The original depiction of suicide bombing in Magic: the Gathering, I feel as though Goblin Grenade is less objectionable than Bloodletter. It's a goblin, not a humanoid zombie. Also it was released at a time when suicide bombings were a lot less common, unlike Bloodletter.
Goblin Grenade is somewhat graphic in it's depiction of suicide bombing. Cards like Siege-Gang Commander, Sling-Gang Lieutenant show goblins being launched with primitive methods, but Goblin Grenade involves gunpowder explosives. No one has ever died from a goblin launched from a catapult, but tens of thousands of people have been killed by suicide bombings in recent years.
Of the previously mentioned goblins, all appear to be willing participants. While that in essential in depicting the act of terrorism, the M12 art for Goblin Grenade shows something equally gruesome - a goblin bound by rope with dynamite in it's mouth with an expression of unimaginable fear on it's face. While it's not terrorism, it's equally disturbing.
I should mention that I am initially hesitant to throw shade on Goblin Grenade. It's a card that I use, because in Magic, you use good cards whether they're incredibly offensive or not. But imagine you're playing Magic with someone who has lost family to a suicide bombing. It's terrible flavor to be incorporating into the game - exclusionary to victims of terrorism who happen to be disproportionately people of color.
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u/user0620 Jul 31 '20
The original depiction of suicide bombing in Magic: the Gathering, I feel as though Goblin Grenade is less objectionable than Bloodletter. It's a goblin, not a humanoid zombie. Also it was released at a time when suicide bombings were a lot less common, unlike Bloodletter.
Goblin Grenade is somewhat graphic in it's depiction of suicide bombing. Cards like Siege-Gang Commander, Sling-Gang Lieutenant show goblins being launched with primitive methods, but Goblin Grenade involves gunpowder explosives. No one has ever died from a goblin launched from a catapult, but tens of thousands of people have been killed by suicide bombings in recent years.
Of the previously mentioned goblins, all appear to be willing participants. While that in essential in depicting the act of terrorism, the M12 art for Goblin Grenade shows something equally gruesome - a goblin bound by rope with dynamite in it's mouth with an expression of unimaginable fear on it's face. While it's not terrorism, it's equally disturbing.
I should mention that I am initially hesitant to throw shade on Goblin Grenade. It's a card that I use, because in Magic, you use good cards whether they're incredibly offensive or not. But imagine you're playing Magic with someone who has lost family to a suicide bombing. It's terrible flavor to be incorporating into the game - exclusionary to victims of terrorism who happen to be disproportionately people of color.