Hey graphic novel lovers,

I hope you’ve had a good start to the week. With Crypticon starting at the end of the week I’ve been reading up a storm to compensate since I won’t have time to read for a few days.

And naturally I needed another X-Men fix! This time I read Astonishing Iceman: Out Cold by Steve Orlando, Vincenzo Carraru(Artist), Java Tartaglia(Colorist), & Chris Sotomayor(Colorist).

Iceman’s always been my favorite X-Man, so I just had to get my hands on this new release and try it out. On to the review!

Blurb

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

GoodReads

Amazon

***Brief disclosure***

I am an Amazon affiliate and earn a tiny commission for purchases made through the Amazon links in this post at no cost to you. It’s a great way to help me keep things running on my blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

The Review

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!

That’s A Wrap!

Well that’s it for this graphic novel review. I hope you enjoyed it!

Have you read this graphic novel? Are there similar ones you’ve read that you simply have to gush about? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to start a conversation!

Have a great day!

Join My ARC Review Team | Subscribe

 Facebook | GoodReads | Bookbub | Instagram| YouTube