Magic: The Gathering Designer Says Creating Marvel Super Heroes Cards Felt Like “Cheating”
With over 600 unique cards, the Marvel Super Heroes set marks a historic milestone for Magic: The Gathering, becoming the largest set in the game's long history. This massive collaboration between Magic and the Marvel Universe has allowed designers to delve deep into the nearly 90-year legacy of Marvel Comics, bringing to life not just the most iconic heroes and villains, but also lesser-known characters that fans may not have encountered before. As Mark Rosewater, lead designer of the set, explained during Summer Game Fest, the process of creating these cards was both exhilarating and challenging.
The Balance Between Marvel and Magic
Designing a set of this scale required careful consideration of balance—especially when it came to characters like Thor, whose abilities could easily become game-breaking in gameplay. Rosewater emphasized the need to honor Marvel while ensuring the set remained accessible and enjoyable for Magic players who may not be familiar with the Marvel Universe. “The key was to make it the most Marvel set we could, but also just make it a good Magic set,” he said.
The result, he explained, was a set that resonated with both Marvel fans and Magic enthusiasts. Marvel fans were thrilled to see their favorites brought to life in unique and creative ways, while non-fans found the set engaging and fun to play. “The Marvel fans were all geeking out over all the cool stuff we've done, and the non-Marvel fans were like, 'Okay, I'll play because it looks so good,'” Rosewater said.
Creating Cards That Reflect the Spirit of Marvel
Rosewater shared that one of his favorite parts of the project was selecting deep cuts—characters who may not be as well-known but still hold a special place in Marvel’s history. His personal favorite was Squirrel Girl, a character he described as “a little more deep of a cut six years ago than it is now.” He was drawn to her not only for her unique place in the Marvel Universe but also for her connection to squirrels, a detail that resonated with Magic players who love the idea of squirrels in gameplay.
The Squirrel Girl card, as it appears in the final set, reflects this creative fusion. It brings together elements that both Marvel and Magic fans will appreciate, making it a standout addition to the set.
Innovation Through Universes Beyond
Designing characters like Speedball, a member of the New Warriors with unusual powers, pushed the Magic: The Gathering team to think outside the box. Speedball’s ability to absorb and redirect kinetic energy inspired a unique card design that allows players to redirect kill spells and boost his power in creative ways. Rosewater noted that this kind of innovation is one of the most rewarding aspects of working on Universes Beyond sets.
“Most of the time in Magic, you're just playing in an unknown world you don't know,” Rosewater said. “Think of it like that: These are cool characters that you don't know and that make for cool Magic cards.”
A Set for Everyone
For those who may not be familiar with Marvel, Rosewater encouraged them to give the set a try. “You don't need to know Marvel to have a fun time playing Magic,” he said. He pointed to Squirrel Girl as an example of a card that can be enjoyed regardless of familiarity with the Marvel Universe. Whether you're a long-time Magic player or a Marvel fan, the Marvel Super Heroes set offers something for everyone.
In the next part of the interview, Rosewater discusses how Squirrel Girl complements existing Magic deck types and the creative freedom that comes with designing for the Universes Beyond series.
