Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears was released in 1993 as part of the Limited Edition Alpha set, the inaugural print run of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game created by Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast. Designed to introduce players to the core mechanics of creature combat, the card became a defining example of a 'vanilla' creature, meaning it possesses no special abilities, relying entirely on its mana cost and power-to-toughness ratio.

The artwork for this card was illustrated by Quinton Hoover, who utilized a distinct, flowing style that became synonymous with the game's early aesthetic. By depicting the animal in a stoic, naturalistic pose, Hoover helped ground the fantastical nature of the game in recognizable wildlife. While the card is mechanically simple, it remains a nostalgic touchstone for long-time players and collectors as an emblem of the game’s formative years.