I'm not a huge fan of variants. In my opinion they are a publishing gimmick to get the vulnerable comic collector into spending more cash. Variants are nothing more than a single comic book clothed in multiple shirts; honestly, it's rather foolish of us to fall for such marketing ploys. And yet, I'm probably one of the biggest fools!
Aria/Angela: Heavenly Creatures is a two (2) issue mini-series published by Image Comics nearly 15 years ago. It features my favorite hellion, Angela, before she became Disney/Marvel property, and the Asgardian heir to the throne. Believe it or not, for a two (2) issue set, there were an astonishing thirty-seven (37) variants published. And as gimmicky as these variants are, I have decided I want to collect them all. But I question myself, "Why am I even bothering with it?" Quite frankly, if it wasn't for Angela's appearance, I wouldn't. Okay... that sounds harsh but it is true. However, it's all part of my greater ambition: a complete collection of Angela published appearances, including variants, before her switch to Marvel Comics. It is a collection I will call "Angela Pre-Marvel".
The following is a list of the entire set of variants for Aria/Angela: Heavenly Creatures #'s 1 and 2:
Aria/Angela #1a, Joe Quesada cover
Aria/Angela #1b, Jay Anacleto cover
Aria/Angela #1c, Whilce Portacio cover
Aria/Angela #1d, J G Jones cover
Aria/Angela #1e, Jay Anacleto's 2nd cover for issue 1
Aria/Angela #2a, Jay Anacleto cover
Aria/Angela #2b, Chris Bachalo cover
Aria/Angela #1a, Limited Edition Holo Foil, J G Jones cover (only 5,000 published)
Aria/Angela #1b, Limited Edition Holo Foil, Jay Anacleto cover (only 5,000 published)
Aria/Angela #1c, Limited Edition Holo Foil, Whilce Portacio cover (only 5,000 published)
Aria/Angela #1d, Limited Edition Holo Foil, Joe Quesada cover (only 5,000 published)
Aria/Angela #1a, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto cover; full color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1a, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto cover; blue color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1a, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto cover; red color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1a, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto cover; black color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1b, Museum Edition, Whilce Portacio cover; full color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1b, Museum Edition, Whilce Portacio cover; blue color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1b, Museum Edition, Whilce Portacio cover; red color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1b, Museum Edition, Whilce Portacio cover; black color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1c, Museum Edition, J G Jones cover; full color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1c, Museum Edition, J G Jones cover; blue color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1c, Museum Edition, J G Jones cover; red color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1c, Museum Edition, J G Jones cover; black color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1d, Museum Edition, Joe Quesada cover; full color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1d, Museum Edition, Joe Quesada cover; blue color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1d, Museum Edition, Joe Quesada cover; red color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1d, Museum Edition, Joe Quesada cover; black color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1e, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto's 2nd cover; full color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1e, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto's 2nd cover; blue color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1e, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto's 2nd cover; red color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela #1e, Museum Edition, Jay Anacleto's 2nd cover; black color cover (only 100 published)
Aria/Angela Blanc and Noir Edition #1, Jay Anacleto cover ("the black and white pencil edition" presents the entire first issue in its original pencil form)
Aria/Angela Gold Edition #1, Jay Anacleto's 3rd cover for issue 1 (Gold Foil Edition)
Aria/Angela Gold Edition #2, Jay Anacleto cover (Gold Foil Edition)
Aria/Angela Tower Records Gold Edition #1, Jay Anacleto cover (only 500 published)
Aria/Angela Tower Records Variant #1, Jay Anacleto cover
Aria/Angela European Ashcan Tour #NN
(cardstock cover, 5 ½ inches by 8 ½ inches, 12 pages featuring b&w illustrations/art from the comic).
Of all these variants, the Museum Editions present the biggest challenge collecting, simply because they are rare due to their low print runs and carry a fairly high price tag even before grading.
Funny thing... the CGC has confusingly recorded the title of this series as both Aria/Angela: Heavenly Creatures and simply Aria/Angela. So when you study the census population numbers, you have to search under both titles for the complete graded numbers.
Yesterday, a package from the CGC arrived. It was a box containing eight graded comics which were submitted last year at New York Comic Con. The two appearing in the photo are the Aria/Angela European Ashcan Tour which were signed by series artist Jay Anacleto on October 9, 2014. I'm happy to say they each came back graded 9.8; grades achieved sans pressing.
In a few days I'll share with you the other variants and the grades they achieved. Until then, thanks for reading and as always, happy collecting!
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