Marvel Comics has revealed artist Russell Dauterman‘s wraparound variant cover for the debut issue of its X-Men ’97 limited series.
Written by Steve Foxe and illustrated by Salva Espín, the X-Men ’97 comic launches late this coming March as a prequel to Marvel Studios‘ upcoming Disney+ animated series of the same name. Dauterman’s wraparound cover for issue #1 shows X-Men: The Animated Series’ merry mutants in all their ’90s glory. The all-star lineup includes Cyclops, Jubilee, Jean Grey, Bishop, Beast, Rogue, Gambit, Storm, and Wolverine.
Check out Russell Dauterman’s wraparound cover for X-Men ’97 #1 below:
“X-Men: The Animated Series was everything to me as a kid, and sparked my love of the X-Men and comics — I wouldn’t be a comic book artist without it!” Dauterman said. “This piece is based on an X-Men: The Animated Series fan art I did a decade ago — the fan art that got me hired at Marvel! Now, it’s completely redone as an official cover to celebrate the new show. Absolutely thrilled to do this piece, and can’t wait for ’97!”
X-Men ’97 follows up on the ’90s animated series
Marvel Studios’ X-Men ’97 acts as both a reboot and a continuation of X-Men: The Animated Series, which itself aired on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1997. Featuring many of the original cast members, the new animated series is due to premiere on Disney+ this year. Foxe and Espín’s comic serves to bridge the gap between the two shows, offering some insight into what Marvel’s premier mutant superhero team has been doing since the ’90s version ended.
A synopsis for the comic’s first issue reads as follows: “THE OFFICIAL PRELUDE TO THE HOTLY ANTICIPATED DISNEY+ SHOW! The X-Men are back — and the ’90s have never looked better! In this official prelude to the upcoming X-Men ’97, created in collaboration with the showrunners, discover what Storm, Jubilee, Wolverine and the rest of the beloved ’90s X-Men cast have been up to in the time before their return! Startling revelations here lead directly into the hotly anticipated new series — don’t miss out!”
X-Men ’97 #1 goes on sale Wednesday, March 27 from Marvel Comics. The issue features a main cover by Todd Nauck.
