“We Couldn’t Do This Right Out of the Gate”: MTG Team Talks Darkhold Destiny And Creating A New Marvel Character
Magic: The Gathering’s new “Darkhold Destiny” expansion marks the second consecutive year that a Universes Beyond crossover has been unveiled at New York Comic Con. Following last year’s successful TMNT-themed set, this year’s Marvel-focused expansion dives into the mystical and darker elements of the Marvel universe.
The expansion was presented by key members of the MTG development team, including lead designer Mark Rosewater, narrative designer Dillon Deveney, art director Merideth Mulroney, and Marvel director of product development Jesse Falcon. During the panel discussion, the team addressed several important topics: the strategic timing for launching the set, the development of a brand-new Marvel character that will debut simultaneously in both Magic cards and Marvel comics, and the resurrection of a classic Magic mechanic that longtime fans haven’t encountered in decades.
The Darkhold Destiny set emphasizes the mystical aspects of the Marvel universe, with character Hela appearing as part of the expansion’s focus. This collaboration continues Wizards of the Coast and Marvel’s partnership in bringing Marvel intellectual property to Magic: The Gathering players through the Universes Beyond program, which has become an increasingly important part of MTG’s expansion schedule.