Why Did Teferi's Appearance Change So Drastically?
Lore forum
Posted on April 14, 2020, 12:13 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
Teferi has been appearing on cards in this game for many years, and, in his early appearances, he bore a slight resemblance to Laurence Fishburne, but, when he was re-introduced in Dominaria, he suddenly resembled Idris Elba, instead. Compare Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir and Teferi, Temporal Archmage to Teferi, Hero of Dominaria and Teferi, Time Raveler.
Many characters have appeared different when illustrated by different artists, but the differences are usually minor, so why is it that Teferi's appearance changed so drastically? What does everyone else say about this?
triproberts12 says... #3
Teferi's a bit of a special case. He was a pre-mending walker, so he had the ability to project a physical body to whatever specifications he liked, like how Urza, Lord High Artificer disguised himself as the Blind Seer. His physical age also varies wildly between appearances, since he's technically older than Karn. Teferi, Temporal Archmage is pre-mending, he became Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir when he gave up his spark to seal a rift in the Multiverse, and after decades of aging, he got his spark back and became modern-day Teferi.
April 14, 2020 12:23 p.m.
or, you know, the actual explanation - the artist for Teferi, Time Raveler has watched too many Idris Elba movies prior to making the art.
Joe_Ken_ says... #2
Maybe the white mana gave him a face lift.
That’s a joke but I don’t think anything in the lore would be an answer. I guess it’s just because of the different artists and maybe they wanted to give him more of a modern look with the beard and all. I don’t really have a good answer.
April 14, 2020 12:18 p.m.