Marvel Animated Series Announcements from SDCC 2022
Marvel took SDCC by storm this past weekend. Their live action and MCU updates spanned all the way into 2025, illustrating the longterm plan for Marvel’s Multiverse Saga. And then a separate panel was held to tackle the many animation projects coming your way!
Below, get the details and release dates for Marvel Studios’ animated series.
I Am Groot - Release Date: August 10, 2022
The most adorable Guardian of the Galaxy is back! Young Groot, or “Baby Groot,” shines in this technicolor dreamworld of a trailer for I Am Groot. The series consists of 5 shorts — or episodes — all following Groot’s adventures. The short which debuted at SDCC seemed like a slice-of-life narrative with the Guardians’ signature brand of humor.
Will all the episodes simply follow Groot enjoying himself and getting into a bit of mischief? Possibly. Will they tie into the larger MCU, or have anything to do with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3? Guess we’ll have to tune in on Disney+ next month to find out.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year - Release Date: 2024
Before Captain America: Civil War, what was Peter Parker up to? How did he manage those first tough years of high school plus web-slinging? Spider-Man: Freshman Year aims to answer those questions and more. Of course, fans have already pointed out the continuity errors between this animated show and MCU canon. We’re interested to see how, if at all, this series fits into the MCU. It certainly seems inspired by the movies, despite the lack of characters such as Ned Leeds and Michelle “MJ” Jones.
Among Peter Parker’s cartoon cohort we have Amadeus Cho, Lonnie Lincoln, Nico Minoru, Asha, and Harry Osborn. A few of those names should definitely sound familiar. Amadeus is a young Hulk, Nico is one of the Runaways, and Harry is Green Goblin’s son! Additional allies include Daredevil and Doctor Strange. Plus, Norman Osborn will function as mentor figure — no news yet on his status as friend or foe.
Of course, it can’t be all fun and games for our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Peter will face off against villains Unicorn, Scorpion, Tarantula, Butane, Dr. Otto Octavius, Carmilla Black, Rhino, Speed Demon, and Chameleon. That’s a lot of battles to fit in between first and last period! Still, if anybody can do it, it’s Peter.
What If…? Seasons 2 and 3 - Season 2 Release Date: 2023
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What If…? was already renewed for a second season before SDCC. The creative team surprised and excited audiences at the panel, then, by announcing a third season is already greenlit! Fans in attendance got their first glimpse of the season 2 trailer, which shows various alternate scenarios for our favorite characters. Apparently Hela, Bucky Barnes, T’Challa, and more were glimpsed in the footage. What’s more, audiences confirmed there is indeed a version of the famous Marvel 1602 comic storyline in this season.
As an extra special treat, the audience watched the first episode of season 2. Like season 1, What If…? opens with a new Captain Carter story. Paralleling Captain America: Winter Soldier, the What If…? season 2 premiere explores Peggy discovering Steve Rogers is alive … but he’s piloting the Hydra Stomper!
Marvel Zombies - Release Date: June 21, 2024
In What If…? season 1, Marvel fans got a taste of their favorite characters’ flesh … er, we mean, the undead did! The zombie episode was such a hit that Marvel decided to make an entire Marvel Zombies series. Within the show, various heroes will duke it out with infected versions of their allies and villains.
Concept art from SDCC shows Yelena Belova, Katy Chen, Kate Bishop, Red Guardian, Death Dealer, Kamala Khan, Shang-Chi, and even Jimmy Woo on the survivor side. Our groaning and grotesque antagonists include zombified Hawkeye, Ghost, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Okoye, Abomination, and Captain America. Additionally, our protagonists have to fight a Skrull biker gang and a group of tough-looking Widows. So expect tons of action and cartoon gore in Marvel Zombies season 1!
X-Men ’97 - Release Date: Fall 2023
Finally, the announcement everybody’s most hopeful for. A continuation of the beloved 1997 X-Men animated series, X-Men ’97 will return to stories told in the original season while also adding some updates — like Magneto as the group leader!
The main team lineup presented includes Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Jubilee, Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey, and Beast. These mutants are joined by Sunspot, Morph, Cable, Bishop, Forge, and Nightcrawler. On the villains side, first looks were given for Valerie Cooper, Sebastian Shaw, Mister Sinister, Emma Frost, and Calypso.
Recently Disney+ uploaded and reordered the original X-men ’97 in its proper viewing order. So there’s no better time than now to catch up on this cult classic cartoon. Binge it now, and then get ready for 2 confirmed seasons of new X-Men content coming your way.
Which of these new animated Marvel projects are you most looking forward to? Share the excitement at side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!