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!

To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.