Have you ever wanted to read a stranger’s opinion online about the upcoming art you see in a comic book card game? Have you ever wanted to do that over and over and over again? Well.
Well, well, well, well. Aren’t you my exact target audience?
I was hinting at a new format, and here it is a new weekly series, not too different from Burning Questions, Meta Mondays, and our card previews. And instead of datamines floating around in the digital ether, I will be covering the week’s in-game variant releases each week. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve got a special guest to chime in: none other than content creator and variant art aficionado SuperTechGod! You might recognize him as a streamer. You might recognize him as the host of the podcast Snapcast. You might recognize him as someone with literally every variant in the game. Either way, he’s graciously lent us his time and attention to give his thoughts alongside mine about this week’s crop of variants.
And I’ve got more to say, but the last article was looooong, so let’s skip to the forecast.
11/25
Sweeney Boo’s X-Men Evolution Rogue
Artist: Sweeney Boo
Source: General Pool (Rare)
We’re kicking off Monday with a fun treat from Sweeney Boo, who’s quickly made the jump into recurring SNAP variant artist. Now, 1.) I’m a fan of Sweeney Boo’s and have been since before SNAP was around! And 2.) I think she’s yet to hit her peak quality in the pieces we’ve seen in SNAP. The best from her I’ve seen in the game was the recently datamined Gamora, and previously, she had a Spotlight Variant for Nebula that I didn’t love (though her SNAP debut excited me).
Here, we’re getting treated to a sweet throwback to X-Men Evolution’s animated take on a goth teen Rogue, borrowing that iteration’s purple lipstick, make-up, and paler pallor and pairing it with a colorful club fit. It fits Sweeney Boo’s strengths, which is a particular kind of vivid palette and fun, cute subject. I think it still feels a bit plastic/flat in the colors and shadows— perhaps a sign of a tighter deadline for SNAP than for other work of hers. (And maybe a sign that that particular green is a bit harsh). But it’s the first call back to X-Men Evolution we’ve gotten in the game, which I’ve got a soft spot for— and the same is true for this artist.
STG: Sweeney Boo’s take on Rogue from the X-Men: Evolution series has quickly become a standout favorite among this week’s releases, and for good reason. The card, a rare 700 Gold variant, is a coveted collector’s item and a practical powerhouse for Series 3 players. With its high accessibility, many players will undoubtedly have stunning splits ready to enhance this striking addition.
What truly sets this card apart is Boo’s signature style. The neon green jacket, paired with vibrant purple accents, creates an electrifying visual contrast against the dynamic background. Once animated, the card is poised to be a showstopper, with its colors and design likely to elevate it to must-have status. Sweeney Boo’s ability to capture the spirit of X-Men: Evolution in such vivid detail makes a strong case for her handling future designs from the series.
11/26
Spotlights!
Artists (in order): Andrea Guardino, Nicoletta Baldari, Tradd Moore
Source: Spotlight Caches
Tuesday, as always, will bring us a new set of Spotlight variants to contemplate spending on meta-buyers, so look elsewhere! But this week’s quite promising on an art level.
Of course, we’ve got Guardino doing Gorr— he’s the featured artist this season, and we’re treated to a dramatic and faithful depiction of the anticipated God Butcher. It’s dramatic and appropriately graphic for the wielder of All-Black. While it might not be my favorite of his in store, anyone particularly interested in Guardino’s Asgard set will likely want to add Gorr as a centerpiece.
STG: Andrea Guardino has truly owned this month with a series of standout variant releases, but the highlight of the week is undoubtedly Gorr the God Butcher. Guardino’s masterful portrayal captures the raw intensity and palpable fear that Gorr commands, particularly when wielding the All-Black Necrosword. The haunting atmosphere and meticulous detail make this variant a visual masterpiece and the variant of choice I’ll be using when playing the card this week.
Nicoletta Baldari’s Havok is here— coming from an artist with a particularly stylized, simplified style that’s shone in some in-game work already (her Storm is phenomenal), it's nice to see her approach Havok, who only ever shines when an artist understands the particularly stylized, graphic context he was originally conceived in. I don’t think it's her absolute best work, but I think it’s a solid style match between Baldari and Havok and one I certainly wouldn’t mind pulling.
STG: Nicoletta Baldari continues to shine with her exceptional use of color and her innovative approach to composition, pushing the art outside the borders of all her cards. Her latest take on Havok is no exception. The dynamic energy circles radiating around the character add a sense of motion and power, making the card feel alive. Once animated, these elements are poised to deliver a visually stunning experience that elevates this piece, making it spotlight key-worthy.
But the gem is Tradd Moore’s Legion, and it’s not close: I was scouring the internet to see if it was an existing cover but could only find Moore posting about the piece on his Tumblr in 2023. It’s possible it was unrelated; it’s possible it was a direct SNAP commission, which would be incredible because Tradd Moore’s psychedelic (but composed) style is one of the best things in comics now. (Gosh, the background is an even separate piece referencing Legion’s debut in New Mutants #26). I will be pulling for this variant, and I’ll be doing so happily.
STG: Tradd Moore’s Legion variant is nothing short of breathtaking—a true masterclass in capturing the chaotic and psychedelic essence of the character. The trippy, surreal visuals perfectly embody this persona of Legion, making it an unforgettable addition to any collection. While Flaviano’s variant is undeniably my current favorite, Tradd Moore’s interpretation stands out with its bold, imaginative design, great use of the colors, and eye-gazing mechanic, earning its place as my new personal favorite Legion variant!
Food Fight!
Artist: Wild Blue
Source: General Pool (Rare, for all of them!)
We’ve got a whole album (and presumably takeover) coming from Wild Blue studio the same day— making this one by far the biggest variant release for the week in terms of volume. Now, I’ve got personal categories that I sometimes use when I think of SNAP variants— and one of the most prominent are the variants done in SNAP’s house style, but with some fun prompt/premise— characters in silly costumes (other ones, I mean), or characters doing something particular. These Food Fight variants falls squarely under that umbrella, featuring the likes of Alioth, Leech, and X-23 all munching on various meals and bites. Some are more fun than others, like Dracula considering a sip from a blood bag or Moon Girl’s sundae titration. Album chasers might be interested in Death with a hard-shell taco as the reward— but beyond the theme, here’s nothing to write home about, art-wise— we’re seeing competently rendered but basic pieces of characters we’ve seen in the game.
STG: The Wild Blue food-themed album of variants is a delightful addition, bringing a playful, festive flair to some of our favorite cards. Each design creatively showcases its character consuming their food of choice—like Dracula sipping an O+ blood pack or Alioth with a cow—turning these cards into fun holiday treats.
This album is even more exciting because all these variants are classified as RARE (700 Gold), making them both desirable and highly accessible. You can easily add these to your collection with some planning, whether through saved caches, recent drops, or mystery variant opportunities. Best of all, the reward for completing the album is the amazing Taco-Eating Death Variant, a must-have for any Death variant collector.
New Artist Alert: Helen Jee!
Artist: Helen Jee
Source: Bundle
Now, this is something to write home about. At this point, Helen Jee’s been in datamines for a minute, but this will be her in-game debut— with her sweet, almost paper-doll-esque anime style. The muted pastels feel nostalgic, making you feel like you’re looking at a children’s book, with fun compositional elements like Stature seated on a building, holding a cloud, or Squirrel Girl’s cheeky smile. These are terrific and different for any fans of either character, so the choice seems clear: make a hard decision now about buying the bundle or wait patiently for a good hit on the Collector’s Vault in a year’s time.
STG: Helen Jee’s upcoming bundle featuring both Squirrel Girl and Stature is a nostalgic treat for fans of the cards and collectors alike. Helen Jee’s art style brings a fresh yet sentimental touch to SNAP, with two unique depictions that stand out. Stature, depicted as larger than life and calmly perched on a rooftop holding a cloud, captures her serene strength amazingly. Meanwhile, Squirrel Girl’s cheerful anime-inspired smile radiates charm, making this variant equally irresistible. It will be hard to pass this bundle up.
11/27
Viktor Farro’s Gorr
Artist: Viktor Farro
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Gorr’s General Pool debut is a strong one: like with other releases this season, Viktor Farro’s variant is available from the general pool for anyone not keen to spend on a Spotlight variant. And it’s a bit of a steal: I find Viktor Farro’s work is stronger than Guardino’s, especially when both are bringing similarly dramatic art styles to Marvel’s Norse pantheon, but Farro’s painterly touch elevates any comic character with incredible heft. I don’t think you can go wrong with Gorr— Guardino’s is also a strong piece. But if you were to pry it out of me, this might be my pick for Gorr’s release (in case any God-Butcher aficionados were considering).
STG: Viktor Farro’s watercolor-inspired style has solidified him as one of the standout artists this year. His lifelike approach, blending soft textures with striking details, makes his work instantly recognizable. Viktor Farro’s take on Gorr, the God Butcher, continues this trend, presenting the character in a hauntingly powerful light. While this variant doesn’t feature Gorr wielding the All-Black Necrosword, it still captures the essence of his fearsome presence, making it a compelling addition to any collection.
Best of all, this awesome variant does not require a spotlight key, offering collectors an accessible option for showcasing a variant of the card in their decks.
11/28
Viktor Farro’s Thanos
Artist: Viktor Farro
Source: Bundle
Farro’s also got a bundle, continuing his run as a consistent and phenomenal presence in the variant game. And it has to be none other than the Mad Titan himself headlining a bundle: Farro’s bringing his A-Game (and a stark color palette) to the man’s big purple chin. I love the gravity of the looming eyes and golden armor, the classic comic flourishes Farro brings his painted gravity to, and (of course) the strong purple hue he gives Thanos’ grim scowl. It’s projected to be an expensive bundle, so I might personally wait this out. Still, Farro has added to the slowly growing list of Bundle variants I’m eagerly waiting to enter the Collector’s Vault.
STG: Viktor Farro’s upcoming Thanos Bundle is set to be a must-have for fans of the Mad Titan. Viktor Farro’s signature watercolor style, paired with his lifelike depiction of Thanos, shines brilliantly in this variant. The vibrant color choices add a dramatic flair, making this a standout variant of Thanos.
For collectors, the pricing of this bundle will play a crucial role in determining whether to snag it immediately or wait for it to hit the Collector’s Vault.
Throwback Cover: Sub-Mariner (1968) #1
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Sol Brodsky
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
The Super Rare throwback Bronze Age series continues with one of the most iconic early covers for Namor in all his grand, pompous glory. People who reduce Namor to an angry Aquaman miss the point. Marvel’s King of Atlantis is at his best as a larger-than-life, mercurial, almost mythically haughty monarch. This cover captures both some key moments in his history and his iconic brow and speedo. It’s classic comics, and watching the Bronze Age series of cover variants continue to fill out is immensely satisfying. I’m always curious exactly how they both extend the main figure and condense the background to make these covers work for SNAP’s frame break compositions and while sometimes there are hiccups, they’ve continued to do a commendable job keeping the vibe/spirit of the cover intact, even if the background sometimes becomes a more piecemeal collage of the original composition.
STG: The Super Rare Bronze Age throwback series continues to impress, and Namor’s latest variant is no exception. This homage to one of his most iconic early covers captures the Sub-Mariner's majestic and imperious splendor. It’s a joy to see the Bronze Age collection expanding, and how these variants adapt vintage covers to SNAP’s frame-break style is phenomenal! I am a huge fan of the throwback comic cover variants, and I’m happy to see Namor get some love. This is a must-get!
12/2
David Mack’s Agent 13
Artist: David Mack
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
David Mack’s continued presence as a commissioned artist for SNAP is a great win for the game; he’s got a pedigree in Marvel that goes all the way back to the Alias comics with none other than Jessica Jones. So, seeing him work on variants for characters like Agent 13 in his trademark watercolors is a treat and a great win for a game hungry for new art pieces for characters with a less robust backlog of covers. Agent 13, especially, is a character that doesn’t necessarily lend to striking, iconic covers at a glance; David Mack’s ethereal style helps offload some of that pressure, bringing some personality to the piece by calling forward the image of a coffee-stained SHIELD dossier. I don’t know many Agent 13 diehards out there, but if you’re one of them, this probably shoots to the top of the must-have list for variants.
STG: David Mack continues showcasing his watercolor mastery with his stunning Super Rare (1200 Gold) Agent 13 variant. This piece exudes a sleek, nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the iconic GoldenEye 007 era, capturing the essence of espionage with style. One can almost imagine the animation peeling away the coin as Agent 13 turns to the screen in a cinematic reveal.
This variant is a standout addition to the Agent 13 collection, offering elegance and awesomeness. Once the January season of Marvel SNAP is upon us, don’t be surprised to see this particular version of Agent 13 appearing frequently. It’s a must-have for players who appreciate artistry and classic spy aesthetics.
Wrapping Up
STG: Working with the team at Snap.fan has been an absolute honor. For those familiar with me—or perhaps that “person with every variant in the game” you’ve heard about—you know how deeply I appreciate the art and passion that goes into Marvel SNAP. I look forward to more opportunities to celebrate the incredible creativity of this game and its community.
And that wraps our coming week’s slate of variants; between my two cents and his two cents, you’re just shy of a nickel, but now you’ve also got a good idea of what variants are coming up this week that you might spend a pretty penny on. Do you disagree vehemently? Are you a Wild Blue diehard or a Viktor Farro hater?
(The former, I’m sure, are out there; the latter, I’m skeptical.)
Either way, let us know what you think in the comments, and (this might be new for anyone used to my sporadic schedule) see you next week!