Astonishing. That is the adjective that the individuals at the the X-Offices chose to attach to this solo adventure for Robert “Bobby” Drake. Honestly, does that word even begin to categorize the atmosphere the Omega level mutant known as Iceman creates. What is astonishing is that Bobby is even standing after the shot he took at the 2023 Hellfire Gala. Which is why Astonishing Iceman #1 finds upper management at Orchis holding their operatives feet to the fire from their superiors. All their efforts focused on taking Bobby even further out of his element.
Astonishing Iceman #1
Out Cold: Part One
Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Vincenzo Carratu
Color Artist: Java Tartaglia
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Surprise, surprise, surprise. Don’t take that as an indication that Astonishing Iceman #1 is full of spoilers or shocking revelations about Bobby Drake. Actually, at this point in his career is there anything left that would astonish you about Iceman. The youngest of the original 5 X-Men, Robert was always there with some comical commentary. Iceman ever the practical joker; whose peers see as the class clown, which is something Bobby reminds readers of in this issue. Looking back at those days, when ranking that lineup, after Angel most people would state Iceman’s abilities were the weakest. Who knew back then that the snowman – wearing a top hat – would one day be a critical component in making life possible on Mars. After using his power to bring water to Sol maybe the joke was on everyone else. Bobby was snowballing us all from the start.
As for Astonishing Iceman #1, writer Steve Orlando begins it on the San Francisco streets as a pollen cloud of nanosentinels descends on a crowd of festival attendees. The Orchis drones attack is ingenious because it capitalizes on two aspects of the group’s approach to dealing with mutants. The nanosentinels locate and target a Lure, in this case a young man who overindulged in the drug Xperience years ago. This tactic serves to remind the average citizen of the ever present threat of mutants; the menace could be anywhere or anyone. Meanwhile, the Lure attracts the attention of a sympathizer, or specifically a mutant, one who even when he’s under the weather can’t help being faithful to his Alma Mater. The fleeing locals can’t help but freeze when they begin to notice the nanosentinels are turning into ice cubes.
Vincenzo Carratu’s panel looks like the cure for this summer’s heat and anyone’s summertime blues. A jaw dropping image announcing Iceman’s arrival on the scene. But Bobby has been beating down mutant hunting robots on his own since Operation Zero Tolerance began. So despite these days being more of a lover than fighter, that doesn’t stop colorist Java Tartaglia from having Iceman cold cock the Orchis nanosentinel out of commission.
However despite the brave front Bobby puts up during the rescue, and reward kiss, Iceman doesn’t have time to chill. He barely makes it back inside the hallways of the breathtaking Antarctic palace Carratu illustrates before betraying a bitter reality. Nimrod admitted that Bobby socked him cold with his first punch at the party. Artist Tartaglia’s panel is a refresher that the robot gave as good as it got. Now the X-Man who consistently kept things cool, even in the most heated situations, can’t maintain his usual form.
In the fallout Emma nor any other telepath could locate any trace of Iceman. Thankfully Romeo was also at the Hellfire Gala to witness what took place. Holding onto hope the Inhuman found just enough of a fragment of Bobby’s essence to bring him back. Now he sits on a throne in Iceman’s South Pole solace’s War Room for cries from anyone Orchis targets. Along with an icon of Iceman which alerts him if frosty begins to melt away.
With Astonishing Iceman #1, Steve Orlando’s story slides between the scenario’s the comic introduces and real world situations. While Bobby sees Orchis goal as singular, Romeo is a reminder that their mission is much grander in scale. Romeo knows that organizations, like Orchis, whose message encourages hate, intolerance and oppression by stoking fear, are never content to neutralize just one minority, outcast, outlier group or radical thinker. It just begins with one. And for now there is only one X-Men actively braving the conditions Orchis orchestrates. Unfortunately, following the Fall of X, the forecast isn’t suggesting many sunny days for Marvel’s merry mutants anytime soon.
Better bundle up Bobby, it’s cold outside.
Score: 8.4