Magic: The Gathering Artist Spotlight – My John Avon Commander Deck by Christopher Cooper
A little while ago I ran an artist spotlight article on Mark Tedin, by creating a Commander deck using only cards that he had done the artwork for. I’ve been wanting to do another one for a little while, and have had a John Avon deck sketched out for it, but felt it was a little light on usable cards.
However, at Grand Prix London I knew I would have the opportunity to meet Mr. Avon and so I decided to bite the bullet and put the deck together. I mentioned in my Grand Prix write-up that I had left something with him. Well, this is it.
I had the full deck, a few cards for my John Avon wall in my living room (I have a wall filed with signed prints of card art and the corresponding signed cards to go with them) and whilst waiting in the queue I realised I was still missing something. So I picked up a limited edition playmat and asked him to sign that for me as well. Sadly, as of yet he hasn’t got any sleeves available featuring his artwork, or a deck box, but you can bet that if there were some available I’d have gone and bought some!
The deck itself isn’t particularly highly powered. There are a few too many lands (that’s hardly a bad thing though, they’re all beautiful), and some of the spells are a little underwhelming. However, we have some powerful finishers and I always enjoy the look on people’s faces when you play an unfamiliar card. Of these there are many in the deck, alongside iconic staples from throughout Magic’s history.
If you wish to find out more about John, his work and his life you can visit the official page at JohnAvon.com.
Otherwise, I’ll leave you with these pictures of the deck in all it’s glory, along with a few annotations for specific cards along the way. Thank you for reading.
Sapling of Colfenor Commander deck by Christopher Cooper
[deck]Sapling of Colfenor
Slithery Stalker
Chlorophant
Timberpack Wolf
Dawntreader Elk
Nemata, Grove Guardian
Seedguide Ash
Roiling Horror
Arrogant Wurm
Canal Dredger
Sliversmith
Heap Doll
Thriss, Nantuko Primus
Throne of Empires
Scepter of Empires
Crown of Empires
Arcbound Lancer
Brittle Effigy
Fellwar Stone
Vessel of Endless Rest
Prophetic Prism
Witchbane Orb
Tower of Eons
Serrated Arrows
Millstone
Blight Sickle
Eternity Vessel
Mirrorworks
Vedalken Orrery
Explosive Vegetation
Explore
Restore
Runechanter’s Pike
Harmonic Convergence
Luminescent Rain
Tangle
Evolution Charm
Corrupted Zendikon
Insidious Dreams
Strength of Night
Sprouting Vines
Lethal Vapors
Hum of the Radix
Dawn’s Reflection
Upwelling[/deck]
[deck]Dakmor Salvage
Cabal Pit
Ice Floe
Caustic Tar
God’s Eye, Gate to the Reikai
Darksteel Citadel
Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
Grasslands
Vivid Marsh
Strip Mine
Winding Canyons
Thespian’s Stage
Golgari Rot Farm
Jungle Basin
Meteor Crater
Ancient Ziggurat
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Scorched Ruins
Lotus Vale
16 Forest
12 Swamp[/deck]
Community Question: Who is your favourite Magic The Gathering artist of all time?
