Marvel Comics has announced X-Men ’97, a new four-issue limited series that serves as a prelude to the upcoming Disney+ animated series of the same name.
Per Marvel, the X-Men ’97 comic book series hails from writer Steve Foxe and artist Salva Espín. Created in “close collaboration with the showrunners,” this official companion to Marvel Studios‘ X-Men: The Animated Series revival launches in March 2024. It promises to shed some light on what exactly the X-Men have been up to since the fan-favorite cartoon ended. Marvel Comics further teases “[s]tartling revelations” that “lead directly into the hotly anticipated new series.”
Check out Todd Nauck’s cover art for X-Men ’97 #1 below:
Steve Foxe discusses X-Men ’97
“There’s a very good chance I wouldn’t be writing comics today if not for the impact X-Men: The Animated Series had on me as a kid — heck, the voice actors from the show are still the voices I hear when I read the comics today!” Foxe shared.
“Getting to reunite with my X-MEN ’92: HOUSE OF XCII collaborator Salva Espín on this official prelude to X-Men ’97 has felt like a bucket-list project a lifetime in the making, and Beau [DeMayo] and the rest of the ’97 team gave us a fantastic runway to come up with our own original tale that feeds right into what viewers will get to experience in the new season,” the writer continued.
Marvel Studios announced X-Men ’97 back in November 2021. The upcoming Disney+ series picks up directly after the events of X-Men: The Animated Series, which itself aired on Fox Kids for five seasons from 1992 to 1997. Numerous voice actors from the ’90s original return to either reprise their roles or portray new characters in the revival.
Unlike its official comic book prelude, the X-Men ’97 animated series does not yet have a specific debut date. However, the show will premiere sometime in early 2024. Marvel Studios’ Disney+ animation slate for next year also includes Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (formerly known as Spider-Man: Freshman Year) and Eyes of Wakanda.
X-Men ’97 #1 goes on sale March 27, 2024 from Marvel Comics.
