A new story arc is revealed after the latest issue of the popular comic book All-New X-Men outs Bobby Drake/Iceman as gay. Fans' reactions are mixed at this latest development and some are not thoroughly convinced.
As Marvel Cinematic Universe got busy rebooting the X-Men movies, changing casts and re-imagining characters, the same can be said with Marvel Comics. To reach a wider range of audience, and especially the modern generation, the X-Men comic books have also been rebooted via the All-New X-Men. The new version features the founding members of the team, including Iceman, as teenagers who time-travel to the future to fight alongside their older selves.
In the comic book, teenage Iceman gets called out by Jean Grey regarding his overly flirtatious comments on women and is revealed that she know that he really is gay and just compensating by being flirtatious. It also shows Iceman and Jean Grey discussing how the older Iceman presents himself as heterosexual, and other ensuing talks about sexuality.
While the move to discuss the relatively taboo issue of sexuality in the comic books is commendable, some of the fans are not thoroughly convinced of Iceman's supposed sexuality. Didn't he date Kitty Pryde for quite some time? And what of the short-lived but memorable romance with Rogue?
Writer Brian Michael Bendis doesn't see a problem. He was quoted saying, regarding Iceman's sexuality, that many people have hidden their sexualities or stayed closeted for a long time for so many reasons. The same can be said about Iceman. For a comic book character to be mutant AND gay, it could be a very complicated situation.
The gay story line for Iceman has exciting elements, and could help in exploring personal journeys for each of the X-Men. In any case, read all about Iceman's realizations in All-New X-Men issue number 40, out this week.
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