Martyr's Cry

Martyr's Cry was released in 1994 as part of The Dark, the fourth expansion set for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Published by Wizards of the Coast, the set was designed to introduce a darker, more gothic aesthetic to the game, moving away from the high-fantasy themes of earlier sets. The card itself represents the white mana color identity, which at the time focused heavily on defensive mechanics and anti-black-aligned strategies, reflecting the thematic conflict between light and dark central to the set's expansion lore.

The artwork for Martyr's Cry was provided by artist Quinton Hoover. Known for his distinctive, flowing style and use of deep, rich colors, Hoover aimed to capture the somber tone of the set through a poignant depiction of sacrifice. Upon release, the card was received as a niche technical tool for white decks, intended to punish opponents for playing black creatures, though it remains a notable example of the early, experimental design era of Magic: The Gathering that sought to make color-specific hosers a core part of competitive play.