Completed Variant Sets 1 – September 30, 2022

So since for the first time in the past few years I’ve actually been able to get all the cover issues of certain sets of variants out together, I thought I’d take advantage and get a photo of each set. I have so many others but they’re in piles that it’s just too much to go through right now to sort through them all from the last 8 years. At some point I’ll will sort those all out, but that’s not today, haha.

I will try to continue this when I realize I’ve finished a set of variants. We’ll see how long this lasts, but hopefully I can’t remember to take photos of them once I realize I’ve finished a set. The ones here are from as far back as mid-May of this year up till this week, as the last covers of some of the sets came out and as I was putting them all together I thought I might as well take all the sets out I have that are easy to get out and take the photos.

I will list the artists for each set each time I do these.

These are the post card variants from this year that started on May 18 and finished on July 6th. the Savage Land one is from Peach Momoko. The Madripoor one is from Carmen Carnero with colors by Romulo Fajrado Jr. The Latveria one is from Natacha Bustos. And the Wakanda one is from R.B. Silva with colors by David Curiel. I would love to see this theme of variants continue. Landscape variants are always fun to see pop up.

These started on July 26th and finished on September 28th of this year. The first one really caught my eye and with that boarder and the colors. These are by Evan Cagle.

These are all the AAPI Heritage variants that started on May 11th and ended on June 22nd of this year. I certain have talked about what I liked about these when I posted the first one in May, but it’s just such a minimalist design for each of them. Another great use of the white space on the cover. Plus these are all great characters. These are all by Dike Ruan and Neeraj Menon.

These are all of the Marvel Voice’s Comunidades covers from this month. Ghost Rider 6 started it off on September 7th and the final issue of this Miles run brought it home on the 27th. These are all such wonderful characters, I’m glad that they got some amazing covers this month. They’re all by Leonardo Romero.

And of course Harley’s homage variants are saved for last. I’ve already said which issues each of these have been inspired by in each post of the piles they arrived in, so I won’t write all that out again, but I love homage covers and Ryan Sook did a fantastic job of integrating Harley into these iconic covers.

September 28, 2022

And now for this week. The number of variants (and doubles of A covers) I got this week basically collected into a pile the size of a normal single week of comics O_O.

Both runs of Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers culminated in this MMPR #100 issue. I have still yet to start the run before this one started and there’s a new run coming. So, who knows when I’ll catch up, haha. This year’s issue of Marvel Voice’s Comunidades came out, I’m always happy to read these specials. Damage Control got its second issue of this new run. This odd Ant-Man adventure continued. This is the first X-Men issue after Judgement Day, And I am very excited about this next arc because it involves The Vault again. But, since JD is late, I think I have to pause on at least this X-title for a couple weeks. Thunderbolts introduced its newest member, I was wondering where the final member was last issue. Thor got a visit from Venom (Dylan). Sam broke some rules and is now in trouble with T’Challa. Galactus’ mother is currently inhabited by the first iteration of the Phoenix Force in one of the previous cosmos’. Chewie looks to have some familiar faces as jail buddies. This run of Miles Morales: Spider-Man came to an end this week. I have really enjoyed this run. I wonder where we’ll go next. And of course more JD issues I can’t read yet.

In DC, we have Bruce dealing with a lot and this issues is the end of a three issue arc that’s I’m very curious about. The next issue of Young Justice: Targets dropped. This was the final issue for Task Force Z. The first issue of Time Drake’s title began. The Justice League vs The Legion of Superheroes had its final issue this week too! And Clark makes his return after the War World saga. And there’s a mystery about Harley to be solved. I’m excited for everything!!

Ok, SO many covers to follow. And a fun post coming next!

I got this Damage Control variant because I liked that it showed the characters that I remember from the original run of this title. The concept cover, I just liked the look of this character. I think she’s new? And With such a big moment for Peter because of the Progenitor, I had to get another of this A cover. And the variant for TFZ is another legacy design. I like seeing all these versions of Jason through the years as it’s been a crazy time for him.

These are together because Mirka Andolfo drew both of these. Funnily enough, I don’t read either of these. But I get the Gambit issues for my friend and I just liked that Mirka did this cover, though it is funny how the lightning connects almost perfectly in the center.

These two being on the cover of this variant makes sense story-wise and chromatically, haha. But also I just enjoy seeing Naomi on covers.

The last (ish) boarder cover since this arc ended. Though I saw that in 1046, the cover is in the same boarder style. It doesn’t really make sense, but eh.

I love the use of color on this cover. It’s always fun to see how they use white space with covers like these.

Another wonderful Momoko cover ^__^

This is the last Comunidades themed variant. They all look great together! You’ll see in the next post.

I messed up on these two Miles covers because I thought the A cover was a variant and vice-versa, so I had a photo with both the one above this and the A cover together and then each separate. Then I was on twitter catching up on the timeline and saw the issues being promoted and I noticed it was the A cover so I swapped the comics as I’d put the A cover away with the other variants of the week, and took the photo below to have it here. I love this cover because it shows all the important people in his life as of recently.

This variant is by the wonderful artist Stjepan Šejić. I follow him online and always enjoy his art.

This is the final homage cover for Harley’s anniversary. This one is is also by Ryan Sook, and is paying tribute to the infamous 1986 Dark Knight Returns cover.

I’ve said this before, I love America Chavez. So of course when I see two variants of her, I snag them.

America’s is explained above, but generally, I don’t tend to get trading card covers just because there are so many of them. I haven’t seen Forge solely on a cover in a while, plus this was a Dauterman cover!

I also realized I forgot to take a photo of both these covers together too. Whoops. But, yeah, I liked this choice for the hundredth issue. Having all the rangers from both titles on one cover is great.

When I saw this variant, well wait, firstly, there were so may variants to choose from, I had to only choose two. When I saw this one I was in awe. And I was even more in awe when I saw it in person! I really looks like Alex Ross-level realism and it’s amazing!! Bravo Miguel Mercado!!

I really wasn’t sure if I should end on this cover or the previous one but I decided on ending with Artgerm. Mainly because this was almost missed! I didn’t know he’d been doing the title so I never checked the variants for it. I can’t actually remember why I checked that time to find this. But I’m glad I did.

September 21, 2022

This week’s pile and next week’s have so many variants. Ooof. This past Thursday was certainly pricey. But that’s ok. And after these two posts I’ll be doing a new type of post for variant sets.

I’m excited for Carnage because he paid a visit to Malekith. Strange will be intriguing because of the big reveal from last issue. The first issue of X-Men Green was great so I’m happy it wasn’t a long wait till the next issue. Legion of X’s arc ended with this issue. New Mutants celebrated its 40th Anniversary in this issue, I didn’t catch that when looking at the cover when adding it to my list. We got a new X-Title, X-terminators, I like the team, so I feel like I’ll enjoy it. Avengers forever seemingly brought in a Carol Corps. The next issue of Edge of the Spider-verse dropped. And then then we got more of the Judgement Day issues that I can’t read for another couple weeks. The Vader issue, uhh, I can’t exactly remember what was happening at the end of the last issue. The next issue of Elle(s) and Duo dropped. Nightwing has been great and I’m excited to get into this issue. We got the next issues of DCeased and Dark Crisis tie-in’s. And finally, we got the Harley Quinn 30th Anniversary Special! Can’t wait to get to that!

Many covers to follow.

Here are the next Marvel Voices Comunidades covers. The last one is in the next post.

Another Momoko! I do really like the Classic look for Lady Sif.

The video game esthetic was a positive of course, but all the colors being as bold as they are stood out.

This cover of Destiny was just amazing to see on my screen when checking variant covers each week, but it’s even more brilliant in person!

Another Dauterman Legacy cover!

Another one of these Chose your Destiny variants of course, this one of Darth Bane. Its great to be able to see the details of his look.

The Nightwing A covers over the past few months have been just delightful! And there are some fun ones coming up too. I might actually do a post for them like I’m doing for the variant sets.

Here is the next Jim Lee homage connecting cover for DCeased! Can’t wait to see them all together.

I absolutely LOVE this Artgerm cover. Of course it depicts Harley, Ivy and Babs in their Seasons 1-3 looks from the 90’s Batman: The Animated Series. Just wonderful!

And certainly my favorite for last. Paul Dini’s art. One of the co-creators of Harley. Just a perfect cover! It’s crazy that it’s been 30 years.

September 14, 2022

The Frank Miller Presents issue was another gift from my store to me. I am intrigued by it! It’s tense times with Jonathan Kent. Cheetah is dropping by Wonder Woman again. The comic I wasn’t sure that would actually be released, Flash: The Fastest Man Alive tie-in issue with The Flash movie. Yup. Bruce and Damian are at odds again it seems. Another Dark Crisis issue focusing on Diana. I’m very interested in this issue of Obi-Wan. Savage Avengers continue to escape the Deathlok chasing them. Maybe Carol is back or the Binary entity is with her? Things are nuts in Venom, woo! Midnight Suns starts a new run! And Ms. Marvel has her next crossover comic, this one with Venom (I’m actually not sure is it’ll be Eddie or Dylan, it looks like Eddie). Edge of the Spider-Verse continues. And the weirdness of this Spider-man issue is that it’s like 2 months late! I didn’t even think there were any Hellfire Gala tie-ins since the Gala was only a single issue this year, instead of spanning all X-titles like last year. So this is very weird for me. I guess they wanted to keep us in suspense for how that issue ended regarding what Moira may or may have done. Just so unexpected. And Judgement Day continues…well unfortunately for me, this means I will have to pause on my Judgement Day even reading till mid-October since the issue before and after Judgement Day 4 are both delayed till that time. This is actually a bit surprising since Marvel hasn’t been late on event issues in a while. I suppose being on time can’t last forever, haha.

Variants next! Also Posters!

Of course, Celestial means I’ve got to get another copy of the A cover. But this variant was unexpected. Also, very well drawn and shaded! I’ve also seen some of the upcoming covers of this artist using this theme and I like this one the best. To be honest, I’d watch an animated series based on these designs!

This is the other Marvel’s Voice’s Comunidades themed cover. Also, I really enjoy Anya Corazon’s character.

Of course I had to get these. I do like how large Venom looks in the first variant. But I mean look at that Momoko variant!!

This is probably my favorite variant cover of the week. It’s connotes magic and the cosmos.

Poster time! This first one really pours salt in the wound since this is the cover of Wolverine 25, the issue that should have come out with the Judgement Day issue this week or last week.

I like this All-Out Avengers cover, its nice to have it as a poster.

And the poster for the cover by David Nakayama! Just tweeted him about it and he was excited to see it.

And this is the Marvel Voices Comunidades cover for this year’s issue. Always happy to see America Chavez on a cover.

September 7, 2022

Posting a bit late just because things fell behind.

Bruce has gone back into a particular mental phase from his past in Batman. I’ll be interested to see what Mary Marvel does about the news she got at the end of the previous issue. Ivy is still on her way. This is the final issue of Nubia’s limited series. Flashpoint Beyond is on it’s penultimate issue. Dark Crisis is also almost over. We got the next Black Adam tie-in issue. This was the final issue of Mirka Andolfo’s Sweet Paprika. Logan guests in Ghost Rider. Thing are quite tense in Punisher, Capt and Black Panther. The Avengers got a similar treatment to Non-stop Spider-Man with All-out Avengers. I’m not quite sure when this occurs in the timeline since there are events happening right now but eh. Moon Girl’s next team-up is here. And that Wolverine issue is apparently 2 weeks late since issue 25 should have come out this week but it got pushed to October, assuming because this issue got delayed. And Judgement Day continues…well, for this week anyway, see next week’s post for why I have to pause reading it.

Cool covers and variants to follow.

The Marauders cover I really just liked a lot, the shading and style of them all on there is epic. And then of course the Celestial. And obviously the next Jen Bartel cover for She-Hulk.

This was just another character design variant that I liked. But also, hey, Batman Beyond designs are great!

This variant is one of the Chose Your Destiny covers which are essentially character covers. I loved the flashback of Luke and Leia training from Episode IX. It’s nice to see the design for that look fleshed out.

As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy collage covers, and this was a very well-done covers using the sweater as a canvas showing various characters and the word Shazam. Also the cartoon style of the background heads was fun.

This Ghost Rider cover is the first in the Marvel’s Voices Comunidades themed cover series. There’s another one in next week’s post. They are of course celebrating some of the various wonderful Latinx Marvel heroes.

This cover I HAD to get. Spider-Man has been having Beyond amazing themed Spidey covers for various comics and this one showing designs from the Spider-Man Animated series from the 90’s is just wonderful.

Of course another amazing Jenny Frison cover for Poison Ivy.

And finally, an MTG variant showing the King of the Fae.

Clerks III (via The Convenience Tour screening at The Warner Theater)

September 10, 2022 –

I won’t say too much about the movie because honestly, you really just have to experience it. if you’re a fan of the Askewniverse, I can’t just tell you how amazing it is XD.

The story is just what it says in the synopsis. But it’s also so much more than that. The characters have gone through a lot in the time since Clerks II.

This is a story about hope and family and purpose and life and happiness and sadness and acceptance and just so much nerdiness.

Now, since I was at SDCC in Hall H, I saw the intro to the movie, and seeing it again was fantastic. And seeing the audience react to what I’d seen already was fun. And the moment that ended after the title card I was pulled in and loved all of it!!

It actually seemed longer than it was, I remember thinking it was like 10pm or something already when it ended (it started a bit after 7pm), but nope. It was heartfelt and just a joy to see all these characters again.

I’m so glad that Kevin Smith did this tour and I’m glad I was able to actually go to this one unlike for the Jay And Silent Bob Reboot tour which I didn’t get to attend.

The credits are special because there’s a little surprise there, not a scene, but something nice.

Afterwards there was a Q&A, but before that, he told us that at the first screening of the movie there was a specific cheer during one scene where he didn’t expect it and it moved him. He then said that he expected it at other screenings, but it didn’t happen at a single one. That is, until it happened here. So he said this was his current favorite stop on the Convenience Tour because of that moment.

The Q&A was, as is normal Kevin Smith style, as he said some Q’s with him giving a whole lot of A’s haha. It really is a joy to listen to him speak. I could listen or chat with him for hours!

I’m excited for people to see this, who love these characters and I can’t wait for Mallrats return and another beloved film to get a sequel as he hinted at tonight.

Afterwards there was a photo-op and it was lovely. Of course as these things go, it was quick, but I managed to tell him it was my birthday yesterday and then we had our photo (which I have to figure out how to get 😅) and then I showed him my shirt, the fandom metro/subway stations map (people that know me probably know the one), and he loved it and was like hmm, I should make one of these for the Askewniverse! He also hugged me wishing me a happy birthday!!

I’ve seen him live a few times now, a couple times at AwesomeCon and twice at SDCC, and I’ve always thought it would be nice to meet him and it certainly was nice. I’m so glad that he decided to have a stop in DC and that it was on my birthday weekend. I hope I’ll get to meet him again one day! Getting to chat with him about all the nerd stuff would be amazing too. Who knows, maybe one day.

I know that was a little bit more than my usual movie review/reaction, but it was such a wonderful event, I had to say more. Kevin Smith is a gem of a human and I can’t wait to continue to love everything he creates for years to come ^__^

Thank you sir, your fans collectively eternally salute you. 💛💛

August 31, 2022

DC likes giving us holiday specials and here we got a Back-to-school special. Unexpected, but they’re usually fun. This was an annuals week for DC with ones for Flash, Wonder Girl and Harley. There’s another Harley animated series tie-in comic, this one being a one-shot. The War World Saga for Clark ends this week finally. This is the last issue of Knights of X. Loki guests on Iron Fist. A new iteration of the Thunderbolts team begins. Judgement Day continues and Amazing Fantasy (the comic that debuted Spider-Man) got a #1000 special issue.

Covers to follow

Also, on September 10th I’ll be seeing Clerks III on the Convenience Tour for the movie and Kevin Smith will be there. So, I should have a reaction/review up either that night or the next day.

David Nakayama creates wonderful art. But I can’t get all his covers!!! But this one was pretty nice, so I got it. Plus it has America and Monica on it? Of course.

This is the next homage cover for Harley comics. This one is in reference to Jim Lee’s cover for Batman #608.

This is one of the variants for this issue. It’s a distressed cover variant as is it were an old document all worn with time and such. I thought it was a great variant. If they do a volume to collect this story, this would make a great hardback cover.

Another amazing (pun intended) Peach Momoko cover!!

When the Doctor Who comics do photo covers I see if it’s a shot that I liked from whatever episode and this certainly was one.

And of course there is this foil variant for this Power Rangers issue. Foil variants can be incentive covers so when I see one that isn’t and I like it, I got to snag one. Plus this design is a style that they’ve been using for these MMPP titles since these BOOM! Studios runs started.

August 24, 2022

Oh hey, I’m posting more or less on time this week. I haven’t started these piles yet. This Task Force Z is the penultimate issue. This Robin issue is before a Damian and Bruce mini event. Harley’s final arc continues. This is the last Action Comics before the War World finale special. This is the penultimate issue of the JL vs Legion of Super Heroes title. We also got this Gods of Olympus issue which I thought was a bit random, but interesting. The Young Justice tie-in comic continues (though we’re unsure of the show’s fate). Ajani got a one-shot (I assume because of him being focused on in the MTG set that literally has prerelease events this weekend and comes out next weekend, which is my birthday weekend!). This Vader issue looks to be interesting. Oh hey! I’m actually caught up on both Captain America titles! Which of course means I can actually read this Sam issue. This FF issue is revealing some big things. Both Spider-Man titles are very busy. Avengers Forever continues. The Gwen-verse miniseries ends with this issue. Defenders Beyond brings back The Beyonder. Damage Control starts a new mini series run. And Judgement Day continues. I’m excited for so many of these!

Covers to follow

This continues from the issue before with the border that I liked.

Another Celestial cover, but this one is a Skottie Young cover which are always fun.

This is a Razzah cover, I didn’t know that when I first saw it but I do like that artists art. Plus this is just gorgeous.

Derrick Chew does amazing covers. Plus the legacy costumes? Had to get that variant. And the other variant is of course paying homage to Brian Bolland’s iconic cover for Batman: The Killing Joke.

I think the first Artgerm cover I saw was of Supergirl, so even if I didn’t get all his covers, I would have always gotten this cover.