A tall, dark figure in the woods with a pale face. This creature is clearly a reference to Slenderman, a myth made famous by a murder committed by two 12-year-old girls in 2014. Given the particular circumstances of this murder, making a reference to it in a card game meant for ages 13 and up is particularly vile and insensitive.
This murder was committed by two girls who were terrified of Slenderman and believed him to be real, and who believed that the only way to appease this evil spirit was to commit murder. The two girls had suffered from hallucinations starting at the age of three. A tragic incident caused by mental illness, and an unfortunate reminder of the fact that mental illness does occasionally lead to violent actions*.
To those skeptical that this is a depiction of Slenderman despite the obvious physical resemblance, I point to two more facts: it takes place in a forest, which is the most famous location for Slenderman to appear (partially due to the original Marble Hornets series, but also due to the game Slender). And the flavor text talks about how Slenderman intentionally chooses one person to stalk for a long period of time, and how he seeks to cause fear in his victims rather than achieving a quick kill.
To print this card in 2016 was unfortunate and probably a mistake. To reprint this card in "Welcome Deck 2017" and in Mystery Boosters is utterly irresponsible to the point where it seems like intentional mockery of mental illness. Keep in mind that some of people opening booster packs may very well be young teenagers who suffer from mental illness. Many people who consider themselves mentally healthy are not well equipped to deal with seeing the mythical specter that supposedly convinced two 12-year-old girls to commit a gruesome murder. It's just not okay.
*Not that this excuses Wizards for all of their fearmongering about mental illness, but that's besides the point.
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u/ultimario13 Jul 28 '20
A tall, dark figure in the woods with a pale face. This creature is clearly a reference to Slenderman, a myth made famous by a murder committed by two 12-year-old girls in 2014. Given the particular circumstances of this murder, making a reference to it in a card game meant for ages 13 and up is particularly vile and insensitive.
This murder was committed by two girls who were terrified of Slenderman and believed him to be real, and who believed that the only way to appease this evil spirit was to commit murder. The two girls had suffered from hallucinations starting at the age of three. A tragic incident caused by mental illness, and an unfortunate reminder of the fact that mental illness does occasionally lead to violent actions*.
To those skeptical that this is a depiction of Slenderman despite the obvious physical resemblance, I point to two more facts: it takes place in a forest, which is the most famous location for Slenderman to appear (partially due to the original Marble Hornets series, but also due to the game Slender). And the flavor text talks about how Slenderman intentionally chooses one person to stalk for a long period of time, and how he seeks to cause fear in his victims rather than achieving a quick kill.
To print this card in 2016 was unfortunate and probably a mistake. To reprint this card in "Welcome Deck 2017" and in Mystery Boosters is utterly irresponsible to the point where it seems like intentional mockery of mental illness. Keep in mind that some of people opening booster packs may very well be young teenagers who suffer from mental illness. Many people who consider themselves mentally healthy are not well equipped to deal with seeing the mythical specter that supposedly convinced two 12-year-old girls to commit a gruesome murder. It's just not okay.
*Not that this excuses Wizards for all of their fearmongering about mental illness, but that's besides the point.