First, the obvious: doing a set based on *Greek* mythology and missing the chance to break down the long-held stigma against same-sex couples in the fantasy genre would probably have been an opportunity wasted. People just have to deal with it - some of the most feared and respected warriors of antiquity were gay. I for one have no issue with this being the case in fantasy games and art either.
As for the card itself, this is something of a descendent of Living Wall and Wall of Tanglecord, stripped down and costed right down the middle. It's a fine limited card, and a serviceable stopgap to block threats like Boros Reckoner indefinitely.
Flavorwise, this is somewhat funny - it's a golem, and the art makes it look like the two statues aren't really blocking your way, so much as they are forming a gateway to let you through. Do the colossi come to life and block your path? Also, this may be the only golem that does no ... (see all)
Posted By:
Equinox523
(1/2/2014 9:26:08 AM)
"Let us gingerly touch our tips"
Posted By:
PEVE_O
(9/17/2013 10:28:49 PM)
I need to see the art up close, but I was pretty sure the image on the left was a female.
Posted By:
Avensai
(9/17/2013 7:38:26 PM)
Fun facts:
The Greeks did not really care about sexuality. None of their culture determined real categories for one's sexual orientation and no-one was prosecuted thusly - someone's beauty or intelligence was enough of an excuse to be attracted to them and no-one questioned it. It was not until early America that these labels were made and persecution ensued.
So yeah, thanks for that 'scientists' of the era.
EDIT:
Also, does no-one else consider it a sad reflection on our society that a potentially not heterosexual card is made a big deal? It's good that Wizards is fighting back against ***phobia and prejudice but I hope that one day something like this would not be highlighted. Imagine if people went "Woah! Wizards released a card with a black person in their new set, that's crazy.
Posted By:
MCcreator
(1/25/2014 12:14:29 PM)
Um, Naruto reference in Theros?
*reads flavor text*
Um, Madara x Hashirama Naruto-yaoi-fanfiction reference in Theros?
Whatever floats your boat Wizards.
Posted By:
cardraptor6
(9/18/2013 11:36:45 AM)
All the card art of Meletis shows it inland, with a river outing or at the very least a large Fjord or small water funnel before leading out into the open ocean.
All the promotional material shows it sitting right out on a beach with walls carving far out into the water. PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THAT STUFF, WIZARDS! MY OPINION MATTERS!
As for the uh, happy couple:
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5tp4hGOBw1qbnggp.jpg
Posted By:
RAV0004
(9/18/2013 10:14:11 PM)
@Avensai: DON'T RUIN THIS FOR ME
Posted By:
OrgasmandTea
(9/18/2013 9:31:38 AM)
Great. WotC pushing the agenda as well.
Posted By:
Yamahaguy
(9/25/2013 10:55:09 AM)
Sorry, I still don't see it... The flavor text is gender neutral and the right statue could very well be a woman. If wizards intended them to be the first gay couple in magic, wouldn't they have made it more obvious? It is more likely imho that players are a little chauvinistic and when they read "rulers"in the flavor text they just assumed they were men. Don't get me wrong: I wish this was magic's first LGBT card and maybe it even is. It might not have been intended to be a gay couple but now it makes little difference. I still wish there was a high resolution version of that art.
Posted By:
Kageyaiba
(10/5/2013 12:48:54 PM)
Insane Conspiracy Theory (Don't take this seriously):
Wizards secretly declared their ***phobia with that card.
They declared this card implicitly gay in the derogatory sense by making it very mediocre.
They also criticized gay marriage by making it the successor of Wall of Tanglecord
(used as a symbol of heterosexual marriage) in no less than three ways:
• Strictly worse: They do not consider both types of marriage equal, but deem the gay one inferior.
• Higher cost: They think society will have to pay a price when they allow gay marriage.
• Can't attain reach: They make fun of gay couple's inability to reproduce.
Ironic bonus points: They consider "***" an insult by censoring it in this comments section.
But in all seriousness, props to Wizards for going this step.
It's also very fitting to have in this Ancient Greece-themed block, where having it comes just as naturally as people should... (see all)
Posted By:
Mode
(3/19/2014 6:27:18 AM)