Check the background of the previewed card. Ghost Quarter. Its bloody similar. Notice the clock-tower? It seems like it could be down the street. The citys of Inn are known for there religion. I don't know much about Ravnica, but I wouldn't think the would have that much of a religion following.
Although I agree that Ghost Quarter's eerie architecture is similar to the slick spires in the background of Ral's image, I think there's too much evidence that points towards them existing on two different planes for us to assume that Ral's image is a depiction of Innistrad.
Firstly, the conspicuously floating buildings behind Ral don't exactly scream "classic horror tropes." Although we haven't even come close to seeing all of the Innistrad block's artwork, I think it's a safe bet that Wizards are going to stick to the pseudo-Transylvanian aesthetics that they've already established.
Secondly, the cityscape behind Ral seems extremely vast; much more vast than any of the towns or hamlets that we've seen on current Innistrad artwork. The only part of Innistrad that's urban enough to be considered a city at all is the province of Gavony, and even that's pushing it.
Once again, for all I know, Ral will show up in the Innistrad block this year. But if he did, he would almost certainly be excluded from the (supposed) return to Ravnica block next year. And for an officially Izzet Planeswalker to not make his debut on Ravnica seems highly unlikely to me.
While searching for the release date of the first DotP 2012 expansion, I came across this screenshot. It seems to put to rest the "Is Ral or isn't Ral from Ravnica" debate.
This doesn't prove that he won't show up in the Innistrad block, and it doesn't even really prove that that is, indeed, Ravnica in his image's background. But if "Hook" does, indeed, turn out to be a return to Ravnica, it seems pretty likely that that's where we'll first meet the mysterious Izzet Planeswalker in full-on card form.
I hope this hasn't been discovered already, and I hope this helps!
2) Doesn't fit into the name and number crunch.
3) It's been confirmed that there will only be two Planeswalkers in Innistrad, and they've already been confirmed to be Liliana and Garruk.
Although I agree that Ghost Quarter's eerie architecture is similar to the slick spires in the background of Ral's image, I think there's too much evidence that points towards them existing on two different planes for us to assume that Ral's image is a depiction of Innistrad.
Firstly, the conspicuously floating buildings behind Ral don't exactly scream "classic horror tropes." Although we haven't even come close to seeing all of the Innistrad block's artwork, I think it's a safe bet that Wizards are going to stick to the pseudo-Transylvanian aesthetics that they've already established.
Secondly, the cityscape behind Ral seems extremely vast; much more vast than any of the towns or hamlets that we've seen on current Innistrad artwork. The only part of Innistrad that's urban enough to be considered a city at all is the province of Gavony, and even that's pushing it.
Once again, for all I know, Ral will show up in the Innistrad block this year. But if he did, he would almost certainly be excluded from the (supposed) return to Ravnica block next year. And for an officially Izzet Planeswalker to not make his debut on Ravnica seems highly unlikely to me.
Ask, and ye shall yadda, yadda, yadda...
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/puzzle/duels-of-the-planeswalkers-2012-expansion/images/0/21/?tag=thumbs_below%3Bthumb%3B1
Long time lurker, first time poster.
While searching for the release date of the first DotP 2012 expansion, I came across this screenshot. It seems to put to rest the "Is Ral or isn't Ral from Ravnica" debate.
This doesn't prove that he won't show up in the Innistrad block, and it doesn't even really prove that that is, indeed, Ravnica in his image's background. But if "Hook" does, indeed, turn out to be a return to Ravnica, it seems pretty likely that that's where we'll first meet the mysterious Izzet Planeswalker in full-on card form.
I hope this hasn't been discovered already, and I hope this helps!
http://imageshack.us/f/560/64025820110817640screen.jpg/