The vanilla gene actually is a pattern mutation...if you look at the supers, the pattern is made up of way more light pattern than dark. Also, any black "holes" tend to be smudged and/or odd shaped. It's not a drastic pattern variation, but there's definitely some influence in the pattern. The fact that it reacted that strongly with the Fire gene is just crazy. The only thing I've seen crazier than that is the YB and Specter making the Super Stripe.
I think there were four VC's produced this year...I've seen all four in a picture and all looked similar.
Can't wait to see the pastel and super vanilla versions.