MTG - Chandra Comics

~
Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Some news we had previously posted about in August earlier this year - another reboot to the Magic: the Gathering comics by IDW Publishing.  This new short series is to deliver all-new stories focused on the red-aligned pyrmancer, the Planeswalker Chandra Nalaar.  The first issue is to be released next month (November 28, 2018).  For more details on the series, read this article at IDW Publishing.

Magic: The Gathering: Chandra #1
(W) Vita Ayala (A) Harvey Tolibao (CA) Ken Lashley
In the wake of tragedy, Planeswalker and pyromancer Chandra Nalaar strikes out on her own. On her journey, she'll have to fight against threats both old and new, as well as her own sense of guilt. Can she overcome all of that alone? And who is that familiar face lurking in the shadows?

Magic: The Gathering: Chandra #2
(W) Vita Ayala (A/CA) Harvey Tolibao
After her latest defeat, Chandra feels broken as events of the past continue to haunt her, and a familiar foe seizes the opportunity to strike! Will Ajani's heroic intervention be enough to help her overcome the threat and stop her from traveling farther down a self-destructive path?

Magic: The Gathering: Chandra #3
Vita Ayala (w) • Harvey Tolibao (a) • Siya Oum (c)

Tibalt’s attacks on Chandra get more personal—and closer to home—as he thrives on her anguish. Meanwhile, Ajani tries to help her make peace with the events of her past, but will Chandra’s outrage be enough to overcome the devilish Planeswalker’s empathic onslaught?

~

The MTG Collector

~
Happy Friday MTG peeps,

As it is Friday, we suggest you make plans to make it down to your local gaming store and get into a Friday Night Magic event.  We'll be at OMG! Games, here in Barrie, Ontario to take a stab at an updated list the play group has been having some serious fun with recently - Green / White Hardened Scales.  Unfortunately, this list still does not have the best mana yet - namely Canopy Vista from Battle for Zendikar or Windswept Heath from Khans of Tarkir, but we did finally get two Undergrowth Champion in a recent trade.  If, you the reader did want to help out our group, you could always pop by out Wish List on CoolStuff Inc., and for that, we could work out a deal by giving you some air time / visibility on our MTG Realm online assets.

Anywhoos,  As we were saying, we were looking for a proper mana base and connected with another gamer in the area who was willing to talk about a trade - this fella was looking, among other things for a 'High Tide'.  We then remembered we did have a promo card from an IDS comic we had picked up in 2013 for which we forked out $5 for.

Doing the due diligence, we find out that this promo had shot up to just over $12 which was to our benefit in this particular trade.  Long story shortened, we nail down the details but also checked out the local stores to replace our comic book as it belongs to a completed set.  We were a bit shocked that we could get is ordered in for us for about $25.  We realise that we might be able to pick it up for less expense in the States perhaps be thought it too much fuss.  Suffice to say, we backed out of the trade deal.

We really do not consider ourselves collectors - sure we are happy to collect FNM / Release / Game Day promos to switch out 'normal' printings in our decks but we don't actively seek to acquire rare printings.  The one and only time we did feel like a collector was with our MTG comic books - picked each and every one up, admired the cover art and promo card and did not crack the shrink wrap.  This is not characteristic of our group - if you buy something, enjoy your purchase instead of having it sit on a shelf (and not even on display).  We now feel we can imagine how some collectors feel when they realise that their $5 purchase in now worth $25.
~

MTG Theros Comics

~
Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

According to our calendar and a host of other online media websites, today is the first day of Spring ('March' equinox).  Images called into mind are newborn lambs frolicking in a meadow festooned with a fresh vernal growth of flowers.  This is of course not the case here in Central Ontario (just North of Toronto) where there is yet another snow blizzard raging outside our window.  If you happen to be near Barrie, Ontario, drop by OMG! Games this evening to get out of the weather and take in some Commander.

As for us, we'll likely baton down the hatches, build a fire and curl up with the latest Magic: the Gathering comic book from IDW Publishing we picked up this week.  A good part of our fondness of the game stems from the storyline ('vorthos') behind the set themes and flavor text on the cards.  Another reason we love getting the MTG comic books is the alternate-art cards of course.  Since we now have all of the promo-cards, we also want to pop over to MTG Mint Card and pick up original printings as well.

Anywhoos, now that we now have all five comic books in the latest Theros series, here's a handy summary -  
 

IDW Comics Magic: the Gathering Volume 4 - "Theros"
• Theros #1 — Alternate-Art High Tide
• Theros #2 — Alternate-Art Gaze of Granite
• Theros #3 — Alternate-Art Wash Out
• Theros #4 — Alternate-Art Acquire
• Theros #4 — Alternate-Art Duress

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #1 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Eric Deschamps (c)
DACK FAYDEN RETURNS! After eliminating Sifa Grent, the Planeswalker that destroyed his hometown, Dack has settled down in Ravnica to do what he does best: break in and steal the secrets from Ravnica's rarest artifacts. But upon uncovering the half of a strange gauntlet, Dack is led to a strange new plane: the realm of THEROS, a sun-dappled ruled by gods and inhabited by mythological beasts!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
Variant Covers: variant Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #2 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Dan Scott (c)
Dack Fayden follows the trail of his most recent stolen artifact to THEROS, where he makes his way to a sinister island that holds the secrets of his newest acquisition. But such powerful artifacts are rarely left unguarded...
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card
Variant Covers: variant Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #3 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Volkan Baga (c)
Dack Fayden has managed to assemble the powerful artifact that first brought him to THEROS. But as a monster of the deep attacks the vessel he sails on, Dack must put his new acquisition to good use… and fast!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card
Variant cover by Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #4 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Chris Evenhuis (a) • Anthony Francisco (c)
Dack Fayden remains in THEROS with his new artifact—a powerful gauntlet that holds many secrets. But those secrets may bring trouble to Dack’s doorstep… and the Planeswalker thief will have to face a foe unlike any other.
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card
Variant Cover by Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering - Theros #5
Release Date - Wed, March 19th, 2014
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Michael Komarck (c)
A new threat stalks the nightmares of the people of THEROS and it’s up to Dack Fayden to figure out a way to stop this new enemy. But will Dack’s own dreams be overtaken before he can confront this threat? Perhaps he will have to seek help from the gods of Theros before he can stop Ashiok, the Nightmare Weaver!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card.
 Variant Cover by Martin Coccolo
~

Theros No. 2 Out Today

~
Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

All across North America and many other places worldwide, new releases are hitting comic book store shelves.  Here at MTG Realm, we've been looking forward to each and every release in the Magic: the Gathering series from IDW Publishing.  For those Magic: the Gathering players who want to get in on the Theros flavour / storyline, we definitely will suggest picking up each MTG IDW publication.  Anywhoos, The latest in the Theros series is now out so let's have a look.

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #2 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Dan Scott (c)
Dack Fayden follows the trail of his most recent stolen artifact to THEROS, where he makes his way to a sinister island that holds the secrets of his newest acquisition. But such powerful artifacts are rarely left unguarded…
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
In Shops: 11/13/2013
Regular cover art by Dan Scott
Alternate art cover by Martin Coccolo

The promo card with this comic is an alternate art Dragon's Maze Rare, Gaze of Granite.  With original art from Nils Hamm, the alternate art from Dan Scott features comic's main character in a sticky situation with a Gorgon on Theros.  This Golgari sorcery, costing two black, a green and 'X' allows the player to destroy each nonland permanent with converted mana cost X or less - a solid board wipe option in standard constructed right now.  You may even want to pick this (regular) single up from MTG Mint Card now for your local Friday Night Magic event.  For some gamers, it might not be as good as Pernicious Deed (from Apacalypse) but in today's standard, this is a great way to toast all those Master of Waves and Elspeth generated token creatures on the battlefield.

The Multiverse—a boundless expanse of worlds, each different from the last. These worlds, called planes, differ as widely as the imagination. All planes are connected by the substance of the Multiverse itself: the Æther, called the Blind Eternities by Planeswalkers—the only beings who ever see it. With their ability to cross the Blind Eternities from one plane onto another, laneswalkers are some of the only beings with the ability to explore the vastness of the Multiverse and the wonders that it holds.

Upon stealing one half of a mysterious artifact in the plane of Ravnica, Dack is led to Theros, where the other half resides. While attempting to find a boat so he can travel to the other half's location, Dack bumps into a mean looking captain and finds himself surrounded by his crew . . . 

~

IDW Theros Promos

~
Happy Friday MTG peeps,

A happy Friday indeed as it is Friday Night Magic.  Magic: the Gathering fans around the world are taking part at local FNM events held at their local gaming stores.  We will be heading off to OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario.  As school is soon underway, we'll be expecting a few more familiar faces as students at Georgian College across the road start to re-occupy dorms.

Anywhoos - onto today's article - An interesting Theros spoiler - not from the actual MTG set but rather from the IDW comics.  Some time ago, IDW comics had teamed up with Wizard of the Coast to create a 4-comic book series based on the storyline. It introduced a new planeswalker, Dack Fayden (Eric Deschamp concept illustration shown here) who could easily be mistaken for a GQ front pager.  Long story short, the first series whose story was rooted in the Plane of Innistrad was a hit, and serveral more series was developed.  One thing which we definitely look forward to is that in each of the comic books, there is playable MTG alternate-art promo card - see below for the full list.

Recently on Imgur / Reddit, a total of five never seen before cards were posted and then the original poster deleted their account - weirdness.  The following cards were shown all with the IDW publishing logo which suggests they will be the new MTG Comic promos in the Theros series - 

Acquire - Fifth Dawn (Rare)
Wash Out - Invasion (Uncommon)
High Tide - Fallen Empires (Common)
Duress - Urza's Saga / multiple (Common)
Gaze of Granite - Dragon's Maze (Rare)

We were expecting another four in this Theros set but we have five cards here which may mean that the new volume will contain five issues (and cards) OR that Wizards had IDW produce a supplemental product with one of the 'extra' cards shown to be handed out at a venue like PAX Prime.
~
Anywhoos - for reference, here's the run down of all the IDW issues along with their promo card -

IDW Comics Magic: the Gathering Volume 1
• Issue #1 (2/1/12) — Alternate-Art Treasure Hunt
• Issue #2 (2/29/12) — Alternate-Art Faithless Looting
• Issue #3 (3/28/12) — Alternate-Art Feast of Blood
• Issue #4 (5/23/12) — Alternate-Art Electrolyze

IDW Comics Magic: the Gathering Volume 2 - "The Spell Thief"
• The Spell Thief #1 (6/27/12) — Alternate-Art Arrest
• The Spell Thief #2 (8/8/12) — Alternate-Art Consume Spirit
• The Spell Thief #3 (9/19/12) — Alternate-Art Standstill
• The Spell Thief #4 (11/7/12) — Alternate-Art Breath of Malfegor

IDW Comics Magic: the Gathering Volume 3 - "Path of Vengeance"
• Path of Vengeance #1 (12/5/12) — Alternate-Art Turnabout
• Path of Vengeance #2 (12/19/12) — Alternate-Art Voidmage Husher
• Path of Vengeance #3 (1/30/13) — Alternate-Art Ogre Arsonist
• Path of Vengeance #4 (2/27/13) — Alternate-Art Corrupt

IDW Comics Magic: the Gathering Volume 4 - "Theros"
• Theros #1 (10/21/13) — Alternate-Art High Tide (?)
• Theros #2 (11/13/13) — Alternate-Art Gaze of Granite (?)
• Theros #3 (?) — Alternate-Art ?
• Theros #4 (?) — Alternate-Art ?

• ??? - a fifth one ???
~