Last week, Disney
released a batch of images highlighting the various animation styles that will be used in an upcoming multi-part story arc for Marvel's animated series,
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! The concept — using uniquely different animation techniques to visually support the storytelling —sounded intriguing, but now we've got an actual sneak peek trailer.
Premiering next month, the "Black Vortex" storyline will see the Guardians escape the Collector's collapsing ship by jumping into a mirror that serves as a prison dimension capable of taking on any form. Upon crossing time and dimensions, the Guardians will wind up separated and trapped in strange, new worlds. Each of these worlds will be brought to life using a different animation technique, including CG-stop motion, children's book illustration, 8-bit, motion comic, Golden Age and traditional CG.
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! stars Will Friedle as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Trevor Devall as Rocket Raccoon, Vanessa Marshall as Gamora, David Sobolov as Drax the Destroyer and Kevin Michael Richardson as Groot.
Sunday, May 5 (9:30 pm ET/PT)
"Black Vortex, Part One" – When the Guardians become separated in the Black Vortex, Gamora wakes up in a children's fairytale, while Drax is trapped in a comic book.
"Black Vortex, Part Two" – While caught in a CG sinister packing factory, Rocket must search for his best friend Groot and escape.
Sunday, May 12 (9:30 pm ET/PT)
"Black Vortex, Part Three" – Quill finds himself in a claymation world where the Milano is flying into the sun, threatening to melt him. Meanwhile, Groot and Drax must fight Ronan in a Golden Age world.
"Black Vortex, Part Four" - Gamora and Quill battle their way through an 8-bit Super Marvel World.
The "Black Vortex" story arc for
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! kicks off on Sunday, May 5, with two back-to-back episodes airing on Disney XD. The storyline will conclude the following week with another double header on SUnday, May 12.