Grading
Overall 9.5 GEM MINT
Centering 9
Corners 9.5
Edges 9.5
Surface 9.5
Rarity & Collectability
The Alpha Serra Angel is very hard to find in BGS 9.5 grade with only 19 copies in existence. Of those 19, 4 copies are in Quad subscores and above. Given that this card was at the uncommon slot with 4,500 copies printed (relative to the 1,100 rares), it is remarkable that so few exist in Gem Mint condition. My guess is that this card suffered from centering issues in addition to being so regularly played in white decks.
Another aspect of this card's collectability is that some people collect angel cards, so this card commands a high value even though it isn't on the reserved list.
Impressions & Artwork
"Born with wings of light and a sword of faith, this heavenly incarnation embodies both fury and purity."
The artwork by Douglas Schuler is adored by many. The flowing brown hair and matching bronze short sword lifted up in defiance against the perilous, flying up through an open sky. In my opinion, this card helped define white's color identity for the next 30 years of the game's history. I don't think we would have been blessed by the much more modern (and potent) Baneslayer Angel, had it not been for Serra Angel.
More recent paintings of Serra Angel are also incredible, but it is hard to match nostalgia's perspective on the original painting from 1993.
Greg Staples' interpretation of the iconic Serra Angel
Greg Staples' modern era defining Baneslayer Angel outclassed the Serra Angel by a significant margin.
Usage & Gameplay
Serra Angel was a mainstay in nearly all white decks of the 90's. Even in more modern draft formats, it's a very potent creature at 4/4 flying that is resistant to lightning bolts dealing 3 damage.
In the 90's, the vast majority of creatures had mana costs tied to their power/toughness and abilities. Typically 1 extra mana cost for each ability, Serra Angel broke that mold by having 2 abilities (flying and vigilance) on top of a 4/4 creature which only cost a total of 5 mana instead of 6.
It is no surprise that perhaps the greatest Vintage deck of all time, 1996 "The Deck" by Brian Weismann features 2 copies of Serra Angel.
Comments
Post a Comment