X-Men ’97: Why Original Designs Were Scrapped

X-Men ’97: A Character-first Revival That Honored the Past and Captivated a New Generation

marvel Animation’s revival of X-Men: The Animated Series with X-Men ’97 wasn’t just a nostalgic win; it was a triumph of television, resonating with both longtime fans and a new audience. A new book,X-Men ’97: the Art and Making of the Animated Series,offers an exclusive look behind the scenes,revealing the delicate balance between honoring the original 1990s series and forging a fresh path forward.

Ahead of its July 1 release, Polygon provided an excerpt detailing the creative process, highlighting the importance of passionate fans and skilled artists in bringing the project to life. As audiences eagerly await the arrival of X-Men ’97 season 2, the book provides valuable insight into what made the first season so successful.

From Pitch to Production: A Passion Project

The journey began with a phone call to Jake castorena,now X-men ’97’s Supervising Producer/Director. “I was lucky,” Castorena recalled, describing how he was given two weeks to pitch his vision for the series, even while battling COVID-19. His storyboard pitch resonated with Marvel executives, who were impressed by his interpretation of the property and his understanding of how to make it relevant for a modern audience.

Castorena’s personal connection to the X-men franchise ran deep, stemming from childhood experiences with X-Men: The Animated Series and the Konami arcade game. He shared a poignant memory of how the series provided solace during a challenging adolescence. “When the series ended in ’97, I was already fifteen years old… I wasn’t the most popular kid on the block, and I was called nerdy or childish, but I couldn’t care less. The X-Men helped me a lot through those times, not being ashamed of being a weirdo and feeling proud of being diffrent.” He emphasized the comics’ respect for their readership, a quality he strived to replicate in the animated series.

Reader question: What aspects of the original animated series do you think were most vital to preserve in the revival?

A Revival, Not a Reboot

Marvel Studios’ Head of Television, Streaming, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, clarified the core philosophy behind X-men ’97: it was a revival, not a reboot or remake.“The original pitch was about reviving the series,” Winderbaum stated, emphasizing the wealth of untapped stories within the X-Men comics that coudl be continued in the style of the original animated series. He acknowledged the potential for a visually stunning CG approach but ultimately championed the aesthetic of the 1990s show, stating, “The real reason is as I love that aesthetic; I love the way that show looks.”

Castorena echoed this sentiment, describing the project as working within a pre-existing “sandbox.” He explained that the team aimed to combine the recognizable style of the original series with modern animation techniques to maintain quality and ensure producibility.

Did you know?—The original X-Men: The Animated Series ran for five seasons, from 1992 to 1997, and is credited with popularizing the X-Men among a wider audience.

The nostalgia of the 1990s

The 1990s held a special significance for the X-Men, marking the debut of the animated series alongside some of the most iconic storylines and character designs in the comic books.Winderbaum noted that this period offered unique creative parameters, allowing the team to explore familiar territory without encroaching on existing live-action plans. “It gives us unique parameters to play within that aren’t going to be too influenced by what’s come before in live action, and it won’t step on the toes of any plans in the future,” he explained.

The team prioritized hiring individuals who were both skilled professionals and dedicated fans of the X-Men. “We needed people who are realy good at their job and people who are fans of X-Men—those are the two biggest caveats that we needed for trying to get people on board the show,” Castorena said. He stressed the importance of respecting the intellectual property and expanding upon the existing love for the franchise.

Revitalizing Iconic Designs

Ryan Meinerding, Marvel Studios’ head of Visual Progress, was tasked with updating the character designs for a new generation. A lifelong comic book enthusiast, Meinerding understood the need to strike a balance between honoring the original aesthetics and captivating a modern audience. “I’m brought on to do early,early designs to get people excited about things,” he recalled.

He noted that the original series, with its large roster of lead characters, presented a unique design challenge.The team aimed to simplify some of the more complex elements of the 1990s designs while retaining their iconic qualities. For example, they revisited details like Wolverine’s arm hair and anatomical cues, streamlining them for animation purposes. Meinerding also highlighted the importance of preserving idiosyncratic details, such as Magneto’s shadowed eyes, which, despite being unconventional, had become a beloved element of the original series.

Amelia Vidal, a Lead character Designer on What If…?, contributed to the revitalization of the character designs, building upon her previously showcased X-men concepts. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the essence of the original series to ensure a seamless viewing experience for fans. “We wanted to maintain the essence of the original series, so when viewers watch the new show, they would get into this new story as seamlessly as possible,” Vidal explained. She also noted the need to adapt the designs for modern animation processes while remaining true to each character’s personality.

X-Men ’97: The Art and Making of the animated Series promises a thorough look at the creative process behind this critically acclaimed revival, offering fans a deeper gratitude for the artistry and passion that brought the X-Men back to television. As fans eagerly await season 2, this book serves as a testament to the power of nostalgia, the importance of character-driven storytelling, and the enduring legacy of the X-Men.

Building a Better Brotherhood: Character-Driven Storytelling

Beyond the visual faithfulness, the core of X-Men ’97‘s success lies in its commitment to character-driven storytelling, something original show also excelled at. Returning to the legacy of the original animated series, the revival deepened the emotional connections between the characters and explored their individual struggles wiht identity, prejudice, and acceptance – themes relevant both in the 1990s and today. This emphasis on character development is evident in every aspect of the show, from the art of the writing to the design choices.

One key element of this approach was expanding on existing storylines. The team didn’t shy away from revisiting iconic comic book arcs, like the Mutant Massacre, but they approached these narratives through the lens of the characters’ emotional experiences. This allowed for a deeper exploration of the consequences of the teamS actions and the impact these events had on their relationships. The writers also wove in more nuanced perspectives, introducing complex moral dilemmas that challenged the heroes and forced them to confront their own biases.

The success of X-Men ’97 also relied heavily on giving each character ample time to shine. Characters like Rogue, Gambit, and Beast were given significant storylines that delved into their pasts, motivations, and internal conflicts. This enriched the viewing experience, making the audience genuinely care about these characters and their individual struggles to a far greater degree. This in turn made the stakes even higher as the team face common challenges.

what makes X-Men ’97 different from other superhero shows? The show prioritizes character relationships and the emotional toll of being a mutant, creating a profound impact on the viewers. Can we expect this character-focused approach to continue in season 2? Undoubtedly; the creators have indicated their commitment to further develop the emotional core of the X-Men.

Actionable Insights: Honoring the Character First

• Prioritize character arcs: Ensure each character has a clear beginning, middle, and end to their individual story.
• Show, don’t tell: Use visual storytelling, character interactions, and internal monologues to reveal characters’ motivations and emotions.
• Explore complex themes: Don’t shy away from tough issues and the moral gray areas.
• Respect the source material: Leverage the vast world of comics to craft new compelling storylines.

The success of X-Men ’97 demonstrates that nostalgia alone isn’t enough. It’s a compelling story and compelling characters that resonate with audiences.