Did you catch our reveal of Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy crossover last week and think to yourself, “video games are great, but where are the *superheroes*?” If so, you’re in for a treat: Today, we’re unveiling a sneak peek at six new cards from the upcoming Spider-Man set in Magic: The Gathering, along with all the accompanying products and packaging.
**Explore the image gallery below** to see all the Spider-Man cards featured in its Commander-focused Scene Box, booster packs, Welcome Decks, and more. Continue reading to get insights into the set from Wizards of the Coast.
Marvel's Spider-Man x Magic: The Gathering - First Card and Packaging Reveal
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Set to launch on September 26, Marvel’s Spider-Man marks the second fully draftable, Standard-legal set in Magic’s Universes Beyond series, following Final Fantasy and the third after the 2023 Modern-legal Lord of the Rings set. Notably, the Scene Box cards featured above are designed for Commander play and **won't** be Standard-legal.
Although Magic ventured into the Marvel universe last year with a Secret Lair featuring Wolverine, Captain America, and others, Spider-Man is the first to receive a complete set inspired by the comics. According to Wizards of the Coast Executive Producer Max McCall, a full set was necessary to fully explore the vast Spider-Man universe. "Spider-Man needs a full set to do justice to the character and incorporate the many villains he’s encountered over the years," McCall explains. "Including characters from the Spider-Man canon in a broader set would leave too many key figures out. While we could have included Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales in a non-specific set, there wouldn't have been space for Aunt May."
McCall also highlights the unique approach to designing for a Universes Beyond set, stating, "It flips the worldbuilding on its head." Unlike a typical Magic set that needs to establish its setting and be engaging, a Universes Beyond set can leverage existing familiarity with characters like Spider-Man. "When we create a card that embodies great power and great responsibility, we can add mechanical complexity because fans already grasp the underlying story. We don't need to simplify Universes Beyond cards; we just need to capture recognizable moments that resonate with fans."
Head Designer Mark Rosewater emphasizes the versatility of Magic's color pie, stating, "It's robust enough to showcase heroism and villainy across all five colors." He explains that Spider-Man aligns with white, blue, and green, reflecting his sense of duty, scientific background, and connection to nature. "Spider-Man's commitment to using his powers for good is a white trait. His origin from a scientific accident and his inventions place him in the blue color pie. Lastly, his animal-based powers and destiny within the Spider-Man universe resonate with green."
"We're not limiting ourselves to any one [comic] run or series," says McCall. The set will include Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Bundles, and Prerelease Packs, all showcased in the gallery above. While there won't be preconstructed Commander decks, the set will bring back Welcome Decks—introductory decks distributed by game stores to help new players learn the game in a low-pressure environment.
Alongside this year’s Final Fantasy set, Wizards of the Coast recently announced a set themed around Avatar: The Last Airbender. Two more in-universe sets are also on the horizon: Tarkir: Dragonstorm and the space-themed Edge of Eternities.
*Continue reading for the full, unedited interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Max McCall and Mark Rosewater:*
