Based on the Marvel Comics superhero team X-Men, X-Men ’97 is an animated television series created by Beau DeMayo. The 2024 series is said to be the revival of X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997) and picks up from where the original left off. X-Men ’97 saw several cast members from the original series returning to either voice their old characters, or new ones altogether.
X-Men ’97 is the first X-Men project from Marvel Studios since the studio regained the television and film rights to the characters. The first three episodes of the series premiered on March 20, 2024, and received an overwhelming response from the fans. Recently, there was a rumor regarding the revival series, which might upset fans.
X-Men ’97 to introduce new suits for characters by the end of Season 1?
According to TooNado, X-Men ’97 has been receiving positive reviews from critics and fans since its premiere on March 20, 2024. The animated series has been praised for its balance of nostalgia and a contemporary take on the iconic superheroes.
In the wake of 2024’s series episodes’ premiere, industry insider @CanWeGetSomeToast revealed that the season one finale of X-Men ’97 will end with superheroes receiving new costumes as they move into season two. There has been no confirmation about the characters’ new suits from official sources, but it can be said that if true, it’s going to upset a lot of fans.
The reason behind ardent fans being upset with new suits is reportedly because they would like their beloved characters to appear in their old uniforms. According to reports by EpicStream, fans have witnessed some upgraded characters and costume designs of the lead characters in X-Men ’97.
No information has been revealed about the new suits for the characters. Furthermore, fans are curious to know when exactly the characters will don the new suits. They’d like to have some clarity on whether the new suits are going to be like a Team Uniform or are already a part of the character’s regular costumes. Regardless, the premiere episodes have shown subtle changes in Storm and Bishop’s hairstyles.
X-Men ’97’s Brad Winderbaum, talks about modernizing mutant superheroes
In his conversation with TooNado, Marvel Studios streaming boss and X-Men ’97 executive producer Brad Winderbaum was asked about the modern take on the character designs while honoring the aesthetics of the original series. The executive producer shared,
“Our #1 rule was to emulate our memory of the original. That was more important that emulating frame by frame what it was. Because if you watch the original show [X-Men: The Animated Series], the animation shifts.”
In addition, Winderbaum revealed that they worked with Eric and Julia Lewald, who worked on the 1992 series while developing X-Men ’97, and Larry Houghton, the director of the original series. The executive producer noted that the original creators guided them, informed them about limitations and restrictions, and helped them create the new series:
“We always wanted to evoke that feeling, which means we had to try to match the style, or people’s memories of the style. Through the design process, it was challenging not to modernize. We kept arching back to the original, kind of old-fashioned design: big, bubbly muscles, soft curves.”
The executive producer began by saying that they are always striving to return to the relaxed vibe of the ’90s, but it is very easy for them to become angular. Winderbaum went on to say that it’s because today’s viewers are interested in anime and appreciate modern animation.
The first three episodes of X-Men ’97 are streaming on Disney+.
