Through the Omenpaths is the digital-only release for Marvel’s Spider-Man. The entire Spider-Man set has been reimagined by Wizards to fit into the world of Magic, and this creative endeavor exists due to digital licensing issues – licensing issues that have given us a rich and vibrant look into the lore implications of adding Omenpaths to the Magic Multiverse.
We’ve followed the aftermath of the Phyrexian invasion for some time now, and Omenpaths play a big part. The Multiverse is now connected, and characters other than Planeswalkers are able to transcend the boundaries between planes.
Through the Omenpaths takes us on an adventure between Planes we know and love, with a Spider-flavored catastrophe – or opportunity, depending on how you look at it – to navigate. With all of the artists we know and love – like the inimitable Jesper Ejsing – it certainly feels like a Magic set.
MORE OF WHAT WE LOVED
The first thing I notice about this set is that it gives us more of what we loved from the last few years. We visit many of the most popular planes, including cards from settings as diverse as Bloomburrow, Duskmourn, Eldraine and Avishkar. While the race-themed cards that hearken back to Aetherdrift aren’t top of my list, there’s still a lot to love.
The Bloomburrow cards are amongst the most flavorful and fun. Adding Spiders to the roster of creatures feels entirely natural, and having a superhero animal duo is very fun indeed.
One of my favorite card arts in the set is Mothwing Shroud. Andrew Mar does such a phenomenal job of evoking the creepy and ephemeral nature of Valgavoth’s house on Duskmourn that I’m only sad I didn’t get to see this art in the main set – or on a paper card at all.
The Duskmourn references keep coming of course – with a set so linked to villains and spiders, it’s natural for Duskmourn to be a focal point of flavor. The House Grows Hungry is another favorite of mine, showing the maze-like aspect of the House in saga form.
Another plane that makes sense to see here is Eldraine. Eldraine’s fairy-tale setting is perfect for capturing all manner of Villains and of spooky and creepy scenarios. Part of the fun of Through the Omenpaths is guessing where each card is from. Spectral Restitching does seem like an Eldraine card, but there’s a chance it could even be from Kaldheim. Same goes for Watcher on the Road and potentially being from Thunder Junction. At least King of the Coldblood Curse is definitively Eldraine – and the flavor is perfection.
I particularly enjoyed this shout out to the curse of Theros’ Underworld. Wandering with an eternal thirst, this Merfolk has taken on another form entirely in undeath.
EXCITING NEW HEROES
One of the most interesting aspects of a set like this is translating all of the Legendary Spider-Man characters into all-new characters. Inventing new heroes and villains means tantalizing hints at back story, and that’s exciting.
Eztli of the Thousand Moons sounds like she’s from Ixalan, right? Who are the Thousand Moons? A Cult? Or maybe an ancient order?
Orris, Last of the Web Lords looks to be someone involved in the terraforming of the rest of the plane New Capenna is on, with his iconic green suit. Why is he the last of the Web Lords, and who are they?
Sarn of the Silken Throne is perhaps one of my favorites, standing in for Spider-UK. This dashing Knight looking character and his Spider friend look to be quite the cunning duo, and I’d like to know more about their adventures.
Who is Basil, Cabaretti Loudmouth, and why am I so interested in knowing his gossip? What rumors does he harbor, and how do they set up big plot points?
Yera and Oski, Weaver and Guide are a delightful pair of friends. They immediately showcase a symbiotic friendship, rather than merely being an owner and pet. Yera’s familiar, here, shows us a glimpse of a time-honored tradition, perhaps.
Kivni, Orb Weaver is clearly cut from the Rakdos cloth, and I’m absolutely horrified at the idea of Rakdos torture and mayhem suddenly involving spiders. Eww.
Nia, Skysail Storyteller is one of the more inventive examples of how to make spiders diverse and interesting, conceptually. The sky-spider here has bat-like wings between its legs, which seem… honestly? Perfectly natural and believable. Weather Nia is from Ikoria or Eldraine or somewhere else entirely, I love the flavor of this card – and that’s something I am surprised to say, given how much I dislike spiders in general.
OLD FRIENDS
One thing that cements Through the Omenpaths in Magic canon is seeing old friends. Having Liliana and Quintorious cameo on cards – among other cameos – does a lot to make the set feel more believable and more deserving of space.
CREEPY BUT COOL CREATURES
Translating some of the more “out-there” villains and weird creature types like “Goblin Human Villain” could have proved quite difficult, but the team managed to translate the set to in-Universe theming really well.
Goven, Gene-Splice Savant has clearly been pushing the boundaries of science, and his creation of Fleem was certainly a community highlight when the card was previewed. Fleem is perfectly adorable and slightly unhinged, which is the best combination for an evil mascot.
Just look at how the Alien community has received T. Ocellus in Alien: Earth.
Olx, Mouth to Many Eyes might not have the elegant grandeur of Madame Web, but it takes the card in an entirely different direction, one which is truly horrible and disgusting but also weirdly captivating. I don’t want to look, but I also can’t look away.
Of course, we also have a number of actual Spiders in the set, which makes sense. Egrix the Bile Bulwark has a very spikey and gnarly design, and fits right into the “spider-canon” of MtG. While it’s not as sassy as Gwenom, it’s certainly still a great design dripping with flavor.
It’s great, too, that designs have transcended the “spiderverse” aesthetic and included some of our favorite Planes and call-backs to story arcs. The Infernus is an ancient force that’s clearly terrorizing Innistrad, but the Angels of Sigarda are primed to deal with it.
END STEP
Through the Omenpaths has incredible art and flavor, and it pulls me in with the hints at an overarching story, and the tantalizing crumbs of narrative that surround the new heroes and villains we’ve been shown.
It’s a crime that this set isn’t in paper.
Kristen is Card Kingdom’s Head Writer and a member of the Commander Format Panel. Formerly a competitive Pokémon TCG grinder, she has been playing Magic since Shadows Over Innistrad, which in her opinion, was a great set to start with. When she’s not taking names with Equipment and Aggro strategies in Commander, she loves to play any form of Limited.