Dack’s story – or at least my part in it – comes to an end with the next issue. I’d always plotted the story to fit a dozen issues, and I’m thrilled that Martin Cóccolo, J. Edwin Stevens, and I got to tell the whole thing. Be sure to grab that final issue too, as we send Dack off with a bang.

In the previous series, our hero Dack Fayden tracks down the woman who destroyed his hometown. She’s escaped from him in Innistrad and now leads him on a desperate chase through the planes of the Magic multiverse. As you might imagine, it doesn’t go well, but it makes for a hell of a tale. See below for a free preview.

I had a fantastic time writing these comics, and I’ve had even more fun working on the next miniseries in the line, Magic: The Gathering: Spell Thief. I just saw the proofs for issue #2 of that, and it features one of my favorite moments in the series so far. It’s one of the most painful for Dack, the hero, but hey, he can take it.

Abhinav Jain (a.k.a. Shadowhawk) has a review of those first four issues over at the Founding Fields. As he says:

A fast-paced and thrilling ride that is a fantastic introduction to the world of Magic: The Gathering. Dack Fayden has arrived and he’s taking names! … Matt Forbeck’s Magic: The Gathering mini-series is a highly entertaining read on all levels, and I’d recommend it to everyone.

Anyhow, you should be able to find the book at your local comic shop or just about anywhere else that sells such things. Enjoy!

Magic: The Gathering

You can also read an interview with me about the comics over at GatheringMagic.com. Brendan Weiskotten asked me all sorts of questions about how I got the gig, what it’s like to work with Wizards and IDW, and how I keep Magic‘s long backstory straight. It’s good stuff.

Don’t forget, though, that the fun doesn’t end with the first miniseries. IDW already announced the second Magic miniseries a while back, called Spell Thief. As a preview, here’s a look at the cover of issue #4 of that series, solicited for August. My old friend Alex Horley provides the stunning artwork, which features a demon-dragon longtime Magic players may recognize.

My story for this one’s a bit of a departure for me. I usually like to write about heroes, people who suck it up and do what they have to, despite the odds stacked against them. The main character in this tale’s a bit weaker than that, and because of that the ending sucker punched me good. Here’s hoping it does the same to you.

The second cover is for Magic: The Gathering: The Spell Thief #2. This features the main villain from the first miniseries, Sifa Grent. Artist Dan Scott does a great job with Martin Cóccolo’s design, making her look both sinister and powerful.

This tale continues our hero Dack Fayden’s hunt for Sifa. It takes him through many planes and reveals a good deal of the history behind both him and Sifa and what’s drawn them together into their fatal dance.

I can’t wait for you to read both stories, as different as they are.

I’m having a great time working on this series with editor Carlos Guzman and our Wizards compatriot Brady Dommermuth. Much of that’s down to seeing the artwork Martin Cóccolo and colorist J. Edwin Stevens turn in every month. Having another snazzy cover by Christopher Moeller always helps too.

Hope you enjoy it!

Best of all, we’re keeping the whole team together, so you’ll not only get my writing but also Martin Cóccolo’s fantastic artwork and J. Edwin Steven’s amazing colors. Many thanks to editor Carlos Guzman for doing such a great job with the series after Denton Tipton handed the reins over to him and John Barber. Getting a licensed book rolling means putting many moving parts in order, and he does a great job of it.

So, how well is the book doing? According to the latest estimates from ICv2.com, Magic: The Gathering #1 and #2 were IDW’s bestselling books in February. I call that a win.

Thanks to everyone who went out and bought the comic. Just wait until you see what we have brewing up for you next. For a sample, check out the snazzy cover art from The Spell Thief #1 by Christopher Moeller. (Believe it or not, the alternate cover he did for Magic #1 was the first comic cover he’s done since Lucifer, from DC/Vertigo.)

Planeswalker Dack Fayden has followed Sifa Grent into a mysterious plane, where a Titan’s castle looms invitingly in the distance. Entering the castle in search of Sifa,  Dack is soon imprisoned by the Titan and added to his vast collection. Dack must find a way out before the trail to Sifa runs cold and he remains the Titan’s prisoner forever! Special playable Magic: The Gathering card polybagged in each issue!

And click on that cover for a look at series artist Martin Cóccolo’s variant cover for the first issue too.

Major Spoilers made the book one of their Picks of the Week. Grab it fast before it’s gone!