ICEMAN - Ongoing Series - General Discussion

www.nytimes.com/2018/06/28/books/iceman-new-comic-book-series.html

Iceman Came Out. Now He’s Coming Back in His Own Series.

Iceman is having his comeback moment: Marvel Entertainment announced this month that the superhero, also known as Bobby Drake, would be getting a new solo series in September.

His previous series had been canceled in March. Then something curious happened. Collected editions of Iceman were “selling really well on the book market,” its writer, Sina Grace, recalled his editor telling him. So plans were made for the hero — who truly stepped into the spotlight in 2015, when he was revealed to be gay — to return, with the announcement, fittingly, coming during Pride Month.

Iceman, who was first introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in issue No. 1 of X-Men in July 1963, made the leap to TV animation in 1981 (as one of “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends”) and film in 2000 (as part of the “X-Men” franchise).

Thanks to the magic of comics, in his coming-out story of 2015, a younger version of Bobby traveled to the present and was outed by Jean Grey, his telepathic teammate. During a meeting of the two Bobbies, the older version unveiled his truth. “I put all my energy into being a mutant and an X-Man and putting my life in danger every 10 minutes for everyone else,” the older Bobby says. “Can I just have part of my life that I’m not being persecuted for?”

Though that Iceman story was written by Brian Michael Bendis, who is straight, his solo series is being written by Mr. Grace, who is gay. The 2017 and 2018 issues dealt with the hero’s coming out to his parents (who barely accepted his superhero life), his attempts at dating (he learned how to “Netflix and chill”) and his fighting villains like the Juggernaut. Issue No. 1 sold just over 32,000 copies to comic book stores in the United States; but sales were slowing, and issue No. 11, the last, dwindled to just over 10,000.

Mr. Grace answered some questions about his experience with Iceman, this surprising return, fan reaction (which wasn’t all positive) and what the next chapter in the hero’s life will bring. Here are edited excerpts from the conversation.

What is the difference in audience between comic and book stores?

Iceman is speaking to both millennial and Gen Z consumers. And the way they are buying comics is not the way the typical Wednesday comic customer is buying comics. They will go into a shop once a month or once a quarter. They are not going to come in every week. Iceman is reaching a younger consumer and an emerging consumer.

Why do you think there has been so much negative reaction to Iceman’s being gay?

People were talking about the character’s sexuality change, but I didn’t do that. It was done by folks who did not identify as gay men. When Marvel asked me if I was interested in the character, I tried to think of experiences that were true to Bobby Drake. There are true-life narratives about men who could not handle this truth until later in their lives. It worked so perfectly with this character who for decades has been told he was one of the most powerful mutants — if only he would recognize it himself.

What was the reaction on social media to your writing Iceman?

Social media is a funny thing. I was at this Pacific Pride conference with a roomful of beautiful, glorious queer youth kids. One of them asked me a question about social media and what do you do when you encounter bullying. I was certainly exposed to some of that with Iceman. It was not “chill.” It’s not cool when people use negative language to communicate a point or attack your body or your lifestyle to attack the work. I had to recalibrate what could filter through to my heart and my brain. I don’t let it bring me down. It’s not worth it for me to engage.

What is next for Iceman?

I’m really excited that we’re coming back with a new No. 1. This is going to be a great way to invite readers to celebrate with us. Iceman is going to be thinking about how he can help other people and use his mutant power to be the best he can be. He’s going to be up against some pretty big bad guys. In the first issue he’s preventing the next “Mutant Massacre” with Bishop, another X-Man.

We’re also going to see a lot of the previous cast but played out in different ways. Bobby’s relationship with his parents will not be as fraught. He reached a level of peace that you can get to — even with parents like his. We’re going to see his dating life. It’s just going to be such a breath of fresh air to see him really stretch his arms out and have fun.

You mentioned there would be some community outreach too.

The reason I love X-Men books is that they speak so much to people who identify as other. We’re going to be seeing Bobby trying to figure out how he can be a shining beacon to the gay community. That’s where me and Bobby Drake are alike: How do you take this platform and try to do something meaningful? That’s something I want all readers to think about: How can you make a difference in your world? I feel super proud of the story I’ve crafted with all those things in mind.

Which artists will you be working with?

For this arc, we have Nathan Stockman. He has this ability to do action and humor and drama, and it all blends perfectly with his style. He really understands what this book is and how, even though it is a funny character, it is a not a funny book. It’s an X-Men book: a lot of action and drama. I can let my imagination go wild and they’re able to do it. I draw comics too and I could not do half the stuff I assign these guys!

What might we expect in the upcoming series?

In the first story arc, Bobby was there to stop specific people. He pissed off Daken and then Daken wanted revenge. There was sort of a lot of cause and effect in the first arc. With this one, now that Bobby is sort of reaching a certain level, he’s showing up on people’s radars in different ways. In the second issue, we have Emma Frost, the White Queen, and she needs him because he is a particular type of powerful that she’s going to need for a family affair. Then … Mister Sinister is looking at him like, “Oh my god, I’ve never noticed. This guy has all the things I need to take over the world. His powers are exactly what I need for my own stuff.” As opposed to actions of consequences or violence begets violence, people are coming after him the way Spiderman's existence creates conflicts for Spiderman.