In December, I wrote about the new bronze age variants coming to the game. We've got three of them, and the delayed Man-Thing variant is expected to go to spotlight caches on March 12th. In that article, I threw out my wishlist for more classic covers I'd like to see as variants. In a Snap Fan discord server poll, you voted Polaris from X-Men #50 as your most wanted classic cover variant.
[X-Men #50 cover by Jim Steranko]
This classic cover by Jim Steranko would make a glorious variant. It's the first cover appearance of Polaris, a.k.a. Lorna Dane, but it's her second appearance. She first appeared in one issue earlier in X-Men #49. In that storyline, Lorna Dane has her mutant powers awakened by the villain Mesmero. Magneto comes along and claims he is her father! He turns out not to be her birth father. It is revealed that her birth parents died in a plane crash (a common way to become an orphan in 60s Marvel comics). The relationship between Lorna and Magneto remains complicated throughout her publication history, as does her relationship with the X-Men.
[from X-Men #50 by Jim Steranko]
Lorna is one of the longest-running female mutants in the Marvel universe, but she has bounced around a lot while never disappearing for long. Lorna goes on to fall in love with Havok (snubbed in this week's Valentine's event, though), moves to Muir Island for a while, becomes possessed by Malice and becomes the leader of the Marauders, joins up with X-Factor, and continually rejoins and leaves the X-Men. She was also once one of Apocalypse’s horsemen and a member of the Starjammers.
Polaris Gallery
There used to be very slim pickings for Polaris variants, but since I wrote that article, we got this excellent Rian Gonzalez Polaris added to the game.
We're getting this Joshua Cassara variant as a part of an undisclosed bundle on March 17th.
Polaris in Marvel Snap
Polaris’s magnetic powers and her “relationship” with Magneto inspire her card's ability in Marvel Snap. Polaris currently has pretty middling stats. She is seen in 2.26% of decks (151st) and has a drawn win rate of 52.17% (167th). Nevertheless, Polaris is a solid card that could see more play than she currently does. Here are a few, hopefully, less obvious lists if you want to take your Polaris variants for a spin.
Polaris KK
Polar Lock
Polaris Express Clog
The Future
Polaris seems to be a victim of power creep. At 3-5, she used to feel a lot stronger when she was the only card at that stat line. Hopefully, she gets a bump to 3-6. I'd love to see plenty more amazing Polaris art come to the game, including this recently released issue, where she plays a prominent role in leading a revenge assault on Orchis and has some fantastic moments.
[Fall Of The House Of X #2 cover by Pepe Larraz]
There is also this tribute cover by Art Adams
[Cover of X-Men Blue #9 by Art Adams]
Also, given that we have the pestilence variant of Polaris from her time as a horseman of Apocalypse, I'd love to get a Malice variant from her time with the Marauders.
[From Uncanny X-Men #219, art by Bret Blevins, Dan Green, Glynis Oliver, and Petra Scotese]
And there are plenty of other great Polaris covers.
[Cover of X-Men vol. 6 #6 by Russell Dauterman]
[Cover of X-Factor #243 by David Yardin]
[Cover of X-Factor #18 by Kris Anka and Jared Fletcher]
[Cover of X-Men: Kingbreaker #3 by Brandon Peterson]