You are on page 1of 2

Bobby Drake

Iceman (Robert Louis "Bobby" Drake) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic
books published by Marvel Comics and is a founding member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan
Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963).
Iceman is a member of a subspecies of humans known as mutants, who are 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 turn his body into ice.
The character has been frequently present in X-Men and Spider-Man-related comics, video games,
animated series, and movies. Shawn Ashmore portrayed Iceman in the X-Men films, and voices the
character in The Super Hero Squad Show.
Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in X-Men #1
(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.[1]
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."[2]
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 The Champions from 1975 to 1978[3] and 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.[4] 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.[5] 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
Omega-level superpowers, his legacy as a hero and fighting some of the biggest villains in the
Marvel Universe.[6] The book had been cancelled, with its last issue being in early 2018.[7]

Main Timeline Iceman


Early life
Robert Louis "Bobby" Drake was born in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, to William Robert
Drake and Madeline Beatrice Bass-Drake. His father is Irish-American Catholic, and his mother
is Jewish.[8]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 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 Charles Xavier.
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 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 along with the rest of the team,[9] and later
the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.[10] Bobby Drake's first girlfriend is Zelda.[11] Not long after, he takes
on a new ice-covered form.[12] He then teams up with the Human Torch for the first time.[13] The two
would become close friends as time went on. With the X-Men, he visits the Savage Land and
meets Ka-Zar for the first time.[14] He then battles the Juggernaut,[15] and is badly injured in his first
battle against the Sentinels.[16] He next battles Magneto by himself.[17] Later, he visits Subterranea for
the first time.[18] Then, he and Beast battle the Maha Yogi.[19] During his original stint with the X-Men,
Drake pursues a relationship with 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.[20]
Champions and Defenders
Iceman moves to the American west coast to attend UCLA and becomes a founding member of The
Champions of Los Angeles.[21] However, the Champions soon dissolve.[22]
Iceman is then abducted by Master Mold, and alongside Angel, he encounters the Hulk.[23] Iceman
next aids the Thing in battling the Circus of Crime.[24] 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.[25] While in
college, he briefly rejoins the X-Men to rescue the captives of Arcade's henchman, Miss Locke.[26]
Iceman is reunited with Beast, encounters Cloud, and then returns as a full-time superhero in an
incarnation of the Defenders alongside his former teammates, Angel and Beast.[27] He also
battles Professor Power's Secret Empire while with the Defenders.[28] After the Defenders disband,
Drake embarks on his career as an accountant.
Some time later, Iceman encounters Mirage, the "daughter" of 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.[29]

You might also like