Now that the first episode of What If...? has officially premiered on Disney+, the creatives behind the project have begun addressing some of the questions surrounding the enigma of a series.
One of the things discussed in the recent D23 interview the crew behind the Marvel Studios animation took part in was the style of art that What If...? is presented with. Utilizing a style that doesn't quite align with many modern animations, the executive producer explains what artwork was the biggest inspiration.
EP Brad Winderbaum admits that the animation style's credit is partly due to century-old illustrator J.C. Legendecker, an artist who often created artwork for the military and other similar things in the early 1900s. Check out a few of the highlights from the conversation below.
“Both Bryan and Ryan were orbiting the style of J.C. Leyendecker, who was an American illustrator from about 100 years ago. It’s a very difficult style to achieve. It’s very painterly. The light spreads in a very unique way."
He continued, "We worked with that style while also creating our own technique because it requires a 3D technique to achieve that 2D look. [It] has influences from J.C. Leyendecker but is very much Ryan Meinerding. With the incredible background work of our production designer, it creates a very rich, photographic feel in a 2D, comic-like world.”
Winderbaum additionally mentioned the following in a chat with ComicBook.com.
"I mean, you're completely unbounded from any sort of rules, which is both the most exciting and the most daunting thing about it because then you have to create your own rules, But I mean, it really is, in many ways, the purest interpretation of the imagination of the people behind it.
There's an element of chaos in all things. There's an element of chaos in animation. Certainly a major factor in live-action. Filmmaking is chaos. And how things don't go as planned and how you end up ultimately with a whole different set of tools than you thought you had going in. In an animation, kind of get to work with this infinite canvas where anything you want can be achieved. And if you can conceive it, you can do it. If you can dream it, you can do it."
What do you guys make of the reveal regarding the animation inspiration taken from century-old illustrations? No matter your take, make sure you sound off with your thoughts in the usual spot!
Enter the multiverse of unlimited possibilities. Marvel Studios' first animated series, What If...?, starts streaming August 11 with new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+. “What If… ?” features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist.
Marvel Studios' What If...? premieres new episodes each Wednesday, only on Disney+.