujin Dragon. There is only one version of this card in existence that now resides at the Hobby Center in Japan (I’m not sure if that is a business or a place).
Here is a link to Mark Rosewater’s recap of how the card was created and why he chose the unique abilities. Personally I really like the idea of a risk/reward card. Kind of like Figure of Destiny in how it can get bigger.
Below is the text I yanked from Magic Librarities.net:
The Shichifukujin Dragon was created to celebrate the opening of the Japan DCI Tournament Center in Tokyo, Japan. All copies except for one were destroyed. The remaining Shichifukujin Dragon has been encased at the Tournament Center for public view together with the original artwork of the card. The Tournament Center was closed on February, the 28th in 2003, and the card was moved to the Hobby Japan Head Office where it currently resides. Shichifukujin is the name of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune of Japanese mythology.
Hobby Japan produced a life counter using the artwork of the Shichifukujin Dragon.
