Warning: contains spoilers for X-Men #20!Iceman was one of the very first class of X-Men, and the hero has finally developed his powers to the point where even Wolverine's healing factor can't compare. In X-Men #20, Iceman joins his teammates, who are making a stand against the Brood. During the conflict, Iceman leans into his Omega-level status, using his great power to not only evacuate everyone to safety, but also regenerate himself in a way that puts Wolverine to shame.
X-Men #20 is written by Gerry Duggan, drawn by Stefano Caselli, colored by Federico Blee and lettered by Clayton Cowles. The X-Men, including Iceman, Firestar and Forge, are evacuating survivors of a Brood attack. Iceman uses his power to hold the Brood at bay. As the last survivors board the escape ship, Iceman tells them to go on without him. As the spacecraft takes off, Talon vows they will return for Iceman. However, her concern is immediately proved unnecessary.
Talon whirls around to see a tiny Iceman standing behind her. He reveals he made it onto the ship - or a part of him did anyway. Iceman has been able to generate a tiny body out of the moisture in the air, which will grow to full size once he has more water to work with.
Iceman, Not Wolverine, Has the Best Healing Factor
This amazing feat is another day at the office for Iceman - but this was not always the case. One of the founding members of the X-Men, Iceman is also an Omega-level mutant, meaning he is one of the most powerful on the planet, yet for years Iceman failed to live up to his potential; however, recent years have seen a shift in perspective for Iceman, and now he is exploring the full scope of his powers. Wolverine’s healing factor has been one of his defining characteristics, allowing him to survive for over a century; it is also the sole reason he was able to survive the process that bonded adamantium to his skeleton. This healing factor has also allowed Wolverine to survive attacks that would kill anyone else - and yet it pales in comparison to what Iceman accomplishes in this issue. Iceman was able to regenerate himself from a stray piece of ice that broke off from his body. He was somehow able to transfer his consciousness into the fragment, and thus was able to survive the Brood attack.
Iceman Overcomes Every Weakness in Wolverine's Healing
While Wolverine’s healing factor is one of the best on Earth, it is unlikely he would be able to regenerate himself from a scrap of flesh or a piece of bone, as Iceman does in this issue, and Logan is typically out of commission while he heals. In contrast, it seems that Iceman may not even have a true 'body' in his ice form, but rather be able to transmit his consciousness to any moisture within his area of influence. Free of pain and injury, Bobby's ice form makes him infinitely versatile, and his teammates don't have to risk their own wellbeing to rescue him. Bobby even avoids leaving behind mutant material, since his discarded ice just melts, avoiding the kind of situation Wolverine faces where his body parts end up being auctioned off to mad scientists.
Iceman’s ability to regenerate from a fragment of his body raises the question: can he be killed at all? If not, this would track with his Omega-level status - something Wolverine himself doesn't possess. Wolverine’s healing factor is one of the best in comics, but it pales next to how Iceman is continuing to evolve and expand his powers.
X-Men #20 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!