Magic: The Gathering has evolved and grown in many ways since its introduction in August 1993, and that includes the aesthetics of the game. Card frames have changed a bit since then, and so has the art style for the illustrations found on these cards. Most MTG fans will agree that card art quality is far higher now, aside from nostalgic old pieces of art like Black Lotus.
That includes the newest expansion set, the Streets of New Capenna. It's a bottom-up set based on three-color combinations, and these tri-color "shard" factions are represented by stylish demon crime families found in the art deco, 1920s-inspired setting of New Capenna. Art may be subjective, but it's safe to say that these ten cards' illustrations rank among the set's best, and they do a wonderful job bringing the setting to life.
10 Elspeth Resplendent Shows Elspeth Tirel In Party Mode
Every expansion set has at least one powerful new planeswalker card, and Streets of New Capenna made sure to include a native to this plane, the white mana planeswalker Elspeth Tirel herself. The new Elspeth can slowly build up friendly creatures with +1/+1 counters, get cards from the library, and even make a squad of Angel tokens.
This new Elspeth also depicts the character blending into New Capenna's glamorous art deco setting in true style, probably at a Cabaretti mob party. Elspeth looks cool and alert in the card's art, beautiful but also ready for combat. That's essential for survival on these mean streets.
9 Wingshield Agent Is Like A Comic Book Panel
The Brokers crime family is mainly based on white mana, meaning Brokers decks are made up of defensive, medium-sized creatures that can outlast the opposition until it's finally time to hit back. A good example of that strategy is the blue creature Wingshield Agent, whose subject is in the middle of a fierce fight.
The Brokers agent in the art is throwing up bright blue barriers to stave off a fierce onslaught of fiery mana, suggesting a Riveteers or Maestros opponent. The art actually looks like a panel from a comic book, with vivid colors and exciting action all around.
8 Tavern Swindler's Art Has An Intimate Point Of View
A few MTG cards actually depict a scene directly from a person's point of view, with Village Cannibals from the original Innistrad set being a great example. Now Streets of New Capenna thrusts players right into the action with this flavorful black creature, whose subject is ready to reel in yet another sucker.
Tavern Swindler's art depicts a confident, cunning lady who is ready to swindle the viewer, all in a colorfully lit tavern that looks ideal for secret, shady deals. The art even shows the viewer's arms, including them holding a glass of wine.
7 Widespread Thieving Shows Total Chaos As It's Happening
The red cards of Streets of New Capenna are on a whole new level, such as destroying all artifacts in play at once or making countless Treasure tokens. Then there's the powerful enchantment Widespread Thieving, which has hideaway 5 and can cast that hidden card by paying WUBRG.
Meanwhile, the illustration really brings the idea of red mana's chaos to life. Several reckless, wild looters are all making off with the goods, their plain clothes and chaotic antics contrasting nicely with the fancy buildings in the background. Not even the Brokers can prevent anarchy of this caliber.
6 High-Rise Sawjack Explores The City's Heights
Green cards in the game can depict much more than trees and moss-covered forest trolls. Recent green cards have gotten creative about showing the core values of green in unnatural settings, such as the urban sprawl of New Capenna, and that includes the stunning art found on High-Rise Sawjack.
This is an elf like none before it. Instead of meditating in a forest clearing, this daring worker is scaling the heights of New Capenna's skyscrapers with nothing, but simple ropes and a glowing construction saw in hand. The illustration really emphasizes the sheer scale of this city and how tall its buildings can be, and this elf fears no heights at all. So brave.
5 Riveteers Ascendancy Should Look Familiar
Some of the card names or illustrations in recent sets, such as Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Streets of New Capenna pay homage to pop culture, literature, and history, and that is indeed the case for Riveteers Ascendancy. This is a fantasy take on the "Lunch atop a Skyscraper" photo, and it looks great.
The original photo embodied the American working spirit of the 1930s, and Riveteers Asdendancy's own art suggests not just working spirit, but also the spirit of friendship and teamwork, as per the Riveteers gang's green mana. They may be girder-swinging thugs, but they have honor.
4 Jetmir, Nexus Of Revels Shows The Glamor Of A Crime Boss
Jetmir, Nexus of Revels is one of the best Streets of New Capenna cards for a Commander deck, a cat demon who throws the most lavish parties on the plane. Jetmir is powerful, influential, and hedonistic, which reflects in his card's illustration and effects.
Jetmir, Nexus of Revels richly rewards go-wide Naya token decks, and when the party's full, anything can happen. After all, Jetmir's card shows a proud crime lord taking center stage with arms spread wide to show off his grandeur. There are even some Hollywood-style light beams in the background, making him look like a movie star.
3 Waterfront District's Art Is Eerie But Gorgeous
When it comes to dazzling card art, lands should not be underestimated. Basic and nonbasic lands in any set can easily define the setting with their depictions of city streets, temples, gardens, mountains, rivers, and more, and that includes the common dual land Waterfront District.
This common land has dazzling art that shows just how eerily beautiful and expansive the city of New Capenna is, what with its softly glowing colors and its sense of scale. The illustrator smartly included a single, silhouetted person in the corner to provide a sense of scale. This city never ends.
2 Obscura Storefront's Setting Looks So Mysterious
Streets of New Capenna has a cycle of common lands that act like partial versions of Terramorphic Expanse with a bit of lifegain thrown in, and each card shows a stylish setting for the five crime families. Among the illustrations for these cards, Obscura storefront does the best job of setting the mood.
The blue-aligned Obscura gang is all about secrets and deception, and naturally, these mobsters would use a deceptive storefront to conceal their true operations. This art depicts a glitzy but shady and claustrophobic setting with light that glows with secrets — and hidden danger.
1 Brokers Hideout Shows A Cool Exterior Shot
The Brokers gang is all about protection and defense, and that includes their buildings as well as their favorite combat spells. Brokers Hideout, which belongs to the same cycle as Obscura Storefront, depicts a hidden building that only appears for the right people. Otherwise, it's easy to miss.
Brokers Hideout sets the scene with a special building bathed in blue light that will appear and disappear on command, usually so the right people can lay low until their enemies give up on finding them. In this art, the building couldn't be more obvious, but amusingly enough, Riveteers or Maestros thugs would never spot it.