Variant Packaging
 

So there was recently a discussion about how the skin Absorbing Man must be the variant because the Metal one is on the back of the package.

I figured I'd get some pictures of the variants I have to see how true this is.

http://s0.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...3e597_wmeg.jpghttp://s1.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...98c32_wmeg.jpg

http://s0.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...bb211_wmeg.jpg
http://s2.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...eb531_wmeg.jpg

http://s0.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...61df6_wmeg.jpghttp://s0.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...38509_wmeg.jpg

Here's the weird one:
http://s0.i1.picplzthumbs.com/upload...63de6_wmeg.jpg

Why is Cable so different? Anyone have any other variants they can take pictures of?

is hope even on any new cables?

this might be why

I believe the Cable is different because it actually isn't a variant. It's a running change. We're still unsure as to why they got rid of Baby Hope in the first place. But the running change explains why the backs are different.

these are variants. not variant packaging.

here is variant packaging:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s/HPIM0319.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s/HPIM0320.jpg

try and keep up man! day late and a buck short with this stuff!

And why not bump the "Blade packaging variant" thread? Its probably not even a week old.

http://www.toyark.com/blade-packaging-variant-73067/

Actually, its like 3 days old.

which of these packaging variants are more rare? (I've never seen either of them in retail)

Hobgoblin.

I'm pretty sure that isn't what Pete was talking about at all... I think he was saying that if you're confused on which one is the variant, look on the back of the card. The non-variant will be the one on the back of the card.

I never realized that there was packaging variants, well at least with MU. I'll have to look closer the next time I'm shuffling through MU figs.

Well it's debatable that some of these figures are even packaging variants. Could be that the figure got somehow twisted when it was getting put in package. Hobgoblin could be a variant, because when his head is twisted like that the plastic casing around it would have to be the same shape for it to fit. Even then, the tail of the hat of both figures are going to its right, so it could just be a slight mispackage and just so happened to fit in the pastic casing. I doubt the Union Jack though is a variant simply because the head could be completely backwards and still fit in the plastic casing.

Packaging variants are the lowest of the low on the variant totem pole. There are those who collect them, but not enough to make them that valuable in the long run.


And viking, the variant on Union Jack and Hobgoblin isn't the heads, it's the alternate placement of the accessories in the bubble.

And so it is. Here I am looking at the glider and the placement of their heads, I forget to even look at there small accessories.

Now that you mention it, the weapons are in different spots. Good eye ya got there roshan.

Yea, that was more of a question as to if that variant actually existed, not a general talk about variants out there and what they look like.

I was trying to really examine the variant fronts versus the images on the back, but got into other stuff.

We really should have a sticky that defines the different types of variants in the MU line.

I believe there are running changes, paint variants, blister accessory variants, and what else?

The Absorbing Man is a good figure to talk about in regards to this. I have heard that his "Steel" figure is the variant. If you look at his cardback, he is shown in his Steel form. So, if you found him in his human form then you would think you had the variant, due to the cardback, even though most people are of the opinion that his steel form is the variant.

For the record I have only seen and found him in his human form.

I don't know about the community in general, but the way I categorize these things in my books are variants and variations. (I won't even speak about packaging variations/variants, because I don't tend to focus on those). It all comes down to whether or not the change is intentional from the point of manufacturing. Like with the Absorbing Man, they intended to produced twodistinct versions so that's a variant. Variations are usually more of an error in the manufacturing process that gets fixed in a running change to improve the figure. The interesting thing about the Marvel Universe line (and more a testament to the quality control) is that there really are no error variations in the line. They've kept the differences quite intentional.

But you're right, from a historical perspective, it would be nice to know how many straight repaint variants, new sculpted part variants, and revision wave variants there were.

It was easy with the Hasbro Legends line. There were no revision waves and every variant was a paint variant except for the Hydra Soldier.

Looking at the checklist, I think we have to take a closer look at some figures that are considered variants. The Dr. Doom from the subscription for example. It's not really a variant, because it's not an alternative version of a same release counterpart. It's a standalone figure. There should only be a variant Dr. Doom for that release if there is an alternate version of the sub-Doom you could randomly get by getting a sub (and what a nightmare that would be.)

Now this wouldn't necessarily be the case for running changes though, because they normally carry the same number on the package indicating that even though they are in a different wave, they are a variation of an existing figure.

Sorry if that got drawn out, but I gotta think about this stuff when I'm archiving on what makes sense when you have to put it all on paper.

I don't pay attention to shit, i'd have to have a huge sign and flashing signs to point out some of these

Couldn't this have gone here?
http://www.toyark.com/marvel-univers...y-11213-page6/

No, that's all great perspective. Do you think all of these are represented in the master checklist?

Yup, that's a great thread to continue instead. Moderators, please close this one and redirect future posts to that one. :)

Thanks for finding that Omega!

Agreed. Direct all future variant discussion to the above thread.