Island

Released in October 2000 as part of the Invasion expansion for Magic: The Gathering, this card represents a foundational element of the game’s resource system. The set was designed to explore a multi-colored theme, shifting focus from the mono-colored mechanics of previous blocks. As a basic land, this Island was produced to ensure players could generate blue mana, serving as a functional necessity within the broader tactical landscape of the Invasion narrative, which depicted a massive Phyrexian invasion of the plane of Dominaria.

The artwork was created by John Avon, a prominent landscape illustrator for the game known for his sweeping, atmospheric style. Avon’s approach for this piece emphasizes depth and light, utilizing a vibrant color palette to evoke an alien yet tranquil coastal environment. The design was well-received by the player base, cementing Avon’s reputation for elevating standard utility cards into collectible pieces of art, and it remains one of the most recognized basic land designs from that era of the game.