Among Bobby Drake's coolest moments as an original X-Men member stands out the instance where he rescued a multitude from a perilous Sentinel.
Witnessing Iceman's transition to the dark side during the Age of Apocalypse, along with his eventual downfall, was remarkably thrilling.
Bobby Drake's most inspiring act was his brave announcement of being gay, conquering his apprehensions and embracing his true self.
Iceman stands as one of the original five members of the X-Men, but he distinguishes himself further by being the most chill member of the team, in every sense of the word. Here are ten compelling reasons that illustrate this point!
Known also as Bobby Drake, Iceman joined the X-Men in his teenage years and swiftly proved his worth as a valuable team member. His involvement in numerous missions and consistent displays of remarkable power have cemented his position as a crucial part of the mutant squad.
Over time, Iceman has evolved not just as a superhero with exceptional abilities, but also as an individual. Whether it's being the sole hero capable of defeating a particular villain, or moments that showcase his personal growth, Iceman has consistently demonstrated why he's the coolest original X-Men member. And we're not just talking about his icy powers.
In another story, Mr. Sinister, who transitioned from being a shadowy figure to a loud and proud villain in "Dawn of X," is undoubtedly the X-Men's most extraordinary antagonist. His quotes alone are proof of his over-the-top personality.
But back to Iceman. In the very first issue of X-Men, while the other original members were training to harness their powers, Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, stood out. Instead of joining the training, he turned himself into a snowman, showing that he was 'too cool for school' in the most literal sense. This early incident is a prime example of what makes Iceman the coolest X-Men member, not just in terms of his powers, but in his laid-back attitude that contrasted sharply with his more serious teammates.
In another notable instance, Iceman saved a crowd from a lethal Sentinel in the Ultimate X-Men series. This heroic act further underscores his coolness under pressure and his indispensable role in the X-Men.
During Iceman's inaugural mission alongside the X-Men in the Ultimate Universe, the Sentinels were in their beta phase of extreme mutant policing, attacking a city in search of mutants. At this early stage, with minimal control over his powers, Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, mainly stayed amidst the civilians, striving to keep them away from the fray while the seasoned X-Men tackled the Sentinels. However, when a disabled Sentinel threatened to crush the crowd Bobby was protecting, he suddenly harnessed his powers, freezing the Sentinel in its tracks, thereby saving everyone.
This was not just a cool moment; it was downright legendary, marking Iceman's first heroic act as a member of the X-Men.
In "Uncanny X-Force #24" by Rick Remender and Phil Noto, Iceman took a dark turn in the Age of Apocalypse timeline. In this alternate timeline of Earth-295, he chose to betray his mutant brethren to Apocalypse for personal gain. With every imaginable luxury at his fingertips, Iceman traded the lives of those who considered him a friend. But Nightcrawler wouldn't let this betrayal slide.
The thrill of seeing a hero turn villain (even if temporarily) is only matched by the satisfaction of witnessing their downfall. In Iceman's case, after a fierce battle with Nightcrawler, he met a brutal end, being pushed into a furnace and slowly melted. His descent into villainy and ultimate demise were both compelling narratives.
Furthermore, in "Champions #1" by Tony Isabella and Don Heck, Iceman was a founding member of another notable superhero team, the Champions of Los Angeles, further adding to his comic book legacy.
Not only was Drake a founding member of the X-Men, but he also played a pivotal role in the establishment of another superhero team known as the Champions of Los Angeles. Although not as renowned, this team boasted a powerful roster, including Ghost Rider, Hercules, Black Widow, Angel, and, of course, Iceman himself.
The Champions, composed of two Avengers, two X-Men, and arguably the most formidable antihero on the planet, only served to enhance Iceman's already considerable coolness as a founding member.
In the comic book All-New X-Men #40, penned by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Mahmud Asrar, we witness Bobby Drake's most inspirational moment. While fans debate Jean Grey's role in forcing Bobby to reveal his homosexuality by reading his mind and outing him privately, Drake's bravery cannot be overshadowed. This marked the first time Drake publicly declared his sexuality, both to his X-Men compatriots and the readers, conquering his fears of ostracism due to his mutation and sexual orientation.
Furthermore, in a conversation with his adult self (as this was a time-displaced Iceman from the past), the future Iceman admitted his inability to match the courage of his younger counterpart but felt empowered to do so now. Bobby Drake's journey significantly impacted LGBTQ+ representation in comic books, and the moment he fully embraced himself on-panel stands as Iceman's most inspiring instant.
Moreover, in X-Men Vol. 2 #190, crafted by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo, we learn that Iceman possesses the remarkable ability to reconstitute his body even after being completely obliterated.
When Iceman engaged in combat with Aurora and Northstar, he underwent vaporization, leaving only puddles of water and a steam-filled room. Remarkably, this was sufficient for Iceman to recover from the seemingly lethal attack. His unique abilities enabled him to extract the steam from the air and the water from the floor, reconstituting his icy form. From this state, he could then revert to his human guise.
On the brink of consciousness, Iceman achieved a remarkable feat: the complete reconstitution of his body from almost nothingness. This accomplishment was even more impressive considering it was his inaugural attempt at such extensive self-healing.
In "Uncanny X-Men #313" by Scott Lobdell and Joe Madureira, readers were introduced to an unprecedented version of Iceman. His typically sleek icy exterior was replaced by a jagged form, adorned with long, sharp claws of frozen water protruding from his fingertips. Surprisingly, this striking Iceman wasn't Bobby Drake, but Emma Frost. Following a coma, Frost awoke within Iceman's body, offering more than just an aesthetic upgrade.
Frost exhibited a profound mastery over Iceman's powers, unprecedented even for Drake. In fact, when Bobby regained control, he beseeched Emma to mentor him further in harnessing his abilities. Arguably, this guidance would later enable him to perform extraordinary feats, such as his remarkable healing factor.
Moreover, in "Savage Avengers #18" by Gerry Duggan and Kev Walker, an intriguing revelation emerged, hinting that Iceman might possibly be descended from Frost Giants, and perhaps even linked to Loki in some way.
Imagine if Iceman wasn't just a core member of the X-Men or a mutant with a healing ability superior to Wolverine, but was, in fact, a descendant of Frost Giants. This intriguing concept was hinted at in a recent issue where Iceman clashes with a time-displaced Conan the Barbarian during the King In Black event. As Conan and Deadpool sought refuge in the original Hellfire Club clubhouse, Iceman, along with several other mutants, was tasked with evicting them - an act that Conan didn't take lightly.
Utilizing the symbiote he had temporarily fused with, Conan materialized a hammer and used it to shatter Iceman, declaring, "It brings me joy to know that in this feeble and pitiful world, there are still warriors descended from Ymir. Tell the Frost Giant - I'll meet him in hell!" Although Conan likely misunderstood Iceman's mutation, it's intriguing to ponder the possibility that Iceman could be more than just a mutant, but also partially a Frost Giant. This would not only elevate his status but also connect him to Loki!
During the Krakoan Era of the X-Men, Iceman Embarked on a New Adventure as a Pirate (and Later, a Spaceman) Explored in Marauders #1 by Gerry Duggan and Matteo Lolli
When the mutant nation of Krakoa emerged, Iceman chose to join Kate Pryde on The Marauder, effectively becoming a part of the crew of mutant pirates. While their missions were typically heroic, the Marauders operated outside the legal boundaries of Krakoa in their dealings with the outside world. They secretly transported mutants to the island, exported Krakoan medications to nations where they were prohibited, and carried out tasks that the official X-Men team couldn't handle (full-scale attack missions were reserved for X-Force).
Becoming a pirate, as the sole founding X-Man to embark on such a journey, undoubtedly marks a level of coolness that few could aspire to reach. Yet Iceman, whose real name is Bobby, didn't settle there. He was also picked to assist in the establishment of Arakko, a mutant colony on Mars, highlighting that during the Krakoan Era, Iceman transitioned from being a pirate to being a spaceman, exuding an undeniable coolness.
The instant fans realized Iceman's Omega-Level mutant status was undoubtedly his coolest moment ever, captured in "Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3 #64" by Marjorie Liu and Gabriel Hernandez Walta.
While Iceman's Omega-Level designation was officially recognized with the updated list released during the Dawn of X era of X-Men, fans had already sensed this truth through the gradual unveiling of his immense power. This power arguably culminated in "Astonishing X-Men," where, aided by a Death Seed fragment (which functioned more as a key to unlocking Iceman's mind and unleashing his powers without limits), he demonstrated the ability to freeze the entire planet.
Possessing the capability to influence a whole world automatically qualifies one as Omega-Level, and this storyline provided undeniable proof of Iceman's status. Nevertheless, this wasn't his only display of extraordinary might. His god-tier healing abilities, the capacity to create duplicates of himself, and the power to manipulate his mutation at the molecular level further cement his Omega-Level status. But beyond that, this designation stands as merely one of the ten reasons why Iceman remains the coolest original X-Men member!