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The strongest Common card in Magic: The Gathering x Marvel’s Spider-Man isn’t a Marvel hero or villain - it's a bird

Magic: The Gathering game designer, Corey Bowen, would like you to not "underestimate" the power of City Pigeon in Marvel's Spider-Man

The art for Spider-Man, Web-Slinger from Magic: The Gathering
Image credit: Marvel and Wizards of the Coast

I'm sure other New Yorkers besides myself have looked around one day at all the pigeons and thought to themselves, "You know, if an Alfred Hitchcock Birds situation were to happen right now, we would be screwed." That is, it's nearly impossible to escape the sight of a pigeon in New York City. They're everywhere. I spent my early childhood chasing after them and trying to catch them with my bare hands (I did not succeed). 

It's only fitting, then, that the pigeons of New York City would assume a powerful role in Magic: The Gathering's crossover set with Marvel's Spider-Man. The set's design lead, Corey Bowen, gave some words of advice to players on Mark Rosewater's Drive to Work podcast. "Do not underestimate City Pigeon. It is the strongest Common [card in the set]." Take a look at the slugger below. 

The City Pigeon card from Magic: The Gathering x Marvel's Spider-Man
Image credit: Marvel and Wizards of the Coast

So, you can see why City Pigeon is such a strong card. And it's not just because they pull off a lunch heist to screw over Peter Parker. That 3 life gain is huge. 

It remains to be seen what other power players are in Marvel's Spider-Man set, but either way, we'll get a better idea once the set releases on September 26, 2025. 


Whether you are a Commander player, a regular at your local game shop's FNM event, or simply love collecting Magic: The Gathering cards, you've landed in the right place. From Universes Beyond to the furthest reaches of the Magic Multiverse, we've got you covered here at Popverse. 

Jules Chin Greene

Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, and Multiverse of Color.

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