As part of Marvel’s “Disco Dazzler” variant cover series, Thor has received an immediately-iconic redesign, turning the God of Thunder into the Lord of the Dance, in a look that evokes John Travolta’s unforgettable attire from Saturday Night Fever. Lee Garbett’s cover for Immortal Thor #14 radiates groovy energy, making it one of the most exciting, must-have issues of the year for collectors and casual fans alike.

As announced by Marvel, Garbett’s cover is just one of nearly two-dozen covers in the “Disco Dazzler” run, which celebrates the release of the mutant pop star’s latest solo series, The Dazzler.

Featured commissioned work from many of Marvel’s top artistic talents, the “Disco Dazzler” variants take several different approaches to pairing the iconography of the 1970s with Marvel’s roster of characters. Garbett’s Immortal Thor design stands out for its use of a visual callback to one of the defining pop culture depictions of disco.

“Disco Dazzler” Variant Features Marvel’s God Of Thunder Straight Off The Set Of “Saturday Night Fever”

Immortal Thor #14 – Variant Cover By Lee Garbett

Lee Garbett’s “Disco Dazzler” variant for Immortal Thor #14 grabs readers attention for several reasons. First, it is compositionally stellar, and makes an evocative ’70s-esque use of color by using Asgard’s Rainbow Bridge as a stand-in for an illuminated discotheque dance floor. Even for readers who are not familiar with Saturday Night Fever, the transformation of Mjolnir into a stunning, powerful substitute for a disco ball makes the design incredible to look at. Thor himself platonically embodies the confidence, even the swagger, associated with disco dancers at their best.

Garbett’s cover will be even more rewarding to those who recognize Thor’s outfit, and his pose, as a reference to the signature suit and dance move made famous by John Travolta iren the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. Nearly four decades later, the shot of Travolta mid-move, his arm extended over his head, finger pointed in the air, remains among the defining images of disco in the popular consciousness. A disco-themed variant cover series would not have been complete without a Saturday Night Fever reference, and Lee Garbett’s Immortal Thor #14 design absolutely nails it.

While it might sound like sacrilege to film buffs and disco die-hards, the Mighty Thor might even one-up Travolta with his variation on the look. With his flowing blond hair, and the Asgardian accents to his outfit – most notably, his classic red cape – the God of Thunder brings his own distinct style to the party. Then, of course, there is the addition of Mjolnir, reimagined in spectacular diamond form, rightfully drawing all the energy in the room to it, in artist Lee Garbett’s nicest touch.

Marvel’s “Disco Dazzler” Variant Series Perfectly Embodies The Retro 1970s Aesthetic

Avengers #17; Fantastic Four #23; Doctor Strange #18; Avengers Assemble #1; Incredible Hulk #16, & More!

As awesome as it is, Lee Garbett’s Immortal Thor variant is just one among the Omega-level spread offered by Marvel as part of its “Disco Dazzler” run of special covers. Storm gets an equally incredible spotlight on J. Scott Campbell’s cover for Avengers #17, while the Hulk memorably squeezes into a pair of roller skates and hits the rink in Todd Nauck’s cover for Incredible Hulk #15. Leisure suits abound across the covers, while many of the variant artists truly took Dazzler’s name to heart, adorning Deadpool’s mask with diamonds, and turning Spider-Man into a literal disco ball.

With every one of the publisher’s “Disco Dazzler” covers, the retro aesthetic of the 1970s is more playfully recreated than the last; it is almost as if Marvel’s artists were competing with one another, to see who could embody the era most. The ’70s was, of course, a pivotal decade for Marvel Comics – and Dazzler’s introduction in 1980 was, in a way, the publisher’s way of engaging with one of the biggest social trends of the previous decade. Now, with these “Disco Dazzler” variants, Marvel gets to engage with the popular, enduring conception of disco that endures to this day.

In that regard, Marvel’s “Disco Dazzler” variant covers are highly successful. Increasingly, younger audiences are displaying a form of nostalgia for things long before their time – ’90s fashion and pop culture remain perennially popular, and that fascination extends back through the ’80s and ’70s. The cover series is a smart way to do more than just celebrate the origin of Dazzler, as she prepares to take center stage in the Marvel Universe once more; it allows for Marvel to capitalize on pop culture’s ongoing obsession with the past.

Marvel’s Throwback Disco Variants Are A Thrill Ride For Comic Collectors

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Of course, variant covers are designed, first and foremost, for comic book collectors, and for that section of their audience in particular, Marvel has knocked it clear out of the park with their “Disco Dazzler” series. For existing collectors, the series is without a doubt a must-have – but also worth considering are the fledgling comic book enthusiasts who might be motivated to become collectors by such an extravagant display of variants. As an artistic project, it is ambitious and exciting, and from a business perspective, the committment to variant series like this seems strategically sound.

Even for those Marvel enthusiasts who haven’t forayed into collecting yet, variant covers like the “Disco Dazzler” series are a great way for the publisher to generate buzz, and garner attention, for upcoming issues. This is another reason the “Disco Dazzler” variants are particularly successful – they immediately grab the viewer’s attention, and they contain elements that will be recognizable to a more general audience, which many will be excited to see interpreted through a superhero lens. If nothing else, it has made more people aware of, and excited for, Dazzler’s triumphant return as a vital Marvel Comics hero.

With “Disco Dazzler,” and its upcoming slate of covers featuring Godzilla, Marvel Comics continues to raise the bar for its variant covers. From collectors, to casual fans, anyone who takes a moment to appreciate these covers will be thrilled by their quality. From Thor’s homage to Saturday Night Fever, to Storm and Mary Jane Watson’s chic ’70s looks, the “Disco Dazzler” variants offer a variety of takes on a fun theme, allowing Marvel’s most exciting artists to do something unexpected with familiar characters.