San Diego Comic-Con is well underway and news is flowing from the panels. Marvel Animation took over Ballroom 20 at the convention and made a splash.
Marvel Animation Panel
Marvel Studios head of streaming, television and animation Brad Winderbaum was joined by head of visual development Ryan Meinerding and moderator Paul F. Tompkins (Jellystone, The Bob’s Burgers Movie). Also appearing was Bryan Andrews, director of What If…? and executive producer of Marvel Zombies; AC Bradley, writer and executive producer of What If…?; Beau DeMayo, writer and executive producer of X-Men ’97; Kirsten Lepore, writer, director and executive producer of I Am Groot; and Jeff Trammell, writer and executive producer of Spider-Man: Freshman Year.
What If…?
Marvel Studios announced the second season of What If…? will premiere in early 2023, pushed back from its original timeframe of late 2022. In addition, the team confirmed the addition of a third season of the show.
What If…? explores various alternate timelines of the multiverse in which major moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe films occur differently, as observed by the Watcher. The first season premiered on August 11, 2021 with a nine-episode run. The original plan was for 10 episodes, but due to the pandemic one episode was pushed to the second season.
Marvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies will take place directly following the outstanding episode of What If..? with the first season. Andrews explained the background of the series, in addition to showing concept art at the panel.
The first look of the series included zombie versions of Hawkeye, a cut-in-half Captain America, Abomination, Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Okoye from Black Panther and Ikaris from Eternals. A group of heroes, fully alive, will take on the undead including Katy and Death Dealer from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Kate Bishop from Hawkeye, Red Guardian and Yelena Belova from Black Widow, Jimmy Woo from WandaVision, plus Shang-Chi himself and Ms. Marvel.
The creative team stated the series will not shy-away from the blood, gore and guts of the classic Marvel Zombies comic series created by writer Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) and artist Sean Phillips. The series will be rated TV-MA. No released date announced. It’s possible we get a date at Disney’s D23 Expo in September.
I Am Groot
I Am Groot hits Disney+ with a series of five original shorts — following Baby Groot’s glory days growing up, and getting into trouble among the stars — created by Ryan Little and directed by Kirsten Lepore. Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper reprise their roles as Groot and Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy respectively.
Attendees of SDCC 2022 were the first to see the new trailer for I Am Groot. However, the trailer has now been released online for us all to enjoy.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year
Spider-Man: Freshman Year will air on Disney+ in 2024. The animated series follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, starting with his freshman year of high school of course. Peter’s journey in the series will be unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots. Trammell teased the show with the cast of characters, and Meinerding showed off the new Spider-Man suit designed for the series — additionally Tompkins is set to voice Bentley Witman.
The first season will be followed by a second season, appropriately entitled Spider-Man: Sophomore Year.
X-Men ’97
The animated series will explore new stories in the iconic 1990s timeline of the original series featuring beloved characters like Professor X, Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Rogue, Storm, Gambit, Magneto, and more. Winderbaum reflected on the legacy of the nostalgic series, while DeMayo shared artwork for what’s to come.
News was also revealed the series as already been renewed for a second season. The first season will air in 2023.
Bonus announcement came from the panel as well. The original X-Men: The Animated Series on Disney+ was adjusted to reflect the original story order after fans asked online.
Marvel Animation Nation
By the looks of the Marvel animation panel at SDCC, Marvel is going full force in the animated world.
Not to mention the news of Alison Brie, Andy Cohen, Daveed Diggs, Maya Hawke, Jennifer Hudson, Method Man, Cobi Smulders and Wesley Snipes have joined the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur animated Disney Channel series.
Most new animated series to hit Disney+ has already been renewed for a second or third season or has spun out of another series. Marvel animation is here to stay.
