We just read the four-issue Iceman miniseries from the 80s, and it’s honestly a strange little gem from Marvel’s past.

Iceman
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: J. M. DeMatteis
Penciller: Alan Kupperberg
Inker: Mike Gustovich
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Release date: 1984 – 1985

Iceman, aka Bobby Drake, first appeared in X-Men #1 in 1963 as one of the original five members of the team. He was the youngest of the group and always had a jokey, light-hearted personality. Over the years, he appeared in several X-Men titles and later joined The Defenders, where he worked alongside other outcast heroes. Despite being around since the very beginning, he never really had a story focused just on him until this limited series came out in 1984.

At the time of this miniseries, Bobby was written as very straight (he falls hard for Marge, the mysterious girl next door). But decades later, Marvel finally gave Iceman the representation he deserved. He officially came out as gay in Uncanny X-Men #600 in 2015 (after his younger self was kinda outed by Jean Grey in All New X-Men #40). So yes, reading this older series now definitely feels different, especially knowing what we know (and love) about the character today.

This series was written by J.M. DeMatteis, who fans might know from his iconic runs on Spider-Man (including Kraven’s Last Hunt) and Defenders, where he also wrote Iceman. It feels like he had a soft spot for Bobby Drake and wanted to give him something completely unique. The art, by Alan Kupperberg, definitely has that unmistakable 80s Marvel vibe.

The story? Bobby Drake is back home visiting his parents when things take a wild turn. He’s mistaken for the Silver Surfer, meets a girl next door named Marge, and tries to deal with the awkwardness of being a mutant in a world that still doesn’t fully understand him. His relationship with his parents (especially his dad) is tense, and just as he’s trying to find peace, a tiny time machine sends him spiraling into the past. What follows is a chaotic mix of time travel, alternate timelines, and cosmic-level drama involving a being named Oblivion. It all escalates quickly, and Bobby finds himself fighting not just for his future, but for his very existence.

We’re big fans of older comics and weird side adventures, so this mini-series was a fun read, even if it got a little messy in the storytelling. Bobby is charming in a very classic Marvel way, full of self-doubt, jokes, and heart. The scenes with his family are actually pretty emotional, and it’s interesting to see his dad struggle with his son’s superhero life. The love-at-first-sight moment with Marge adds a cute (but suspicious) touch, and even though the time travel plot left us scratching our heads for a bit, it eventually comes together in a surprisingly philosophical way. Plus, Mirage (no spoilers here) is a memorable character that adds a surreal layer to the whole thing. Yes, it’s a bit complicated, but it’s a very cool look at Bobby on his own.

This is definitely worth checking out if you’re into retro Marvel or want to see Bobby Drake at his weirdest and most existential. The four issues were also released in the hardcover X-Men: Iceman Premiere out in 2012.