Hand of Death

Hand of Death is a quintessential black-aligned sorcery from the Magic: The Gathering card game, originally appearing in the Portal Second Age set released in 1998. Designed as a simplified introductory product, the set was crafted to bridge the gap for new players learning the mechanics of the game. The card itself serves as a straightforward removal spell, reflecting the dark, destructive nature of black mana by imposing a negative penalty on a target creature.

The artwork for this version was provided by Heather Hudson, a prolific illustrator who has contributed to the game for decades. Her approach for this piece focuses on the stark, immediate visual language required for entry-level gameplay, opting for a clear and evocative representation of death-themed magic. Upon its inclusion in The List—a curated selection of cards from the game's history designed to be found in modern booster packs—it became a piece of legacy design that continues to introduce new generations of players to the game's foundational mechanics.