Magic The Gathering Character Teferi Getting Dark Horse Comic Series

Magic: The Gathering will return to Zhalfir on Oct. 1, 2027, with a new set devoted to the former Dominaria kingdom that now exists as its own plane. Wizards of the Coast is promising an Afrofantasy setting filled with “mind-bending cards,” along with the return of Teferi Akosa, Magic’s master of chronomancy. Players will not have to wait until next fall to reunite with Teferi.

Dark Horse Comics and Wizards of the Coast are launching Magic: The Gathering: Mage of Zhalfir, a new 12-issue comic series following Teferi’s early years. The story begins as the ambitious young mage leaves Zhalfir to study under the legendary Planeswalker Urza at the prestigious Tolarian Academy on Dominaria. The release brings a main cover by Paris Alleyne and a variant cover by Mateus Manhanini.

Written by Ray Fawkes, who worked on Batman: Eternal and Black Hammer ’45, Mage of Zhalfir will explore Teferi’s attempts to master the manipulation of time and space. This is delicate work with potentially disastrous consequences. The first four issues feature art by Rapha Lobosco, known for ThunderCats and Vampirella, colors by Jão Canola from Knights of Doom, and letters by AndWorld Design.

Quintorius uncovers Teferi’s past

The issue opens during the present day at Strixhaven, where the Planeswalker and archaeomancer Quintorius Kand conducts research inside the Biblioplex with the assistance of a mechanical librarian. The librarian leads Quint into the Hall of Oracles, a round chamber at the center of the building. As he begins reading, Urza channels magical energy on the bottom half of the page with a smaller panel featuring a zoomed-out look at Tolarian Academy. On page four, the story reveals that Urza is “calling the best and brightest in all the world to his cause.”

A young Teferi celebrates with his family in this sequence. He says his heartfelt goodbyes and promises to return, using his “newfound gifts” to help all of Zhalfir. Urza and Barrin open a portal to collect him, and Teferi quickly goes through while his grandfather pleads with him to wait. In Tolaria, Urza says that Teferi has “much to contribute” and that “the enemy does not rest.”

The series arrives at a fitting moment in Magic’s history. Zhalfir was once part of Dominaria before Teferi phased the entire kingdom out of existence to protect it from a Phyrexian invasion. It remained isolated for centuries until the events of 2023’s March of the Machine, when Zhalfir returned to the Multiverse as its own plane and took the place previously occupied by New Phyrexia. The upcoming Zhalfir set brings Teferi home once again, while Mage of Zhalfir explores how his journey began.

The first issue will be released in comic shops on Jan. 20, 2027, for $4.99.

Source: Polygon