A seemingly ordinary Magic: The Gathering common card is making waves in the collecting community, thanks to its inclusion as a promotional item in the English release of the Destroy All Humans, They Can’t Be Regenerated manga. This manga, originally a Japanese series, has gained popularity among both manga and MTG fans, and now its English debut is causing quite a stir.
Manga’s English Release Includes Promo Cards
The Destroy All Humans manga, written by Katsura Ise and illustrated by Takuma Yokota, follows the story of two high school rivals who bond over their love of Magic: The Gathering in the late 1990s. Each volume of the manga comes with a unique promotional Magic: The Gathering card. These promo cards have been a key part of the manga’s appeal, especially in its Japanese releases, and now English-speaking fans are getting their chance to collect them.
The first English volume includes a foil version of Diabolic Edict, a common black instant card. The English release, courtesy of VIZ Media, has made these promo cards accessible to a wider audience. Die-hard fans of the card game were already aware of these promos from the Japanese releases, however, the English release is allowing collectors everywhere to grab these unique cards.
A Look at the Included Cards
The promo cards included in the manga are not new, exclusive cards, but rather reprints of older cards with classic art. The first volume of the English release contains Diabolic Edict, which is a reprint with its classic art in foil. Other cards that have been included with previous volumes of the manga in Japan are:
- Shock
- Duress
- Voltaic Key
- Dark Ritual
- Crop Rotation
- Counterspell
- Bone Shredder
- Disenchant
- Wild Growth
- Culling the Weak
- Gush
- Avalanche Riders
It is important to note that while most of these cards are reprints, they are included with unique art or treatments, making them desirable for collectors. For example, Avalanche Riders has all new art for its promo release. This is due to the fact that its original artist was dropped by Wizards of the Coast in 2005.
The $8 Common: Why is it Valuable?
While most commons in Magic: The Gathering are worth very little, the promotional cards included in the manga have seen a significant increase in value. This is mainly due to their limited availability and unique art. The Diabolic Edict promo, while a common card, can be found on the secondary market for around $8 USD.
This is not the first time a common card has gained significant value. Certain commons, particularly from older sets, have become highly sought after by collectors due to their power or scarcity. For example, cards like Gitaxian Probe, Mutagenic Growth and Glistener Elf from the New Phyrexia set are known to be very valuable, despite their common rarity. Even some green commons, such as Priest of Titania, have become valuable due to the demand for the card in specific deck builds.
The increase in value of the manga promo cards is not just due to rarity, but also because of the unique way they are distributed. The fact that they are included with the manga, rather than being found in booster packs or other typical products, adds to their desirability and collectibility.
Factors Driving the Price
Several factors contribute to the surprising value of these common promo cards:
- Limited Availability: The cards are only available with the purchase of the manga, making them inherently limited.
- Unique Art: Many of the promos feature unique artwork or foil treatments.
- Collector Demand: Both Magic: The Gathering and manga collectors are interested in these items, driving up demand.
- Nostalgia: The manga is set in the late 90s, appealing to fans who played the game during that time period.
- Reprint Value: Though the cards themselves are not new, their unique prints make them more desirable than their original printing.
Where to Find the Manga and Promos
The English translation of the Destroy All Humans manga is available for purchase at most major booksellers such as Barnes & Noble, as well as online retailers like Amazon. As the manga continues to be released, more promotional cards will become available, adding to the interest of both Magic: The Gathering players and manga collectors.
For those interested in securing these promotional cards, it is advisable to check your local bookstore, as well as online retailers who sell the manga. The cards are sealed in an envelope behind the back cover of the book.
The Future of Manga Promos
With the English release of the Destroy All Humans manga, it is expected that the demand for these promotional cards will continue to grow. As more volumes are released, more unique promos will become available, further fueling interest.
The manga itself is also a good product for those who enjoy both Magic and manga. The story provides a refreshing look at human connection through the card game, and offers a charming look back at 1990s culture.
Conclusion
The unexpected value of a common Magic: The Gathering card included with the Destroy All Humans manga highlights the unique way that collectibles and nostalgia can drive market demand. The combination of a popular manga series and exclusive, limited-edition promotional cards, has created a perfect storm for increased interest in these cards. Whether you’re a Magic: The Gathering player, a manga fan, or simply a collector, the English release of the Destroy All Humans manga offers a unique and exciting way to engage with the world of collectible cards. As more volumes are released, these cards are certain to remain a hot topic in the MTG community.
