View source for Iceman (Marvel Comics)

{{short description|Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics}}
{{About|the X-Men character|the DC Comics character|Ice Man (comics)}}
{{Other uses|Bob Drake (disambiguation){{!}}Bob Drake}}
{{distinguish|text= album [[Iceman (Drake album)|Iceman]] by musician [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]}} 

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox comics character
| caption        = Textless variant cover of ''[[Astonishing X-Men]]'' (vol. 2) #1 (October 2018).<br>Art by Jeehyung Lee.
| image          = Iceman.png
| character_name = Iceman
| publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[Uncanny X-Men|The X-Men]]'' #1<br />(September 1963)
| creators       = [[Stan Lee]] (writer) <br />[[Jack Kirby]] (artist/co-plotter)
| species        = [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|Human mutant]]
| alliances      = {{Plain list |
* [[X-Men]]
* [[X-Factor (comics)|X-Factor]]
* [[Champions (1975 team)|Champions]]
* [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]
* [[Marauders (comic book)|Marauders]]
* [[Fantastic Four]]
}}
| aliases        = Drake Roberts<br />Mister Friese<br />Frosty
| powers         = 
* [[Exothermic reaction|Thermokinesis]]
* Hydrokinesis 
* Cryokinesis 
* Ability to assume an enhanced physical form made of ice
| alter_ego=Robert Louis "Bobby" Drake}}
'''Iceman''' ('''Robert Louis''' "'''Bobby'''" '''Drake''') is a [[superhero]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]] and is a founding member of the [[X-Men]]. Created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist/co-plotter [[Jack Kirby]], the character first appeared in [[Uncanny X-Men|''The X-Men'']] #1 (Sept. 1963). Iceman is a [[Mutant (Marvel Comics)|mutant]] born with superhuman abilities. He has the ability to manipulate ice and cold by freezing [[water vapor]] around him. This allows him to freeze objects, as well as cover his body with [[ice]].

Iceman has a relatively high profile among ''X-Men'' characters due to being frequently adapted into X-Men and [[Spider-Man]]-related media, including video games, animated series, and films. The character later received widespread media attention when a storyline [[Retroactive continuity|retroactively revealed]] the original version of the character was a [[closeted|closeted gay man]], in ''[[All-New X-Men]]'' #40 (April 2015), leading to his [[coming out]].

Following the publication of this storyline, Iceman has been described as one of the most notable and powerful [[LGBT themes in comics|gay characters in comic books]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Five LGBTQ+ superheroes you need to know about |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z79gscw |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=BBC Bitesize |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Gramuglia |first=Anthony |date=2019-03-02 |title=10 LGBTQA Characters Who Should Be Introduced To The MCU |url=https://screenrant.com/lgbtqa-characters-marvel-cinematic-universe-disversity/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=10 queer superheroes who changed the face of comics |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/article/2016/02/02/10-queer-superheroes-who-changed-face-comics |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Topics |language=en |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921204215/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/pride/article/2016/02/02/10-queer-superheroes-who-changed-face-comics |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-21 |title=10 Most Powerful X-Men of All Time, Ranked |url=https://www.themarysue.com/10-most-powerful-x-men-of-all-time-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808165505/https://www.themarysue.com/10-most-powerful-x-men-of-all-time-ranked/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From 2000 to 2014, [[Shawn Ashmore]] portrayed Iceman in the [[20th Century Fox]] [[X-Men (film series)|''X-Men'' films]] and voiced the character in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]''.

==Publication history==
Created by writer [[Stan Lee]] and artist/co-writer [[Jack Kirby]], the character first appeared in ''[[Uncanny X-Men|X-Men]]'' #1 ([[1963 in comics#September|September 1963]]). Lee later admitted that Iceman was created essentially as a copy of the [[Human Torch]], only using the opposite element for his power.<ref>{{cite news | last1 = O'Neill | first1 = Patrick Daniel | last2 = Lee | first2 = Stan | author-link2 = Stan Lee | date = August 1993 | title = X Marks the Spot | work = [[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]: X-Men Turn Thirty | pages = 8–9 | quote = Then I wanted a character sort of like the Torch. What's opposite of fire? Ice. Water might have been the opposite, but I couldn't think of anything to do visually with water. I felt a little guilty because Iceman was such a copy of the Human Torch in an opposite way.}}</ref>

Iceman was featured in two self-titled limited comic book miniseries, one in 1984–85 written by [[J. M. DeMatteis]] and another in the 2000s by Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett, with art by [[Karl Kerschl]]. DeMatteis said of the first series, "It was my idea, so there was no one to blame but myself. I'll just say that it was a mistake and if the series made any sense whatsoever it was due to [editor] [[Bob Budiansky]]. That was a case where the editor's input was really needed—and Bob was a big help."<ref>{{cite news | first1 = Jim | last1 = Salicrup | first2 = Mike | last2 = Higgins | author-link1 = Jim Salicrup | date = October 1986 | title = J. Marc DeMatteis (part 2) | work = [[Comics Interview]] | issue = #39 | pages = 7–19 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref>

A mainstay in most X-Men titles, Iceman has been a main character in both ''Uncanny X-Men'' and the second volume of ''X-Men'' and was also featured in ''[[Champions (1975 team)|The Champions]]'' from 1975 to 1978<ref>{{cite journal|last=Walker|first=Karen |title='We'll Keep on Fighting 'Til the End': The Story of the Champions|journal=[[Back Issue!]] |issue=65|pages=17–23|publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date=July 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> and ''[[Defenders (comics)|The New Defenders]]'' from 1983 to 1986 as a member. He was a main character in the first volume of ''X-Factor'', and a star in flashback stories when he was a teenager in ''X-Men: The Hidden Years'' and ''X-Men: First Class''.

In April 2015, in issue 40 of ''All-New X-Men'', a time-displaced version of the teenaged Iceman was revealed as [[gay]] by his teammate, [[Jean Grey]], who discerned this with her telepathic ability.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hanks|first=Henry|date=2015-04-21|title='X-Men' character Iceman outed as gay|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/04/21/entertainment/ice-man-gay-feat-xmen/index.html|access-date=2023-01-28|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref> This raised questions, because the character's adult, present-day counterpart had previously been portrayed dating women. In ''Uncanny X-Men'' #600, which was published in November that year, the young Iceman confronts his older self, who confirms that he is gay as well but repressed his true self, not wanting to be both gay and a mutant.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Wong, Curtis M.|date=2015-11-04|title=Original 'X-Men' Character Iceman Confirms He's Gay|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/iceman-comes-out-gay_n_563a2830e4b0307f2cab652a|access-date=2023-01-28|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|language=en}}</ref> In 2017, Iceman received his first ongoing solo series, which focused on the adult Bobby Drake coming to terms with life as an out gay man, his status as an [[Omega-level mutant]], his legacy as a hero and fighting some of the biggest villains in the Marvel Universe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.nerdist.com/iceman-creative-team-talks-the-x-men-heros-first-ongoing-series-and-coming-out/|title=ICEMAN Creative Team Talks the X-MEN Hero's First Ongoing Series and Coming Out|website=Nerdist}}</ref> The book had been cancelled, with its last issue being in early 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.newsarama.com/37878-hawkeye-iceman-join-wave-of-marvel-titles-canceled.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171227203835/https://www.newsarama.com/37878-hawkeye-iceman-join-wave-of-marvel-titles-canceled.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 27 December 2017|title= HAWKEYE & ICEMAN Join Wave of MARVEL Titles Canceled|last=  Arrant|first= Chris|date= 20 December 2017|website= Newsarama|access-date= 28 December 2017}}</ref> However, Marvel later reversed the decision and announced that a new book written by original writer Sina Grace as a part of their Fresh Start initiative and was released in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wasp-iceman-comic-books-coming-back-form-marvel-1119896|title=Marvel Revives 'Wasp,' 'Iceman' Comic Book Series|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=13 June 2018}}</ref>

==Fictional character biography==

===Early life===
Robert Louis "Bobby" Drake was born in [[Floral Park, New York|Floral Park]], [[Long Island]], [[New York (state)|New York]], to William Robert Drake and Madeline Beatrice Bass-Drake. His parents are [[Irish Americans|Irish]] [[Irish Catholics|Catholics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/iceman-breaking-the-ice |title=Iceman: breaking the ice |last=Feldman |first=Steffi |date=November 6, 2017 |website=Marvel |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020152925/https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/iceman-breaking-the-ice |archive-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> His mother was also stated to be [[Jewish-American|Jewish]].<ref>''Iceman'' #1 (Dec. 1984)</ref> Bobby's powers first manifested when he was on a date with Judy Harmon, and a local bully by the name of Rocky Beasely tried to take Judy away for himself. Knowing Judy could not put up a good fight, Bobby pointed his hand at Beasely and encased him in a block of ice. Later, the local townspeople, having heard of the incident, came looking for him in the form of an angry mob. The local sheriff had no choice but to put Bobby in jail for his own "protection". While Bobby sat in his cell at the sheriff station, the outer wall was blown open, and a young man named [[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Scott Summers]] walked in and offered to take Bobby with him. After Bobby turned him down, the two mutants got into a short battle, which was soon ended by the arrival of [[Professor X|Professor Charles Xavier]].<ref>''The X-Men'' #44–46</ref>

=== Original X-Men ===
After Xavier spoke with Bobby and his parents, Bobby's parents suggested that he go with Professor Xavier to his "school for gifted youngsters". Bobby took the suggestion and left with Professor Xavier and Cyclops to become the second member of the [[X-Men]]. He is later joined by [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Henry "Hank" McCoy]], [[Jean Grey]], and [[Warren Worthington III]] as the founding members of the X-Men. Drake remains self-conscious regarding the fact that he is the youngest member of the group. Appearing in his original snow covered form, he first battles [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]] along with the rest of the team,<ref>''The X-Men'' #1</ref> and later the [[Brotherhood of Mutants]].<ref>''The X-Men'' #4</ref> Bobby Drake's first girlfriend is [[Zelda Kurtzberg]].<ref>''The X-Men'' #7</ref> Not long after, he takes on a new ice-covered form.<ref name="X8">''The X-Men'' #8 (November 1964)</ref> He then teams up with the [[Human Torch]] for the first time.<ref>''Strange Tales'' #120</ref> The two would become close friends as time went on. With the X-Men, he visits the [[Savage Land]] and meets [[Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder)|Ka-Zar]] for the first time.<ref>''The X-Men'' #10</ref> He then battles the [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]],<ref>''The X-Men'' #13</ref> and is badly injured in his first battle against the [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]].<ref>''The X-Men'' #14–17</ref> He next battles Magneto by himself.<ref>''The X-Men'' #18</ref> Later, he visits [[Subterranea (comics)|Subterranea]] for the first time.<ref>''The X-Men'' #34</ref> Then, he and Beast battle the [[Maha Yogi]].<ref>''The X-Men'' #47</ref> During his original stint with the X-Men, Drake pursues a relationship with [[Polaris (Marvel Comics)|Lorna Dane]], although the relationship does not last. Iceman is among the original X-Men captured by [[Krakoa]], leading to a new incarnation of X-Men of which he is not a member. With most of the original team, he quits the X-Men.<ref>''The X-Men'' #94</ref>

===Champions and Defenders===
Iceman moves to the American west coast to attend [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] and becomes a founding member of [[Champions (1975 team)|The Champions]] of Los Angeles.<ref>''The Champions'' #1 (Oct. 1975)</ref> However, the Champions soon dissolve.<ref>''Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man'' #17</ref>

Iceman is then abducted by [[Master Mold]], and alongside Angel, he encounters the [[Hulk]].<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' vol. 2 #7</ref> Iceman next aids the [[Thing (Marvel Comics)|Thing]] in battling the [[Circus of Crime]].<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One'' #76</ref> Drake retires from life as a superhero to earn a college degree in accounting – but apparently at a college on the east coast, not UCLA.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #145, p. 10, panel 1. Marvel Comics.</ref> While in college, he briefly rejoins the X-Men to rescue the captives of [[Arcade (Marvel Comics)|Arcade]]'s henchman, Miss Locke.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #145–146</ref>

Iceman is reunited with Beast, encounters Cloud, and then returns as a full-time superhero in an incarnation of the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]] alongside his former teammates, Angel and Beast.<ref>''The Defenders'' #122–123, 125</ref> He also battles [[Professor Power]]'s [[Secret Empire (organization)|Secret Empire]] while with the Defenders.<ref>''The Defenders'' #127–129</ref> After the Defenders disband, Drake embarks on his career as an accountant.

Some time later, Iceman encounters Mirage, the "daughter" of [[Oblivion (comics)|Oblivion]]. Iceman journeys back in time and meets his parents before he was born, and battles Oblivion and Mirage. He then reconciles with his parents.<ref>''Iceman'' #1–4</ref>

===X-Factor===
The original X-Men, including Iceman, reunite to form the superhero team [[X-Factor (comics)|X-Factor]].<ref>''X-Factor'' #1 (February 1986)</ref> With this new team, he encounters [[Apocalypse (character)|Apocalypse]] for the first time.<ref>''X-Factor'' #6</ref>

During his time with the team, [[Loki (Marvel Comics)|Loki]] captures Bobby, hoping to use him to gain control over the [[Giants (Marvel Comics)|Frost Giants]]. Loki enhances Bobby's powers and then extracts them to restore the size of the Frost Giants. Iceman is rescued by [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]].<ref>''Thor'' #377–378</ref> Loki's tampering increases Bobby's powers to such an extent that he begins to lose control of his abilities. During a later battle with the [[The Right (comics)|Right]], he is fitted with a power-dampening belt which actually helps him control his abilities. Once able only to sheathe his own body in a protective coating of ice, Bobby finds he can encase the entirety of the [[Empire State Building]]. With time, Bobby gains sufficient control over his augmented powers and is able to stop using the inhibitor belt. Believing he has achieved his full potential, Bobby does not attempt to develop his abilities further.

With X-Factor, Bobby then defeats [[Horsemen of Apocalypse|Apocalypse's Horsemen]].<ref>''X-Factor'' #19</ref> Iceman helps watch over many of the younger superheroes, something he once was. Most notably, he and Beast help [[Tabitha Smith|Boom Boom]] gain a more normal life. For a brief while, he also helps supervise the [[New Mutants]] and their sister team, the [[X-Terminators]]. They, in turn, save him from the deadly kiss of [[Infectia]].<ref>''X-Factor'' #29–31</ref>

Bobby also develops a romantic relationship with [[Opal Tanaka]]. After a session of ice sledding, she discovers threatening mail in her mailbox, a precursor to harassment by her cybernetically enhanced relatives of the Tatsu Clan of the Yakuza, which Bobby helps her out with.<ref>''X-Factor'' #63–64</ref>

After the "[[Muir Island Saga]]", Iceman rejoins the X-Men along with the rest of X-Factor.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #281; ''X-Men'' #1</ref>

===Second mutation===
Upon encountering [[Azazel (Marvel Comics)|Azazel]] and his followers, Iceman's body is shattered from the neck down. Afterward, he regains his entire ice form, but cannot change back to his human appearance. As a result, Bobby becomes both bitter and despondent because of this drastic change.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #429">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #429</ref>

===Rogue's Team===
Iceman joins [[Rogue (Marvel Comics)|Rogue]]'s team after she tells him that she wants him as a member.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=March 2018}} Their first mission as a team is to fight a new threat, a powerful group known as the [[Children of the Vault]].<ref>''X-Men'' #188 (July 2006)</ref> The team is successful and during this time, Bobby learns that he can be completely destroyed but then pull himself back together again. It was shown several times during the arc.

The next mission for the team was to locate a man called Pandemic and defeat him. The team was again successful, but Rogue was infected with a virus called Strain 88. [[Cable (character)|Cable]] took the team, including Bobby, to his island so Rogue could get treatment.<ref>''X-Men'' #194–197</ref>

While on Cable's island, the team and Iceman began working to defeat the [[Shi'ar]] weapon known as the Hecatomb. During the chaos, he shared a passionate kiss with [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]].<ref name="X-Men vol. 2 #190">''X-Men'' #190</ref> Even as he did so, he saved many lives by containing the explosion of the Conquistador, and, later, the Hecatomb itself.<ref>''X-Men'' #199</ref>

===Blinded by the Light===
As the team recovers from Hecatomb attack in Rogue's childhood home, it appears that Mystique and Iceman begin a romantic relationship.<ref>''X-Men'' vol. 2 #200</ref> This was a front, as Mystique was using Iceman and the X-Men as a [[Marauders (comics)|Marauder]] spy for [[Mister Sinister]].<ref>''X-Men'' #201</ref> Marauders soon infiltrated the house; they attempt to gain access to [[Destiny (Irene Adler)#The Books of Truth|Destiny's Diaries]] on the order of Mr. Sinister (who has been gathering information about the future from anybody and anything that could foretell the future). Bobby and [[Cannonball (Marvel Comics)|Cannonball]] escape from the Marauders in the [[Blackbird (comics)|X-Jet]], with help from [[Emma Frost]]. They are pursued by [[Sunfire (character)|Sunfire]]; they manage to get the better of him and take him prisoner, but not before he manages to cripple the jet. While Sunfire is unconscious, Iceman and Sam discuss the Mauraders' plan to eliminate all precognitive mutants and anyone with knowledge of the future as well as retrieving Destiny's Diaries before the Marauders can. During this time, Bobby displayed sub-atomic control of energy transfers when he prevented Sunfire from using his fire-based powers.<ref>''X-Men'' #202</ref>

Cannonball and Bobby, telepathically prompted by Emma Frost, attempt to recover the diaries which are hidden in a dilapidated brewery. Mr. Sinister uses the reverse-engineered version of Xavier's [[Cerebro]] to track the pair of X-Men to the brewery. The Marauders attack Cannonball and Iceman and overtake them. Bobby, while in his ice form, suffers a gunshot wound from Mystique, which severs one of his arms above the elbow. Mister Sinister, who takes Cannonball prisoner, attempts to telepathically erase his mind so that the X-Men will find him as an empty shell. Iceman attacks Sinister, distracting him, which allows both of the X-Men to escape.<ref>''X-Men'' #203</ref>

===Messiah Complex===
{{Main|X-Men: Messiah Complex}}

The [[New X-Men (2004 series)|New X-Men]] team decided to raid the headquarters of the [[Purifiers (Marvel Comics)|Purifiers]] in Washington, D.C., but were forced to retreat. [[Pixie (X-Men)|Pixie]] teleported them back to the mansion in a rush, but the entire team was scattered between D.C. and Westchester. Iceman, after recovering from his injuries, volunteered to go look for them and was given telepathic directions by [[Emma Frost]].<ref>''New X-Men'' #45</ref>

Iceman was successful in finding the New X-Men, most of them injured. On the way back, they found that the [[Sentinel Squad O*N*E|O*N*E* Sentinels]] guarding the [[Xavier Institute for Higher Learning|Xavier Institute]] had become infected by nano-Sentinels and attacked the school. Iceman and New X-Man [[X-23]] helped out in the battle with the O*N*E* Sentinels. With the help of [[Dust (character)|Dust]] and X-23, the X-Men were able to survive this battle but the nano-Sentinel infected human escaped.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #493</ref>

Soon, Iceman participated in the final battle against the Marauders, the [[Acolytes (comics)|Acolytes]], and [[Predator X (character)|Predator X]]. He was one of the X-Men who came running in to fight Predator X after it swallowed [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] whole. However, he also witnesses his mentor, Professor Xavier, "killed" by Bishop's bullet, which was not meant for him.<ref>''X-Men'' #207</ref>

===Divided We Stand===
{{Main|X-Men: Divided We Stand}}

Iceman arrives in [[San Francisco]], where he was set to meet [[Hepzibah (character)|Hepzibah]], [[Warpath (character)|Warpath]], and Angel. All four are caught in the effects of a citywide illusion created by [[Mastermind (Martinique Jason)|Martinique Jason]], who used her powers to transform the city into a hippie paradise.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #495</ref> Now calling himself "Frosty", he and the others are sent by Martinique to confront Scott Summers and Emma Frost.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #498</ref> Emma Frost is able to break up the illusion and free everyone. They eventually set up their base of operations in San Francisco as X-Men.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #499</ref>

===Secret Invasion and Utopia===
{{Main|Secret Invasion|Utopia (comics)}}

Iceman is one of the X-Men who assist in fighting the [[Skrull]] invasion in San Francisco.<ref>''X-Men: Secret Invasion'' #1</ref>

Iceman rescues [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]] from Venom<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #513</ref> and is later made a part of a team to battle Emma Frost's Dark X-Men.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #514</ref> During the final battle on Utopia, Iceman teams up with the X-Students to take on Mimic.<ref>''Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus'' #1</ref>

===Second Coming===
During the battle with [[Bastion (comics)|Bastion]]'s [[Nimrod (comics)|Nimrod]] Sentinels, Iceman is severely injured following an attack from one of them that reversed his ice form and left him with burns on his body.<ref>''X-Force'' vol. 3 #27</ref> He is only there for a short time because his mutant powers help him minimize the injuries he suffered and he is seen back in battle alongside Psylocke and the other X-Men.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #525</ref>

===Post Schism===
Early solicitations show that after Wolverine and Cyclops have a major falling out, Wolverine decides to branch off and open ''The Jean Grey School for Higher Learning'' back in New York.<ref>''Wolverine & the X-Men'' #1</ref> Iceman is the first person Wolverine approaches and recruits to his new X-Men squad as both a professor and teammate. Iceman is chosen because Wolverine feels he has the kind of spirit the new school needs.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album_view.php?gid=3682&page=20 |title=Legacy, Regenesis |website=Newsarama |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211102316/http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album_view.php?gid=3682&page=20 |archive-date=11 December 2011}}</ref> He also has an off-and-on romantic relationship with [[Kitty Pryde]].<ref>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #2</ref>

===Extraordinary X-Men===
When the [[Terrigen]] became toxic for mutants, Iceman was one of the recruits in Storm's new team dedicated to protecting mutants from the Terrigen by leading them to [[X-Mansion#X-Haven|X-haven]].<ref>''Extraordinary X-Men'' #1</ref> Iceman mostly works alongside [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]], helping him search for Colossus after he is transformed into one of Apocalypse's new horsemen.<ref>''Extraordinary X-Men'' #11</ref> Iceman and Nightcrawler track Colossus to [[Egypt]], where he ambushes them and almost kills them until another squad of X-Men comes in to help.<ref>''Extraordinary X-Men'' #14</ref> After that Iceman joins the X-Men when they declare war against the Inhumans after discovering that in a matter of weeks the Terrigen will render Earth completely uninhabitable for mutants.<ref>''Inhumans vs X-Men'' #1</ref>

===Fantastic Four Returns===
Iceman is among the heroes summoned by [[Mister Fantastic]] - a group consisting of former substitute members of the [[Fantastic Four]] - to help the [[Future Foundation]] against the cosmic entity known as the Griever. However, the [[Human Torch]] objects to Iceman's presence during the battle, emphatically asserting that Iceman was ''never'' a member of the FF. Iceman states that he ''was'' made a member during an adventure involving Namor. The Torch simply counters with "''That didn't COUNT!''"<ref>''Fantastic Four'' vol. 6 #2–4</ref>

As recounted in ''Fantastic Four'' vol. 6 #24, Iceman's induction into the FF did not feature Namor, but occurred during the early days of the FF and the original X-Men. One morning years ago, the youthful Torch 'quit' the FF in an immature fit of pique. That same day, the sensitive teen-aged Iceman left the X-Men after being laughed at by his peers for his poor showing in a [[Danger Room]] exercise. Iceman encountered the remaining FF members and assisted them with a day-long series of crises, being casually admitted to the team as a result. When the Torch discovered that he had been replaced, he attacked Iceman during the FF's current battle and forcefully declared that Iceman was ''not'' an FF member. The [[Invisible Woman|Invisible Girl]] forced the pair to work together to help defeat the FF's final opponent of the day. Iceman was then telepathically summoned back to the X-Men by Professor X, who praised his student's performance. Mr. Fantastic told the departing Iceman that he could return to the FF whenever he wanted. The Torch was also 'readmitted', with a penance of a week's laundry detail.<ref name="Fantastic Four vol. 6 #24">''Fantastic Four'' vol. 6 #24</ref>

In the present time, Iceman returns the teen-aged [[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]] to the FF's [[Yancy Street]] home/headquarters from [[Krakoa]] and is recognized by the building's security system as an FF member. This angers the Torch once again, and he declares that Iceman had never been a member of the team. The two men bicker over the issue until Iceman realizes that the Torch was never upset about Iceman replacing him on the team, but believes that he was trying to take his place in the FF family. The Torch finally admits that what bothered him most was that other substitute members—who were also considered family by the FF—were always brought in due to major events, and that if Iceman was the actual first substitute member, that meant the Torch had given up his place "over nothing." The Torch ultimately drops the matter of Iceman's legitimacy and says that he was an official substitute FF member, and is also a part of the FF 'family'.<ref name="Fantastic Four vol. 6 #24"/>

===Solo series===
After being outed as gay by the time-displaced [[Jean Grey]], the younger time-displaced Iceman confronts his older self, asking him why he has been presenting as straight for most of his adult life. The older Bobby breaks down and admits that he has known he was gay for a long time but forcibly repressed that part of himself, fearful of how others would react. He further acknowledges that he was scared to reveal his true self to the world due to already facing prejudice for being a mutant and not wanting to receive hatred for another part of himself.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #600"/> Following all of this, Bobby decides to take a break from the limelight and focus on himself, declining to join the [[X-Men Gold|new X-team]] formed by Kitty Pryde, instead acting as a reserve member and teaching classes at the Xavier School. After a training session with his younger self, Bobby sees the time-displaced Iceman head out for a date with his boyfriend Romeo while he tries to set up an online dating profile to meet guys. He receives a text from his mother stating that his father has had a heart attack so Bobby rushes to the hospital only to be chastises by his father for missing family events due to his commitments as a superhero. Following a brief battle in the hospital, Bobby's parents ask him to leave, angry that their mutant son is bringing yet more trouble into their lives.<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 3 #1</ref> On a mission with Kitty to rescue a new mutant, she confronts Bobby about being gay, asking why he could not tell her himself, meaning she had to find out from a secondary source. She reassures him that she only wants to help him and lets him know she is there if he ever wants to talk but suggests he should come out to his parents. Bobby arranges dinner with his family but he is constantly subjected anti-mutant rhetoric from his parents. The dinner is interrupted by a gang of Purifiers but, although Iceman takes them down quickly and the lives of his parents, they are angry that their house has been destroyed because of him and send him away (although his mother promises to try and convince his father to visit him at the X-Mansion).<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 3 #2–3</ref> When the mutant that he and Kitty rescues goes missing, Iceman tracks him to a nearby nightclub where he discovers that [[Daken]] is responsible for luring him away. Daken tries to flirt with Bobby to distract him but Iceman freezes him and attempts to convince the mutant to return to the Xavier School, though he refuses. Daken mocks Bobby, saying that he can smell his fear and insecurity. Upon returning, Kitty surprises Bobby by revealing that his parents have arrived for a visit. He tells them he is gay and they both react negatively, angry that their son is both a mutant and a gay man. They chastise him for letting everyone else find out before them and try to convince him that he is straight, due to having been with women in the past. The family argument is interrupted by [[Juggernaut (character)|Juggernaut]], who attacks the school looking for the [[X-Men Blue|young X-Men]]. Iceman defeats him by pushing his powers and returns to the mansion to find his father is still there. He had obtained Bobby's draft of a coming out letter from Kitty and the two men begin to reconcile.<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 3 #4–5</ref>

Bobby reconnects with his former [[Champions (1975 team)|Champions]] teammates, [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]], [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]], [[Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze)|Ghost Rider]] and [[Darkstar (Marvel Comics)|Darkstar]], so they reminisce about their time with [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]]. Bobby runs into a guy, Judah, while out shopping and he agrees to meet him that night at a local gay bar, with the rest of the Champions acting as his wingmen. The date appears to be going well but is interrupted by an attack by some [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinels]].<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 3 #6</ref> Bobby's relationship with Judah continues to develop and he decides to move to L.A. to be closer to him. While fighting [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Pyro]] with his younger self, Bobby explains that his mother has finally made contact with him for the first time since he came out and that she wants to invite both of them to dinner. Time-displaced Iceman agrees on the condition that Bobby tries to talk sense into Romeo, who has not called him in weeks. Meanwhile, Daken begins training his new mutant protégée for a secret mission. When both the younger Bobby and the older Bobby arrive at the restaurant, their parents see the younger Bobby as a chance to raise a new son in a way that suits them but the time-displaced Iceman refuses, saying that he is still gay and wants to live life on his own terms before they both storm out.<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 3 #8</ref> During Bobby's moving away party at the X-Mansion, Daken uses the Purifiers to distract the other X-Men while he and his apprentice infiltrate the school and ambush Bobby. The young mutant uses his levelled-up powers to increase Daken's strength by turning him into Apocalypse's horseman Death and he mortally wounds Judah with his claws before engaging Iceman in combat. Bobby manages to defeat Daken with a kiss which freezes Death's powers but Daken escapes and Judah breaks up with Bobby because his life is too much for him to deal with.<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 3 #10</ref>

After teaming with [[Bishop (Marvel Comics)|Bishop]] to help the [[Morlocks (comics)|Morlocks]] who came under threat by [[Mister Sinister]], Bobby finds himself approached by [[Emma Frost]] who asks him for his help. Ignoring Kitty's protests, he agrees and Emma explains that her father, who subjected her brother [[Christian Frost|Christian]] to conversion therapy before having him institutionalized, has recently let him out and reinstalled him as the new heir to the Frost business empire. When they arrive, they discover that Christian has murdered their father and is exhibiting his own powers. Bobby and Emma help to free Christian from his mental breakdown and Emma decides to stay with him.<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 4 #1–2</ref> Joining with his friends [[Spider-Man]] and [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|Firestar]], Bobby discovers that Sinister was behind the attack on the Morlocks and confronts him in his safehouse. Sinister, intent on trying to unlock the secrets of Iceman's DNA by dissecting him, sends forth an army of experimental ice creatures but Bobby's Omega Level powers absorb them all into him and he fires Mister Sinister into space.<ref>''Iceman'' vol. 4 #3–5</ref> Celebrating his birthday, Bobby is confronted by [[Battle of the Atom|Ice Wizard]], a future version of himself from an alternate timeline. Ice Wizard warns Bobby that he must quit the X-Men and stop using his powers to avoid a world-destroying series of events happening. He explains that Daken seduces him and manipulates him into sacrificing the other X-Men before betraying him and gaining [[Thanos]]-level powers. Bobby is adamant that this will not happen and the two engage in battle. [[Jean Grey]] arrives and Bobby finally confronts her for the actions of her younger self when she outed him. Bobby explains to Ice Wizard that he is going to live life on his terms and that nobody, not even his future self, is going to decide for him. Bobby returns to his birthday celebration where Christian arrives and hands him a large sum of money which Bobby gives to the Morlocks. A content Bobby messages Judah, asking if he would like to meet up as friends.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men: Winter's End''</ref>

===Hellfire Gala and The Astonishing Iceman===

Bobby was one of the first casualties of the third annual [[Hellfire Gala]], in which he did battle with Nimrod. He had gained the upper hand in the fight at first, only to be injected with cellular napalm that literally melted him into nothing before the horrified eyes of Kitty Pryde and Romeo. But sometime later, it was shown that Romeo had used his Inhuman powers and his emotional connection to Bobby to re-integrate him and restore him to life. However, his physical and mental cohesion is reliant on his proximity to Romeo.<ref>''The Astonishing Iceman'' #1</ref>

==Powers and abilities==

Iceman possesses the power to instantly decrease the temperature of ambient [[water vapor]] in his immediate environment to below zero degrees Celsius, thereby freezing it into ice.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Scoot |date=2021-06-15 |title=The 15 Strongest Omega-Level X-Men, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-strongest-omega-level-mutants-ranked/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> He is able to make ice that will not break unless he wills it to. In this manner he is able to quickly form a great variety of ice structures, including projectiles, shields, ladders, baseball bats, etc. Iceman often makes ice slides which form rapidly beneath and behind his feet, moving him along the slick surface at high speeds.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |date=2017-06-28 |title=Why Iceman Would Be a Great Gay Boyfriend |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/28/why-iceman-would-be-a-great-gay-boyfriend |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> He is also able to form exceedingly complicated structures within relative short time, such as miniature cities.<ref name="Uncanny319">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #319</ref> Originally, Iceman's own body temperature would lower dramatically when his powers were active, reaching {{convert|-105|°F|°C|abbr=on}} within a few tenths of a second (now his body usually converts to organic ice; see below). Iceman is immune to sub-zero temperatures; he is also able to perceive the [[thermal energy]] level of objects around him. Because [[cold]] is the absence of heat, Iceman does not actually 'emanate' cold; rather, he decreases thermal energy. As mentioned by writer [[Mike Carey (writer)|Mike Carey]], Iceman is "an [[Omega-level mutant]]&nbsp;... [and] has powers that can influence the ecosystem of the entire world."<ref name="Carey"/><ref name=":4" /> Iceman has yet to tap into his full mutant potential, but over the years he has taken more interest in developing his abilities.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Chand |first=Neeraj |date=2019-08-23 |title=X-Men: 10 Times Iceman Earned His Status As An Omega-Level Mutant |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-iceman-earned-status-omega-level-mutant/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

In his early appearances, Iceman generally covered his body in a thick layer of what appeared to be snow; hence he looked more like a traditional snowman than an ice-man. Upon further training in the use of his powers, he was able to fashion an armor of solid ice around his body when using his powers, which afforded him some degree of protection against concussive force and projectiles. Later on, he manifested the ability to convert the tissue of his body into organic ice. He sometimes augments his organic ice form with razor sharp adornments to his shoulders, elbows, knees, and fists. Iceman has also been able to move rapidly to another distant location while in his organic ice form, being able to deposit his bodily mass into a river and reconstitute his entire mass a great distance away in a matter of minutes (by temporarily merging his molecules with those of the river). On one occasion, Iceman suffered a severe chest injury while in his ice form and was able to heal himself by converting back into his normal human form.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=February 2011}}

Iceman is also able to reconstitute his organic ice form if any part of it is damaged, or even if it is completely shattered, without permanently harming himself.<ref name=":4" /> He can temporarily add the mass of a body of water to his own, increasing his mass, size, and strength. He can survive not only as ice, but as liquid water and water vapor. He can also transform his body from a gaseous state back to a solid, although it is physically and mentally taxing.<ref name="X-Men vol. 2 #190"/><ref>''X-Men'' #193</ref> Iceman can also freeze sea water, as seen during the "[[Operation: Zero Tolerance]]" [[story arc]]. While he usually does not use his powers in lethal ways, his powers are so vast that they extend to the molecular level, to the point that he can freeze all of the molecules of an object/being with a thought; he once froze every single molecule of water within the body of [[Legion (Marvel Comics)|David Haller]].<ref>''X-Men'' #41</ref> Iceman is also able to dissolve his own icy constructs.<ref name="Uncanny319"/>

Iceman's powers were pushed to their limit while possessed by Emma Frost, who used Iceman to discover the fate of her [[Hellions (Marvel Comics)|Hellions]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=2020-04-29 |title=The X-Men's Iceman Has A Secret Superpower |url=https://screenrant.com/xmen-iceman-secret-power-shapeshifter/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> During this time Iceman was able to control all forms of moisture, freeze fluids inside people's bodies, travel as a liquid, solid or gas. Not even the combined might of the X-Men Gold team was able to stop Emma Frost in Iceman's body.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #313–314</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Taylor |date=2022-10-11 |title=Emma Frost Proved Iceman's Powers Can Make Him a Mutant God |url=https://screenrant.com/emma-frost-iceman-body-swap-powers-mutant-god/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> Following this, Bobby confronted Emma about how she was able to use his powers so effectively. While together they made some initial progress, she refused to train him further.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #331">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #331</ref> Instead he turned to Storm because they share similar elemental powers and she agreed to tutor him.<ref>''X-Men'' #48</ref>

When Iceman was injected with Mister Sinister's neuro-inhibitor by Mystique, he was able to save himself by drawing in all of the ambient moisture around him, rapidly replacing his poisoned cells with healthy material before the injection could kill him.<ref name="X-Men: Manifest Destiny #3">''X-Men: Manifest Destiny'' #3</ref><ref name=":8" />

During the 2013–2014 "[[Battle of the Atom]]" storyline, Iceman's future self revealed that he has the ability to create semi-independent ice structures that can act on their own,<ref name="WolX37">''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #37</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Corley |first=Shaun |date=2021-12-04 |title=Iceman Finally Proves Why He's The X-Men's Strongest Mutant |url=https://screenrant.com/iceman-mutant-strongest-xmen-fin-fang-foom/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> although one of these structures—demonstrating a Hulk-like physique and intellect—has gone on to join the future version of the Brotherhood.<ref name="WolX38">''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #38</ref>

Aside from his superhuman powers, Iceman is also a fair hand-to-hand combatant, and received combat training at Xavier's School as well as coaching from the [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]] and [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] while serving with the [[Champions (1975 team)|Champions of Los Angeles]]. Iceman has taken as much combat training as Cyclops or Beast.<ref name="Carey">Richards, Dave (28 August 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080829010140/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=17883 "Carey on 'Manifest Destiny' and 'X-Men Origins: Beast'"]. [[Comic Book Resources]].</ref>

==Characterization==

===Personality===
According to writer Mike Carey "one of Iceman's best personality traits is that emotionally Bobby Drake is like the ice he manipulates—not cold but transparent. 'He's devastatingly honest. He is very up-front with his emotions and his thoughts all the time.'"<ref name="Carey"/> "Also, he's obviously incredibly brave both in terms of facing external, physical danger as well as facing up to unpleasant situations and admitting his own mistakes."<ref name="Carey"/>

===Friendships and relationships===
Iceman first briefly dated the waitress [[Zelda Kurtzberg]], but stopped seeing her. Iceman had a long term relationship with a Japanese-American New Yorker named Opal Tanaka. He subsequently exhibited strong feelings for his fellow X-Man [[Polaris (Marvel Comics)|Polaris]], but she did not return those feelings, due to her feelings towards [[Havok (character)|Havok]]. [[Northstar (character)|Northstar]] developed an unrequited crush for Iceman during their time on the same team, though Iceman never did find out about this.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #415">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #415</ref> Iceman later had a brief relationship with the Xavier School's nurse, Annie, but she eventually left him for Havok, who had just left Polaris at the altar.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #426">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #426</ref> When Iceman attempted to rekindle his relationship with Polaris, that too ended abruptly, and Polaris returned to Havok.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #429"/> Iceman then had a relationship with the X-Men's enemy Mystique, who later betrayed him, despite her continued fixation on him, in as much as she stated that she would either kill him or cure him of his personal uncertainty.<ref name="X-Men: Manifest Destiny #3"/> He had a relationship with Kitty Pryde.<ref>''Wolverine and the X-Men'' #5-36</ref>

Since coming out, Iceman has had brief relationships and encounters with a number of men, including the human Judah Miller,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gustines |first1=George Gene |title=Iceman Came Out. Now He's Coming Back in His Own Series. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/books/iceman-new-comic-book-series.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |date=28 June 2018 |access-date=9 December 2025}}</ref> fellow mutant [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Simon Lasker]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zatat |first1=Narjas |title=Fans are loving a gay sex scene between Pyro and Iceman in the newest X-Men Gold issue |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/17/fans-are-loving-a-gay-sex-scene-between-pyro-and-iceman-in-the-newest-x-men-gold-issue-7726800/ |website=metro.co.uk |date=17 July 2018 |publisher=Metro |access-date=9 December 2025}}</ref> and Inhuman Romeo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schlesinger |first1=Alex |title=Iceman Is Bringing the Inhumans Back to Marvel With Amazing New Costume |url=https://screenrant.com/astonishing-iceman-boyfriend-new-costume-inhuman-romeo/ |website=screenrant.com |date=28 June 2023 |publisher=Screen Rant |access-date=9 December 2025}}</ref>

Iceman has long-lasting friendships with [[Spider-Man]], [[Firestar (Marvel Comics)|Firestar]] and the [[Human Torch]], as well the original team of X-Men, particularly Beast and Angel.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zachary |first1=Brandon |title=X-Men: Iceman's Last Words Reveal His Feelings About Beast |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-iceman-last-words-tragedy-marvel/ |website=cbr.com |date=13 August 2023 |publisher=CBR |access-date=9 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Smalls |first1=Justin |title=The 10 Best X-Men Friendships of All Time, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/best-x-men-friendships-ranked/ |website=cbr.com |date=28 November 2024 |publisher=CBR |access-date=9 December 2025}}</ref>

===Sexuality===
In ''All-New X-Men'' #40, the time-displaced Iceman is revealed to be gay, which eventually forces the youth to confront the adult version of himself about the matter. As both speak, the adult Iceman confirms the fact and that he had put all his energy into just being an X-Man as he could not cope with being a mutant and gay simultaneously. With the help of his younger self and Jean Grey, however, he finally comes to terms with his own sexuality,<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #600"/> and comes out to fellow gay X-Man [[Anole (character)|Anole]] in ''Extraordinary X-Men'' #6. The end of the Extermination X-Men event saw the redirecting of the time displaced version of Bobby back into the "closet" when he returned to his original timeline alongside the other X-Men, due to a mind lock by Jean Grey. In the present day, the current version retains both sets of memories and remains an out gay man.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/extermination-x-men-breakdown/|title=Extermination: Every Major Change Made to the X-Men|date=28 December 2018|website=CBR}}</ref>

== Cultural impact and legacy ==

=== Critical reception ===
Peter Eckhardt of ''[[CBR.com]]'' referred to Iceman as "the biggest name amongst queer X-Men," writing, "Iceman is an Omega-Level mutant and a longtime fan-favorite character. Iceman was only recently revealed as gay in a story handled somewhat clumsily in 2014's ''All-New X-Men #40'' (written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Mahmud Asrar). Nevertheless, writers as far back as the 1980s hinted that Bobby was gay, particularly in the 1990s when Iceman struggled with his sense of identity. Today, Iceman's story inspires and excites those looking for anything from understanding their own identity to epic, ice-based colossi."<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Eckhardt |first=Peter |date=2022-06-06 |title=X-Men: 10 Queer and Awesome Mutants |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-queer-awesome-mutants/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> Mey Rude of ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' stated, "While Northstar was the first out gay superhero in a Marvel comic, Iceman is his more famous gay X-Men teammate. Bobby Drake didn't come out until just recently in the comics, following some time travel shenanigans, but he's already become a gay favorite."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.out.com/celebs/2022/1/21/sexy-gay-dc-marvel-superheroes-olly-alexander-years-and-years-should-play 
|title=9 Sexy & Queer Superheroes We'd Love To See Olly Alexander Play |date=January 21, 2022 |website=Out |access-date=April 2, 2025 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122095225/https://www.out.com/celebs/2022/1/21/sexy-gay-dc-marvel-superheroes-olly-alexander-years-and-years-should-play |archive-date=January 22, 2022}}</ref> Alyssa Gawaran of ''[[MovieWeb]]'' said, "Iceman, also a big part of the X-Men in the Marvel Comics, is one of the more groundbreaking LGBTQ+ characters in Marvel. Iceman broke boundaries in the franchise as he became the first-ever gay leading superhero to headline a comic, the "coming out moment" reported in a 2015 ''Vox'' article. Marvel has recently released ''Marauders Annual #1'' that features a very heartwarming prom segment between Bobby Drake (Iceman) and his boyfriend, a new face to the comics, Christian Frost."<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Gawaran |first=Alyssa |date=2022-06-20 |title=8 LGBTQ+ Marvel Comics Characters That Need to Be in the MCU |url=https://movieweb.com/marvel-comics-lgbtq-characters-mcu/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=MovieWeb |language=en-US}}</ref> Joshua Yehl of ''[[IGN]]'' described Iceman as "the perfect gay boyfriend," saying, "Bobby isn't out to be the biggest, baddest guy around. He's a more grounded and relatable guy, and while he often broadcasts his cocky attitude and wisecracking humor during battle, he's proven time and time again that his heart is in the right place when it comes to being there for his teammates. There's something incredibly charming about a guy who could become the Indomitable Iceman, laying waste to enemies with his icy wrath, yet he chooses to stay boy-next-door Bobby Drake, a funny, self-sacrificing guy who values being a friend and hero over becoming the most powerful guy in the room. Being gay has a lot in common with being a mutant, as excellently displayed during Iceman's “coming out” scene in X2: X-Men United. You're born that way, you will face bullying and discrimination for it, and those who claim to be your friends and family may turn their backs on you because of it. Bobby's experiences as both a mutant and an out gay man would make him an incredibly empathetic and understanding partner, one who would share his feelings and be there to help with yours. So even though he may not be the strongest mutant around, he'd be a hero to you in every way that counts."<ref name=":7" />

=== Accolades ===

* In 2014, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' ranked Iceman 27th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Franich |first1=Darren |title=Let's rank every X-Man ever |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/21/x-men-best-worst/ |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=EW.com |language=en|date=June 9, 2022}}</ref>
* In 2016, ''[[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]]'' included Iceman in their "10 queer superheroes who changed the face of comics" list.<ref name=":1" />
* In 2018, ''[[The Daily Dot]]'' ranked Iceman 7th in their "Top 12 LGBTQ superheroes in DC and Marvel comics" list.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Baker-Whitelaw |first=Gavia |date=2018-12-11 |title=The top 12 LGBTQ superheroes in DC and Marvel comics |url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/lgbtq-gay-superheroes/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=The Daily Dot |language=en-US}}</ref>
* In 2019, ''[[BBC]]'' included Iceman in their "Five LGBTQ+ superheroes you need to know about" list.<ref name=":0" />
* In 2020, ''[[Gay Times]]'' included Iceman in their "13 queer superheroes we need to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe" list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-12 |title=13 queer superheroes we need to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/13-lgbtq-characters-we-need-to-see-in-the-marvel-cinematic-universe/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=GAY TIMES |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* In 2022, ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' ranked Iceman 9th in their "10 Most Powerful X-Men of All Time" list.<ref name=":4" />
* In 2022, ''[[MovieWeb]]'' ranked Iceman 4th in their "8 LGBTQ+ Marvel Comics Characters That Need to Be in the MCU" list.<ref name=":10" />
* In 2022, ''[[Digital Trends]]'' ranked Iceman 10th in their "Marvel's most powerful mutants" list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-22 |title=Marvel's most powerful mutants, ranked weakest to strongest |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/most-powerful-marvel-mutants-ranked/ |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}}</ref>

== Literary reception ==

=== Volumes ===

==== ''Iceman and Angel'' - 2011 ====
According to [[Diamond Comic Distributors]], ''Iceman and Angel'' #1 was the 161st best selling comic book in March 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2011/2011-03.html |title=March 2011 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |website=The Comic Chronicles |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411235953/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2011/2011-03.html |archive-date=April 11, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 300 Comics Actual--March 2011 |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/19837/top-300-comics-actual-march-2011 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref>

Ryan K. Lindsay of ''[[CBR.com]]'' called ''Iceman and Angel'' #1 "as much fun as you want, but as pithy as you expect too," asserting, "A one-shot should be a comic that stands on its own, and this issue certainly does that. It needs to give you enough narrative meat to feel like the money was well invested, and this issue mostly does that. It should elicit some form of strong reaction from you in the few pages it has, and this issue works hard to make you laugh and is more successful than not. See Namor score some bagels and Googam become a broheim. It's not earth shattering but it is solid fun and sometimes that's just what you need. Pick up this comic and feel the freedom of old funny done-in-one comics just like they did when you were a kid where the parts add up to greater than the actual whole."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lindsay |first=Ryan K. |date=2011-03-20 |title=Iceman & Angel #1 |url=https://www.cbr.com/iceman-angel-1/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> David Brothers of ''[[ComicsAlliance]]'' ranked ''Iceman and Angel'' #1 10th in their "10 Top Marvel Comics Coming in March 2011," saying, "One of the best things we don't see much of any more is the relationship between the original X-Men. The modern series is all about hard decisions, hard edges, and hard core self protection, but back in the day, they were just a bunch of kids who hung out together. Iceman and Angel in particular were pretty fun together, because one was a goofball and the other was a self-styled ladies man. Brian Clevinger has proven that he can do stories like this, where he takes a slice of time and expands on it in a meaningful way, and Juan Doe is a pretty great artist. Add in GOOM, a classic Marvel villain, and you've got a story that I think is going to be a pretty good read. ''X-Men First Class'' may be dead in name, but these one-shots are doing a pretty good job of keeping the feeling alive."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brothers |first=David|title=The 10 Top Marvel Comics Coming in March 2011 |url=https://comicsalliance.com/marvel-comics-march-2011/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=ComicsAlliance |date=28 December 2010 |language=en}}</ref>

==== ''Iceman'' - 2017 ====
According to [[Diamond Comic Distributors]], ''Iceman'' #1 was the 62nd best selling comic book in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/197110-Top-100-Comics-June-2017 |title=Top 100 Comics: June 2017 |website=Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc |language=en |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324095437/http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/197110-Top-100-Comics-June-2017 |archive-date=March 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017/2017-06.html |title=June 2017 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |website=Comichron |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813173757/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017/2017-06.html |archive-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 300 Comics Actual--June 2017 |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/37977/top-300-comics-actual-june-2017 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref> ''Iceman'' #1 was the 655-656th best selling comic book in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 1000 Comics--2017, Part 2 |url=https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/39360/top-1000-comics-2017-part-2 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017.html |title=2017 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |website=Comichron |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129213024/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017.html |archive-date=January 29, 2017}}</ref>

Matthew Aguilar of ''[[ComicBook.com]]'' gave ''Iceman'' #1 a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, writing, "On the art side of things, the book is a mixed bag. Alessandro Vitti's pencils and Rachelle Rosenberg's colors shine when ice is involved in some form or fashion, as referenced early and later in the book. In the middle, though things get a bit muddy, and the facial expressions suffer. Not enough to detract in a huge way, but the book definitely improves when Drake is in his ice form. Overall writer Sina Grace is off to an excellent start here, providing a refreshing look into a fan favorite character that has always been more than his powers but needed someone to bring that out of him. It looks like this time is up for the task."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iceman #1 Review - Living Up To His Potential |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/iceman-1-review/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Marvel |date=5 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Jesse Schedeen of ''[[IGN]]'' gave ''Iceman'' #1 a grade of 7.8 out of 10, stating, "''Iceman'' #1 doesn't make the strongest case for this series as an ongoing story, as it could just as easily be a standalone one-shot starring the frozen X-Man. But it's a very well-executed story regardless, one that showcases Bobby Drake's crazy personal life while still making the most of his incredible powers. Iceman is shaping up to be a worthy addition to the ResurrXion lineup."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=2017-06-07 |title=Iceman #1 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/07/iceman-1-review |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

==== ''Iceman'' - 2018 ====
According to [[Diamond Comic Distributors]], ''Iceman'' #1 was the 43rd best selling comic book in September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/219726-Top-100-Comics-September-2018 |title=Top 100 Comics: September 2018 |website=Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc |access-date=April 2, 2025 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022054546/http://www.diamondcomics.com/Article/219726-Top-100-Comics-September-2018 |archive-date=October 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2018/2018-09.html |title=September 2018 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |website=Comichron |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716174250/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2018/2018-09.html |archive-date=July 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Top 500 Comics--September 2018 |url=https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/41597/top-500-comics-september-2018 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref> ''Iceman'' #1 was the 508th best selling comic book in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2018.html |title=2018 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |website=Comichron |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128125315/https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2018.html |archive-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/42261/top-1000-comics-2018 |title=Top 1000 Comics--2018 |website=ICV2 |language=en |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924221807/https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/42261/top-1000-comics-2018 |archive-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

Jamie Lovett of ''[[ComicBook.com|Comicook.com]]'' called ''Iceman'' #1 a "well-crafted book," saying,"''Iceman'' #1 is a stellar return. Most impressive is how the issue is completely capable of standing alone, but also seeds an exciting story to come. Even a casual X-Men fan will recognize the deadliness of the threat behind this issue's attempts to recreate the "Mutant Massacre." Longtime X-Men fans, and fans of Iceman, in particular, will get something extra out of the last page reveal of who's waiting for Bobby at home. ''Iceman'' #1 is a triumphant return for an underappreciated series. The longer Sina Grace writes Bobby Drake, the more Iceman develops into a truly compelling, relatable leading man. Grace found the perfect artistic partners in Nathan Stockman and Frederico Blee. Here's hoping Iceman gets more of the attention it deserves the second time around."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review: 'Iceman' #1 Slides Back Into Action Without Missing a Beat |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/iceman-1-review-marvel-x-men/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Marvel |date=12 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Maite Molina of ''[[ComicsVerse]]'' gave ''Iceman'' #1 a score of 80%, asserting, "''Iceman'' #1 is a resolute start to a new run. Thanks to some palpable character development and an intriguing plot, the issue succeeds in gripping a reader's attention. The stage has been set for some intriguing new story arcs, ones that will feature some familiar, sinister villains. Hopefully, Bobby Drake is ready for these impending challenges, ones that he may not even see coming."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molina |first=Maite |date=September 12, 2018 |title=Iceshop Saves the Day in ICEMAN #1! |url=https://comicsverse.com/iceman-1-review/ |website=[[ComicsVerse]]}}</ref>

==Other versions==

===Time-displaced Iceman===
====All-New X-Men====
[[File:All_new_x-men_iceman.jpg|thumb|The young time-displaced Iceman by Stuart Immonen]]
{{Main|All-New X-Men}}

Following the [[Avengers Vs. X-Men|war with the Phoenix Five]], as Cyclops begins to lash out against government oppression of mutants, a chance comment by Bobby about how the old Cyclops would not tolerate what he is currently doing inspires Beast to travel back in time and recruit [[Uncanny X-Men#1963–1970: Original run|the original five X-Men]] to stop Cyclops.<ref>''All-New X-Men'' #1</ref> The team decides to stay in the present instead of returning into the past.<ref>''All-New X-Men'' #4</ref> They are now called the [[All-New X-Men]] and led by [[Kitty Pryde]].{{Volume needed|c=y|date=June 2016}} The past and present Bobby are particularly shocked when they see each other. The younger Bobby is especially shocked by the older Bobby's Omega level powers, like creating ice golems, and especially his future "Ice Wizard" self in the [[Battle of the Atom]].<ref>''All-New X-Men'' #2</ref> Eventually he and the All-New X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy travel to the Shi'ar empire to rescue Jean Grey from a trial for the genocide that her future Dark Phoenix self committed.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=June 2016}}

Later, the younger, time-displaced Bobby is forced to confront being gay by his teammate, Jean, who privately asks him why he calls women "hot", when she knows via her psychic abilities that he is gay.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-06 |title=Marvel's Iceman Series Is Everything I Love and Hate About Coming Out Stories |url=https://gizmodo.com/marvels-iceman-series-is-everything-i-love-and-hate-abo-1800704227 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Gizmodo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gustines |first=George Gene |date=2018-06-28 |title=Iceman Came Out. Now He's Coming Back in His Own Series. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/books/iceman-new-comic-book-series.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This causes the younger Bobby to speculate as to the complicated identity issues faced by his older self and the decisions his older self may have made in the time between them.<ref name="All-New X-Men #40">''All-New X-Men'' #40</ref> Together with the young Jean, the young Bobby confronts his older self, who admits to being gay, having 'concealed' that part of himself so that he could have avoid being prejudiced against for another part of himself.<ref name="Uncanny X-Men #600">''The Uncanny X-Men'' #600</ref>

Bobby joins the time-displaced Cyclops, Angel and Beast, as well as [[Kid Apocalypse]], [[All-New Wolverine]], and [[Oya (comics)|Oya]] as they road-trip around America trying to make their own mark on the world. Bobby is initially reluctant to talk about his sexuality with his teammates until Oya and Kid Apocalypse take him to a gay club in an attempt to make him more comfortable. He embarrasses himself and runs into Romeo, an Inhuman with the ability to manipulate and feel others' emotions. Romeo makes Bobby more comfortable and the two begin a relationship.<ref>''All-New X-Men'' vol. 2 #13</ref> The two are later caught in the middle when [[Inhumans vs. X-Men|the X-Men declare war on the Inhumans]].{{Volume needed|c=y|date=May 2019}} Bobby joins the X-Men when they attack New [[Attilan]], but quickly breaks off from the battle to find Romeo, with the two escaping together.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=May 2019}}

====X-Men Blue====
{{Main|X-Men Blue}}

After the [[Inhumans vs. X-Men|X-Men's war against the Inhumans for the Terrigen]] ends, Iceman joins the rest of the young X-Men on an attempted return to their original timeline but they quickly realize that theirs is not part of the [[Earth-616]] timeline, leaving them stuck in the present day with no knowledge where they were originally from.<ref>''All-New X-Men'' vol. 3 #19</ref> Upon learning this, Iceman joins the rest of the young X-Men and leaves the rest of the X-Men to find their place in the world.<ref>''X-Men: Prime'' #1</ref> Iceman joins Magneto in [[Madripoor]] along with the rest of the time-displaced X-Men; however, due to a lack of trust in their new leader, the X-Men make plans and train in case Magneto returns to his former villainous ways to kill them. Instead of training with his teammates, Iceman spends most of his time trying to reach out to Romeo unsuccessfully, placing him into a stupor.<ref>''X-Men: Blue'' #2</ref>

The time-displaced X-Men continue fighting crime in the present day although following a battle with the [[Brotherhood of Mutants]] from an alternate timeline, they are disheartened to realize that they must eventually return to their original time. This particularly upsets Bobby who is sad that all of their growth as people will be undone once they go back. While the team are in space working alongside [[Venom (character)|Venom]] to defeat the Poisons, a race of mind-controlling [[Symbiote (comics)|symbiotes]], Magneto attacks several [[Hellfire Club (comics)|Hellfire Club]] parties searching for [[Emma Frost]]. The X-Men find her first and offer to protect her from Magneto although they quickly discover that he had taken mutant growth hormones to enhance his powers and, rather than kill the team he has mentored, Magneto leaves. Jean senses that they must return to their own time period soon and the X-Men have heart-to-hearts with their adult selves. During a game of pool with older Iceman, Bobby breaks down, knowing that his memory of the present must be erased and he will be forced back into the closet and, despite Iceman's best efforts to convince his younger self that he will grow up to be someone awesome, Bobby admits that he likes the person he has already become but that remaining that person is no longer an option. As the team prepare to leave, a news report announces that Magneto has formed a new brotherhood, leading the X-Men to decide to stay in the present for a little while longer.<ref>''X-Men Blue'' #29-36</ref>

====Extermination====
{{Main|Extermination (comics)}}

While en route to help young Cyclops, Bobby is attacked by a mysterious assailant but is rescued by [[Cable (character)|Cable]], who urges him to flee. Iceman refuses but is incapacitated and captured while Cable is killed. Young Jean attempts to use [[Cerebro]] to locate Bobby but states that she is unable to find him. In a secret lab, the man who attacked Bobby is revealed to be a time-displaced version of Cable who has him locked up in a tube.<ref>''Extermination'' #1</ref> Kitty gathers all of the X-Men, who split into four teams tasked with protecting one of the remaining time-displaced X-Men. Young Jean uses her telepathy to guide her team to young Cable's base, where he admits to murdering his older self because he had failed in his mission to maintain the timeline by allowing the young X-Men to stay in the present for so long. They discover that Cable has been genetically modifying young Iceman so that he looks the way he looked when he left his original time period. He releases Bobby and teleports them all to [[Atlantis (Marvel Comics)|Atlantis]], where [[Ahab (comics)|Ahab]] is attempting to kill young Cyclops so that the timeline can never be restored. The X-Men are overwhelmed by Ahab's forces and Cable convinces the young X-Men that they must return home immediately in order to save the others. Young Iceman breaks down to his older self, admitting he does not want to be forced back into the closet but the present day Bobby tells him that his younger self finally allowed him to accept that he was gay and promises that he will be finally be able to be himself when he grows up. Cable then sends the X-Men back to their original time, informing them that everything will return to normal once they officially close the time loop. In 1964, the young X-Men change into their original clothes and young Jean performs a mind wipe so that they will not remember their time in the present day. Jean informs them that she locked their memories away so that, once the loop is closed, their older selves will regain those memories. The founding X-Men inherit the memories of their younger selves, allowing them to defeat Ahab. Returned to their original time, the young X-Men forget about their time in the present and are greeted by Professor Xavier.<ref>''Extermination'' #2-5</ref>

==="Age of Apocalypse"===
{{Main|Age of Apocalypse}}

An alternate universe version of Iceman appears in "[[Age of Apocalypse]]". This version is a member of the X-Men who was trained by [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]].<ref>''X-Men Chronicles'' #1</ref> Iceman is capable of breaking down his body and merging it with another body of water to travel great distances in a matter of seconds.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=May 2012}}

Iceman returns in the ''[[Uncanny X-Force]]'' arc "The Dark Angel Saga", when the title team is forced to travel to the AoA reality.<ref name="auto"/> He abandons the X-Men during a battle with the minions of Weapon X, who had by this time been transformed into that world's new Apocalypse, a defection later revealed to be the result of Iceman having lost faith in his X-Men's ability to save their world. He is soon brought to Earth-616 by [[Dark Beast (Marvel Comics)|Dark Beast]], where he joins forces with [[Warren Worthington III|Archangel]] on his quest to eradicate all life on Earth and create a new evolution process.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=December 2011}} Tired of seeing the people he cared about being killed fighting what he thought to be an unwinnable war, Iceman agrees to help Archangel – despite the latter's now being the mainstream Marvel Universe's version of Drake's X-Men's arch-enemy, Apocalypse – in exchange for transport to Earth-616.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=October 2012}}

After X-Force defeats Archangel, Iceman manages to escape with Dark Beast and most of Archangel's other minions, but eventually breaks away from them and goes into hiding, living a life of hedonistic bliss in [[Madripoor]]. The "Age of Apocalypse" version of Nightcrawler – who, after being brought to Earth-616 along with the rest of his world's X-Men to help take down Archangel, decided to stay behind there in order to track down and kill the various villains who also came to the mainstream Marvel Universe – eventually tracks Iceman down to execute him for treason. Nightcrawler is overwhelmed by Iceman's avatars, but eventually forces him into a factory boiler room, where there is not enough moisture in the air for him to effectively use his powers. Nightcrawler shoves Iceman into an incinerator, killing him.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=May 2012}}

==="Battle of the Atom"===
In an alternate future depicted in the "[[Battle of the Atom]]" storyline, Iceman develops the ability to create semi-independent ice structures that can act on their own. One of these structures, a structure called Ice Thing possessing a Hulk-like physique and intellect, goes on to join the future version of the Brotherhood.<ref name="WolX37"/>

==="House of M"===
An alternate universe version of Iceman appears in "[[House of M]]". This version is a member of the [[Horsemen of Apocalypse]] who joined the group after Apocalypse rescued him from a mutant internment camp that his parents had sent him to.<ref>''Black Panther'' vol. 4 #7</ref>

===Ultimate Marvel===
In the [[Ultimate Marvel]] continuity, Bobby Drake is the youngest founding member of the [[Ultimate X-Men|X-Men]]. He ran away from his family at the peak of government-supported [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]] attacks, fearing his family would be killed in such an attack.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}} During the ''World Tour'' arc, Iceman is injured by [[Proteus (Marvel Comics)|Proteus]], which results in his parents filing a lawsuit against Xavier.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}} Bobby eventually rebels against his parents, and later returns to the X-Men.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}}

While Bobby is away from the X-Men on a vacation, he had a girlfriend, but [[Professor X|Professor Xavier]] erased all memories of her from Bobby's mind when he told her too much about the X-Men.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}} Upon her acceptance into the X-Men, Bobby begins to date Rogue.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}} Bobby and Rogue eventually break up due to their respective attractions towards [[Kitty Pryde#Ultimate Marvel|Shadowcat]] and [[Gambit (Marvel Comics)#Ultimate Marvel|Gambit]].{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}} Eventually Rogue leaves, and Bobby starts to date Shadowcat.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2012}}

Later, Bobby Drake is kicked out of his home for being a mutant. With nowhere else to go, Kitty suggests to [[Aunt May#Ultimate Marvel|Aunt May]] that he move in with her, [[Spider-Man (Ultimate Marvel character)|Peter Parker]], [[Gwen Stacy#Other versions|Gwen Stacy]], and [[Human Torch#Other versions|Johnny Storm]]. May agrees and enrolls Bobby at Midtown High, posing as Peter's cousin.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=January 2014}}

==In other media==
===Television===
[[File:Iceman (Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends).png|thumb|right|upright|Iceman as he appeared in ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends''.]]
* Iceman appears in the "[[Namor|Sub-Mariner]]" segment of ''[[The Marvel Super Heroes]]'', voiced by Tom Harvey.<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Iceman Voices (X-Men) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/X-Men/Iceman/ |access-date=26 September 2018 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref> This version is a member of the Allies for Peace.
* Iceman appears in ''[[Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends]]'', voiced by [[Frank Welker]].<ref name="btva"/> This version is a government agent codenamed "Windchill Factor Zero", founding member of the Spider-Friends, and former member of the X-Men.
* Iceman appears in ''[[X-Men: The Animated Series]]'', voiced by [[Jesse Collins]].<ref name="btva"/> This version is a former member of the X-Men who quit due to disagreements with [[Charles Xavier]] and was previously in a relationship with [[Polaris (Marvel Comics)|Polaris]].
* Iceman appears in ''[[X-Men: Evolution]]'', voiced by [[Andrew Francis]].<ref name="btva"/> This version is the unofficial leader of the X-Men's junior team, the [[New Mutants]].
* Iceman appears in ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men (TV series)|Wolverine and the X-Men]]'', voiced by [[Yuri Lowenthal]].<ref name="btva"/> This version is a member of the X-Men.
* Iceman appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'' episode "Mysterious Mayhem at Mutant High!", voiced by [[Shawn Ashmore]].<ref name="btva"/> This version is the Xavier Academy's class clown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0907/28/voices.htm |title=Comics Continuum: Marvel Super Hero Squad Voice Cast |website=Comics Continuum |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731111809/http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0907/28/voices.htm |archive-date=31 July 2009}}</ref>
* Iceman appears in ''[[Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers]]'', voiced by [[Yuki Tai]] in the Japanese version and again by Yuri Lowenthal in the English version.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of the X-Men.
* Iceman appears in ''Lego Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition'', voiced by [[Scott Porter]].<ref name="btva" />

===Film===
[[File:Movieiceman.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Bobby Drake/Iceman as portrayed by [[Shawn Ashmore]] in ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'']]
[[List of X-Men film series characters#Bobby Drake/Iceman|Iceman]] appears in [[20th Century Fox]]'s [[X-Men (film series)|''X-Men'' film series]], portrayed by [[Shawn Ashmore]]. This version is a student at the Xavier Institute.
* First appearing in ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'', he is one of the first students to befriend [[Rogue (Marvel Comics)|Rogue]], with whom he enters a relationship.
* In ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]'', he displays an uneasy friendship with classmate [[Pyro (Marvel Comics)|Pyro]], who goes on to join [[Magneto (film character)|Magneto]]'s [[Brotherhood of Mutants|Brotherhood]], and a strained relationship with his family, with his brother turning him in to the police for being a mutant.
* In ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'', Iceman's relationship with Rogue deteriorates due in part to involvement from their classmate [[Kitty Pryde]]. He later battles and defeats Pyro in combat while helping the X-Men protect a facility in [[Alcatraz]] that had created a "mutant cure".
* In a dystopian future depicted in ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BryanSinger/status/324237075299856384 |title=تويتر / BryanSinger: Tracking @ShawnRAshmore #XMen |website=twitter.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407115203/https://twitter.com/BryanSinger/status/324237075299856384 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Iceman's powers have grown stronger, though he is killed by a [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]]. In the "Rogue Cut", he is killed while helping Rogue and Magneto escape.<ref name="RogueCut">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2211098/x-men-rogue-cut-review/|title=Every Secret We Learned Watching The 'X-Men: Rogue Cut'|last=McNally|first=Victoria|date=12 July 2015|publisher=[[MTV.com]]|access-date=17 July 2015| url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230128164926/https://www.mtv.com/news/n7n050/x-men-rogue-cut-review | archive-date = 2023-01-28 }}</ref> In both versions of the film, Iceman is resurrected after Pryde and [[Logan (film character)|Wolverine]] alter the timeline.

===Video games===
* Iceman appears as a bonus level boss in ''[[Fantastic Four (1997 video game)|Fantastic Four]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iceman (Character) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/iceman/4005-1464/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[X-Men: Children of the Atom (arcade game)|X-Men: Children of the Atom]]'', voiced by Cathal Dodd.<ref>{{Cite web|title=X-Men: Children of the Atom (Video Game 1994)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212622/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt|access-date=2021-10-09|website=IMDb}}</ref>
* Iceman appears in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes Cheats, Codes, and Secrets for Arcade Games - GameFAQs |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/562630-marvel-vs-capcom-clash-of-super-heroes/cheats |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=gamefaqs.gamespot.com}}</ref>
* Iceman appears in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Henry|date=2009-05-05|title=The 56 characters of Marvel vs Capcom 2|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-56-characters-of-marvel-vs-capcom-2/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[X-Men Legends]]'', voiced by Darren Scott.<ref name="btva"/>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse]]'', voiced by [[James Arnold Taylor]].<ref name="btva"/>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]'',<ref name="MUA1">{{cite book |title=Marvel Ultimate Alliance: Signature Series Guide |first=Thom |last=Denick |publisher=Brady Games |location=Indianapolis, Indiana| isbn=0-7440-0844-1 |year=2006 |pages=14, 15}}</ref> voiced again by James Arnold Taylor.<ref name="btva"/> Additionally, his ''Age of Apocalypse'', classic suit, original comics suit, and ''New X-Men'' design appear as alternate skins.
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[X-Men: The Official Game]]'', voiced again by [[Shawn Ashmore]].<ref name="btva"/>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2]]'', voiced by [[Adam Bobrow]].<ref>[http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Adam-Bobrow Behind the Voice Actors: Adam Bobrow], behindthevoiceactors.com</ref>
* Iceman appears in [[Magneto (Marvel Comics)|Magneto]]'s ending in ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds]]''.
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad Online]]'', voiced by Antony Del Rio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marvel Super Hero Squad Online (Video Game 2011) |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1971469/fullcredits |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=IMDb}}</ref>
* Iceman appears in ''[[X-Men: Destiny]]'', voiced by [[Jason Marsden]].<ref name="btva"/>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lien |first=Tracey |date=2012-10-19 |title=Marvel Avengers Battle for Earth line-up includes Black Widow, Doctor Doom, Iron Man, Loki and more |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/19/3524806/marvel-avengers-battle-for-earth-line-up-include-black-widow-doctor |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Avengers Alliance]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Evolution of Iceman in Marvel Ultimate Alliance Games (2006 - 2019) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMKZ4y6N8qw |language=en |access-date=2022-04-21}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgLNwOjeq4I| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/SgLNwOjeq4I| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – Big Figure Trailer|date=20 July 2013|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Contest of Champions]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Iceman {{!}} Marvel Contest of Champions |url=https://playcontestofchampions.com/news/champion-spotlight-iceman/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=playcontestofchampions.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Two incarnations of Iceman appear as playable characters in ''[[Marvel Puzzle Quest]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.marvel.com/comics/25104/piecing_together_marvel_puzzle_quest_iceman/ |title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Iceman |access-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929183502/https://news.marvel.com/comics/25104/piecing_together_marvel_puzzle_quest_iceman/ |archive-date=29 September 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Iceman (Bobby Drake)|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-iceman-bobby-drake|access-date=2023-01-28|website=Marvel Entertainment}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]'', voiced by James Arnold Taylor.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=8684 |title=James Arnold TAYLOR |website=Anime News Network  |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910174531/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=8684 |archive-date=September 10, 2011}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''Marvel Powers United VR'', voiced by James Arnold Taylor.<ref name="btva"/>
* Iceman appears as a downloadable playable character in ''[[Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order]]'', voiced again by James Arnold Taylor.<ref name="btva" />
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel Super War]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MARVEL Super War- Marvel's first MOBA game on mobile |url=https://www.marvelsuperwar.com/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |website=Marvel Super War |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603105448/https://www.marvelsuperwar.com/ |archive-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref>
* Iceman appears as a playable character in ''[[Marvel: Future Fight]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Build Your Own Ultimate Marvel Team! |url=https://www.marvelfuturefight.com/en# |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=www.marvelfuturefight.com}}</ref>

===Miscellaneous===
* Iceman appears in the 1987 live adaptation of  [[Spider-Man's wedding (live performance)|Spider-Man's wedding]] to [[Mary Jane Watson|Mary Jane]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Gross, Michael|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/02/style/spider-man-to-wed-model.html|title=SPIDER-MAN TO WED MODEL|date= 2 June 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
* Iceman appears in the novelization for ''X-Men: The Last Stand'', in which he saves Pyro from [[Jean Grey (film character)|Phoenix]]'s destruction.

== Collected editions ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Title
!Material collected
!Published date
!ISBN
|-
|''X-Men: Iceman''
|''Iceman''  (vol.1) #1–4, ''Bizarre Adventures'' #27
|August 15, 2012
|{{ISBNT|978-0785162759}}
|-
|''X-Men Icons - Iceman''
|''Iceman'' (vol. 2) #1–4
|December 1, 2001
|{{ISBNT|978-0785108894}}
|-
|''X-Men: First Class - Class Portraits''
|''Ice Man and Angel'' #1 and ''Cyclops'' #1, ''Magneto'' #1, ''Marvel Girl'' #1; and material from ''Spider-Man Family'' #8-9, ''Marvel Comics Presents'' (vol. 2) #3
|April 20, 2011
|{{ISBNT|978-0785155591}}
|-
|''X-Men Origins: The Complete Collection''
|''X-Men Origins: Iceman'' and ''X-Men Origins: Colossus, Jean Grey, Beast, Wolverine, Sabretooth, Gambit, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Emma Frost,'' ''Deadpool''
|August 7, 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1302912208}}
|-
|''Iceman Vol. 1: Thawing Out''
|''Iceman'' (vol. 3) #1–5
|January 9, 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1302908799}}
|-
|''Iceman Vol. 2: Absolute Zero''
|''Iceman'' (vol. 3) #6-11
|May 8, 2018
|{{ISBNT|978-1302908805}}
|-
|''Iceman Vol. 3: Amazing Friends''
|''Iceman'' (vol. 4) #1–5
|April 9, 2019
|{{ISBNT|978-1302914837}}
|-
|''Astonishing Iceman: Out Cold''
|''Astonishing Iceman'' #1–5
|May 14, 2024
|{{ISBNT|978-1302952495}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Marvelwiki|Iceman|Iceman}}
*{{Marvelwiki|iceman-ultimate|Iceman (Ultimate)}}
*{{Marvelwiki|iceman-earth-58163|Iceman (Earth-58163)}}

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