Variant Forecast
Y’all, it’s a light day today, but only because it’s going to be a big day today! I’m typing this up on Patchsmas Eve, which includes the long-awaited Character Mastery system. And that’s on top of the standard run of datamined variants and sneak previews at upcoming seasons! So as we speak, I’m sure all you Forecast Faithfuls are already busy poring over all the patch coverage we’ve got on Snap.Fan. But don’t forget— after you take a look at all the things coming in months’ time, we’ve still got variants just around the corner, too. So let’s get this forecast on the road!
02/11
Spotlights!
Artists (in order): He Tianyou, Jelly Pixel, SIXMOREVODKA
Source: Spotlight Cache
Spotlights stop for nobody, or something like that! We’ve got the next cache’s contents coming up, with He Tianyou’s action-stylized work getting its next installation in certified hater Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross! I really like how Tianyou exaggerates a likeness for Ross, who’s got a lot of energy in his expression and pose even as a standstill pose, arms folded like the staunch bottle of haterade that he is. And he’s accompanied by studio pieces from Jelly Pixel and SIXMOREVODKA for Blink and Nebula, respectively, with two solid pieces that, while they’re not exactly reinventing the wheel, might give you the great alternate look you’ve been waiting for. SIXMOREVODKA’s in particular taps into the film design for Nebula in a cool way, and the lighting really makes the shadowed piece pop. Jelly Pixel (ever the mystery) brings us a Blink that’s got some cool dynamic foreshortening going on, working off of her base design (and most popular outfit) but at least giving us some oomph and energy.
InHyuk Lee Red Hulk
Artist: InHyuk Lee
Source: Bundle
And it’s only reasonable that in Thunderbolt Ross’ spotlight, we also get a revisitation for his Big Red Alter-Ego— InHyuk Lee’s variant cover from Immortal Hulk (2018) #21 features the big unfriendly giant manhandling a guest Merc With The Mouth! When InHyuk Lee hits, he really hits— something about the way he renders a very anime-stylized art-style in realism is satisfying, even when I’m sometimes a bit less gung-ho about that sort of style overall. He’s got a great grasp for physicality like what we see here, letting us see just how big Red Hulk is, and why Deadpool should be very afraid that he floated energy on turns 3-5. Bonus: he’s got a Hulked-out mustache. Why wouldn’t he?
Bronze Age Iron Man
Artists: John Romita Jr./Bob Layton
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Finally for today, we’ve got the Bronze Age Iron Man cover from John Romita Jr. and Bob Layton, pulled from Iron Man (1968) #126. It’s neat to see some of John Romita Jr.’s older art when he was still exploring his own style and operating much more in the established era his father was so influential in, and the cover itself is iconic! There’s something about the heft and weight of ol’ Shellhead’s pose coupled with the great lighting effects on the colors that really bring this classic pre-MCU design to life, and SNAP’s templating preserves all that even as they adapt it to card format. This feels like one of the best Bronze Age variants we’ve seen yet, and it’s one that I’ll have to consider… even against Iron Man’s wonderful existing catalogue.
02/12
Rian Gonzales’ Chibi Ross
Artist: Rian Gonzales
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Rian Gonzales continues to pull her weight jumpstarting new cards’ variant catalogue, lending a Chibi variant to Ross that makes him look… well, cute might not quite be the word, but it certainly makes him chibi! There’s something uncanny in a genuinely interesting way about turning Ross’ “I’m a schmoozing bureaucrat adjusting my tie” expression into something cutesy, and it intensifies when you realize he’s brandishing a gun! Honestly, the different signals the entire piece gives off actually make me like this a good deal more than the average chibi, and I do love the Red Hulk plush in the back to contrast the mundane office setting we otherwise see. Will I be confusing this for a chibi Mobius M. Mobius, who’s also mostly a mustached white dude in a suit? Maybe (though he’s got one too, already— and blonde!). But if you’re getting Ross and you happen to want an old veteran in a jarringly different style, Rian’s bringing the quality and charm!
02/13
Vincenzo Riccardi’s Mirage
Artist: Vincenzo Riccardi
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Riccardi’s next entry into the General Pool is a Super Rare variant for Mirage, who’s posed in her classic ‘I’m drawing my bow pointed downwards and also standing in front of a tree” pose standing in front of a tree. (Look at her variants, it happens more often than you’d think.) But you can excuse a bit of compositional repetition when the execution is so solid, and I think that Riccardi’s bright colors work really well in an otherwise wintry landscape, highlighting those bright X-Men red and yellows alongside her glowing bow (and the light it casts on the blacks of her suit). It’s a really fine piece, and anyone looking for a Mirage variant would be fortunate to have it. And if they’re looking for Dani with her bow drawn pointed downwards and also standing in front of a tree? Come on.
02/14
Valentine’s Day Dating Profile Variants
Artists: Eduardo Mello/Ryan Kinnaird, Eduardo Mello/Luca Pinelli
Source: Bundle/General Pool (Rare)
Valentine’s Day will be celebrated by couples and lovers worldwide on February 14th, and it’ll also be celebrated by SNAP players worldwide as these Dating Profile variants drop at the same time— where exactly that Venn diagram overlaps, I don’t have the demographic data to tell you! But whether you’re cuddled up with a soulmate playing some SNAP or contemplating making a dating profile just like these, it’s a fun gesture to see some of Marvel’s iconic singles put themselves out there. Mello pulls linework duty, teamed with Kinnaird for three out of the four and Pinelli for Strong Guy, and all of them straddle that line between fun gag and fine variant. Are all of these canon ages? Tough to say, with the Marvel sliding timescale and all that. Are all of these good dating profiles? Tough to say, with Coulson’s face being redacted and (worse) a fishing photo! But they’re good fun, and you can snag them for yourself between Coulson and She-Hulk’s individual bundles and Strong Guy and Black Cat entering the General (dating) Pool.
(Don’t expect Felicia to tolerate a dry opener, though.)
02/15
PANDART Red Skull
Artist: PANDART STUDIO
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
PANDART’s next big variant is a Red Skull brandishing his obsession: the deadliest cube in the universe! (Michael Bay’s Transformers’ AllSpark notwithstanding.) Draped in Hydra finery and looking positively atrocious, it’s Red Skull at his hateful peak, and, with the flag draped over him and the particular style of coat, perhaps even a bit too close to home in just how fascistic he looks as the leader of Marvel’s premier fascistic organization. But it’s a well done piece, and I think there’s something to be said about it leaning a bit more into the horror of real-world fascism the character always represented, rather than burying it in more generic, cartoonish villainy. But maybe that’s too big a discussion to be had in the confines of an article about a Marvel card game— for now, PANDART enjoyers can be on the lookout for the next entry in one of the most prolific series of variants in the game.
02/16
David Mack’s Bullseye
Artist: David Mack
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
David Mack’s ethereal, haunting style plays well into a psychotic killer like Bullseye’s MO, and it’s an original SNAP piece to boot! I really love Bullseye’s infamous killing line from his clash with Elektra floating around there, and in general all the graphic touches framing Bullseye’s watercolor profile is a great way to maximize a card game’s templating while still being interesting and different. Those eerie concentric circles, the playing cards, the blood-color radiating out from Bullseye in the center… It’s a beautiful piece that’ll no doubt have lots of folks buying it on sight at launch. If you’re under that sizable umbrella, watch out and pick it up when it comes out, lest the cruel shop slots never show it again!
02/17
Pixel Jane Foster
Artist: G-Angle
Source: General Pool (Rare)
And it’s a surprise for the people at the end here: we’ve got a new Pixel releasing at Rare quality (as they all are), this time for Jane Foster, the Mighty Thor! Now, I was (and am) of the lukewarm opinion that Pixels from G-Angle were a ginormous original commission run, explaining why there aren’t really any new Pixels despite how many there are for the base set of cards. Does this change things? Not really, I expect: you can’t necessarily see, but this is logged in datamines as Jane Foster’s first variant, meaning it’s been around for quite a long time, even if it hasn’t been visible for all of it. The plot thickens, of course; why release it now? Why wait? Who knows? It’s a Pixel, which means it’s got its contingent of rabid, contrarian fans, and then a larger contingent of just-as-rabid haters. For my money, it feels pretty middle-of-the-road for a Pixel (which, overall, I’m not a huge fan of), but I think this is one of those variants where every party involved has already made up their mind. Any last notes? I love how jacked Jane’s shoulders are here, truly. No exaggeration, huge plus.
Wrapping Up
What? You’re still here? I feel like Matthew Broderick in a bathrobe, or at least Deadpool doing Matthew Broderick in a bathrobe. This has to be coming out amidst the deluge of new content, both datamined and in-game— go on! Get out of here! Enjoy the game, and the patch coverage, and everything life has to offer! And look forward to much more from me very soon, about all those things! (Or, at least, the first two!)
And if you’re set on sticking around, I love to hear what you think as always. What’re you feeling great about this week? What are your favorite variants? And what are your plans for the 14th? No, no, just asking for a friend. They think you’re cute, but you didn’t hear it from me. So until next time, very soon… Thanks for reading!