Interesting point. Because I am obsessed, I will use it to once again call for an Indy comics set.

Sketch Variance - Featuring characters from Dark Horse, Image, and other comic companies, specifically characters that have been often featured in black and white comics.

Is it, though? Is it going to be okay? Will you hold me close if it isn't? Because I’m terrified here, man.

Kidding aside, I think the obvious difference is that sculpt variants are a specific stylized look being applied to all figures that is going to make it harder for me – someone who collects as much as he plays – to get the pieces I actually want. Poor character choice, poor sculpt, poor dial doesn’t really affect me because I approach each set as something I want to collect and complete regardless. This actually changes that, for me.

And yeah, I can only speak for myself, but doubling the size of the set with something that not only doesn’t appeal to me but (IMO) is going to make it more difficult to collect the pieces I do want isn’t something I enjoy. I’m not saying it’s a big deal, so there’s no need to project that. I’m simply expressing dissatisfaction in something that, IMO, will make what I enjoy doing more difficult.

In fact, I agree with you that it’s not a big deal; I’ll simply go secondary market to make sure I get what I’m interested in rather than buy blind and end up getting a fair amount of stuff I don’t want. If anything, it’s bad for my local store. But then again, maybe other players will buy more blind product to try and get more of these variants. Hopefully it works out, but I can only voice my opinion and then back it up with my wallet.

That's what I was getting at, basically. The issue is one of blind product so if it bothers you that much, secondary is the way to go.

What I was more trying to get at is that I doubt these are going to be commonplace enough to make collecting your figures that much harder. The worst I can see happening is getting a sketch variant SR or perhaps rare (as those rarely double up in larger purchases) but I think they will appeal enough to collectors that one would be able to get rid of them.

I guess that's what I was saying it's not a big deal to: I don't think we're going to see enough of these that they're going to a hassle to get rid of for people that don't want them.

From what I heard, the sketch variants are comparable to the a/b variants in sets like Nick Fury and Guardians of the Galaxy, so the sketch variants probably won't be that rare until you get into the actual Rares and Super Rares. Common and Uncommon sketch variants are probably going to pop up fairly frequently.

I have no real opinion on the sketch variants myself. I buy secondary most of the time, so the only reason I'd be terribly interested in them is to maybe get a set of the Sinister Six in sketch form, or something. Even then, I'm not terribly inclined. I guess I fall directly in the middle, between liking and disliking. It just doesn't make a difference to me.

Sketch Variant versions are a cheap way for companies to create more collectability in their products. From Dice Masters cards to comic book covers to trading cards to RPG module covers, they can be found in lots of collectibles with artwork.

Frankly, to attempt this with 3D figures strikes me as incredibly stupid. It makes perfect sense with 2D line drawn art. But how can a 3d figure be "sketched"? It is just WK cheaping out when trying to increase figure collectability.

Usually, special versions of 3D figures have alternate paint jobs or are made of translucent material. I would guess painting all white is a lot cheaper, so it is not surprising to me WK is not going the translucent or alternate paint routes. Hence their "sketch variant" figures. To me it is frankly laughable that a cheap all-white paint job should be pawned off on consumers as somehow special or desirable, but if others are excited, it doesn't bother me one bit. More power to them.

I only buy singles, so I will be able to avoid these, and if somehow I acquire any, they will be sold, traded, or given away.

Hey, I'd buy one. (Booster, that is. Actually, I usually buy one each paycheck. Adding rarity won't necessarily change how much I spend.)

where did you see it?? link please

So....an ultra chase sketch variant could exist?....
I have a headache....

The sketch Turtles look cool because the source material calls for it, and the red masks pop.

The sketch con LEs look half-assed because they aren't finished in the full greyscale the digital art shows. Plus, in the case of Shredder, it doesn't make sense.

I this case, it's all gonna be that dull half-assed non paint. And it also doesn't make sense. Good or bad, intrusive or not, whatever the case, I'm still seeing very very few people who are vocally into this subset.

I need to repost the survey from the other thread.

The evidence thread has some pictures.
Check there.

All I gotta say is, "Meh - let them eat cake."

If these paint jobs float your boat, then groovy - and if not, then groovy again.

Thassall.

Sounds like a more common version of Masterpiece figures all over again, but without the annoying certificates.

Or the paint. Or the effort.

Is there any real reason to believe a “sketch variant” would have a different rarity than its corresponding regular figure?

I think it’s worth emphasizing that a sketch variant of every figure in the set takes the total number of figures from 70 to 140. Instead of having 16 commons to cycle through in booster slots, there are 32. I’m kind of flabbergasted by this opinion that doubling the figure pool won’t make it more difficult to collect specific figures.

Regardless, it’s enough of an annoyance for me to avoid blind boosters altogether and just get the regular ones on the secondary market. For all this talk about “there will be collectors that will want them,” it would be interesting to see some polling to see just what percentage of respondents will be actively seeking them out compared to what percentage will be actively trading them away.