Just a quick summary, if anyone is interested. I am sorely disappointed with the extent of this in MM15, especially if you compare it to the previous MM:
Daybreak Coronet - new art, nonfutureshifted frame, new flavor Vendilion Clique - new art (clearly VERY inspired by original piece) Shadowmage Infiltrator - modern frame and new art (continuing the tradition of invitational card reprints not having the originator's face anymore) Etched Champion - new art (almost indistinguishable from original at first glance) Pillory of the Sleepless - new art (more badass)
Wildfire is using Portal: Second Age art for the first time in new frame, instead of the burning lizards.
If I count Wildfire, we are at 11 cards as opposed to 49 in MM1, and 5 new arts as opposed to 24 in MM1.
Missed opportunities for "first time non-foil"
Primeval Titan, All is Dust - could have been GP promo arts
Kor Duelist - could have been Gateway art
Comet Storm, Ant Queen - could have been prerelease/release arts
Frankly, why they have done this is beyond my understanding.
I can understand Titan and AID being reasoned to preserve their art exclusivity as GP promos. But then again, Eternal Dragon was a PT promo and it was also reprinted.
I met an artist that has done some work for MTG and other games. While this anecdotal information is unconfirmed by me, he said that the "real" reason for getting new art on old cards has nothing to do with giving players some fresh "new" cards; the reason to commission new art for an old card is that WotC can then avoid paying artists royalties for re-used art.
According to him:
Art commission contracts that WotC made in the past included such provisions that would give those artists royalties each time their art was used.
Modern contracts don't have such language
WotC targets less established artists who would be more likely to accept a contract without such language
I didn't press too much on this information, so I am not sure on how accurate it is. Admittedly, this doesn't explain why we still see the same old art on some cards, time and again, but may explain why there is a new Shadowmage Infiltrator (and why the other invitational cards get new art).
That is very true People's Hero. Art in alpha, beta, legends, etc. etc. all had royalties attached so each time the art was used they would pay the artist. Artists used to get paid significantly more by WotC in the old days. Now? WotC is cheap as hell. Just ask Jesper Myrfors about how things were back then versus now.
Yeah the art in MM2 is so disappointing. Bet they were just banking on people buying the set based on chase cards alone and not new art but I'm not buying it for lack of new art/art not available in foil and because the chase cards are all just mythics + handful of rares/yay gambling. They're making a killing on this set same with every other set but they're too stingy to get new art for more cards? Yeah that fails to impress me.
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I met an artist that has done some work for MTG and other games. While this anecdotal information is unconfirmed by me, he said that the "real" reason for getting new art on old cards has nothing to do with giving players some fresh "new" cards; the reason to commission new art for an old card is that WotC can then avoid paying artists royalties for re-used art.
According to him:
Art commission contracts that WotC made in the past included such provisions that would give those artists royalties each time their art was used.
Modern contracts don't have such language
WotC targets less established artists who would be more likely to accept a contract without such language
I didn't press too much on this information, so I am not sure on how accurate it is. Admittedly, this doesn't explain why we still see the same old art on some cards, time and again, but may explain why there is a new Shadowmage Infiltrator (and why the other invitational cards get new art).
That is very true People's Hero. Art in alpha, beta, legends, etc. etc. all had royalties attached so each time the art was used they would pay the artist. Artists used to get paid significantly more by WotC in the old days. Now? WotC is cheap as hell. Just ask Jesper Myrfors about how things were back then versus now.
Yeah the art in MM2 is so disappointing. Bet they were just banking on people buying the set based on chase cards alone and not new art but I'm not buying it for lack of new art/art not available in foil and because the chase cards are all just mythics + handful of rares/yay gambling. They're making a killing on this set same with every other set but they're too stingy to get new art for more cards? Yeah that fails to impress me.
That justification was valid back in Mirage block, which was why the stable of artists shifted so severely. Art contracts have been pretty stable for a while. WOTC owns the rights to reproduce the images in any way they choose, which is why they can print those obnoxious tip cards with card art, and they don't have to pay any more royalties. New art is a cost, although one that should pay for itself pretty fast. I asked a friend a couple years ago, and he said that he got paid about $800 per piece, plus perks (free box of the set, artist proof cards, that sort of thing). How many packs does WOTC need to ship to make that back?
I can see reusing a lot of the "iconic" art on high-profile cards. Some of it is ridiculously awesome (Wilt-Leaf Liege comes to mind), but in the last Modern Masters we got a bunch of new art on limited commons and uncommons. Thallid, Ivory Giant, Reach of Branches - these were not the money cards, but they were cards that we saw a lot in draft. The new art was welcome. I am highly disappointed that they did not choose to continue this trend. Lightning Bolt would've been the perfect choice.
BTW, Caranthir, the Emrakul prerelease card was another missed opportunity for "first time nonfoil", although IMO the Mark Tedin art is superior to the Justin Sweet. Also, the Bitterblossom could've been the judge foil art. Electrolyze could've taken a real risk and been the first foil of the comic book promo art. Everflowing Chalice could've been the first nonfoil with the FNM art. And they could've given us an Evolving Wilds foil of the Tarkir Dragonfury art. Hurkyl's Recall could've been the first foil with the original art. Mirran Crusader could've had the Buy-A-Box promo art as first time nonfoil. Niv-Mizzet could've had his first nonfoil Duel Deck art. 'Goyf could've used the original art in the non-Future frame (yeah, that's a nitpick). Several cards could've trimmed down the MPR full-art versions, or even - GASP! - just had some full-art cards with the modern ghost text format. That would've been a cool thing they could've done.
Cathodion is the first time foil for the C14 art. Same for Savage Twister (C13).
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I met an artist that has done some work for MTG and other games. While this anecdotal information is unconfirmed by me, he said that the "real" reason for getting new art on old cards has nothing to do with giving players some fresh "new" cards; the reason to commission new art for an old card is that WotC can then avoid paying artists royalties for re-used art.
According to him:
Art commission contracts that WotC made in the past included such provisions that would give those artists royalties each time their art was used.
Modern contracts don't have such language
WotC targets less established artists who would be more likely to accept a contract without such language
I didn't press too much on this information, so I am not sure on how accurate it is. Admittedly, this doesn't explain why we still see the same old art on some cards, time and again, but may explain why there is a new Shadowmage Infiltrator (and why the other invitational cards get new art).
That is very true People's Hero. Art in alpha, beta, legends, etc. etc. all had royalties attached so each time the art was used they would pay the artist. Artists used to get paid significantly more by WotC in the old days. Now? WotC is cheap as hell. Just ask Jesper Myrfors about how things were back then versus now.
Yeah the art in MM2 is so disappointing. Bet they were just banking on people buying the set based on chase cards alone and not new art but I'm not buying it for lack of new art/art not available in foil and because the chase cards are all just mythics + handful of rares/yay gambling. They're making a killing on this set same with every other set but they're too stingy to get new art for more cards? Yeah that fails to impress me.
That justification was valid back in Mirage block, which was why the stable of artists shifted so severely. Art contracts have been pretty stable for a while. WOTC owns the rights to reproduce the images in any way they choose, which is why they can print those obnoxious tip cards with card art, and they don't have to pay any more royalties. New art is a cost, although one that should pay for itself pretty fast. I asked a friend a couple years ago, and he said that he got paid about $800 per piece, plus perks (free box of the set, artist proof cards, that sort of thing). How many packs does WOTC need to ship to make that back?
I can see reusing a lot of the "iconic" art on high-profile cards. Some of it is ridiculously awesome (Wilt-Leaf Liege comes to mind), but in the last Modern Masters we got a bunch of new art on limited commons and uncommons. Thallid, Ivory Giant, Reach of Branches - these were not the money cards, but they were cards that we saw a lot in draft. The new art was welcome. I am highly disappointed that they did not choose to continue this trend. Lightning Bolt would've been the perfect choice.
BTW, Caranthir, the Emrakul prerelease card was another missed opportunity for "first time nonfoil", although IMO the Mark Tedin art is superior to the Justin Sweet. Also, the Bitterblossom could've been the judge foil art. Electrolyze could've taken a real risk and been the first foil of the comic book promo art. Everflowing Chalice could've been the first nonfoil with the FNM art. And they could've given us an Evolving Wilds foil of the Tarkir Dragonfury art. Hurkyl's Recall could've been the first foil with the original art. Mirran Crusader could've had the Buy-A-Box promo art as first time nonfoil. Niv-Mizzet could've had his first nonfoil Duel Deck art. 'Goyf could've used the original art in the non-Future frame (yeah, that's a nitpick). Several cards could've trimmed down the MPR full-art versions, or even - GASP! - just had some full-art cards with the modern ghost text format. That would've been a cool thing they could've done.
Cathodion is the first time foil for the C14 art. Same for Savage Twister (C13).
Wow, thanks. I had a suspicion that I missed somethingh among the missed opportunities, but not so many. I remembered Emrakul, but omitted it because the normal art is better
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Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Wow, thanks. I had a suspicion that I missed something among the missed opportunities, but not so many. I remembered Emrakul, but omitted it because the normal art is better
Yeah, honestly a lot of the "missed opportunity" art is worse than the art that they chose, so I'm less irritated about that. It's more that they really, REALLY should've splurged for some new art on the commons, or at least gone with the extended art.
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Just a quick summary, if anyone is interested. I am sorely disappointed with the extent of this in MM15, especially if you compare it to the previous MM:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
They could have had a nonfoil of the Duel Deck Tezzeret the Seeker. Aside from it being hideous. As well as the FNM Dismember and Mulldrifter arts.
Actually glad they didn't. On all 3 cards. My god. That FNM mulldrifter is ridicoulously ugly. Dismember and Tezz are only slightly worse than their non-foil counterparts. New art for Etched Champion isn't really an upgrade either to be honest. Less colorful, less detailed, it kind of looks like fan art or something. I love most other art by Igor Kieryluk by the way.
Igor Kieryluk is fine, his planeswalkers are just super ugly in my opinion. The FNM Mulldrifter has grown on me, as it kinda looks like a dragon. I also think the new art for Etched Champion is more of a downgrade.
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http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/the-rumor-mill/new-card-discussion/491559-modern-masters-art-card-frame-changes
So:
Daybreak Coronet - new art, nonfutureshifted frame, new flavor
Vendilion Clique - new art (clearly VERY inspired by original piece)
Shadowmage Infiltrator - modern frame and new art (continuing the tradition of invitational card reprints not having the originator's face anymore)
Etched Champion - new art (almost indistinguishable from original at first glance)
Pillory of the Sleepless - new art (more badass)
First time in foil:
Spectral Procession, Remand, Repeal (Duel Deck arts)
Sunlance (first time noncolorshifted foil, previously only nonfoils in both Elspeth DDs)
First time in new frame (meant 8th edition and beyond modern frame, not the M15 facelift)
Mystic Snake
Wildfire is using Portal: Second Age art for the first time in new frame, instead of the burning lizards.
If I count Wildfire, we are at 11 cards as opposed to 49 in MM1, and 5 new arts as opposed to 24 in MM1.
Missed opportunities for "first time non-foil"
Primeval Titan, All is Dust - could have been GP promo arts
Kor Duelist - could have been Gateway art
Comet Storm, Ant Queen - could have been prerelease/release arts
Frankly, why they have done this is beyond my understanding.
I can understand Titan and AID being reasoned to preserve their art exclusivity as GP promos. But then again, Eternal Dragon was a PT promo and it was also reprinted.
But Kor Duelist? Ant Queen? They missed the opportunity to make Comet Storm suck at least a little bit less as well.
Feel free to add if I missed something, but I think this is unfortunately all.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
According to him:
Art commission contracts that WotC made in the past included such provisions that would give those artists royalties each time their art was used.
Modern contracts don't have such language
WotC targets less established artists who would be more likely to accept a contract without such language
I didn't press too much on this information, so I am not sure on how accurate it is. Admittedly, this doesn't explain why we still see the same old art on some cards, time and again, but may explain why there is a new Shadowmage Infiltrator (and why the other invitational cards get new art).
Yeah the art in MM2 is so disappointing. Bet they were just banking on people buying the set based on chase cards alone and not new art but I'm not buying it for lack of new art/art not available in foil and because the chase cards are all just mythics + handful of rares/yay gambling. They're making a killing on this set same with every other set but they're too stingy to get new art for more cards? Yeah that fails to impress me.
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That justification was valid back in Mirage block, which was why the stable of artists shifted so severely. Art contracts have been pretty stable for a while. WOTC owns the rights to reproduce the images in any way they choose, which is why they can print those obnoxious tip cards with card art, and they don't have to pay any more royalties. New art is a cost, although one that should pay for itself pretty fast. I asked a friend a couple years ago, and he said that he got paid about $800 per piece, plus perks (free box of the set, artist proof cards, that sort of thing). How many packs does WOTC need to ship to make that back?
I can see reusing a lot of the "iconic" art on high-profile cards. Some of it is ridiculously awesome (Wilt-Leaf Liege comes to mind), but in the last Modern Masters we got a bunch of new art on limited commons and uncommons. Thallid, Ivory Giant, Reach of Branches - these were not the money cards, but they were cards that we saw a lot in draft. The new art was welcome. I am highly disappointed that they did not choose to continue this trend. Lightning Bolt would've been the perfect choice.
BTW, Caranthir, the Emrakul prerelease card was another missed opportunity for "first time nonfoil", although IMO the Mark Tedin art is superior to the Justin Sweet. Also, the Bitterblossom could've been the judge foil art. Electrolyze could've taken a real risk and been the first foil of the comic book promo art. Everflowing Chalice could've been the first nonfoil with the FNM art. And they could've given us an Evolving Wilds foil of the Tarkir Dragonfury art. Hurkyl's Recall could've been the first foil with the original art. Mirran Crusader could've had the Buy-A-Box promo art as first time nonfoil. Niv-Mizzet could've had his first nonfoil Duel Deck art. 'Goyf could've used the original art in the non-Future frame (yeah, that's a nitpick). Several cards could've trimmed down the MPR full-art versions, or even - GASP! - just had some full-art cards with the modern ghost text format. That would've been a cool thing they could've done.
Cathodion is the first time foil for the C14 art. Same for Savage Twister (C13).
Wow, thanks. I had a suspicion that I missed somethingh among the missed opportunities, but not so many. I remembered Emrakul, but omitted it because the normal art is better
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Yeah, honestly a lot of the "missed opportunity" art is worse than the art that they chose, so I'm less irritated about that. It's more that they really, REALLY should've splurged for some new art on the commons, or at least gone with the extended art.
Must have needed to save money on ink.
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Or they just haven't imported them into the new frame.
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Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
I for one am and have been TRYING to forget Theros. New flavor is a dislike for me for this one.
Reprint Stasis!
Control needs more love.
EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
Igor Kieryluk is fine, his planeswalkers are just super ugly in my opinion. The FNM Mulldrifter has grown on me, as it kinda looks like a dragon. I also think the new art for Etched Champion is more of a downgrade.