Magic: The Gathering is expanding its collaboration with Marvel Entertainment with the announcement of a new themed card set, Darkhold Destiny, alongside special releases and a promotional card linked to the upcoming theatrical release of Avengers: Doomsday.
The new set, scheduled for release on April 7, 2027, will draw on the mystical and supernatural elements of the Marvel Universe, featuring prominent characters such as Doctor Strange, Thor, Hela and Dormammu.
Announced during Magic’s New York Comic Con panel on Friday, the collection will introduce an original storyline set within the Marvel Universe, as well as a new character developed by the creative team behind the project. A Marvel comic book is also scheduled to debut alongside the card set, offering fans another way to explore its narrative.
The release represents the third Universes Beyond collaboration between Magic and Marvel under their multiyear partnership, bringing characters and stories from the comic book franchise into the popular trading card game.
According to Wizards of the Coast, the Hasbro subsidiary responsible for Magic: The Gathering, the project aims to combine the game's established mechanics and storytelling approach with Marvel's extensive fictional universe.
“This is a new kind of Universes Beyond set,” the company said in its description of the project.
“By taking the core elements players love about Magic: The Gathering, the team thoughtfully and strategically expressed those design intentions through the Marvel Universe. The narrative unfolds across nearly 30 dimensions and is centered around four main characters — Doctor Strange, Thor, Hela and Dormammu.”
The emphasis on multiple dimensions and magical characters is expected to distinguish Darkhold Destiny from previous collaborations, placing supernatural forces and interdimensional storytelling at the centre of the collection.
The accompanying comic book will further develop the story, connecting the card set to a broader narrative experience for fans of both franchises.
Doctor Doom card promotion tied to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Beyond the announcement of Darkhold Destiny, Wizards of the Coast revealed a promotional initiative linked to Marvel Studios' upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.
Under the promotion, fans who attend opening-weekend screenings of the film in Infinity Vision at Regal Cinemas will receive an exclusive Magic: The Gathering card featuring Doctor Doom, one of Marvel's most recognisable antagonists.
The initiative connects the cinematic release with the trading card game, offering participating moviegoers a collectible that brings the character into the Magic universe.
Doctor Doom will also feature prominently in another announced collaboration, Doomsdrop, a special multi-drop collection inspired by Marvel comics.
Wizards said the release would predominantly feature Doctor Doom, while also including appearances by other notable characters from the Marvel Universe.
Although further details about the collection were not provided in the announcement, the project adds to the growing range of products bringing Marvel characters into Magic's card-based storytelling format.
Secret Lair collection celebrates Marvel history
Wizards also announced Secret Lair Countdown Kit: Marvel’s History of Heroes, a limited-edition collection comprising 30 cards celebrating landmark moments from Marvel's comic book history.
The collection is scheduled to launch on November 2 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, with a listed price of $199.99.
According to Wizards, more than 30 artists contributed illustrations for the release, drawing inspiration from memorable characters, transformations and events that have shaped the Marvel Universe.
The collection will revisit moments ranging from the Fantastic Four's transformation following exposure to cosmic rays to Iron Man's early story involving Ho Yinsen and Jean Grey's emergence as the Phoenix.
“The release features illustrations crafted by over 30 artists celebrating iconic moments from Marvel’s comic history — from the transformation of the Fantastic Four in space via cosmic rays, to the first appearance of Iron Man with Ho Yinsen, to Jean Grey’s transformation into the fiery Phoenix,” the company said.
The project is designed to celebrate Marvel's legacy through a curated collection of artwork and cards, appealing to collectors interested in both the trading card game and the comic book franchise.
A growing crossover between gaming and comics
The latest announcements underscore the continued expansion of Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond initiative, which introduces characters, settings and stories from other entertainment properties into the game.
Marvel's extensive catalogue of superheroes, villains and supernatural storylines offers a broad range of material for such collaborations, from iconic figures such as Doctor Strange and Thor to antagonists including Hela, Dormammu and Doctor Doom.
With Darkhold Destiny scheduled for April 2027, alongside the comic book tie-in, the promotional Doctor Doom card and the additional Secret Lair release, the announcements signal several upcoming opportunities for fans to engage with Marvel through Magic.
Wizards of the Coast has also presented the new set as a distinct storytelling project, with its own narrative and original character, rather than simply a collection of cards featuring familiar Marvel personalities.
Further details about the individual cards and the new storyline are expected to provide a clearer picture of how the two fictional universes will be brought together.
