Since Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, the company has turned it into a multimedia franchise. This has had many benefits, including a renewed interest in the comic book exploits of heroes featured in the MCU.
This year marks Disney’s 100th Anniversary, and to celebrate, Marvel has released variant covers featuring Disney's iconic characters. These covers are done in the style of the What If? series, and feature vibrant recreations of Marvel's most famous comic book stories. Here is a look at the best of these variant covers, their stories, and how fans can obtain them for their personal collection.
10 Infinity Gauntlet #1
Amazing Spider-Man #23 (by Zeb Wells, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz, and Joe Carmagna) features a Disney-fied variant cover of one of Marvel's landmark stories, "The Infinity Gauntlet." Disney villain Pete takes Thanos' place with other characters in the background replacing Marvel heroes. Goofy is seen notably swinging into action as Spider-Man, and Pluto swoops in as the Silver Surfer.
This variant cover was drawn by Lorenzo Pastrovicchio with coloring by Chiara di Francia. The style of the cover evokes the style of classic Disney cartoons such as Darkwing Duck with its color scheme and style of coloring, while the logo is a mirror image of the original comic's logo.
9 Fantastic Four #1
Mickey Mouse and friends become the Fantastic Four in this variant cover for Amazing Spider-Man #19 (by Joe Kelly and Terry Dodson). Pete is back again as the creature featured on the cover of Fantastic Four #1 (by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby). Mickey and Minnie Mouse star as Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman respectively, with Goofy as the Human Torch and Donald Duck as the Thing.
The only thing that's missing is the dialogue from the original cover, but that just leaves more room for Giada Perissinotto's artwork to shine. Just like Lorenzo Pastrovicchio's Infinity Gauntlet inspired cover, Perissinotto really captures the Saturday morning cartoon vibe of 90s Disney.
8 Invincible Iron Man #1
It wouldn't be a Disney anniversary without Mickey Mouse taking center stage. This variant cover for Amazing Spider-Man #27 (by Wells, Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer, Marcio Menyz, and Joe Caramagna) sees Mickey donning Iron Man's iconic armor. The cover comes from Invincible Iron Man #1 by Brian Michael Bendis, Stefano Caselli, Alex Maleev, Marte Gracia, and Clayton Cowles.
As the leader of the Avengers in the MCU, Iron Man is an appropriate character for Mickey Mouse to emulate. One could reasonably speculate that Mickey is the face of Disney, as well as one of the most recognizable characters in fiction.
7 Avengers #1
Ever since their debut in 1963, the Avengers have had to square off against Loki on several occasions. This makes Disney's big bully Pete the perfect character to represent the God of Mischief as he faces Earth's Mightiest Heroes for the first time.
The cover, illustrated by Lorenzo Pastrovicchio, replicates Avengers #1(by Lee and Kirby) and is available as a variant of of Amazing Spider-Man #41 (by Wells, John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz, and Carmagna). This cover also introduces the original members of the Avengers team, such as Ant-Man and the Wasp (as well as Iron Man in his old-school armor.) The logo and framing of the cover really give it a nostalgic flavor that would perfectly complement any comic book collection.
6 X-Men #1
At long last, Disney is showing the X-Men some love with this variant cover for Amazing Spider-Man #39 (by Wells, Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz, and Carmagna). This uncanny addition features Mickey as Cyclops, Goofy as Iceman, and Donald Duck as Wolverine on the cover of Chris Claremont and Jim Lee's X-Men #1 from 1991.
This cover commemorates both Disney's 100th anniversary and the X-Men's 60th anniversary, and it definitely hits the mark for any fan of the mutant heroes. The logo matches the original, and the coloring of the cover really shines through.
5 Incredible Hulk #1
Amazing Spider-Man #27 features a variant cover of the Hulk's debut comic, Incredible Hulk #1 (by Lee and Kirby). Goofy features on the front of the cover as Bruce Banner, with his version of the Hulk in the background.
An interesting detail to note about this cover is that the Hulk's color does not perfectly match the source material. On the original cover, the Hulk is depicted with gray skin, whereas this variant cover recolors him to the traditional green. Many other elements of the original are present in this variant nonetheless, such as the old-school logo and the "Fantasy as you like it" caption.
4 Edge of Spider-Verse #1
Even modern comics are getting the Disney treatment with this variant of Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (by Dan Slott, Karla Pacheco, Dustin Weaver, Alex Segura, Caio Majado, Martin Coccolo, and Pere Perez). With the recent release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, it makes perfect sense for Marvel to offer this striking Disney variant by Giada Perissinoto.
The 'What If?' branding appears in the corner and the artwork is nice and large, helping it to stand out in any comic collection.
3 Amazing Spider-Man #301
Amazing Spider-Man #35 comes swinging in with another Disney variant. This time, Mickey becomes Spider-Mouse in this variant cover that recreates Amazing Spider-Man #301 (by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane). This issue was particularly special because it marked the return of Spider-Man's classic red and blue costume after his black symbiote costume returned in the previous issues as the villainous Venom..
Spider-Man's return to his original color scheme was a thrilling moment for fans of Marvel's most iconic webslinger, and the moment was commemorated with one of McFarlane's most memorable illustrations. It's a striking and iconic cover that looks just as appealing with Mickey Mouse as it does with Spider-Man
2 Secret Wars
Secret Wars was one of the biggest events in Marvel's history, and served as the publisher's very first crossover. Jim Shooter's Secret Wars #1 gets the Disney treatment for the 100th Anniversary, featuring classic characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.
The Disney cover is noticeably less filled out than the original, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The use of less space allows for the sumptuous and vibrant artwork to really shine through. This variant for Amazing Spider-Man #37 would look right at home next to a copy of the source material.
1 Captain Marvel #1
This last entry is a solo debut for Minnie Mouse as she takes the place of Captain Marvel. This variant cover looks great when paired alongside the Invincible Iron Man and Amazing Spider-Man #301 variant covers. Captain Marvel has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the MCU and subsequent comics featuring the character. It's no surprise to see Disney's first lady donning the costume of the hero, considering her respectable position in the Disney family.
This cover, as well as the others featured on this list, are available through Marvel's official website. As an added bonus, these covers can also be purchased in black and white variations for fans looking to give their collection a retro Disney feel.