Magic & Marvel Unite for Original Story in 2027

Magic: The Gathering's first Universes Beyond collaboration of 2027 will feature Marvel characters, though not in the way many players expected. Rather than adapting an existing superhero team or storyline, Wizards of the Coast has partnered with Marvel to create an entirely new character and narrative specifically for the card game.

The set, titled Marvel: Darkhold Destiny, will introduce a previously unseen Marvel character debuting simultaneously in a comic book series launching in February 2027. The comic is being written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with the character and their world then becoming the focus of the Magic set. This approach marks an unusual collaboration where both the comic and card game will develop the same original story together.

The setting draws heavily from Marvel's darker supernatural elements. Described as exploring the "dark side of the Marvel Universe," the world features vampires, devils, witches, and werewolves, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Magic's gothic Innistrad setting. The Darkhold itself—Marvel's equivalent to the Necronomicon from H.P. Lovecraft's horror fiction—serves as a central element, suggesting the set will lean into supernatural and occult themes.

While the lead character is new, several established Marvel figures have been teased for inclusion. References in promotional materials point to Blade appearing as a "vampire-hunting vampire," while sorcerers and dimensional magic suggest appearances from Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, and Agatha Harkness. Two characters confirmed early are Magik and Hela, likely playing significant roles given their prominent mention. Additional characters revealed through early card spoilers include Gargantos and Darkchild, Magik's demonic alter ego.

Magic players will have access to the set starting April 9, 2027, with prerelease events scheduled for April 2. This timing means the preceding set, Nauctis, will have only about two months in the spotlight before the Marvel release arrives. The preview window for cards will likely compress this window further.

Product offerings have been partially confirmed, with multiple Commander Decks and Scene Boxes announced. Standard booster packs and collector boosters are expected but have not yet been officially detailed. Approximately 20 cards were revealed during the initial announcement at New York Comic Con, including tokens and lands alongside playable cards, providing an early glimpse at the set's mechanics and characters six months before full release.

This collaboration represents a notable shift in how Universes Beyond sets approach existing intellectual properties, prioritizing original storytelling over established narratives while still maintaining connections to the broader Marvel Universe.