X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series

by Eric Lewald, Julia Lewald

Showrunners Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald reveal the story behind the creation of one of the most celebrated, revolutionary animated series of all time.

The Art and Making of the Animated Series takes fans behind the scenes of the landmark cartoon that laid the groundwork for the dozens of Marvel Comics adaptations that followed. Interviews with series writers, artists, producers, and executives reveal the razor’s edge that Marvel and Fox navigated in order to bring the X-Men to television, and detail the tough decisions, compromises, and brilliant solutions that resulted in a series that has been lauded by critics and fans for nearly three decades.

Along the way, readers will encounter comics and entertainment luminaries Stan Lee, Margaret Loesch, Avi Arad, and Haim Saban, as well as exclusive production art and commentary from key TAS artists such as supervising producer/director Will Meugniot, producer/director Larry Houston, producer/director Frank Squillace, storyboard artist and model designer Rick Hoberg, model designer Frank Brunner, and character, prop, and model designer/cleanup artist Mark Lewis.

This book gives a firsthand account of what it’s like to develop, pitch, design, write, draw, direct, and produce a hit animated series, and is jam-packed with never-before-seen concept sketches, storyboards, character models, background layouts, cels, and production and promotional materials.

“Many a comic fan considers the 1990s X-Men animated series to be the definitive screen version of Marvel’s iconic mutant team — and this encyclopedic new volume is the definitive guide.” —Yahoo! Entertainment

Genres: Art, Marvel, Nonfiction, Comics, Reference, X Men, Superheroes

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Alex Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must read for any Marvel fan or a fan of TAS. A really cool look at the show, which you can watch on Disney+. I love that the book has the correct episode order too, which is different from how they are listed on Disney+

[Candyce Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute must have for all serious fans of the original X-Men: The Animated Series. I have loved pouring over this volume, learning lots of things about this series that means so much to me.

[Kevin Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

X-Men: The Art and Making of the Animated Series is a retrospective of t the X-Men animated series. I was a huge fan of the series in the nineties and having watched some episodes again recently, I believe it holds up pretty well and was pretty prescient considering our present social climate. The artwork of the series was never the major draw for me–It was the characters, stories, and personal conflicts that made the series great. Having read the book, I discovered how the creative team had to fight tooth and nail (or claw in this case) with a limited budget and tight deadlines just to get the episodes out the door.
There is an exhaustive (and sometimes exhausting) amount of text which dissects the making of each season. There are some funny anecdotes about how the team would have to battle tight-fisted Haim Saban and refuse the grandfatherly overtures of Stan Lee. You’ll learn how the kick-ass theme song came to fruition and how they assembled the amazing ensemble voice cast. If you loved the animated series, you will LOVE this book. However, if you never watched the series and pick this book up expecting to be blown away by incredible visuals, you may wonder what all the fuss was about.

[Mariah Raichert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information about the art, animation and cast! As well as how the episodes were done, and there was one episode that wasn’t aired that was called “Bring Me Charles Xavier.” I’m curious about how that episode would have been, the plot looked very interesting as well as the script. Colossus would have possibly made a third appearance, and possibly joined the X Men. And there was also unused art work as well as deleted scenes, particularly at the end of the episode The Final Decision would have had Xavier look out the window and smiled at Scott’s proposal to Jean. As well as Beast walking away to the Mansion at the end of the episode “Beauty and The Beast.”

[Geoffery Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Objectively this is an impeccably researched and well-edited tome with beautiful art and delicious snippets of behind the scenes interference. Stan Lee wanted to SING during the opening credits you say? Oh my stars and garters....

But what a glorious and joyful thing it was to read this book during the release of X-Men 97. To see some of those unfinished concepts and pitches finally make their way to the small screen. To bask in the reflected love of a fandom whose return to our TVs has been met with overwhelming praise. The relevance, care, respect and dedication of X-Men TAS will never be matched, except by its own successor. To me, my X-Men.

[Joel Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the original TV series, this book is amazing. It's filled with behind the scenes information, anecdotes from the creators and actors, and so many storyboards, character sketches, animation cells, and other artwork. As a fan of Marvel Comics and of the cartoon, this was an entertaining, informative read, part oral history of the making of the cartoon, part summary, and part love letter to everything that made this show amazing.

[John Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definitive visual history of this fantastic and wonderful animated series. X-Men The Animated Series was the thing that stoked my Life long X-Men fandom. If you are a fan of the series this book is a must own.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for fans of the cartoon with a nice amount of behind the scenes material and a good look at the process of its creation. I would have liked a bit more of the show's history, but it seems there's another book for that.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny to read an art book for a series that I often complain had bad art outside of the lifted design work from the comic, but this actually helped me appreciate the work they were all doing to try and make something of the bad art they were getting from overseas on the cheapest of budgets.

[Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun trip down memory lane with some interesting behind the scenes stories. Full of great artwork throughout the book. There's a hidden gem in the back with the intended viewing order which is different than the air-date order which is what is used on Disney+.

[David Cobraestilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

En una de las premisas que los productores enviaban a guionistas decía: “El tono principal de la serie es, a falta de un término mejor, la INTENSIDAD EMOCIONAL. Los personajes se preocupan desesperadamente por su misión, sus amigos y su lugar en el mundo”.

Y es por eso por lo que las dos adaptaciones superiores de cómics a cualquier formato audiovisual son X-Men: TAS y Batman: TAS. Tenían un respeto increíble por los personajes y entendían que los hacía especiales y que los movía. Y también tenían un respeto increíble por su audiencia. Que fuesen niños no significaba que fuesen estupidos.

Además de la historia y entresijos de la producción de la serie la serie está repleta de diseños de personajes, storyboards y acetatos de la producción que llevan el libro tres pasos más allá.

Deseando que estrenen X-Men ‘97

[wbforeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well done book. You get a lot of insight into how the series is made how we got started and you get a ton of character design and cells you get to see throughout the book so if you are an X-Men, the animated series fan this book is a home run.

[Micah Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not an overstatement to say that Saturday morning cartoons are a large part of what made me who I am and directed my career, with X-Men being one of the more integral series. And I love me a good behind-the-scenes book… so this hit on so many levels.

[Jordan Risebury-Crisp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Features some great art from behind the scenes and production stills.
Though learning about the background of the show was interesting in places some of the commentary is rather plodding in places and confusing to follow. - would have benefited from more interviews with cast and crew too.

[M.L.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looooved this so much! The 92 X-Men cartoon meant a lot to me; not sure I can adequately explain it.

[El Neo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fascinating and in-depth.

[Xavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all the history, also the collection of art and designs from the series is beautiful!!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great item for ANY fan of the TV or Comic series. The stories of how the show was made, bits of trivia, amazing art, and the awe of what they did come to life. I am amazed by what they did still both artistically, creatively, and historically. This book shows how care was taken to preserve the artistic legacy of so many great marvel artists and writers. If you loved the show you need this book.