Split Screen by Simon Dominic

Take a look at that thing!

Four mana. Four Screens. You have to love that sort of symmetry, right?

This is certainly a fun and interesting card with a lot of uses at the kitchen table. But before we get too far down the track of unfettered examples of cards to combo with Split Screen, let’s take a moment to explore the card and concept.

The art here is by Simon Dominic. Prior to now, Simon Dominic has penned just 7 cards for Magic. But Simon’s done a notable job with them. Here take a look at them and consider them:

Now, of those pieces of art, I think Kinjalli's Sunwing is still one of the best from the entire Ixalan set. In an article during preview season I named it my 3rd favorite piece spoiled thus far. I still think it’s one of the best ones after full spoilage. Here is it in all its glory!

Kinjalli's Sunwing by Simon Dominic

It’s a powerful scene, with a fun and yet visceral feel. I still like it lots!

And certainly Hour of Devastation, Rigging Runner, and the two Taigams are pretty interesting entries into the Magic pantheon of art and Simon Dominic has been a good addition to the game. So Simon getting Split Screen certainly gives a current artist with a flair for artistry another platform for showcasing talent.

There’s another part of Split Screen that I like, though. The interesting Key-Umbrella watermark. Don’t sleep on watermarks. They evoke something powerful in a set, from Ravnica’s Guilds to the Mirran/Phyrexian War to showing story line cards in recent sets. Watermarks are a clear sign. And Split Screen demonstrates that sign quite clearly.

I wonder what the watermark is for! Is it a sign of mechanical relevance? Are there other cards in the set that Split Screen will work wonders with? Or is it instead a sign of flavorful adherence? A guild? A nation? Another type of social structure?

Every part of a card has relevance, and nothing is in island, watermark included!

I’m sure I’m not the first person to only play a deck that shared a certain watermark. Go Selesnya! It’s an awesome ride. There is something deep and primal in a watermark brand. Let’s do it.

Split Screen definitely seems like the sort of card that will have a lot of friends.

I’ll be interested to see the flavor of Split Screen in context with the rest of the set!

This card is so flavorful!