Warning: Contains spoilers forExceptional X-Men #1!
With Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde fiercely going head-to-head in their newly-launchedX-Menseries, they could use another established Marvel mutant to help them chill out. Founding member of the original team,Iceman, has just officially joined the cast ofExceptional X-Menin a final page reveal. As a group of young mutants fight for survival and train to become heroes, Bobby Drake will step up as a cool mentor.
After making a surprise appearance in a sort-of post-credit scene forExceptional X-Men#1, writtenby Eve L. Ewing with art by Carmen Carnero, Marvel has officially announced Iceman’s addition to the cast.The first official cover forExceptional X-Men #4by Carnero shows Iceman using his swirling ice powers alongsidenew mutants Bronze, Axo, and Melee.
Bobby Drake’s Iceman joining this team gives an exciting boost to the series, and finally gives the character a fresh storyline and a place to flourish again as an Omega-level mutant in the X-Men’s new “From the Ashes” era.
Iceman Finally Rises From the Ashes and Makes His Way to Chicago
Iceman has been largely absent since the line-wideX-Menrelaunch spun the mutants off into several different groups, andone of the coolest mutant heroeshas finally found the team he’ll land on as he makes his way to Chicago. Bobby’s longtime friend Kitty is working at Lulu’s Tavern in the neighborhood of Bridgeport, and it would make sense for them to cross paths as she teams-up with Emma Frost to help train the three new mutant characters. Iceman will seemingly have to rediscover himself as he finds his footing after the tragicFall of X.
X-Men’s New Era Is FINALLY Using [SPOILER]’s Codename
The X-Men have entered a dangerous new era, and it has seemingly led to one former member of the team resorting to using their old codename.
The character has faced a lot of trauma in the past year or so, and it’s still unclear how his powers are working after some of the major developments in his recent history. AfterIceman was killed in 2023’s Hellfire Gala, he was ultimately brought back to life without his human form by the Inhuman and ex-boyfriend Romeo in hisAstonishing Icemanseries. Since the end ofExceptional X-Men#1 sees Bobby on his way to Chicago looking human,Marvel will seemingly explain how Iceman has regained full control of his abilities as he re-teams with Kitty and Emma.
Iceman Brings His Founding X-Men and Omega-Level Status to Help Mentor Young Mutants
As a member of the X-Men since their very first appearance and an ultra-powerful hero,Iceman will have a lot to teach the new class of mutants joining the Marvel Universe.Young mutant Bronze AKA Trisha Marshallhas already built a rapport with Kitty in the first issue ofExceptional X-Men, with Axo and Melee still yet to make their official debuts. With three established mutant heroes teaching three new characters, perhaps each could take on a student of their own to individually mentor them into the best X-Men heroes they could be.
Bobby’s grand return to the comics will luckily see him train new mutants and reconnect with some of his old mutant pals since the devastating events before the X-Men dispersed at the end of the Krakoa era. Withoccasional rivals Kitty and Emma co-leading the team, Iceman could be a great middle-man for the two and assist the Ice Queen and his friend in mitigating their potential arguments. As one of the most powerful and fan-favoritemutantcharacters,Icemanis a cool and refreshing addition to the newX-Menteam.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
