Marvel Expands Its Multiverse Into Magic: The Gathering With A Huge Announcement
Hasbro and Marvel are bringing the Marvel Universe to the world of "Magic: The Gathering" in a newly announced collaboration.
Debuting 30 years ago, "Magic: The Gathering" is a hugely popular tabletop experience. The strategic card game features players becoming Planeswalkers able to travel across different planes of reality, battling it out in a fantasy-inspired fight. Since the game is based around jumping dimensions, "Magic: The Gathering" has announced crossovers with several major pop culture franchises, including "Fallout," "Final Fantasy," "Transformers" and "The Walking Dead." The Hasbro-owned game recently collaborated with "Lord of the Rings," making international headlines for the one-of-a-kind One Ring card, eventually found and later purchased by entertainer Post Malone for a reported $2 million.
Hasbro Inc. and Marvel, who produce action figures and collectibles together, will expand their relationship into "Magic: The Gathering." While few additional details were shared in the initial announcement, Cynthia Williams, President of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Digital Gaming, expressed excitement about launching the collaboration and showcasing the Marvel Universe in the world of Magic.
"We are extremely proud to collaborate with Marvel to bring its iconic characters to fans around the world in new ways," Williams said in a press release. "These tentpole sets will build on the tradition of incorporating beloved fan-favorite characters and elements from world-class brands into Magic: The Gathering."
In a newly revealed trailer, a collaboration years in the making is officially announced
The trailer features a young kid reading comics and playing with toy versions of Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, and Captain America's shield. His mom soon discovers a Magic card as they are watching a movie, but the commercial doesn't show any of the actual cards fans can expect to see in the upcoming "Magic: The Gathering" and Marvel collaboration. The product is years away from being released. Still, the news is exciting for Marvel and Magic fans alike, as the potential to take players across the Marvel Multiverse in the card game opens up plenty of new storytelling and gameplay avenues. As a collectible, bringing the two IPs together is a no-brainer.
Dan Buckley, President of Marvel Comics and Franchise, explained in a press release working with the team behind "Magic: The Gathering" elevates their card brand further. "Trading cards have always been a part of Marvel's DNA, so this collaboration takes that experience to a whole new level," Buckley said. "With the depth that our storytelling and characters bring to the table, we can't wait for fans to see how the Marvel Universe translates seamlessly into gameplay within these Magic: The Gathering products and sets for years to come."
The first "Magic: The Gathering" cards based on Marvel characters and stories will be released globally in 2025 as more sets are planned for the future.