It’s another month, which means another season and another Big Ol’ Bunch Of Variants!
As a note: it was previously found by multiple people in the community (including the intrepid maverick0023 in the comments!) that the General Shop Xorn variant attributed to Frank Quitely was in fact misattributed— the actual artist is Ethan Van Sciver, who is a controversial comics figure, to say the least. I won’t do the whole rabbit hole (seriously, it’s a lot) but expect to see something changed; we’ve already got decent evidence on our end that it will be pulled and replaced at some point. Here’s hoping for an actual Quitely piece for Xorn!
And without further adieu…
06/03
New Season, New Pass!
Artist: Winking Studio
Source: Season Pass/Super Premium Season Pass/Unknown Spotlight!
Let’s do this. So! Winking Studio is taking on Seasonal duties this season, with variants to look forward to for all of those masters of the mystical arts gallivanting around. The style is a relatively simplified and stylized one, with smoother rendering and a clear focus on amplifying those animated proportions and expressions. Of them, my favorite might be Merlin, who’s got a classic ‘old man in blue robe’ that I feel like is subtly iconic for the Wizard of Camelot a powerful, dynamic pose, and a great beard.
I’m a little amused at the different levels of exaggeration between the male and female spellcasters so far, with Scarlet Witch and Morgan Le Fay clearly looking far less cartoon-deformed than the likes of Mordo or Strange. Were they done by different artists at the studio, or is it a conscious decision made character by character? Who’s to say?
Worth noting: the Scarlet Witch is the Super Premium exclusive variant, while Morgan Le Fay was previously a Spotlight— I’m unsure if the Spotlights this season will drop on one day similar to the New X-Men season, but I thought I’d include her here to be safe.
PANDART Takeover
Artist: PANDART STUDIO
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)/Album Reward
There’s also an absolutely massive PANDART takeover, giving us thirteen new PANDARTS for any of the aficionados who were starving out there. Some eagle-eyed folks might recognize Korg and perhaps a few others from the SNAP Artbook, which shared several PANDART designs we haven’t seen in datamines yet. That Korg (and perhaps the Hood) actually do feel a bit apart from other PANDARTs— maybe it’s the lighting, maybe it’s the subtler stylization, but they feel like an earlier iteration of some initial run of PANDART pieces.
Either way, they’re solid. As are the Thena and Mystique, who are standouts to me for more interesting composition and framing. Netting all twelve of the Super Rare variants in the album will net you a particularly hip, edgy looking Nico Minoru sporting a classic ‘do for any ‘cool girls’ you might recognize from video games or anime. (Akali? Anyone?)
Conquest Reward: Nilson Vilela’s Aero
Artist: Nilson Vilela
Source: Conquest Shop
Another season means another unrelated Conquest Reward! It’s been brought to my attention before that at some point these were seasonally related, but for the life of me, I can’t remember. Oh well! It’ll be Nilson Vilela’s debut with this Aero, floating high above the atmosphere. It’s fun giving Aero a recognizable higher altitude than normal, and beyond that it’s a perfectly competent alt-art for Aero. There’s no big frills or changes here, but for folks just looking for a new piece for Aero, it’ll certainly be great to get for free!
Carlos Dattoli’s Promo Anti-Venom!
Artist: Carlos Dattoli
Source: Promo (Webshop Track)
The triumphant return of this absolutely menacing Anti-Venom is here, and it seems like he was slated to headline the Webshop whale track. With the new patch news that the webshop will be down until the self-published build next week, we’ll have to see if this Anti-Venom remains the reward. I absolutely love the red-orange lighting both unifying with Anti-Venom’s naturally bright orange features, and it plays so well bouncing off all the sheeny, white space and smooth alien texture on his body. Those tendrils curling off his body is the unnerving cherry on top, making for one hell of a spending incentive for any folks already on the fence. I’m jealous! What can I say?
Cover Alert: Women Of Marvel (2021) #1 Magik Variant!
Artist: Maria Wolf
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Maria Wolf is here to keep me from complaining too hard, though, with an absolutely metal stunner of a cover featuring Illyana diving into Limbo’s hellscape with Soulsword in hand. I love Wolf’s penchant for wringing real power out of a piece through intricate linework and vibrant colors, and her work is so apart from other artists whose strength are nominally in the same category. I also love the physicality she gives Illyana here, bulking her with a physique befitting an even chunkier version of that hellish broadsword she loves to swing. (And check out those calves!) So sure, sometimes you get banger variants exclusive to credit card… but sometimes you get absolute houses like this one available in the humble General Pool! It’s a steal, for a character swimming in them.
Creative House Pocket’s Selene Bundle
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: Bundle
There ain’t no rest for Creative House Pocket, is how the saying goes, I think; they’re back immediately with some more anime treatments (for, funnily enough, another mutant). Selene is reimagined in that ‘sly, scheming seductress’ archetype that is so abundantly common (and iconic) in anime, and this Selene feels especially reminiscent of characters like Lust from Full Metal Alchemist. It may even be intentional, given how both characters are ageless monsters plotting on the downfall of everyone else. Go figure!
Viktor Farro’s Copycat Bundle
Artist: Viktor Farro
Source: Bundle
Now we’re ramping up the Bundle envy here with a terrific piece from Farro for a character that definitely needs variants of all sorts, let alone ones of the highest painted caliber. Lucky Copycat! I love the pose and outfit, giving her a Black Widow-esque catsuit with the telling little X-Force clasp on the bandolier. It’s a great look for a character with her DNA in 90’s comics, and it gets brought to life with the typical lavish painterly attention and subtlety that Farro brings to all his work. I love the shadow her hair casts on her face, and the whole femme fatale energy the piece exudes, and the… look, it’s really good. Be seeing y’all in the vault!
Joshua Raphael’s Ultimate Fantasy Magik Bundle!
Artist: Joshua Raphael
Source: Token Shop
I got a comment last week about how I always seem to rag on Fantasy variants—and it was fair play! Art is all subjective, and it’s true that I often rag on Fantasy variants as an offshoot of my personal crusade against studios. But this is my chance to let it be known; I have no vendetta against Fantasy variants conceptually, because this Fantasy variant by Joshua Raphael is terrific. It’s his Marvel SNAP debut, but he’s got a pedigree in Magic: The Gathering art with plenty of incredible art under his belt already. And he’s doing things well within the bounds of what we’ve seen Fantasy variants do, placing a recognizable character in the bounds and trappings of high fantasy attire—but he’s doing it well, translating Illyana to that Spiky Edgy Magic Fantasy Armor (complete with egregious skin showing) with a level of competence to balance it out. I love the demon horns taking the place of her normal headpiece, and the dragon in the background sure helps make it feel even more… you know, Fantasy. So put me on record: this is a Fantasy variant, and one right up the alley of so many others… and I like it a ton!
06/04
Creative House Pocket’s Morgan Le Fay and Merlin
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Creative House Pocket seems to be taking on the General Pool backup duties, with these two variants for Merlin and Le Fay (who release the first week) coming out as Super Rares in the General Pool. It’s a visually striking secondary style for the season, and fans of Creative House Pocket will get a kick out of seeing either of these characters rendered in a bigger, more stylized departure, with lots of graphic effects—floating wisps and shapes— representing magic in both pieces. I like the colors on Le Fay’s variant especially; be on the lookout for more variants with this sort of ‘paint splash’ color effect for the rest of the season’s new cards.
Helen Jee’s America Chavez!
Artist: Helen Jee
Source: General Pool (Rare)
A Rare variant from Helen Jee is a welcome surprise! There’s precedent—her Jeff was also 700 gold—but as a SNAP artist who has run the gamut of Bundle to General Pool, it feels fortunate to see more affordable variants from her in the game as well. And it’s good for everyone, because more Helen Jee work is just always going to make this game better! America Chavez’s status as one of the beginner cards that won’t see much play at higher level play means some folks might turn their nose up at a variant for them, but those folks just haven’t seen how charming Jee’s Chavez is, smiling and waving that flag in Jee’s trademark textures and colors that just make the whole piece feel warm and comfortable. Another great piece for 700 gold? It’s more likely than you think.
Martina Mura’s Debut Viper Bundle!
Artist: Martina Mura
Source: Bundle
Martina Mura is going to be a new face for SNAP, a European comic artist bringing a sensibility to the game that reminds me a little of Sweeney Boo—a focus on stylish, expressive versions of characters that feel like a snapshot of a larger comic or animation. Viper as a character feels like she’s ripe for artists to interpret different levels of smug onto her, and Mura lands on a subtler, more demure smile that gets carried the rest of the way by the deceptively foreboding green shadows and lighting. I like the unity of all of the green in the composition, and riding out that cuter, more chic flair for the character helps establish some real personality in Mura’s art. I’m definitely interested in and looking forward to seeing more from Mura sooner than later!
06/05
Tradd Moore’s Gambit!
Artist: Tradd Moore
Source: General Pool (Rare)
It’ll be just one of those days that’s got incredible art coming out—Tradd Moore, comic artist extraordinaire, has his second Second Dinner commission coming out, with that wavy, psychedelic line quality and incredible eye for creating depth from flat colors bringing our favorite mutant Cajun to life. Amidst his more flashy, bombastic qualities in so much of his art, Moore really does have a gift for distinct faces that feel especially organic and alive in his style, and I love the extra attention that’s been paid to highlight Gambit’s classic black sclera with those shadowed sockets and long lashes.
The rest comes to life like a form from clouds, between Gambit’s trench coat collar and his slender hands handling those playing cards. It’s just an incredible piece from an all-timer of an artist, and seeing his work at Rare feels almost as surreal as the work itself. Gambit’s in no dire straits for variants, but c’mon—if you’re gonna get something, get something like this.
Adi Granov’s Nebula Bundle!
Artist: Adi Granov
Source: Bundle
Adi Granov is also back with another SNAP-commissioned banger: Nebula, in her film iteration from the Guardians movies, rendered with all of the painted detail and subtlety of a live portrait. Those textures on her outfit, the dramatic shadow and pose adding so much noirish flair to the composition, all while she’s seated… It's terrific! Digging into it, you can find in-progress work Granov had done as early as March of 2024, if that gives you a glimpse into what the Second Dinner art pipeline might look like, let alone the pipeline for any sort of commission of this caliber.
But boy, has it paid off: it may be an expensive bundle, but I don’t think anyone could be blamed for deciding it might be worth shelling out for. Adi Granov remains one of the most exciting comic artists to see Second Dinner-commissioned work for!
06/06
Creative House Pocket’s Shadow King
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: General Pool (Rare)
Creative House Pocket’s reign will continue throughout the week, giving us another more psychic spellcaster rendered in their anime treatment. It’s a cool pose that captures that dual nature Farouk often has as Shadow King, with his darker psychic self obfuscated by his human shell, save for that inhuman hand peeking out. It’s imposing, courtesy of that hard bottom-up angle, and that lavish, darker suit feels right up Shadow King’s alley. Fans of Creative House Pocket and Shadow King will probably be hard pressed to find a better deal than this, mostly because 700 is just about the best deal you can get. So go get it!
06/07
Sunghan Yune’s Debut Thanos
Artist: Sunghan Yune
Source: General Pool (Super Rare)
Sunghan Yune is another debut artist coming to the game, and they’re bringing some real verve to that debut: Thanos is snapping here with some real vigor! The menacing physicality Yune’s capturing with Thanos’ particular pose here is great, and it also communicates the excessive villainy that the Mad Titan is exuding.
I love the expression and energy of the entire piece, and the bold, deep colors feel like they do the job of heightening all of that. Alongside the graphic flair of that lightning effect drawing attention and bringing a real charge to the Infinity Gauntlet, it’s clear Yune is an artist that will be a hit with lots of folks—and someone that people, including me, should be on the lookout for more from!
06/08
Cover Alert: Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance (2024) #1 Variant!
Artist: Mateus Manhanini
Source: General Pool (Rare)
Mateus Manhanini is bringing us home with one last incredible piece for the low, low price of 700 gold; Second Dinner might’ve finally cracked the code on how to nail an audience of frugal comic art aficionados, serving up so much great variant art at their lowest price point. This existing cover is a recent one, but Manhanini is making certain it’s one that SNAP players won’t forget.
Something about how strongly those flames strike a contrast with that great blue tone the rest of the piece takes makes the piece feel nostalgic for a different era—and Manhanini crystallizes that and brings it to life, with the painted colors all helping making those lighting decisions pop, from the flames to the metal sheen on Ghost Rider’s bike. He’s a flaming skull, yelling and twirling chains on fire: it’s quintessential, and Manhanini knows exactly how to capture that. It’s a great week for variants in the General Shop, y’all!
Wrapping Up
Whew! It’s a big patch day on top of a big variant week. But that’s enough from me. Go, go! There’s definitely patch coverage elsewhere on the site, going on right now! What are you waiting for? What’s that? You enjoyed the read and want to let me know? Oh, or you have some sort of strong opinion you feel that I’ve run up against somehow? Or maybe you just want to share how you’re doing?
Okay, fine, fine, type all that below and I’ll be more than happy to read it all! But I know you’ve got other SNAP news to get to. So get to it, and just let me know all of that above down below; you know I like to hear from all the Forecast Faithfuls. See you next time!