Corpse Appraiser

Corpse Appraiser was released in the 2022 Magic: The Gathering set Streets of New Capenna. The set draws heavy inspiration from 1920s Art Deco and noir cinema, centering on the city of New Capenna, which is controlled by five rival crime families. This card represents the Obscura family, a faction of mages, spies, and assassins who utilize information as their primary currency. The card's design serves both a mechanical and thematic purpose, allowing players to surveil the library and exile cards from graveyards, echoing the flavor of a forensic investigator scrubbing evidence or uncovering secrets within the city's underbelly.

The artwork was provided by illustrator Josh Hass, who utilized a moody, atmospheric lighting palette consistent with the film noir aesthetic of the set. Hass focused on the juxtaposition of the character's clinical, detached professionalism against the grim nature of their task. Upon its release, the card was widely received by players as a staple for limited formats and a flexible utility tool in constructed play, praised for its ability to filter card advantage while simultaneously disrupting opponent graveyard strategies.