![X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/hpzawks5qdx0cfsn4xnz.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/hpzawks5qdx0cfsn4xnz.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/hpzawks5qdx0cfsn4xnz.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/hpzawks5qdx0cfsn4xnz.jpg 800w)
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.
![Illustration for article titled Thei X-Men: The Animated Series/i Art Book Is Here to Give You Mutant Nostalgia](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,pg_1,q_80,w_320/pzodcsxykawlddv1fhka.png 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_264,pg_1,q_80,w_470/pzodcsxykawlddv1fhka.png 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_450,pg_1,q_80,w_800/pzodcsxykawlddv1fhka.png 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,pg_1,q_80,w_1200/pzodcsxykawlddv1fhka.png 1200w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_900,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/pzodcsxykawlddv1fhka.png 1600w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/pzodcsxykawlddv1fhka.png 80w)
Advertisement
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.
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.
G/O Media may get a commission
![The cover of X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/qu74rdstkuabcvzsdss2.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/qu74rdstkuabcvzsdss2.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/qu74rdstkuabcvzsdss2.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/qu74rdstkuabcvzsdss2.jpg 800w)
Advertisement
![Beast attitude suggestions, four head poses.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/aesetdptg2wescjxqusz.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/aesetdptg2wescjxqusz.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/aesetdptg2wescjxqusz.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/aesetdptg2wescjxqusz.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/aesetdptg2wescjxqusz.jpg 1600w)
![A painted background from X-Men: The Animated Series](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/thvsdsz5rzfra5hmeih6.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/thvsdsz5rzfra5hmeih6.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/thvsdsz5rzfra5hmeih6.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/thvsdsz5rzfra5hmeih6.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/thvsdsz5rzfra5hmeih6.jpg 1600w)
Advertisement
![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.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/fkalvzihryswakpx3aab.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/fkalvzihryswakpx3aab.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/fkalvzihryswakpx3aab.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/fkalvzihryswakpx3aab.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/fkalvzihryswakpx3aab.jpg 1600w)
![Interiors of a monastery dining hall featured in the series.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/x9hlqur9dhflfrj8xara.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/x9hlqur9dhflfrj8xara.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/x9hlqur9dhflfrj8xara.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/x9hlqur9dhflfrj8xara.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/x9hlqur9dhflfrj8xara.jpg 1600w)
Advertisement
![Interiors of a monastery bedroom.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/wpfbbss27gzjj04b1hgl.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/wpfbbss27gzjj04b1hgl.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/wpfbbss27gzjj04b1hgl.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/wpfbbss27gzjj04b1hgl.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/wpfbbss27gzjj04b1hgl.jpg 1600w)
![A bonded Magneto and Warlock masquerading as a fisherman.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/ogg3jwi5xbsaebr0pcvt.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/ogg3jwi5xbsaebr0pcvt.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/ogg3jwi5xbsaebr0pcvt.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/ogg3jwi5xbsaebr0pcvt.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/ogg3jwi5xbsaebr0pcvt.jpg 1600w)
Advertisement
![A bonded Magneto and Warlock masquerading as a fisherman.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/tyejeivabzimekjofvxy.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/tyejeivabzimekjofvxy.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/tyejeivabzimekjofvxy.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/tyejeivabzimekjofvxy.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/tyejeivabzimekjofvxy.jpg 1600w)
![Magneto in his signature outfit.](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/nuxfdokqnpeh0dmf5oer.jpg 80w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/nuxfdokqnpeh0dmf5oer.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_470/nuxfdokqnpeh0dmf5oer.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_800/nuxfdokqnpeh0dmf5oer.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/nuxfdokqnpeh0dmf5oer.jpg 1600w)
Advertisement
X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series hits stores on October 13.
![Illustration for article titled Thei X-Men: The Animated Series/i Art Book Is Here to Give You Mutant Nostalgia](https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,pg_1,q_80,w_320/bysfbqwed5aqhknxvyjj.jpg 320w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_264,pg_1,q_80,w_470/bysfbqwed5aqhknxvyjj.jpg 470w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_450,pg_1,q_80,w_800/bysfbqwed5aqhknxvyjj.jpg 800w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_675,pg_1,q_80,w_1200/bysfbqwed5aqhknxvyjj.jpg 1200w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_900,pg_1,q_80,w_1600/bysfbqwed5aqhknxvyjj.jpg 1600w, https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_center,h_80,pg_1,q_80,w_80/bysfbqwed5aqhknxvyjj.jpg 80w)
Advertisement
For more, make sure you’re following us on our Instagram @io9dotcom.
Advertisement