What is it with these huge companies and their apparent inability to properly compensate artists? Wizards of the Coast, specifically Magic: The Gathering (MTG) was recently rocked by yet another accusation of plagiarism, this time involving artists Fay Dalton and Donato Giancola.
The allegation emerged when Dalton was accused of appropriating artwork for the MTG card “Trouble in Pairs”, allegedly lifted from a piece by fellow artist Donato Giancola, known for his contributions to both MTG and Cyberpunk 2020. This controversy unfolded on social media platforms after a Reddit user (u/hypnotichog) identified similarities between Dalton’s work and Giancola’s Cyberpunk 2020 art.
Giancola, upon being made aware of the situation, publicly addressed the issue, expressing his dismay and intention to pursue legal action against Dalton. In a candid post on his Facebook page, Giancola directly addressed Dalton, condemning the plagiarism and vowing to involve legal counsel.
Wow. Nearly speechless, but not speechless enough not to contact a lawyer. Copyright infringement. What were you thinking Wizards of the Coast? To be clear, there are exacting details in the neck, arms, background, and hand which show clear copied structures from my art. Copied and pasted. This is not about ‘similarities’ , this is about direct copying.
Wizards of the Coast (WoTC), the company behind MTG, has not taken the allegations lightly. In response to the community’s concerns, the WoTC Community Team acknowledged the issue on Reddit, assuring users that they are investigating the artwork featured in the Murders at Karlov Manor card “Trouble in Pairs”.
The company’s prompt acknowledgment reflects its commitment to addressing instances of plagiarism within its community of artists. On the other hand, Fay Dalton has remained silent on the matter, refraining from responding to the accusations.
This incident adds to a string of controversies that have plagued WoTC and its parent company, Hasbro, in recent years. Despite record-breaking revenues from its flagship brands, Dungeons & Dragons and MTG, WoTC has faced various challenges, including scandals such as the OGL 1.1 controversy and the Pinkerton raid on a YouTuber’s home.
This is not the first time an MTG artist has faced accusations of plagiarism. In November 2023, artist David Sondered was accused of copying artwork for the “Wayfarer’s Bauble” card for the Lost Caverns of Ixalan set from fellow artist Lorenzo Lanfranconi.
The issue was brought to WoTC’s attention via social media, prompting discussions between the parties involved. While Lanfranconi initially downplayed the incident as a “weird situation” and a “stupid mistake,” some fans and critics urged a more serious response from Sondered.
Similarly, in 2021, artist Jason Felix faced backlash for allegedly directly copying fan art by Kitt Lapeña for the “Crux of Fate” card in the Strixhaven set. WoTC took action by suspending further collaborations with Felix in light of the evidence.
These incidents raise questions about the integrity of MTG’s artist community and the measures in place to prevent plagiarism. As fans await the outcome of WoTC’s investigation into Fay Dalton’s plagiarism, they are left wondering how such controversies will impact the future of their beloved collectible card game and the apparent lack of artistic integrity.
In a community built on creativity and collaboration, what steps can be taken to ensure that artists are held accountable for their work, and how can WoTC maintain trust and transparency moving forward? Do these multiple instances of plagiarism completely tarnish the MTG IP?
The latest Magic: The Gathering expansion set Outlaws of Thunder Junction will be saddling up on April 19, 2024.
