I honestly wasn’t sure this was the day, really, so I had to double check the calendar—but here it is! It’s my last day on an unbroken streak with the Forecast, and as I’m writing this I’m really not sure the next time you’ll see an article from me. I know, I know, hold the violin, stifle your tears. Don’t cry because it’s over—smile, because I have more promotional codes to throw at you for free.
Here, dry your eyes. Use this:
Pax Bundle: 7a8uU6gU7E
But there’s still work to be done and art to be written about, so one last time, with feeling, let’s get to it. Buckle in, and read to the end below for a heartfelt message and also more free goodies. Are you ready?
BOOM FORECAST
09/30
James Ryman’s Takeover and Album!
Artist: James Ryman
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)/Album Reward
We’re kicking it off with another artist takeover for an artist that hasn’t had one yet—James Ryman, with his softer, rounded, Hearthstone-esque style is going to flood the shop today, and if you’re a fan of collecting them all it’ll be coming with an album alongside its own exclusive reward variant! Ryman’s art is a nice middle point from the more stylized, ‘glossy’ variant series we’ve seen from the likes of PANDART and more painterly variants from other individual artists; my personal favorite of these might be Clea, who’s been missing a more traditionally ‘painted’ look that isn’t hyper-stylized, or Martyr, who looks especially excellent here. Die-hards will be able to get this Dormammu, who also looks great (though maybe bears a bit of a resemblance to Ultron here.) They’re all at the Super Rare price point, for any spenders with gold burning a hole in their pocket!
Super Adaptoid’s Launch Variants!
Artist: Dardo Studios/Rodgon & Mooncolony
Source: Launch Bundle/General Pool (Rare)
The other releases for the day are launch variant twofers, including the new standard for new cards dropping with an exclusive Launch Bundle card you can purchase only if you get the card on the week of its release—this Super Adaptoid, like all the rest, is using the season’s specific Cyberpunk design. For what it’s worth, this one lands on the upper end of successful for me, likely in no small part due to the intentionally mismatched, janky design of the original Super Adaptoid. (Though I do love that!) The hood and sleek metallic look go a long way in adapting the Adaptoid into something that even resembles ‘cool,’ for folks looking for that!
If you like that design, you could also swing for the Rodgon/Mooncolony collab chibi that we’ve seen plenty of, using that same design for any Super Adaptoid fans that want to bling out without dropping some dough.
Jocasta’s Launch Variants!
Artist: Dardo Studios/Rodgon & Mooncolony
Source: Launch Bundle/General Pool (Rare)
Jocasta’s no different, except for the Series 5 price point, and all the things that make Super Adaptoid’s Cyberpunk look work better are at work with Jocasta as well. The character herself is one of those strange comic creations that feels right at home among the collection of characters selected from the comics for this season, and I love her for it—but something about that design makes it feel a bit less intrusive to see another take on her, giving her that red (for villainy) hood and pushing that ‘do into an overt serpentine motif. It’s fun, and near the top of the successful Cyberpunk designs from the season for me. And, of course, if you like it enough to make it Baby, check out the Rodgon/Mooncolony chibi, as is standard for the season!
10/01
Sunghan Yune’s Lasher Bundle!
Artist: Sunghan Yune
Source: Bundle
Sunghan Yune’s rapidly growing repertoire of variants in the game continues with this Lasher bundle—a symbiote in dire need of more variant art as we speak! So any attention would be a benefit, though it helps that Yune’s really got an arresting painted style, with color choices that really complement everyone’s favorite Green One. The gristly streak of red really ties the whole piece together, and I think the lighting and brighter, almost washed out look makes it a really strong entry for Lasher’s second (only second!) variant in the game overall.
10/02
Justin Fields’ Destroyer Bundle!
Artist: Justin Fields
Source: Bundle
Justin Fields’ return to Giant Robot Goodness comes with this Destroyer, which is actually lighter on the reflectively rendered, mechanical detail but heavier on the totally sick giant laser. I love when Destroyer depictions showcase its most iconic weapon, and the pose and effects here add a perfect level of menace that this walking giant suit of armor exudes when it’s not jobbing to the God of Thunder. And while it’s perhaps not as lavishly rendered as Fields’ most detailed, it’s still masterfully lit and shadowed, with all of that red ambience and the hint of Kirby Krackle bringing the whole piece into one delightfully destructive Bundle. A1 work!
Winking Studios’ Jennifer Kale!
Artist: Winking Studios
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Jennifer Kale is a Straight-To-Series 4 card that’s quite niche, and so it’s nice to see her receiving some love regardless; I’d go so far as this one of the better pieces we’ve seen from Winking Studio, giving us a really tight, dynamic power pose that makes Jennifer Kale feel like the imposing sorceress she is. I really love her expression and the downturn of her face—the intimidation factor is turned up, which will make it all the scarier when you, uh, activate her for +1 Energy next turn. But hey! For any decks using her right now, seeing another variant bolster her tiny variant roster is, I’m sure, super welcome.
10/03
PANDART STUDIO’s Mockingbird
Artist: PANDART STUDIO
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
PANDART’s been under the radar just a smidgen, and I think actually having slightly less presence in the game has made me much more interested whenever we do get one—rather than the dominant saturated style, PANDART’s brand of stylized sheen is among a broader range of styles even between studios. I like this Mockingbird quite a bit, giving us some kinetic energy that’s carried a lot by the background (love a shattered window). While the pose and expression itself is a bit stiff, the rendering is nice, and I really like the blend of brighter colors and lighting here. PANDART fans, I know you’re still out there, and so does Second Dinner!
10/04
Mooncolony’s Chibi Hobgoblin
Artist: Mooncolony
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Mooncolony is here sans Rodgon for even more chibi work hitting the game this month! It’s a good reminder that most of the chibis you’ve seen this month are Rodgon’s line art and colored and rendered by Mooncolony; you can judge for yourself which of the two you prefer! I’m always a bit intrigued at those artist/studio collaborations, and I imagine it’s mostly a matter of commission pricing and labor—but it’s also interesting seeing the same season featuring both the Rodgon/Mooncolony collaboration chibis and a Mooncolony standalone chibi. I’m actually perhaps a bit partial to the more gremlin-esque Hobgoblin here, though I think Rodgon stylizes his type of ‘cute’ in a way that’s endearing too. This is sort of closing out that series; what did y’all think of this batch of Chibis?
10/05
David Nakayama’s Lady Deathstrike!
Artist: David Nakayama
Source: General Pool (Rare)
David Nakayama’s commissioned work for Second Dinner continues, this time bringing this mechanically augmented menace into stark relief. It’s always a win for me to see working comic artists get to do direct commission work for Second Dinner, and seeing Nakayama tackle Lady Deathstrike with less pin-up energy and more action is a great change-up. Not that I dislike Nakayama’s pin-up work; I think some of his greatest work is in that category! But he’s an incredibly talented professional, and getting to see more diversity in his compositions is great to see. At Rare price? C’mon.
10/06
Leo Chiola’s Doom 2099!
Artist: Leo Chiola
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Leo Chiola continues to knock it out of the park, bringing his bold line work and comic inking sensibilities to Doom 2099, bringing him to life in a gorgeously energetic piece that takes great advantage of that iconic blue cape in its color palette. The look of the whole piece looks phenomenal, and fans of artists like Kim Jacinto will likely be drawn to the effects and foreshortening helping Doom From The Future pop off the page. At Super Rare as well, it’s a real treat to see that Chiola is going to be a General shop mainstay.
Marvel Legends X-Men ‘97 Variants!
Artist: Hasbro
Source: Promo/General Pool (Rare)
We’re finishing on a really novel set of variants—these variants all seem to be real photos taken of Marvel Legends’ X-Men ‘97 figurines, giving us an up close and detailed look at their take on the style and design of the show. It’s a fun gimmick for a set of variants, and especially nice for any fans of the show that want another reminder that a Season Two is coming! The fact that they’re literally action figures on the card will likely land folks in one of two categories— “this is so janky, I hate it” or “this is so janky, I love it!” And for what it’s worth, that may just be better than a variant everyone thinks is alright.
Wrapping Up
No for real this time, we’re wrapping up. And thus… that concludes my current run on the Variant Forecast. I’m not sure what to say, other than I’m grateful for both your readership and all the kind words y’all have repeatedly given me about the column. In the scheme of things, running the weekly cosmetics column for a mobile game fan page might seem small, but it’s been a significant part of my week for over a year now, and I’ve appreciated your attention and engagement every step of the way. So a big fat shout out and thanks to you all: the real heroes! As one last thanks, literally comment down below whatever you want; I’ll be giving away as many codes as my editor allows to anyone who leaves their Discord handle!
I won’t lie and say this will be the last you see of me; I’ll be reading my fellow writers’ work right there with you all, and down the line you might see me chime in with an article or two. But for now, this’ll be a farewell and thank you—to everyone who’s read my work weekly. Y’all be nice to the new guy!
Oop. Spoilers.
Until next time, whenever that is… see ya!
Not So Fast!
Editor BEWD here. Did you think you could leave that easily? Well, I know I couldn’t leave without saying a few things, and I have a few others who would like to say a few things as well.
SuperTechGod
Mike Del Mundo
BEWD
When finding a writer, I tell every applicant that I am primarily looking for someone passionate about what their writing. Nobody has taken that more to heart than you. Anything you write, you can tell right away how much passion you have. Your character jumps off the page and captures the audience in your own unique way. I hope your work has inspired others to be proud of what they are passionate about and express their passions above all else.
It’s been truly an honor to work with you, call you a friend, and I am excited for you to continue to be on our staff even while you aren’t writing, as well as all the great things I know you’ll do in life.
From me and all the Snap.Fan Team, this isn’t goodbye; it's just BLOB for now.
BLOB! BLOB! BLOB! BLOB!