Dark Ritual

Dark Ritual was originally released in the Alpha set of Magic: The Gathering in 1993, but the version known as 'Summer Magic' (or Edgar) carries a unique history. Following a botched 1994 release intended to fix errors in the Revised edition, the vast majority of the stock was slated for destruction due to production defects and color inconsistencies. A small number of these cards escaped destruction, making the set one of the most sought-after rarities in the hobby's history.

The artwork for this card was provided by Sandra Everingham, who illustrated several foundational pieces for the game's early sets. Her depiction of the spell captures the dark, visceral aesthetic of the early game's grim fantasy roots. Because the Summer Magic print run was never officially released to the public through standard retail channels, this specific iteration of Everingham's work represents a rare production error that has since become a centerpiece for advanced collectors.