Pore Over the Pages

Pore Over the Pages was originally released in 2016 as part of the Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed set. This thematic product was designed to showcase the contrast between the human-centric forces of Thraben and the macabre, undead-heavy armies of Gavony, capturing the gothic horror aesthetic that defined the second Innistrad block. The card serves as a mechanical representation of the scholarship and desperate research conducted by the desperate residents of the plane as they faced an encroaching supernatural threat.

The card’s illustration was created by artist Igor Kieryluk, whose work often leans into the dark fantasy motifs characteristic of the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. Kieryluk was tasked with visualizing a moment of intense study amidst the encroaching darkness, utilizing a color palette and atmospheric lighting that emphasizes the solitude of the scholar. Upon its release, the card was received primarily as a functional tool for blue-aligned decks, praised for its ability to provide both card selection and mana ramp through its 'untap two lands' mechanic.