Published Jul 17, 2026, 10:01 AM EDT
Comic book collecting is more than just a casual pastime for countless fans; it is a devoted hobby that many dedicate great time, money, and passion to. Marvel and DC's variant covers have caused a craze that has caught creators' attention, prompting them to speak about the next trend in collecting.
This unique hobby can represent appreciation for the medium or foster community among fans around a shared interest. However, in a report by Popverse, Chip Zdarsky, Canadian comic book writer of Batman and Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man fame, explained why he is worried comic book collecting could be causing another unintended consequence: creating unnecessary waste.
Chip Zdarsky Warns Variant Covers Can Be "A Waste of Resources"
A variant cover refers to a comic book that is released in multiple editions, each with differing cover art. Nothing changes about the story nestled within the pages, but variant covers offer artists opportunities to display different pieces of cover art on the front of the same comic. Major publishers, like Marvel and DC, produce plenty of variant versions of their comics, some of which are incredibly limited edition and sought after.
It is easy to see why fans become so engrossed in collecting variant covers, eager to own all possible versions of their favorite comic. ICv2 reported that both Marvel and DC earn a massive chunk of their revenue from variant covers: 43% for DC and 38% for Marvel, to be exact. Zdarsky does not share the positive view of variant covers that so many collectors do; rather, he calls them "a waste of resources."
Chip Zdarsky Still Avoids Variants in His Own Work
Zdarsky elaborates on the cost to the planet of producing multiple versions of the same comic, saying, "It’s not nothing. If you want to print 100,000 copies of Image Comics #1 or whatever, that’s like twenty-five trees or something. It’s not nothing. The idea of variants where someone is buying it for the cover — they’re buying it for one sliver of paper, and all the other paper in the middle is just useless to them. They’re not deriving any enjoyment from the actual product. I found that upsetting for sure. This is not without a cost to the world." In his own work, Zdarsky avoids variants like the plague wherever possible because he feels these special-edition covers are contributing to wasteful overconsumption.
The Canadian comic book writer says his opinion has "softened" as he has tried to view variant covers through a collector's eyes. Everyone showcases their love for their favorite series differently, and, in Zdarsky's words, "Some people just love variants. They just love the look of it. They’re like, I love this artist, so I want this. There are Skottie Young fans who will pick up a book, with maybe no intention of reading the book, but they love the artwork, and I think that’s cool. That kind of softened my stance on it a little bit.”
Although Zdarsky still may not see himself as an avid supporter of variants and is not rushing to implement them in his own series, he is now better able to approach the argument from both sides. Mindful consumption is important, but Zdarsky can appreciate how variant collectors are still deriving enjoyment from comics through the hobby and still supporting writers and artists either way.
Chip Zdarsky's comics can be found wherever comic books are sold.
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