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Astonishing Iceman (2023) #1-5
Astonishing Iceman: Out Cold
The omega-level mutant and original X-Man gets a new solo series, and it's Bobby Drake as you’ve never seen him before!
After the events of this year’s can’t-miss Hellfire Gala, Bobby Drake sets his sights on ever-greater levels of heroic deeds. But as a new situation develops that links Iceman to his Antarctic ice palace, he’ll have to be slicker than ever to accomplish his mission before anti-mutant science cabal Orchis knows what hit them!
Astonishing Iceman (2023) 1-5
After the events of this year’s can’t-miss Hellfire Gala, Bobby Drake sets his sights on ever-greater levels of heroic deeds. But as a new situation develops that links Iceman to his Antarctic ice palace, he’ll have to be slicker than ever to accomplish his mission before anti-mutant science cabal Orchis knows what hit them!
Astonishing Iceman (2023) 1-5
136 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2024
15 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 5, 2024
Is it just me or does anyone kind of get the feeling Iceman might be sort of, you know, gay?
OK, OK, I'm just joking. I actually think Bendis' reveal of Bobby's sexuality was one of the cleverest things Marvel has done with one of the legacy X-Men characters in a long while, and this comic that comes hard on the heels of the events of the (presumably last) Krakoan Hellfire Gala finds him living that reality and also, through the assistance of his Inhuman 'Azizam' Romeo, sliding in worldwide to offer protection and hope to marginalized groups under attack by the ruthless leadership of Orchis and its multifarious infighting henchpeople.
Not the subtlest choice of setting, but effective, particularly in these unfortunate times in the Real World as well.
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July 22, 2024You can do all sorts with Iceman. Have a team-mate piss him a new body. Use time travel to make him gay, or a wizard. Declare him an omega mutant and have him irrigate a whole planet. But the one thing nobody's ever managed is to make the fucker interesting. I mean, not to go for the cheap stereotypes (some of my best friends, &c), but off the top of my head he's the only prominent superhero who's also a qualified accountant. This miniseries really wants to go all out to change that, but is so busy throwing new ideas at the wall (he's a swashbuckling Errol Flynn hero! He's got a Fortress of Solitude! His missions always have a ticking clock before he melts! It's a love story! Despite everything happening in all the other Fall of X books, he's Orchis' prime target!) that none of them stick. Conceptually, there's something to be said for the theme running through this that if mutants are a minority metaphor, then anti-mutant zealots are never going to stop at their initial targets - but it runs into the problem that as soon as you look from that angle, it never really made sense that public sentiment on Marvel Earth was so different as regards mutants versus other superhumans anyway. On top of which, you're then stuck trying to make readers care about the Inhumans, not historically a winning strategy - or else giving us characters who, rather than being born with comically useless mutant powers (viable tragicomedy), have deliberately chosen to get them via special tattoos (what? And also, at that point they're just idiots, besides clearly not being mutants). I suspect some of the blame should lie with Carratu's art, often unclear even after what I suspect was the belated addition of dialogue obliged clumsily to explain what we should be able to see at a glance. It's particularly noticeable, and especially unfortunate, that Romeo is meant to be an empath, but his expression often bears no relation to what we're told he's feeling. Ultimately, though, the best that can be said for Orlando's work here is that it's better than his prior contribution to Krakoa, the inexplicably bad second run of Marauders.
January 1, 2024
This was fun. It ultimately ended up being a lot of the same thing. Run a mission and then run back before melting. But Bobby was one of the people I was most shocked to see killed at the Hellfire Gala this year. I was happy to learn he came back, and I’m very curious to see where he goes next and when we’ll see him again.
June 20, 2024
I did not expect a follow-up with Bobby Drake after the third Hellfire Gala, but the book’s focus on Bobby’s struggle to regain full composure as he works to fight Orchis makes for a compelling story that demonstrates the extent of power Iceman truly has.
March 25, 2024
4
There were things I liked about the book. I liked Bobby's characterization a good deal. I found Romeo a bit... annoying. But my biggest gripe is the main baddie. To over the top evil.
There were things I liked about the book. I liked Bobby's characterization a good deal. I found Romeo a bit... annoying. But my biggest gripe is the main baddie. To over the top evil.
December 29, 2024
poor writing, decent art
Iceman as a character is iconic. His evolution as an empty, vapid one-dimensional generalization of an individual is depressing. Over the years, he's had earnest and deep storylines that presented his angst and his humanness. This miniseries is not an example of that person. Since his rise to an Omega level mutant, he has been rendered uninteresting. He's effectively unkillable and this story highlights this point by agonizing over and over again how he may not come back. His anchor is a gay lover who professes love for him throughout the series and then on the last page is already sleeping with someone else when Bobby disappears for a few days. The villains are also empty and one-dimensional. The only saving grace for this series is the art. This miniseries is pointless and it does nothing to elevate the character. Instead, it just makes him a joke.
Iceman as a character is iconic. His evolution as an empty, vapid one-dimensional generalization of an individual is depressing. Over the years, he's had earnest and deep storylines that presented his angst and his humanness. This miniseries is not an example of that person. Since his rise to an Omega level mutant, he has been rendered uninteresting. He's effectively unkillable and this story highlights this point by agonizing over and over again how he may not come back. His anchor is a gay lover who professes love for him throughout the series and then on the last page is already sleeping with someone else when Bobby disappears for a few days. The villains are also empty and one-dimensional. The only saving grace for this series is the art. This miniseries is pointless and it does nothing to elevate the character. Instead, it just makes him a joke.
July 1, 2024
3.5 Stars.
Turns out that Iceman did NOT die at the Hellfire Gala, but he has developed a weakness! He is unable to hold his ice form for very long. Enter Romeo, Bobby's beau, an Inhuman with the ability to help Iceman stay grounded (through empathy powers). Their relationship makes it stronger, and thus Romeo stays in Iceman's Antarctic palace. This does not mean that Orchis is done with him, as one of their agents, Pequod, has hired a sociopathic madman who goes by "The Cleaner" to take him out. Their final battle pits blizzard against inferno, and it appears as if Bobby is lost again, but he isn't.
Overall, it was nice to give Iceman some attention with his own book. Looking forward to seeing him back in action with the rest of the X-Men though.
Recommend. Good, fast paced story.
Turns out that Iceman did NOT die at the Hellfire Gala, but he has developed a weakness! He is unable to hold his ice form for very long. Enter Romeo, Bobby's beau, an Inhuman with the ability to help Iceman stay grounded (through empathy powers). Their relationship makes it stronger, and thus Romeo stays in Iceman's Antarctic palace. This does not mean that Orchis is done with him, as one of their agents, Pequod, has hired a sociopathic madman who goes by "The Cleaner" to take him out. Their final battle pits blizzard against inferno, and it appears as if Bobby is lost again, but he isn't.
Overall, it was nice to give Iceman some attention with his own book. Looking forward to seeing him back in action with the rest of the X-Men though.
Recommend. Good, fast paced story.
June 26, 2024
This graphic novel didn't reinvent the wheel with our beloved Iceman, but I had a good time!
In a nutshell, Iceman was thought to be killed in the events of a former crisis called the Hellfire Gala. However, when sightings of Iceman run rampant it's clear he's anything but deceased. As the mutant-hating organization Orchis tries to track down our renegade hero, Iceman struggles to maintain corporeal form with the help of his love Romeo.
I really liked seeing this flawed version of Iceman. He's an omega level mutant with nearly unlimited power, but in the Hellfire Gala attack his ability to maintain physical form was severely damaged. He's in this strange kind of recovery period, and while he struggles with personal demons he has to thwart Orchis in their attacks on innocent civilians.
As usual, Iceman has this great wit and comical nature that makes him fun to root for from the sidelines, but he's not going to let Orchis push him around so he has a serious side to him too.
I liked the romance Iceman had with Romeo. It was really sweet, and I hope to see more depth there in future comics. There was a ton of action in each comic, with new enemies at every turn. Orchis is determined to eliminate Iceman while he's recovering with his abilities, though it makes me wonder where other mutants are and why they are so fixated on Iceman.
This may not be the most epic storyline, but I have a feeling future volumes are going to ramp things up to something phenomenal. Definitely worth a read!
In a nutshell, Iceman was thought to be killed in the events of a former crisis called the Hellfire Gala. However, when sightings of Iceman run rampant it's clear he's anything but deceased. As the mutant-hating organization Orchis tries to track down our renegade hero, Iceman struggles to maintain corporeal form with the help of his love Romeo.
I really liked seeing this flawed version of Iceman. He's an omega level mutant with nearly unlimited power, but in the Hellfire Gala attack his ability to maintain physical form was severely damaged. He's in this strange kind of recovery period, and while he struggles with personal demons he has to thwart Orchis in their attacks on innocent civilians.
As usual, Iceman has this great wit and comical nature that makes him fun to root for from the sidelines, but he's not going to let Orchis push him around so he has a serious side to him too.
I liked the romance Iceman had with Romeo. It was really sweet, and I hope to see more depth there in future comics. There was a ton of action in each comic, with new enemies at every turn. Orchis is determined to eliminate Iceman while he's recovering with his abilities, though it makes me wonder where other mutants are and why they are so fixated on Iceman.
This may not be the most epic storyline, but I have a feeling future volumes are going to ramp things up to something phenomenal. Definitely worth a read!
July 9, 2025
Where to begin, this volume just wasn’t for me. Starting with the art, it’s indistinguishable from the other X-books released during this era. While that consistency helps tie the line together visually, it also strips away the individuality and artistic personality that make comics such a dynamic medium. The lack of distinct style here diminishes what could have been a more memorable experience, and this has been a broader issue throughout the Krakoan-era X-Men titles.
As for the writing, I found it disappointing. The portrayal of Bobby felt heavy-handed, and I caught myself rolling my eyes at repeated lines and recycled themes. Each issue felt like a variation of the last, with Bobby facing similar challenges framed slightly differently. The one exception being the Elemental Men, an intriguing concept that, if expanded across the arc, could have elevated the story significantly.
One lingering question I had, whether intentional or not, is about Bobby’s characterization. Since Romeo is essentially holding Bobby together, is Romeo's influence affecting Bobby’s personality? If so, that would explain why Bobby feels so off. If not, then the dissonance might be the result of weak character writing, which would be even more disappointing.
Overall, this volume didn’t live up to the potential of an Iceman-focused story. I can’t recommend it, and I’m left frustrated by what could have been.
Grade: D+
As for the writing, I found it disappointing. The portrayal of Bobby felt heavy-handed, and I caught myself rolling my eyes at repeated lines and recycled themes. Each issue felt like a variation of the last, with Bobby facing similar challenges framed slightly differently. The one exception being the Elemental Men, an intriguing concept that, if expanded across the arc, could have elevated the story significantly.
One lingering question I had, whether intentional or not, is about Bobby’s characterization. Since Romeo is essentially holding Bobby together, is Romeo's influence affecting Bobby’s personality? If so, that would explain why Bobby feels so off. If not, then the dissonance might be the result of weak character writing, which would be even more disappointing.
Overall, this volume didn’t live up to the potential of an Iceman-focused story. I can’t recommend it, and I’m left frustrated by what could have been.
Grade: D+
August 21, 2024
Painfully bad, to the point where I likely would have DNF if I was borrowing this from the library as opposed to having bought it. (Isn't that weird that when we waste money we're also more likely to waste our time, so as to feel that the money wasn't as wasted? Yeah.)
The biggest problem is that it's entirely pointless. Much like the Jean Grey Fall of X volume, it leaves things in approximately the same state as the start, so as not to get in the way of the next plotline. Which makes this just another cash grab.
But the writing is quite bad too. The individual issues are entirely formulaic. Orchis mercenaries try to kill pseudo-mutants. Bobby intervenes. Bobby succeeds but falls apart and reforms in the Fortress of Solitude. Rinse, Wash, Repeat.
There's also an entirely bizarre conceit where Romeo is basically playing the Bobby video game down at the Fortress, even having an action-icon that shows him how Bobby is doing.
Wow, I hope this is all entirely forgotten by the time Bobby returns.
And it's going on my giveaway pile. Even though I keep almost all of my X-Men books, really bad miniseries get a pass (off).
The biggest problem is that it's entirely pointless. Much like the Jean Grey Fall of X volume, it leaves things in approximately the same state as the start, so as not to get in the way of the next plotline. Which makes this just another cash grab.
But the writing is quite bad too. The individual issues are entirely formulaic. Orchis mercenaries try to kill pseudo-mutants. Bobby intervenes. Bobby succeeds but falls apart and reforms in the Fortress of Solitude. Rinse, Wash, Repeat.
There's also an entirely bizarre conceit where Romeo is basically playing the Bobby video game down at the Fortress, even having an action-icon that shows him how Bobby is doing.
Wow, I hope this is all entirely forgotten by the time Bobby returns.
And it's going on my giveaway pile. Even though I keep almost all of my X-Men books, really bad miniseries get a pass (off).
August 6, 2024
I feel like you’d need to be a HUGE Bobby Drake fan to really be into this story because it’s all about him centering himself after being obliterated during the most recent and possibly final Hellfire Gala. It’s unabashedly gay, which was maybe the high point for me as these comics have moved a bit beyond tokenizing Iceman. The core narrative just…isn’t that interesting and in centering so many action beats, didn’t really give space to let the two focal characters do adequate development. I really don’t care a ton about the Y Men and Pequod, an Orchis member I never had any interest in. I am pretty sure I’ve said this already, but where the Krakoa age had its many stumbles, this Death of Krakoa run is just so exceedingly boring and not terribly fun. One thing I’ll note is a Spider-Man appearance in a single issue that maybe should have spanned the whole run to give Bobby a friend to play opposite his romance with Romeo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2024
After being melted Wicked Witch style at the Hellfire Gala, Iceman reconstitutes with the power of love (and his Inhuman boyfriend Romeo), and sets out to undermine Orchis' reign of terror at every turn in this Fall Of X book.
Iceman's a weird solo character, but I'm glad he gets the spotlight every now and then. After Bobby's last solo series under Sina Grace where he was coming to terms with his homosexuality, it's nice to see how far he's come on that journey. He's queer, he's here, but it's not his defining feature any more, which feels like an authentic progression (I say, as a gay man). His one-man-war against Orchis plays out neatly, with a few deep cut continuity pulls for villains, and Vincenzo Carraru's artwork is clean and clear all the way through.
Iceman's a weird solo character, but I'm glad he gets the spotlight every now and then. After Bobby's last solo series under Sina Grace where he was coming to terms with his homosexuality, it's nice to see how far he's come on that journey. He's queer, he's here, but it's not his defining feature any more, which feels like an authentic progression (I say, as a gay man). His one-man-war against Orchis plays out neatly, with a few deep cut continuity pulls for villains, and Vincenzo Carraru's artwork is clean and clear all the way through.
July 7, 2025
Pretty alright story with some fun art. I do really appreciate how Iceman has been recalibrated into being a functional character after his last few stories. As someone who is a massive X-Men fan who is purposely saving the Krakoa stuff for later, it was a little jarring. But you definitely need some cursory X-Men knowledge to enjoy the book. It’s a book for the seasoned X-Men fan but at that point, they know there’s better stories out there. So it ends up just kind of being a filler story. However, the mutants/homosexuals allegory takes a very interesting shape that makes it unique enough in the space of mutant allegories.
December 22, 2023
God, most of these Fall of X minis are so unbelievably bad and this is by far the worst of the recent Iceman solo minis imo. I love Iceman and Romeo but the plot and use of their powers here is nonsensical (especially Romeo's powers), the writing and dialogue are bad, the art is terrible. This completely pales in comparison to the Marvel Unlimited Iceman comic by Luciano Vecchio that was so brilliant. Go read that instead.
September 8, 2024
i'm glad bobby didn't really die but him pointing out that he's lost his family really captured why this event hasn't been enjoyable besides the obvious - everyone's scattered around on their own or in little groups and if they have to be hated and feared i want them to face that together :(
also wow he looks so good with those x symbols somehow built into his body ice???
also wow he looks so good with those x symbols somehow built into his body ice???
December 7, 2024
Iceman escaped the Hellfire Gala by becoming essentially ephemeral (ice, water, gas, etc). Now, he's crafted a palace in Antarctica with his emotion-powered lover. Out Cold follows Iceman as he outwits Orchis's worst villains with puns and...well, not really anything else. This is the very definition of skippable. Remember when Iceman helped make Mars livable? This is not that.
September 19, 2025
Iceman was thought dead. He’s not. Orchid are not happy. The send Mr Clean after him. Bobby deals with it. During this there’s a forced 5 issue relationship with an Inhuman.
Oh and Bobbys super duper gay now, so let’s go all out on that, despite presenting none of that during the entire history of the character.
The end.
Saved you reading it.
Oh and Bobbys super duper gay now, so let’s go all out on that, despite presenting none of that during the entire history of the character.
The end.
Saved you reading it.
August 2, 2024
Good to know what happened to Iceman, some cool use of his powers and decent characterisation. I had never heard of this Romeo guy before though, I'm not sure which book I missed but it was rough trying to immediately care about some rando Inhuman
August 6, 2024
Not a lot of variation to this. Iceman shows up to save some people. It's an Orchis trap. Bobby barely survives to make it back to his Antarctic base. Repeat ad nauseum. I'm getting very tired of Orchis at this point. The art is decent in this.
January 16, 2024
Relleno de 5 números con buenos dibujos. Aún no leo nada bueno de Orlando en los X.
April 25, 2024
This was fine. It's very one note though. Iceman shows up somewhere to save people and it's all an Orchis trap. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. each issue.
May 11, 2024
Starting with Fall of X’s Lima beans.
June 3, 2024
Covers a lot of the same ground and just doesn't quite measure up to Sina Grace's earlier Iceman series.
July 4, 2024
It's fine superhero stuff but felt slight and inconsequential in its own story - too self aware and the character has become too powerful.
August 12, 2024
Was this book bad? No. Was it good? No.
I was left wondering - what's the point of this story? Honestly, it felt repetitive and no real point in it existing. Great art though.
Overall - 3/5
I was left wondering - what's the point of this story? Honestly, it felt repetitive and no real point in it existing. Great art though.
Overall - 3/5
October 30, 2024
3.0 stars
January 13, 2025
“That’s pretty cool.”
January 20, 2025
A story of a fugitive on the run…which gets a bit repetitive.
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