Magic: The Gathering is hosting a Godzilla crossover, complete with themed versions of existing MTG cards. Which is all well and good, until you come across the card “Spacegodzilla, Death Corona” which is a special edition of the “Void Beckoner” monster card. Wizards of the Coast will be renaming Spacegodzilla as “Spacegodzilla, Void Invader” to avoid any comparisons to the novel Coronavirus COVID-19.
As Wizards of the Coast states on their blog, “when Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths was finalized, the world was a very different place. As we all adjust to a world altered by the spread of COVID-19, the word “corona” has taken on a new meaning.”
The naming convention makes sense when you consider that the “Corona Beam” is Spacegozilla’s traditional breath weapon. However, in a post-COVID world, the term “Death Corona” just seems a bit wrong as the novel Coronavirus has killed over 50,000 to date with more than 1 million affected worldwide. Therefore, Wizards is renaming or removing the card where possible.
For those who want to own the original printing of the card, the inital print of physical Ikoria will feature the “Death Corona” name, while all reprints will remove the card. Spacegodzilla will also be renamed on Magic: The Gathering Arena to “Spacegodzilla, Void Invader”. Meanwhile, Magic Online will not distribute the card in treasure chests. Other Godzilla Series Monsters versions of cards will be available.
Naturally, the “Void Beckoner” card will remain unchanged.
