The X-Men: The Animated Series Art Book Is Here to Give You Mutant Nostalgia

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X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series
X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series
Image: Abrams

No matter what becomes of Marvel’s mutants in the comic books or any live-action movies Marvel Studios is undoubtedly dreaming up, the ‘90s animated series that dominated the Saturday morning TV bloc will always be one of the most definitive takes on Charles Xavier and his students. Today, io9 has an exclusive look at the iconic art behind the show.

Distinct as The Animated Series was from its source material, showrunner Eric Lewald understood the importance of making sure the characters all felt true to themselves in a way that would appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike. Everything—from the show’s design to its iconic theme song and its plotlines—was crafted to make The Animated Series a definitive take on the X-Men, and by all accounts, that’s exactly what the creative team achieved.

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In Abrams’ new book, X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series, Lewald and X-Men staff writer Julia Lewald look back at their time working on the series and invite readers to gain a deeper understanding of just what all went into the production of every episode. In addition to interviews, the book also features hundreds of detailed character model sheets, high-resolution images of the show’s painted backgrounds, and script excerpts.

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Regardless of what your specific interest in production is, the book almost certainly has something that’ll catch your eye—just take a look for yourself at the selection of exclusive pages down below.


The cover of X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series.
The cover of X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series.
Image: Abrams
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Beast attitude suggestions, four head poses.
Beast attitude suggestions, four head poses.
Illustration: Frank Brunner, Abrams
A painted background from X-Men: The Animated Series
A painted background from X-Men: The Animated Series
Illustration: Abrams
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Production cel of Wolverine, in the Danger Room, ferociously destroying a Sentinel robot that looked like Cyclops—who at that moment is marrying Jean Grey. Wolverine is formally dressed to go to the wedding, but his despair at losing Jean to Scott keeps him away.
Production cel of Wolverine, in the Danger Room, ferociously destroying a Sentinel robot that looked like Cyclops—who at that moment is marrying Jean Grey. Wolverine is formally dressed to go to the wedding, but his despair at losing Jean to Scott keeps him away.
Image: Abrams
Interiors of a monastery dining hall featured in the series.
Interiors of a monastery dining hall featured in the series.
Illustration: Squillace, Pat Agnasin, Abrams
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Interiors of a monastery bedroom.
Interiors of a monastery bedroom.
Illustration: Squillace, Pat Agnasin, Abrams
A bonded Magneto and Warlock masquerading as a fisherman.
A bonded Magneto and Warlock masquerading as a fisherman.
Illustration: Mark Lewis, Abrams
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A bonded Magneto and Warlock masquerading as a fisherman.
A bonded Magneto and Warlock masquerading as a fisherman.
Illustration: Mark Lewis, Abrams
Magneto in his signature outfit.
Magneto in his signature outfit.
Illustration: Mark Lewis, Abrams
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X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series hits stores on October 13.

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