This year's D23 Expo had a ton of announcements and previews for Marvel Animation fans. During the second day of the event, a dedicated panel revealed exciting updates on the most anticipated series, with surprises ranging from Spider-Man a Marvel zombies. Here's everything you need to know.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: A New Version of Peter Parker
The animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (previously known as Spider-Man: Freshman Year) was one of the focal points of the panel. Created by Jeff Trammell, the series stands out for a revisitation of Peter Parker's mentor: this time it will not be Tony Stark, but Norman Osborn who will guide him. Colman Domingo will lend the voice of Osborn, and his relationship with Peter will play a central role in the narrative, with a decidedly more ambiguous touch than the film version.
The panel showed exclusive scenes, including a battle between Doctor Strange and a Venom-like monster that leads to Peter Parker's transformation into Spider-Man. The animation, inspired by comics, uses the style of "cell animation" and presents an atmosphere reminiscent of reading a graphic novel.
Marvel zombies: A Hardcore TV-MA Adventure
The animated series Marvel zombies promises to take action and horror to new levels. Created by Zeb Wells, the series will consist of four episodes that will explore a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the undead. During the panel, fans were treated to an intense sequence in which Shang-Chi, Katy and Jimmy Woo battle hordes of zombies, culminating in an epic scene with the Mandarin using the Ten Rings to destroy a giant zombie.
The series promises to be raw and violent, with a TV-MA rating, a rarity for animated Marvel products. Unfortunately, the series is not expected to be released anytime soon, but fans can already start to look forward to this new animated adventure.
Eyes of Wakanda: Exploring the Secret History of Vibranium
Another intriguing novelty is the series Eyes of Wakanda, which will explore the secret history of Wakanda and its missions to protect vibranium. Ryan Coogler, present at the panel, described the series as a journey through different eras, almost like an anthology, which will show the sacrifices made to keep Wakanda's powers secret.
The series will use 3D animation and introduce new characters, including Noni, a figure who will seek to expose the corruption within Wakanda. Eyes of Wakanda will integrate into the canon of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offering a more in-depth look at the world of Black Panther.
X-Men '97: The Return of a Classic
Fans of the classic '90s series will be happy to know that X-Men '97 will return for a second season. While the previews shown were limited, the panel confirmed that the characters will wear new uniforms based on Grant Morrison's designs. Additionally, the returns of characters such as Havok, Polaris, and Apocalypse have been confirmed, along with a storyline that will see Magneto face trial. The anticipation for this series continues to grow, especially after the success of the first season.
What If...? Season 3: The Last Adventure
The third season of What If...? was announced as the last in the series. The new episodes will explore alternate universes with stories including Moon Knight, Ironheart and White Vision. One episode in particular will see Captain America lead a team of mecha pilots in a battle against gamma monsters, in an homage to the anime style of Voltron. The series will continue to push the boundaries of Marvel animated storytelling, closing with a grand finale.
Conclusions
The D23 Expo offered an exciting glimpse into the future of Marvel animation, with new series exploring characters and stories in innovative and engaging ways. With titles ranging from action to horror, through adventures that explore the boundaries of the Marvel universe, the next few years promise to be full of excitement for fans. Stay tuned for more updates as these series prepare to debut on Disney+.
Related articles:
