Disney+’sX-Men‘97has taken the fanbase by storm, but one Eisner-nominated artist may have just handed Disney the perfect blueprint for an even bigger hit. By breathing new life into one of Marvel’s most iconic storylines, this artist has laid the groundwork for a potential X-Men series that could surpass even the success ofX-Men ‘97.
Mark Brooks is an Eisner-nominated artist and Inkpot Award winner, celebrated for his work across Marvel, DC, and other comic properties. Among fans,he’s especially beloved for his signature“Animated Style,”which reimagines iconic characters in a way that fully showcases their potential for an animated series.
Recently,Brooks applied this style to theAge of Apocalypseversions of numerous X-Men characters, essentially doing the heavy lifting for Disney if they were to launch an epic animated adaptation of the storyline.
Mark Brooks’Age of ApocalypseArt Could Launch Marvel’s Next Animated Hit
With Character Designs Ready and Storyline Set, Marvel Has Everything It Needs for a New X-Men Series
By translating the classicAge of Apocalypsecharacter designs into a sleek animation-ready style,Brooks has essentially done the hardest part of the job for any future adaptation.Since his work is based on one of Marvel’s most well-established storylines, the narrative framework, worldbuilding, and tone are already in place. This combination of visual clarity and storytelling foundation would make it incredibly easy for Disney to bring anAge of Apocalypseseries to life.
Now that these character designs are fully realized, they are perfectly positioned to build on the momentum created by the success ofX-Men ‘97.Whether through a spin-off series that focuses entirely on theAge of Apocalypsetimelineor through a seasonal arc that bridges two parts of the existing show,the groundwork has been laid for something ambitious and excitingthat longtime fans would eagerly support.
As of now, Brooks has rendered detailed designs for a wide range of characters, includingWolverine, Cyclops, Kitty Pryde, Jean Grey, Beast, Magneto, Nightcrawler, Wildchild, Gambit, Rogue, Sabretooth, and Colossus.While this article features several of his reimagined designs, fans can view the complete collection by visiting Brooks’ Instagram page, where he has shared his full lineup.
WhyAge of ApocalypseDeserves to Be Marvel’s Next Animated X-Men Epic
With Its Dark Timeline and Fan-Favorite Legacy, This Iconic Saga Is Ripe for Revival
Although any newX-Menanimated series would be welcomed by Marvel fans,anAge of Apocalypseadaptation stands out as particularly promising.It remains one of the most iconic and bold alternate realities in Marvel history, and its emotionally intense tone and unique character arcs make it a strong candidate for a full animated revival that could match or even exceed the impact ofX-Men ‘97.
The originalAge of Apocalypsestoryline introduced a grim alternate reality where Charles Xavier died before forming the X-Men, leading to the rise of Apocalypse. With the recent announcement ofAge of Revelation, the spiritual sequel toAge of Apocalypse, there has never been a better time to revisit this classic saga. A well-crafted animated adaptation could reintroduce this powerful chapter ofX-Menhistory to a whole new generation.
