Time Ebb

Time Ebb was originally released in the Mirage set in 1996 and was later included in the Ninth Edition core set in 2005. As a sorcery, its primary function is to return a target creature to its owner's hand, a staple effect in blue magic known as 'bouncing.' Ninth Edition was a significant release as it was the first core set to feature the modern card frame, which updated the layout to improve readability and aesthetic consistency across the game.

The artwork for this version was commissioned from Thomas M. Baxa, an illustrator long associated with the game's darker, more surreal visual identity. Baxa focused on capturing the disorienting nature of time manipulation, utilizing his signature style to depict the target creature being pulled away from the flow of reality. While the card is a common and mechanically straightforward utility piece, it remains a recognized example of the transition to the modern era of the game's visual design.