Ethan Carter
Just one day after unveiling the new Hobbit cards for Magic: The Gathering, Wizards of the Coast is addressing backlash and allegations of artistic plagiarism. The community has voiced concerns, and the company is responding promptly to restore trust.
Fans online have pointed out that the artwork for the “One Ring” card, created by artist Dan Frazier, bears striking similarities to previous artwork by Marta Nael, who also illustrated her own “One Ring” art for Magic’s 2023 crossover set with Lord of the Rings. Below, you can see both versions: Nael’s artwork features elven runes and depicts Gollum holding the ring in the fires of Mount Doom, while Frazier’s version showcases the ring glowing without runes.
In a formal statement, Frazier and Wizards characterized this as “[unfortunately] not coincidental.” Frazier expressed his regret to Nael, stating he felt “especially awful. […] In attempting to craft an iconic rendition of the One Ring while referencing existing art online, I inadvertently used [her art] as inspiration and painted over it.” He further mentioned that he would reach out privately to Nael, apologizing for disappointing his fans and peers.
Wizards expressed their own disappointment for failing to identify Frazier’s actions during the review process, issuing an apology of their own. “None of this was intentional,” the company stated, “but we are committed to rectifying the situation as much as possible. For the digital versions of the card, we will credit both Dan and Marta, ensuring that she receives fair compensation for her work.” This controversy arises shortly after the team at Wizards’ Arena formed the company’s inaugural union, which Wizards has yet to officially recognize.
A message from Dan Frazier and Wizards of the Coast: pic.twitter.com/4VCM8avcay
— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) May 2, 2026
Expressing gratitude to the “eagle-eyed fans” who identified the art usage, Wizards acknowledged the situation and noted that Frazier “made mistakes. […] We do not condone or accept either, but we recognize Dan’s contributions and are thankful for his role in the game.”
As of this writing, the The Hobbit set is still scheduled for launch on August 14, much to the anticipation of fans worldwide.
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Daniel Mercer
