Disney has released the first Guardians of the Galaxy TV show image from its upcoming animated iteration of the popular Marvel property.  Well the property didn’t used to be popular exactly, but ever since director James Gunn’s Marvel Studios film smashed into theaters this August, it’s become a bona fide phenomenon.  And Disney certainly knows how to capitalize on interest in all things GotG while we await the 2017 feature film sequel.  The animated spinoff will premiere as part of the Marvel Universe block on Disney XD sometime next year, and the first image of these animated iterations has landed online.  Everyone looks quite similar to their movie counterpart aside from Drax, who appears to have gone through a minor redesign.  Regardless, I’m sure young Guardians of the Galaxy fans will be eager to catch the team in weekly installments on the Disney spinoff network.  I am Groot.

Hit the jump to check out the first Guardians of the Galaxy TV show image.

This debut image was revealed by the folks at EW in connection with New York Comic-Con, which is taking place this weekend.  Click here to catch up on all of our NYCC coverage thus far.

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Production has begun on "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy," an upcoming animated-television series for Disney XD, featuring the hugely popular characters introduced in the  record-breaking Marvel Studios film of the same name. The announcement was made today by Jeph Loeb, Marvel's Head of Television, at New York Comic-Con.  Produced by Marvel Television, the series stars Peter Quill as Star-Lord, the brash adventurer  who, to save the universe from its greatest threats, joins forces with a quartet of disparate misfits – fan-favorite Rocket Raccoon, a tree-like humanoid named Groot, the enigmatic, expert fighter Gamora and the rough-edged warrior Drax the Destroyer. The series will premiere in 2015 on the Marvel Universe programming block on Disney XD.

"The movie and franchise quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. We're looking forward to working with the great team at Marvel Television to deliver an engaging animated series that fans can enjoy each week," said Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Disney XD.

"This is a very exciting time for the Marvel Animation Studio as we get to explore the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe by developing the first-ever 'Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy' animated series," said Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television. "After starring in the biggest movie of 2014, everyone wants more of Star-Lord and his crew – now they'll get it."

Produced by Marvel Animation, the series' award-winning creative team includes executive producers Alan Fine ("Marvel's The Avengers," "Iron Man," "Thor"), Dan Buckley ("Marvel's Avengers Assemble," "Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H."), Joe Quesada ("Marvel's Avengers Assemble") and Jeph Loeb ("Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."); co-executive producers Stan Lee ("Spider-Man"), Eric Radomski ("Spawn," "Marvel's Avengers Assemble"), Cort Lane ("Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man") and Stephen Wacker ("Marvel's Avengers Assemble"); supervising producers Marty Isenberg ("Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters") and Harrison Wilcox ("Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H."); consulting producer Steven Melching ("Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H."); and supervising director Leo Riley ("TRON: Uprising").

With the success of its recent theatrical release, Guardians of the Galaxy has joined the Avengers and Spider-Man as one of Marvel's most prominent franchises. Premiering in August 2014, Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" debuted to rave reviews and a $94 million opening weekend – the largest August opening in North American history. The film has become the most successful domestic release of 2014, topping the box office for four weeks since its release.