Furnace Brood

Furnace Brood was released in 1998 as part of the Exodus expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, Exodus served as the final set in the Rath Cycle, a narrative block that shifted the game's focus toward the complex lore of the Phyrexians and the plane of Rath. This specific card reflects the game's shift during the late 1990s toward creature-heavy gameplay mechanics and the exploration of elemental themes within the fire-aligned red color identity.

The artwork for Furnace Brood was created by illustrator Val Mayerik. Known for his extensive work in comic books, including Marvel's Man-Thing, Mayerik utilized a distinct style that emphasized the gritty, visceral nature of the creatures inhabiting the harsh environment of Rath. The card's design was intended to provide players with an aggressive mid-game threat, and it remains a representative piece of late-90s Magic card design, characterized by the mechanical complexities and aesthetic evolution of the Rath Cycle era.