Editing X-Men: Evolution (section)

==Production notes==
The original working title of the show while in production was ''Children of the Atom'', a reference to the X-Men comic book in circulation. However, this was scrapped as the network did not want the title to reference children.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bobulinksi |first1=Andrew |last2=Blake |first2=Kinsey |title=An Interview with Robert N. Skir |url=https://conventionalrelations.net/2020/11/11/an-interview-with-robert-n-skir/ |website=conventionalrelations.net |date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=20 April 2024}}</ref>
One of the main points of the new ''X-Men: Evolution'' concept was the design of the new costumes. Early concept art sketches show the X-Men in classic gold-and-black garb. In these drafts, Spyke wears [[cornrows]], Rogue's outfit exposes her midriff, and Jean Grey's costume is the female version of Cyclops' costume. Both Jean Grey and Shadowcat wear face masks, and Kitty is also wearing an orange miniskirt and [[Dr. Martens|Doc Martens]] over spandex. Early Storm drawings show her wearing white rather than black.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}

A point of controversy was the design of the blue-skinned villain Mystique. [[Steven E. Gordon]], the character designer and director of various episodes, was never impressed with the Mystique designs for the first season. Mystique was originally to be presented as nude (as in the [[X-Men (film series)|films]]), but Warner Bros. did not want this included in a Kids' WB! production.<ref name="animationage">[http://marvel.toonzone.net/xmenevo/interviews/gordon/ Marvel Animation Age Presents: X-Men: Evolution]</ref> However, a short scene of Mystique drawn to resemble her film counterpart (albeit clothed) appears in the Season 1 finale. Gordon stopped directing after two seasons, but continued to design characters for the show. He is most satisfied with the designs of Rogue and Scarlet Witch.<ref name="animationage"/>

The show also contained various pop culture references: in episode 9 of the first season, one of Wolverine's defensive programs for the Danger Room is referred to as "Logan's Run X13", a clear reference to the novel/film ''[[Logan's Run]]''.  The Rogue/Kitty dance in "Spykecam" was modeled after a similar dance in the ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' episode "[[Bad Girls (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Bad Girls]]".<ref name="beyondevo">{{Cite web |url=http://x-men.toonzone.net/qaboyd.php |title=Beyond Evolution: X-Men Evolution |access-date=June 27, 2006 |archive-date=July 4, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060704075118/http://x-men.toonzone.net/qaboyd.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The play used in "Spykecam", ''Dracula: The Musical'', is a real play. The song used, however, is an original song made for the episode. The writers of the show have also admitted that they were fans of ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer''. Using Shadowcat as the catalyst, the two shows appear similar: a teenage girl with superpowers fights powerful villains in order to save her high school.<ref name="beyondevo"/> ''Buffy'' creator [[Joss Whedon]] has openly credited his inspiration for Buffy as Kitty Pryde.<ref>[http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/josswhedon/default.asp Joss Whedon Talks X-Men, Firefly Movie] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709071018/http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/features/josswhedon/default.asp |date=July 9, 2011 }}</ref>

Starting with the first episode of Season 4, "Impact", the episode title was no longer aired on-screen at the beginning of the show, and ''X-Men: Evolution'' became the third longest-running Marvel cartoon, behind ''[[Spider-Man (1994 TV series)|Spider-Man]]'' (5 seasons, 65 episodes) and ''[[X-Men: The Animated Series]]'' (5 seasons, 76 episodes). [[Boyd Kirkland]], the show's producer, says his favorite ''X-Men: Evolution'' season is Season 3.<ref name="animationage"/> The monthly budget for ''X-Men: Evolution'' was $350,000.{{Citation needed|date=May 2007}}

This is the first ''X-Men'' animated series to use [[digital ink and paint]].

Produced in the United States, the voice recording was done in Canada and the show was animated in Japan and South Korea. Most of the animation was outsourced to [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]], [[Mook Animation]] in Japan, [[DR Movie]], and WHITE LINE in South Korea.

While no official statement has come down on why the show ended after season 4, the show's co-producer, Robert N. Skir, has stated that it most likely came down to WB wanting show changes as well as business strategy moves with Nickelodeon in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bobulinksi |first1=Andrew |last2=Blake |first2=Kinsey |title=An Interview with Robert N. Skir |url=https://conventionalrelations.net/2020/11/11/an-interview-with-robert-n-skir/ |website=conventionalrelations.net |date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=20 April 2024}}</ref>