Howl from Beyond

Howl from Beyond was released in 1995 as part of the Ice Age expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This set was designed to be a standalone experience, introducing a frozen, post-apocalyptic setting that shifted the game's tone toward darker, more desolate themes compared to its predecessors. The card itself represents a black-aligned spell, a color mechanically associated with sacrifice and dark power, consistent with the set's emphasis on high-risk, high-reward gameplay.

The artwork for Howl from Beyond was illustrated by Melissa A. Benson, a prominent contributor to the game's early aesthetic. Benson’s style during this era is characterized by a haunting, ethereal quality that helped define the visual language of the game's formative years. The design of the card sought to capture the visceral desperation of the Ice Age narrative, utilizing a bleak color palette and imagery that echoed the set's core motifs of isolation and survival.