MTG: Fall Secret Lair Superdrop Scratches That Vintage Itch
Step aside, ‘Stranger Things’; MTG’s Fall Secret Lair Superdrop is bringing it’s own old-school nostalgia boost, and they also have horrible eldritch monsters.
Welcome in, Planeswalkers and Praetors! If you’re anything like me, you love having gorgeous cards in your deck. Whether that’s foil, alternate art, or Secret Lair, having unique prints of a card makes your deck just a little more special. Every quarter, WotC blows it out of the park with its Superdrops, and the Fall 2023 selection is no exception. If you’re a fan of nostalgia, then this is definitely the drop to hit. The cards on offer are splendid, and will make a worthy addition to any collection.
Absolute Annihilation
While not the nostalgia hit of some of the other offerings in the drop, Absolute Annihilation is still worth a look. Printed in the style of old-school rock art and featuring fully capitalized text, these cards give off an incredible vibe. Since all the cards are as chaotic and destructive as the art, you can bet these will find their way into no small number of Rakdos decks. I just hope the ringleader doesn’t feel overshadowed.
Now On VHS!
Calling back to the late 80s/early 90s, these cards remind us of one of the most exciting things in an elder millennial’s life; picking out a VHS from the video store. Featuring sci-fi and horror-themed art, each of these dynamic cards would fit just as easily on a Blockbuster shelf as in the sleeves of a Commander deck. The First Sliver is a personal favorite of mine, calling back memories of curling up under a blanket to watch Alien when I should have been sleeping. VHS may be dead, but these four cards are making sure that it has a Flashback cost.
Magic: The Baseballing
For a lot of collectors, sports cards were the gateway into CCGs like Magic. Having a cardboard print of one of your favorite athletes made you the envy of all the other folks at school…even more so if it was “signed”. I love the idea of sports-themed Planeswalkers, and there are no better candidates than the original five Planeswalkers. While Ajani admittedly looks a bit out of place, the other four could easily have found their way into a binder next to Ken Griffey, Jr., or David Ortiz. The art, pose, and design of these cards are absolute perfection; just looking at them makes me crave some Big League Chew gum.
Keep Partying Hard, Shred Harder Than You Previously Thought Possible
Continuing off the Heavy Metal theme from two previous sets, this Rakdos offering gives us legends in the style of old metal bands. Each of the featured characters is a chaotic force in their own right, and they definitely all blast Slayer when they’re traveling the Multiverse. While the art is a little difficult to read on some of them, the art is still well worth the confusion. After all, that’s what Gatherer is for.
Featuring: Gary Baseman
I’m not sure if these give off more of a Nickelodeon or Dr. Suess vibe, but either way, they’re delightful. Alternate art lands aren’t usually great if you only get one copy, but the whimsical nature of these odd cards makes them worth the buy. The Plains, in particular, is hilarious, but the macabre humor of each card perfectly encapsulates the color it represents.
Buggin’ Out
This wild style of art has been seen on Secret Lair drops before, and it always looks horrible…in a good way. These are creepy crawly cards, and the dripping art gives them a suitably icky feel. Grist in particular has never looked better; that’s definitely a swarm of Planeswalker carrion beetles if I’ve ever seen one.
Artist Spotlight: Kev Walker
Rounding out this fabulous set is the featured artist, a staple of every Superdrop. This time around, Kev Walker provides reimagined, horrifying monstrosities for four powerful staple cards. The flavor text of each also tells the story of a young warrior seeking help from great powers only to unleash evil instead. It is a cautionary tale of trifling with things beyond your understanding.
Shop the MTG Fall Superdrop Store
Will you be picking up any of the drops?
