Spider-Man Artist Brings Venom Into Magic: The Gathering With New Promo

Venom and Magic the Gathering are coming together in a powerful new mashup between the two franchises. To celebrate his love for MTG and his incredible artistic talents, one Spider-Man artist has created a Venomized set of fan-made cards that feature two of Venom’s most terrifying enemies. These cards are begging to join the official Marvel / Magic the Gathering crossover collection.

In a post on Twitter/X, Venom War and Eddie Brock: Carnage artist Iban Coello released a pair of fan-made Magic: The Gathering cards, featuring two of the Venom franchise’s more terrifying additions.

Finding inspiration in his latest series, Venom War, the concept art presents brand-new art of Dark God Carnage and the monstrous Zombiotes. However, Coello went beyond simply swapping his art with a preexisting card’s art; the Marvel artist illustrated completely unique and stand-alone cards intended to be played in a traditional Horde mode match.

Venom Artist Iban Coello Shows Off His Talents With An Incredible "Magic: The Gathering" Mash-Up

The Longtime Venom Illustrator Plays With The Iconic Character

Iban Coello has been a long-time talent among Marvel Comics' creators. Originally gaining traction with his Deadpool & the Mercs for Money series, alongside Cullen Bunn, he later established his footing in Marvel's first Venomversecomic series. Now, almost eight years later, Coello still lends his artistic talents to the Venom franchise for Marvel, though his latest side project, the fan-made Magic: The Gathering set titled “Venom: Fight Against the Hive,” has really grabbed fans’ attention.

In the comment section of Coello’s post, fans have sounded off as being overwhelmingly excited by the fan art,even begging the artist to create more cards in the future. While these cards are unofficial, there is always the possibility Coello’s artwork could be featured in a collaboration between Marvel and Magic: The Gathering. It wouldn't be the first time an artist has parlayed independent work into a gig at Marvel, and the positive reception of Coello's cards would certainly warrant it in this case.

Marvel's Official "Magic: The Gathering" Crossover Needs Venom Representation, And Iban Coello Just Proved It

Coello's Art Needs to Be Included in Future Releases

Art from the Iron Man and Captain America cards, with other Magic: the Gathering cards displayed.

At the New York Comic Con 2024, Magic: The Gathering revealed a full collection of crossover cards with Marvel Comics. The expanded set includes five Secret Lair drops, each themed around some of Marvel’s most popular heroes. However, the official collection is severely lacking in Spider-Man or Venom representation – something Iban Coello's fan art recognizes, and solves, which should give Marvel every reason to make his work official as part of the crossover. In addition to giving fans what they want, it would be a tribute to the artist's prominence at Marvel.

Marvel and Magic the Gathering have the perfect opportunity to deepen their partnership with future crossover collections, hopefully featuring Iban Coello’s amazing Venom artwork.

Iban Coello’s crossover illustrations could easily be featured in a future collection of official cards. Venom’s corruptive symbiotic powers would make for an easy black deck build, allowing players to take control of their opponent’s cards. Likewise, a white Magic: The Gathering deck build featuring Spider-Man, along with his iconic antagonist, would be the perfect antithesis to the Venom cards. Marvel and Magic the Gathering have the perfect opportunity to deepen their partnership with future crossover collections, hopefully featuring Iban Coello’s amazing Venomartwork.

Source: Iban Coello on X