Hand of Death

Hand of Death was released in 1997 as part of the Portal set, an introductory expansion for Magic: The Gathering designed specifically to teach new players the game mechanics. It was part of a larger strategy by Wizards of the Coast to reach a broader audience by simplifying card interactions and streamlining gameplay, resulting in a set that lacks the complexity of standard expansions but remains a notable entry for its distinct artistic direction.

The card features artwork by British artist and writer John Coulthart, known for his dark, intricate, and often surreal aesthetic. Coulthart was commissioned to provide illustrations that leaned into the gothic, ominous tone of the black-aligned cards in the set. His depiction of the 'Hand of Death' captures this macabre theme through high-contrast imagery, favoring an atmospheric, symbolic style over the literal fantasy tropes common in other Magic sets of that era.