Magic: The Gathering: Rise of the Gatewatch showcases rare Planeswalker artwork

Magic: The Gathering is the swords and sorcery nerdiness for some of the original geeks of the card game world. Its lush and complex lore allowed the collectible card game to reach past its addicting combination of deck-building, theorycrafting, and strategy and become a full fictional universe. It's getting a Netflix series from the Russo brothers, so obviously it's made an impact. Now Wizards of the Coast and Abrams ComicArts have teamed up to show off one of the incredible (but often underappreciated) aspects of the game: the art. 

Magic: The Gathering: Rise of Gatewatch is a colon-filled visual history of the game, with a foreword by creative designer Jenna Helland, spanning its most classic land cards to its rarest artifacts. And most of all, allowing the artists behind the cards to flex their fantasy abilities, are the Planeswalkers. These cards could rule a deck and these characters rule the stories behind MtG.

Now SYFY WIRE can let you check out some of the beautiful concept and card art showcasing some of the universe’s mighty Planeswalkers — some in art that’s never been seen before outside of a card.

Check them out:

As the book endeavors to give a backstory to Jace Beleren, Ajani Goldmane, Gideon Jura, Kaya, Chandra Nalaar, Nissa Revane, Liliana Vess, and Teferi, fans can understand the painterly journeys these characters have taken on their way to face Nicol Bolas.

Magic: The Gathering: Rise of the Gatewatch hits bookstores on July 23.