‘Marvel Zombies,’ ‘Spider-Man: Freshman Year,’ ‘What If?’ Season 2 Get First Looks

The animated side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is expanding even further.

After kicking off with the animated series “What If…?,” there are more previously announced shows in the works, including a Season 2 of “What If…?,” “Spider-Man: Freshman Year,” “Marvel Zombies” and “X-Men ’97.” The new shows all got first looks at San Diego Comic Con.

“What If…?” explores alternate timelines in the MCU where the popular heroes we know and love have drastic changes, such as Peggy Carter taking up Captain America’s shield and turning into Captain Carter, T’Challa of Wakanda becoming Star-Lord of the Guardians of the Galaxy instead of Black Panther, and Doctor Strange becoming an evil villain named Strange Supreme. Hayley Atwell’s Captain Carter made her live-action debut in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” paving the way for other potential crossovers between animation and live-action.

Another standout episode of “What If…?” introduced a universe overrun by undead, super-powered Avengers, which leads directly to the spinoff “Marvel Zombies.” The first look of the series included zombies of Hawkeye, a cut-in-half Captain America, Abomination, Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch from the zombie episode is “What If…?” Season 2 and Okoye from Black Panther. Human heroes include Yelena from “Black Widow,” Katie (played by Awkwafina) from “Shang-Chi,” Kate Bishop, Red Guardian from “Black Widow,” Jimmy Woo from “WandaVision,” Death Dealer from “Shang-Chi,” Shang-Chi himself and Ms. Marvel. Also of the characters — also including a team of Widows from “Black Widow” and a team of Skrull biker gang aliens — are given post-apocalyptic looks.

“What If…?” Season 2 is coming early next year, and the panel promised that it gets even crazier, pushing the envelope of what’s possible, before dropping a new trailer. In the footage, Captain Carter is back, with Black Widow and Steve Rodgers in the Iron Man suit from season 1. The series will feature a medieval episode taking place in 1602; an episode where characters from “Shang-Chi” fight Odin; a racing episode with Valkyrie and Iron Man on Sakaar from “Thor: Ragnorak;” more Captain Carter fighting multiversal threats from Season 1; plus old Peggy and Steve Rogers reuniting.

A third season of “What If…?” was also confirmed.

“Spider-Man: Freshman Year” will follow the early days of Peter Parker learning to become the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man we see first in “Captain America: Civil War” and Jon Watts’ “Spider-Man” trilogy. Stills from the series, which was described as “bringing the heart and charm of Peter Parker,” were shown, including a new Peter, who is young and looks comic book-inspired with bright colors and a homemade suit with backpack, goggles, sneakers and a jacket. Also shown were Nico Minoru, a comic character in the Runaways team; his new crush; Amadeus Cho, who becomes Hulk; a Wakandan student and Harry Osborn. It will be all new characters and villains, with no MJ, Gwen or Ned from the movies. Also joining are Unicorn, Chameleon, Scorpion, Speed Demon, Tarantula, Rhino, Butane, Doc Ock and Doctor Strange — all different from the films. Charlie Cox will return to voice Daredevil, while Norman Osborn will be a mentor for Peter and Paul F. Tomkins will voice new character Bentley Witman. Also shown were new suits, including the classic red and blue, the white and blue Oscorp suit, and a black desk suit.

“Freshman Year” is slated to come out in 2024, and the next series “Spider-Man: Sophomore Year” was also announced at the panel.

“X-Men ’97” will continue the story of the original “Animated Series,” which ran from 1992 to 1997 on Fox Kids Network. “X-Men: The Animated Series” helped usher in the popularity of the mutant superheroes before Fox made the first live-action take on the team in 2000. The new series will include Rogue, Beast, Gambit, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, Jubilee and Cyclops. Although it will feature new voice talent, the animation stays true to the original animated series, but looks more modern and updated. Magneto, Cable, Bishop, Morph and Nightcrawler will also join the gang onscreen.

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