Magnetic Mountain

Magnetic Mountain was released in 1993 as part of Arabian Nights, the first expansion set for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, this set drew thematic inspiration from the Thousand and One Nights, introducing a distinct visual style that differed significantly from the base game. It was designed to add mechanical depth and narrative flair to the young game, with the card itself acting as a niche counter-measure against artifact-heavy strategies.

The artwork was provided by Susan Van Camp, one of the many freelance artists hired during the game's nascent stage. Her illustration for Magnetic Mountain captures the surreal, high-fantasy tone of the expansion, using a traditional artistic approach common to the era's collectible card aesthetics. While the card is often cited by collectors for its historical role in the set, it remains a quintessential example of the eclectic and varied art direction that defined Magic’s earliest years.