Spell Casters, a 'Magic: The Gathering' Origin Story
Seattle Met
January, 2018
Art Director: Jane Sherman
Winner of the 2018 SPJ Northwest Excellence in Journalism Contest for Best Business Reporting.
When I pitched this long-form feature on the creation of Magic: The Gathering, my editor offered one question: "How are you going to find the drama in a card game?"
After around ten hours of interviews, site visits, some internet archeology, and no small amount of hands-on time with the game, a narrative emerged—one that spanned two coasts, disparate personalities, law suits, and a chance meeting with four Texans in cowboy hats of escalating size.