Wizards of the Coast and Magic: The Gathering have officially announced a vibrant new Secret Lair drop titled Nuestra Magia, launching today in partnership with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC). This collaboration aims to celebrate and honor the rich tapestry of Latin American cultures through stunning new artwork and unique card selections.
But before we dive into Nuestra Magia, I’d like to have a personal word.
Last week, we met with the Magic: The Gathering team to discuss their Final Fantasy set at Summer Game Fest Play Days. It was on a Monday and after a weekend of increasing police violence against protestors in Downtown Los Angeles defending their neighbors from increased racialized violence and profiling from ICE.
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Protesting the ICE raids in the area was the right thing to do. Still, the feeling on the Play Days campus from my non-Latino peers seemed to be more worried about the Waymos on fire than the fact that I or any of the other attendees could be stopped by the police, or if we had undocumented family we were worried about.
The folks I spoke with probably didn’t pick up on it, but the way I and other Latino members of the press and creators felt that weekend was increasingly angry, scared, and confused. The increased police presence on the campus that day didn’t make it easier.
For me, I came into Magic: The Gathering two years ago with The Lord of the Rings Universes Beyond set and stayed because I spoke with Senior Art Director Ovidio Cartagena at that meeting. After that, I saw one of the most vibrant takes on Latin American history and culture in fantasy with The Lost Caverns of Ixalan set that Cartagena also led. And Magic, well, it started to feel like home.
This was supposed to be a simple news story about the Nuestra Magia collection, but right now, in the wake of what began last week and what continues today, with the increased targeting of Latinos and immigrants everywhere, this announcement carries much more weight. I am often the only Latina in a room, often the only one with brown skin, and in moments where my community is being targeted, announcements like this matter.
Is it going to change anything on a large scale? No. But what it will do is let Latino Magic players know that we matter, that our culture is gorgeous and vibrant and should be celebrated, not imprisoned. So now that you’ve read my piece, here’s what you need to know about the Nuestra Magia collection.
Most importantly, however, while cultural outreach from companies can often be capitalistic moves that want our money and not our people, it’s important to note that 50% of the product price will be directly donated to NALAC, further supporting their mission to promote and preserve Latino arts and cultures.
What’s the focus of the Nuestra Magia collection?
The Nuestra Magia collection features illustrations from various Latino artists, with card choices directly inspired by the diverse cultures of Latinoamérica. In a move to further embrace authenticity and cultural immersion, select cards in this special drop will also feature alternate names in Spanish and Portuguese. Fans can look forward to seeing familiar cards like Sylvan Library reimagined as “La abundancia de Yúcahu.”
Leading this artistic endeavor is Senior Art Director Ovidio Cartagena, a veteran who has contributed to recent Magic sets such as Phyrexia: All Will Be One, The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, and Duskmourn: House of Horror. Cartagena’s vision for Nuestra Magia is to ignite curiosity and excitement within the Magic community, encouraging players to learn more about Latinoamérica’s vibrant cultures and people.
Nuestra Magia will be a print-to-demand release, offering two distinct versions: one with Spanish and Portuguese rules text, and another with English rules text. Both versions will be available in both non-foil and rainbow foil finishes.
