The End of the Gatewatch

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

The last and final Magic Story chapter is being published to the Wizards of the coast site tomorrow (Wednesday 26 July, 2017) but we certainly can speculate what happens, without relying on the story arc in book 'The Art of Magic: The Gathering - Amonkhet'.  To this end, let us have a closer inspection of the brilliant San Diego Comic Con Planeswalker card art which is borrowed from this lovely mural by artist Vincent Proce -

• Jace - engages in a mental battle with Nicol Bolas, as we can see from the 'brain waves' emmanating from Jace against the Bolas horns.  From the small cartouche on Jace's right we see that he does not fare well.

• Liliana - interesting that we see her 'crowned' with the horns of Nicol Bolas.  The illustration immediately to her right shows what perhaps is her pledging loyalty to Nicol Bolas and given command of the dead against an unknown opponent.

• Nissa - This one is mysterious.  Sand is cascading from holes in the wall in this mural.  Nissa is holding her staff but also holding what may be Oketra's arrow.  There is nothing else here which suggests an outcome other than the Bolas horns above her suggesting she may have been bested as well.

• Chandra - She is the only Planeswalker facing left or what is supposedly away from Nicol Bolas.  This may indicate that her attention is focused on her commrades in trouble.  No Bolas horns here showing subjugation.

• Gideon - This panel seems to be unfinished as there is an absence of any glyph above or to his right.  It appears his blessing of invulnerability has been re-imagined as a cartouche.  The rock wall is cracked through this illustration perhaps suggesting his fate.

• Nicol Bolas - Shown very busy here finishing the mural of his vicotry over the Gatewatch beside Gideon.  Remember that victory is written (or is re-written) by the victor.

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SDCC 2017 MTG Promos

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

This past weekend was the much anticipated 'Hour of Devastation' PreRelease event.  We had attended one of the local events at OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario, which ran back-to-back events all weekend long.  The Saturday 3:00 PM event had over 50 Magic: the Gathering players in to game with the new cards.  

The news-worthy item we had wanted to yatter about today is the SDCC MTG promos this year.

Wizards of the Coast will once again be at San Diego Comic-Con 2017 taking place during July 20-23.  As anticipated, there will also be limited edition SDCC exclusive ‘Planeswalker Pack’ as with previous SDCC events.  Wizards has been attending the Comic-Con since 2013, and has always had some rather sought-after swag and exclusive purchase opportunities for Magic: the Gathering fans, available for sale at the WotC Booth, and in most cases on-line at the Hasbro store website.  

Here is the package for 2017

The six Planeswalker cards with exclusive ‘Amonkhet style’ artwork by illustrator, Vincent Proce will also be packaged along with a very lovely looking 40” x 36” screen print of Nicol Bolas illustrated by Brandon Holt.  

Here are the Planeswalkers - 
• Gideon of the Trials
• Jace, Unraveler of Secrets
• Liliana, Death’s Majesty
• Chandra, Torch of Defiance
• Nissa, Steward of Elements
• Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh

Click to embiggen

The Magic: The Gathering 2017 Planeswalker Pack for $180.00, and are expected to sell out again.  Previous 'PW Packs' typically sold at SDCC for about $100 but may re-sell for quite a bit more.  This may be a slight correction up but one should also consider the very lovely screen print that is also part of this package.

It is also expected that there will be a few panels hosted by Wizards of the Coast, including a Blogatog Live session with Head Designer MaRo (Mark Rosewalker), which will also include a question and answer portion.
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