Aetherdrift: A Visual Smorgasbord

Magic: The Gathering's newest set is a tasting menu of artwork from across the Multiverse

It’s hard to believe the time of Aetherdrift is almost past, with Tarkir: Dragonstorm scheduled to begin previews next week. I should have had a Three Works article out by now, but during my full-scale review of looking at each card, I discovered something. This set has a lot of moving pieces, and needed something different

Speed Token by Josiah ‘Jo’ Cameron. Digital.

Aetherdrift is Magic: The Gathering 103^rd main set, a storytelling expansion covering a moment in time: the second running of the Ghirapur Grand Prix. It encompasses the three planes of Amonkhet, Avishkar (formerly Kaladesh), and the previously unexplored Muraganda. We’re introduced to ten racing teams from across the Multiverse, hailing from both familiar places and worlds brand new (or mostly new). So three planes and ten teams, but how do we get to know them all at once? Art.

The main set is largely as one would expect; a fairly consistent style with some very important inclusions that make a difference. Expanding outward, each team leader and Omenpath Verge are featured in a special, alt-art Borderless series. Important vehicles get flung into the far futuristic stylings of the Revved Up showcase, and similarly the Graffiti Giants give the same opportunity to the mythic rare Gearhulks and new Amonkheti Gods. The Rude Riders showcase series reimagines ‘mounts’ (creature vehicles) in a way that evokes the 1950s hot rod lifestyle of Kustom Kulture. And to top it off, this set’s Special Guests are courtesy of none other than Secret Lair.

Afterburner Expert by April Prima, Sita Varma, Masked Racer by rk Post, Skybox Ferry by SchmandrewART, Ketramose, the New Dawn by Florian Bertmer, The Speed Demon by CatDirty, Chandra's Ignition by Tsubonari

Three planes, ten teams. Stacked into a main set plus five showcases including Special Guests. Is this a ton? Yes. Is that ok? Also yes. Because what could appear an overload is also a visual buffet that sets the stage for a lot of very interesting things in the future.

The very best meals at the very best restaurants are tasting menus, and there is a reason for that.

Booster Fun and Nostalgia

Putting typically ‘Booster Fun’ artists and alternative styles within the Main Set can be a gamble. What if it’s too jarring? Doesn’t fit? What if it looks a little different?

Good.

Repurposing Bay by William Tempest, Shefet Archfiend by GodMachine, Swamp by Ron Spencer, Lightning Greaves by Brigitte Roka & Clifton Stommel

Tempest comes from Booster Fun, GodMachine from Secret Lair, Spencer from Magic’s storied past and Roka (now illustrating with her partner) has touched all these bases during her career. This variance creates a richness of flavor, and for this stage, at no real expense of continuity. For as long as Magic has existed there has always been an artistic something within the Main Set to give pause and raise questions, and art director Vic Ochoa was brave enough to really lean in. While it can’t be done to this extent in every set, the wide lens adds incredible depth, creating conversation amongst players and collectors while generating opportunities for new artists and new stories. Giving more artists the chance to exist in this space has not gone unnoticed.

Connecting the Dots

I mentioned this connection in my Starting Line article, but I think it’s important to reiterate here.

The Last Ride, illustrated by Michele Giorgi for the Main Set and Deathburger for the Revved Up showcase epitomize the bond created between these two lists of cards, the Main Set and the Revved Up showcase. Two stellar artists, doing what they do best, capturing the character exactly as we’d expect to see from each. Both work and look and feel like Magic: classic and/or cinematic depictions matched with their equally impressive sci-fi and graffitied counterpart. A literal best of both worlds.

Someone Old, But Also New

Fearless Swashbuckler by CatDirty

The Rude Riders series is Magic’s version of the Roth RatFink, caricatured versions of mounts and creatures found within the set. It’s a very new way to look at a vehicle, even in stark contrast to the aforementioned showcase series. But interestingly enough, not a single one of these artists is new to Magic: every single person has had at least one card previously published in Magic via Secret Lair, some even with an entire drop. Weaving something like this into a set is difficult, but because they’re executed by artists who knows what to deliver, and directed by an AD who knows what they’re doing (shoutout to Sarah Wassell), they fit seamlessly into the overall flavor.

Special Guests by Secret Lair ^TM

For the first time since Special Guests debuted, Secret Lair took over the ten card addition, completely in their own voice. Under the direction of Jacob Covey, more than half of these artists make their Magic debut in this special subset. While I do appreciate the ‘traditional’ theming of Special Guests, being reprints as if they appeared on the subject plane, there is something to be said about letting Secret Lair do this now and again. Remember that not everyone is tuned into Magic all the time, and there are a LOT of folks that might not even know what Secret Lair is. Imagine being a new player having just built a zombie deck, and then opening Lord of the Undead by the legendary Skinner. Or being an old hat, having grown up listening to Lightning Bolt and then seeing Brian Chippendale have his first card art in Magic.

These are a chance to fundamentally change someone’s experience with Magic.

Again, restaurants do tasting menus for a reason. It’s to expand horizons, and introduce things you never knew you needed.

I’m particularly fond of the new Cavalier of Dawn by Dutch surrealist Femke Hiemstra. It’s my favorite new Magic artwork in ages.

End Step

Aetherdrift is a departure from the ‘skins’ of the 2024 sets. It’s not “Make it (blank)" but rather “What if?” It takes both kinds of set to continue the sprawl that is Magic worldbuilding, but the latter, at least under current production, creates a much richer experience. It’s nostalgic for folks that seek a more traditional ‘Magic’ storytelling and is equally exciting for players joining for the first time.

Is Aetherdrift weird? Yes. Is it different? Yes. Does it work? Hell yes.

This set opens up the Multiverse to explore dozens of new ideas, characters, and places. Where do these teams come from? Where is their home? What is their culture? How does it play into a larger story? A set that goes this wide was a necessity, a catalyst and champion for Universes Within and Booster Fun against the recent firehose that is Universes Beyond and outside IP.

It’s also a clarion call to artists that they can have a home in Magic. More opportunities for alternative styles. More opportunities for storytelling. And ultimately more opportunities to expand Magic’s universe in the most vibrant way possible: with original characters, faraway fantasy places, and by way of unique voices.

I think in five years we’ll look back at Aetherdrift as a point of departure for great things in Magic: The Gathering art and flavor. I want to know more, and see more. And I hope you do too.