This is it, y’all! At the time of writing, this is being typed up the eve before Snap Packs release, meaning this forecast comes before a precipitous flood of new information: where will Spotlight variants go? What new data is being mined as we speak? And how much of this article will be defunct from changes made from that patch?
Tough questions. But even as those answers unfold, time waits for nobody; let’s see what variants are in store ahead of the Last Spotlight Cache, helping us finish out the week!
04/29
The Last Spotlight Cache
Artists (in order): Envar Studio, Don Aguillo
Source: Spotlight Cache
Friends, it is here: the end of an era. We are looking at the absolute, very last spotlight trio before the transition to the new Snap Packs system. There isn’t information currently on if there will be a replacement for Spotlight variants, or if currently datamined Spotlight variants will get shuffled around into different designations. So, with all this hubbub, it’s a little funny how otherwise-mundane this set is. Envar’s handled the standard What If…? styled Spotlight variant for the Hydra Stomper, painted to bring the character in closer line with the show’s look. With some solid lighting effects and a composition framed to maximize the heft and weight of that remixed MK I suit, this might be my personal favorite out of the Envar What If…? Variants. The studio’s doing double duty, though, also covering this Araña variant that has Anya don her Spider-Girl look for a fun, simplified animated look mid-swing. It’s a fun, acrobatically contorted pose (a plus, for Spiders), and I’m always a bit partial to that particular look. Finally, Don Aguillo depicts Madame Web, sitting the hell out of that chair. There’s not much else to it, beyond some solid detailing and shadow work on Madame Web’s face and clothing fabric— Don Aguillo’s helped create some dynamism for what is otherwise a very static pose on a very static character.
But for now: these three variants will only be available if you do not immediately patch. You will have roughly 48 hours before your game is force-updated, so if you’re interested at all in these make sure to open the game and spend your keys before patching.
Michal Ivan Takeover and Album!
Artist: Michal Ivan
Source: General Pool (Rare/Super Rare)/Album Reward
A highlight of the whole week for me personally, Michal Ivan’s got a whole album coming and a shop takeover to accompany it. Ivan’s art has so much power behind it, whether it's through really leaning into those exaggerated, almost operatic faces like on Red Guardian or Galactus or through the striking painted colors on pieces like Scorpion or Annihilus. I love the personality of those gnarled, wizened faces on all of Ivan’s hardened takes on these characters, and he manages that while also approaching an Alex Ross level of grandiosity in his most rendered pieces. The fact that Ivan manages both sides works so well for work in a comic space; I’m really glad Ivan’s finally got a bona fide album and takeover under his belt, and I’m hoping to see more!
Leo Chiola’s Rocket and Groot Bundle
Artist: Leo Chiola
Source: Bundle
Leo Chiola’s return is another triumph, bringing one of the strongest new artists in SNAP back for a great take on your favorite woodland duo in space. Chiola’s inks really sell the strong comic style of the piece, as does the hatching and line-work within those inks; the cherry on top is that over-the-top dramatic lighting from Rocket’s muzzle flash really helping focus the composition on its focal point. I’m also always a sucker for the classic red-eyed Rocket design from the comics, and while you might think it’s a disservice to a ‘duo’ card to have Groot looming so far in the background, I appreciate that any variant featuring the two of them can still play with who is or isn’t in focus out of the two. Incredible work, all around.
04/30
Creative House Pocket’s Young Valentina Bundle
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: Bundle
Creative House Pocket gives us a young anime Valentina for folks that want art on the other side of stylization. (I suppose it’s technically not explicitly a younger version of Valentina, but c’mon.) it’s fun to have a variant explore bigger visual departures, and converting Valentina into a cute anime girl is an interesting decision that’s boosted by the neon-visual flourishes of that white streak and the red strike in her whip. It works well with that bright green that several of these Creative House Pocket variants seem to gravitate to; people looking for a hyperpop anime take on Valentina might be interested in this bundle.
Rodgon’s Chibi Hydra Stomper
Artist: Rodgon
Source: General Pool (Rare)
Rodgon’s back for another Chibi variant in the same vein as his Goliath, and there’s a fun visual kick out of seeing an even more hulking frame like the WWII MK1 crushed down into super-deformed proportions. The lighting from the back is a nice touch to vary the colors in the composition; while I’m not positive that Mooncolony hasn’t just been accidentally omitted from coloring credits, the rendering feels more successful here than on the Goliath from Rodgon in the same style. Maybe it’s because the textures on the metal are easier to sell than the more nebulous ‘techsuit’ that Goliath is wearing. Who knows? Folks that don’t want to go through hoops for a Hydra Stomper variant might appreciate this one, though.
05/01
Creative House Pocket’s White Widow Bundle
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: Bundle
Another Creative House Pocket variant is coming through, this time for White Widow: another character both hungry for the extra push from commissioned variants and ripe for an anime reinterpretation. This White Widow piece feels like a similar companion to that hyperpop-esque Valentina, and the sticker-decals, outfit, and phone all add up to a variant piece that really takes the character of Yelena and stencils onto her a more contemporary, ‘chill’ personality that has an interesting visual but relatively little to do with the original character. Which might be what you want! I consider Valentina similar, and she’s far from a variant I strongly dislike. Folks interested in these aesthetic hooks should consider this bundle.
05/02
Helen Jee’s Jeff
Artist: Helen Jee
Source: General Pool (Rare)
There are some terrific variants that are going straight to the 700 gold price point, which is the best possible argument for my constant refrain: art pricing is completely arbitrary! Exhibit A? Helen Jee’s phenomenal Jeff here, applying her trademark paper-doll aesthetic to the cutest fish in SNAP. And the only thing more perfect than seeing such a cute character in such a cute style (munching a pizza, no less) is seeing those terrific Helen Jee textures and colors match up with the shark-grey that we see so often as a sheen on Jeff pieces. I love an extra bit of specific texture for a landshark, and the fact that this piece is (again) 700 gold (!) should be all anyone needs to know about why any art in this game is priced at what it is. It’s arbitrary!
Derrick Chew’s Magik Cover Log-In Reward
Artist: Derrick Chew
Source: Log-In Reward
This one you can technically see right now, thanks to the power of a log-in reward bonus, but it’s set to enter everyone’ collections on this day, so we’re seeing it here in the forecast as well. Originally a variant cover for X-Men (2021) #22, this Magik hits all the hallmarks of a Derrick Chew variant: a pin-up style cover of an attractive female character with a glossy render, with plenty of fantastical effects surrounding them. It’s fine work— I’m hit or miss with Derrick Chew, and though there are certainly covers of his I like much more, this one feels competent enough. The golden armor is a fun visual cue that helps set this Magik piece apart from others, while also maintaining that iconic headpiece that sets her apart from Marvel’s other blonde ladies. (Cough.) It’s not necessarily for me, but plenty of variants are; either way, I’m glad to have a cool cover for free!
05/03
He Tianyou’s Sage
Artist: He Tianyou
Source: General Pool (Rare)
It’s Exhibit B of ‘art pricing is arbitrary,’ and it’s another doozy. He Tianyou is here to help bulk out Sage’s variant catalogue, and he does so with aplomb, giving us a super dynamic, almost actionized standing pose in Tianyou’s style for the living mutant supercomputer. It’s funny whenever you see a commissioned variant clearly draw on SNAP’s base art as the primary reference, but it’s worth seeing that base splash so thoroughly transferred into He Tianyou’s domain, with those clear shapes, stylized anatomy, and grasp on lighting and shadow helping this piece stand out. I especially love that overpowering matrix-green light from her computer screens, and it plays interestingly with Sage’s ordinarily bright-yellow coat. Tianyou overall continues to take standing poses and relatively limited reference material and turn them into interesting pieces full of energy and personality. What’s that? All for 700 gold? Surely not? Surely yes, y’all: I’ll be considering this piece heavily this week, and I suspect I’m not alone.
05/04
Rahzzah’s Black Panther Variant Cover
Artist: Rahzzah
Source: General Pool (Rare)
Exhibit C, y’all: say it with me. Art pricing is arbitrary! This Black Panther is an existing variant cover for Black Panther (2023) #1, by comic artist Rahzzah, and it’s a simple but incredibly effective composition that elevates a standard comic pose (standing, arms out) with terrific pushed angles and some great purple lighting to help highlight the Black Panther suit’s color and texture without resorting to straight black. It’s a great piece, and Rahzzah is a phenomenal $@#!ing artist to get more work from into this game— you might recognize their movie-inspired Valkyrie from a Conquest shop reward last year. They specialize in such high quality covers, with a real eye for cinematic compositions— we’d be incredibly, deeply fortunate to have more from them down the line. And for 700 gold? Insane. Insane!
05/05
ADIA’s Agamotto
Artist: ADIA
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
We’re finishing up on a slightly more mundane note, with Agamotto getting a brand new shop variant much more quickly than other recent cards have received in the past. It’s also a bit notable that this seems to be an unlabeled entry in ADIA’s Nightforged line, in spirit if not in literal. The skull decals, red accents, and spectral green effects lend themselves to matching with other Nightforged fare ADIA’s put out, and it’s entering at Super Rare. Folks looking for a more different take on the prehistoric Sorcerer Supreme may enjoy this edgier, darkly fantastical take on Agamotto.
Wrapping Up
Honestly, I might have buried the lede here; there are some bangers in this week’s variants, and several for a more affordable price point than normal. But there’s something for everyone, I suspect— what’s got you sitting forward in your chair in anticipation? Did I diss something you love, or praise something you hate? Let me know down below; let me know, too, what your grand plans are with the new Snap Packs system. (Is it off topic? I won’t tell anyone. Shh.)
And until next time, y’all… later!