Warning: contains potential spoilers for X-Men #20!The but Iceman is Omega level, meaning he is one of the most powerful mutants on Earth. And in a preview for X-Men #20, he exhibits yet another new ability: total immunity to Brood infection while in his ice form. This revelation comes not a moment too soon, as the X-Men are facing an entire nest of the galaxy's deadliest predators.
In a preview for the issue, written by Gerry Duggan, drawn by Stefano Caselli, colored by Federico Blee and lettered by Clayton Cowles, the X-Men have come to the aid of Cyclops’ father Corsair, whose ship was attacked by the Brood. Corsair was implanted with one of the Brood eggs, which would have killed him upon hatching, but has been safely removed. Now, the rest of the X-Men are fighting the remaining Brood while they try to evacuate the facility and escape. Iceman tells Cyclops to leave as soon as the last person is on board; he explains that in his ice form, the Brood cannot infect him. Just then, a Brood warrior makes a beeline for Iceman, stinger deployed and ready to infect him.
Iceman Is Living Up To His God-Tier Potential
In the Marvel Universe, mutants fall into different categories, based on their powers, with Omega level being the highest possible. The number of Omega-level mutants is few and far between, and Iceman counts himself among them. As mentioned earlier, Iceman might seem an unlikely candidate to be an Omega-level mutant. Indeed, for many years, Iceman failed to live up to his Omega-level potential, but this has changed over the past few years, and now Bobby Drake is leaning more and more into his powers.
Iceman's Brood Immunity Is a Big Deal
Of all the alien races in the Marvel Universe, the Brood might just be the most reprehensible; to be attacked by the Brood is to become a Brood. They have made life miserable for not only the X-Men but the galaxy as a whole, and the ability to resist them is a big deal. The Brood have evolved to predate on the entire universe, including many different types of non-biological being. Iceman's immunity - especially when compared to beings of living rock or pure energy who are still vulnerable to the Brood - seemingly confirms once and for all that his ice form isn't his true body, but rather a puppet controlled by his larger psionic consciousness (hence why he has been able to create multiple ice duplicates in the past and control them all.) In stories like Contest of Champions II, even beings like the Phoenix and the Hulk were vulnerable to Brood infection, showing how godlike Iceman has become.
Is Iceman Heading Down a Dark Path?
Iceman is increasingly using his Omega-level powers more, as seen in this preview. However, the preview ends with Iceman, barely able to conceal his anger and disgust, ready to kill every Brood he can get his hands on. Recently, Iceman has been far more willing to maim human opponents, freezing and shattering their limbs as a warning to stop harming mutants. Have the Omega-level powers gone to Iceman’s head at last? Iceman’s original X-Men buddy, the Beast, has gone down a dark and irredeemable path - will Iceman follow suit? Or will his inherent good nature win out in the end? Regardless, Iceman’s Omega-level powers continue to grow, and his ability to resist the Brood makes him an essential X-Men member in the alien battles to come.
X-Men #20 is on sale March 8 from Marvel Comics!
