{"id":89640,"date":"2026-05-03T14:41:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T14:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wizards-of-the-coast-apologizes-after-new-hobbit-one-ring-card-accused-of-plagiarism\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T14:41:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T14:41:51","slug":"wizards-of-the-coast-apologizes-after-new-hobbit-one-ring-card-accused-of-plagiarism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wizards-of-the-coast-apologizes-after-new-hobbit-one-ring-card-accused-of-plagiarism\/","title":{"rendered":"Wizards of the Coast Apologizes After New ‘Hobbit’ One Ring Card Accused of Plagiarism"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Just a day after announcing its new\u00a0Hobbit\u00a0<\/em>cards for\u00a0Magic: The Gathering,\u00a0<\/em>Wizards of the Coast is responding to backlash and accusations of plagiarism.<\/p>\n

Online fans noticed art for the \u201cOne Ring\u201d card by artist Dan Frazier shared similarities to previous art by Marta Nael, who made her own \u201cOne Ring\u201d art for Magic\u2019s <\/em>2023 crossover set with Lord of the Rings<\/em>. Both versions can be seen below, which shows Nael\u2019s has elven runes and is held by Gollum in the fires of Mount Doom, while Frazier\u2019s has the ring glowing sans runes.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Frazier and Wizards called this \u201c[unfortunately] not coincidental.\u201d The former issued an apology to Nael, saying he felt \u201cespecially awful. [\u2026] In trying to create an iconic version of the One Ring, while looking at references online, I ended up using [her art] as reference and painted over it.\u201d Frazier went on to say he would apologize privately to Nael, saying he\u2019s \u201csorry I let my fans down.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\"Lotr \t\t\t<\/div>
\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Dan Frazier\/Wizards of the Coast \t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\t\t\t\t\"Lotr \t\t\t<\/div>
\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Marta Nael\/Wizards of the Coast \t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Wizards was similarly \u201cdisappointed\u201d for not catching Frazier\u2019s actions during the review process and gave its own apology. \u201cNone of this was intentional,\u201d the company said, \u201cbut we\u2019re going to make it right as much as we can. On digital versions of the card, we\u2019ll credit both Dan and Marta, and make sure she\u2019s compensated for her work here.\u201d This controversy comes days after the team for Wizards\u2019\u00a0Arena <\/em>staffed formed the company\u2019s first-ever union, which Wizards has yet to recognize.<\/p>\n

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A message from Dan Frazier and Wizards of the Coast: pic.twitter.com\/4VCM8avcay<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Thanking the \u201ceagle-eyed fans\u201d who caught the art usage, Wizards acknowledged it and Frazier \u201cmade mistakes. [\u2026] We don\u2019t condone or accept either, but we still value Dan and his contributions, and are grateful for his place in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

At time of writing, The Hobbit\u00a0<\/em>set is still expected to launch on August 14.<\/p>\n

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Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what\u2019s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n