Innistrad Remastered Leak Reveals Serialized $100 Legend

It's been a while since we've had a good MTG leak, hasn't it? After the absolute disaster that was the Modern Horizons 3 leaks, things were going pretty well in that regard, with only a few Commander leaks marring the situation with Bloomburrow and Duskmourn. Today, however, that streak is broken. Thanks to some fraudulent Amazon listings, information about Innistrad Remastered next year has just been uncovered. Meanwhile leak contains no actual map images, but is still incredibly sharp.

Serialized Edgar Markov?!

Reddit user strongsauce has apparently noticed that Innistrad Remastered was partially revealed early. There are now Innistrad Remastered product listings for a Collector Booster and a Play Booster Box on Amazon. In fact, at the time of writing, these entries are still online, so you can check them out if you need to.

The listings revealed a surprising amount of information about the set, which is scheduled for release on January 24th next year. Perhaps the most interesting part, however, was the section in the Collector Booster description that mentioned a serialized Edgar Markov card.

“The first vampire of Innistrad lurks with 500 serialized Edgar Markov cards; These new headliner cards are anchored in movie posters and can only be opened in Collector Boosters.”

Amazon product list

This is a pretty big deal. Edgar Markov is one of the most famous and powerful commanders in MTG history. According to EDHREC, he is actually the eighth most popular commander of the last two years. This is no easy task considering how many new Legends have come into the game during this time.

Why is he so popular? There are several reasons. Firstly, because Eminence is a fundamentally broken keyword and Edgar Markov is probably the most powerful Eminence card. Secondly, because he is by far the best choice for a vampire commander. Vampires are incredibly popular as a type, so Edgar is incredibly popular as a Commander.

As a result, Edgar Markov is now worth over $100, which is pretty impressive for a card that is ultimately only for Commander. Of course, it doesn't help that he's never been released again since his debut in 2017's Commander. Apart from a brilliant Judge promo.

Based on this price, the new production version is likely to be very expensive indeed. At this point it is unclear whether Edgar will also receive a regular reprint in Innistrad Remastered. However, I would say it was fairly likely based on previous precedent.

Retro frames are returning

Edgar aside, the Innistrad Remastered leak also revealed some information about what else we can expect from the set. While many probably predicted it based on previous remastered sets, this is leak confirms that Retro Frame cards will be making a comeback here.

“Feel the nostalgia with a retro frame card in every Innistrad Remastered Play Booster, including the opportunity to receive one of the first-ever double-sided retro frame cards.”

Amazon product list

This is exciting, if predictable, news. Every previous remastered set, including Time Spiral Remastered, Dominaria Remastered, and Ravnica Remastered, included Retro Frame cards. As a card style, it makes a lot of sense for nostalgic sets like this. Like these previous sets, Innistrad Remastered includes a guaranteed Retro Frame card in every pack. While not everyone is a fan of this treatment, it's still great to see it coming back for those who are.

Innistrad Remastered also offers an entertaining variant. Just as Ravnica Remastered gave us the first-ever retro-frame hybrid mana card in Deathrite Shaman, Innistrad Remastered gives us the first-ever double-faced retro-frame cards. Original Innistrad was the first Magic set to feature double-faced cards, so that makes a lot of sense. No examples were given in the initial listing, so for now we can only speculate as to which double-sided cards will get the retro treatment.

Classics like Thing in the Ice and Westvale Abbey seem to go without saying. We may also see a deviation from the rules like we did with Edgar Markov and get retro frame versions of the Sorin and Liliana flip walkers. Of course, there will definitely be a few double-sided werewolves there too. My money in particular goes to former Standard all-star Huntmaster of the Fells.

A spooky showcase

According to the leakInnistrad Remastered is not Only brings new retro frame cards. It also delves deeply into past Innistrad sets and utilizes their signature showcase styles.

“Cackle with delight at showcase treatments from Innistrad’s past, marvel at never-before-seen limitless art, and collect retro frame and movie poster versions of popular maps.”

Amazon product list

Unlike the retro frame cards, many players didn't foresee this. Neither Ravnica, Dominaria, nor Time Spiral Remastered utilized additional map styles beyond Borderless, so this is new territory for Innistrad.

Based on the information here, we can expect both Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow showcase styles to return. These are the black and white illustrations of the Eternal Night Showcase style and the comic art of the Equinox Showcase style. You could probably count the black and white style from Innistrad: Double Feature as well, but given the reception the set received, I'd say it probably won't be returning here.

In addition to these styles, the leak also confirms that we will see movie poster cards in Innistrad Remastered. This is a style we've seen a few times on different products, each time in a different form. Most recently, the Duskmourn Nightmare Bundle featured promos in this style. It is not clear from this leak exactly what the style will look like or which cards it will appear on. Outside of the Edgar Markov series, of course.

All in all leak is probably a best-case scenario, if such a thing even exists for leaks. No real card images have been distorted and no market-changing information has come to light. It's unlikely that a series reissue will affect Edgar Markov's pricing. It sounds like Innistrad Remastered has a lot of great stuff to offer, and I'm personally really looking forward to checking it out next year when it's officially released.