As winter approaches and temperatures drastically drop, this is the perfect time to reflect on some of DC Comics most dangerous and bizarre ice-themed villains. These coldhearted foes have been bringing a chill to pop culture since the Golden Age of comics. This list will explore those characters who base their modus operandi on the use of icy powers, freeze rays, climate control, snow trickery, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. So put on your best winter wear and let the snowball fight and bad puns begin!
5) Snowman
Here to break the ice, half yeti, half man, Klaus Kristin is the first villain on the countdown. Calling himself “Snowman,” Klaus made two comic book appearances in the early eighties, taking on the Dark Knight. In Batman #337, Klaus kills two men before facing Batman and eventually falling off a cliff. Batman later confronts Kristin and his yeti father. Klaus has the ability to change from an albino human into a yeti. Snowman would later assist other ice themed villains in an attempt to takeover a small African nation.
4) Icicle
The oldest of the villains on this list, debuting in 1947 in All-American Comics #90, Dr. Joar Mahkent arrived in Gotham City freezing a luxury liner completely solid. Covered in a layer of permafrost and wielding a freeze ray gun, Icicle quickly attracted the attention of Green Lantern, Alan Scott. Shortly after, he became a member of one of the first super villain team-ups, the Injustice Society of the World. Now deceased, Joar’s body lay entombed below the Hall of Justice.
As they say, father like son, Cameron Mahkent would later take up the mantle as the new Icicle. After years of prolonged exposure to cryogenic chemicals and gases, Joar’s genetics were compromised and passed on to his son, giving Cameron cryokinetic powers. No love loss for dear old dad, Cameron has stated that his turn to villainy is less about legacy and more about wreaking havoc. Aligning himself with the a new Injustice Society and later the Secret Society of Super Villains, this ruthless predecessor has taken on some of the highest profile heroes, including Superman and Batman (Public Enemies).
3) Killer Frost
Crystal Frost, a student at Hudson University, fell in love with her uninterested professor, Martin Stein (one half of Firestorm). Talk about your coldshoulder. After getting accidentally locked in a thermo frost chamber, Crystal transformed in to the frigid Killer Frost, directing her anger at Firestorm. She would later join the likes of Ultra-Humanite and Cheetah in the Secret Society of Super Villains to take on the Justice League of America. Eventually she confided in her friend, Louise Lincoln, who ran test on her and discovered that her powers were slowly killing her. In an effort to save her life, Firestorm allowed Frost to absorb some of his energy. Unfortunately she absorbed too much and died.
Repeating the experiment that transformed her friend and colleague, Crystal into Killer Frost, Louise would assume her identity. Blaming Firestorm for Crystal’s death, she sought revenge. Frost has the ability to generate projectiles and defense walls made entirely of ice. Unlike other ice-themed villains, Killer Frost can absorb heat based weaponry and thrives on it. She went on to join Lex Luthor, Joker, and Cheetah in the Injustice League. Loren Fontier and most recently, Caitlin Snow would also take up the moniker of Killer Frost.
2) Captain Cold
One might argue that the top spot for ice-themed villain in DC Comics should go to this man, Leonard Snart aka Captain Cold. Coming from a troubled home, Leonard got his criminal start in small time theft. After being incarcerated by the Flash, Snart decided to up his game and devised a cold gun that could reach absolute zero, which could slow down the world’s fastest man. Captain Cold is the leader of the Rogues, a group of the Flash’s greatest foes. Snart and the Rogues have a strict code of honor. He enforces a rule of no drug use, no senseless violence, and no killing especially woman and children. This moral code, as interesting as it may be for a bad guy, is the reason for his position as second top ice-themed villain. In his most current incarnation, Snart has traded in his cold gun for actual cryokinetic powers.
1) Mr. Freeze
It should come as no surprise that the number one villain on this countdown is Victor Fries aka Mr. Freeze. Mr. Freeze began his comic book life as Mr. Zero, a somewhat joke character that became popular after the 1960’s Batman TV Series. In the 90’s, Freeze would receive a makeover. The once petty thief, who used an ice gun similar to Captain Cold, gained a purpose when his back story revealed a scientist trying to save his wife Nora, from terminal illness. Victor placed his wife in cryo-stasis but his work was interrupted, and he was subjected to the cryo-chemicals which lower his body temperature requiring him to wear a special suit. This version of the character committed crimes to further his research though he does have a weakness for diamonds.
Mr. Freeze lands the number one spot on this list because aside from his great origin story, he is a brilliant scientist in multiple fields, multi-lingual, and is immune to most toxins, bacteria, and viruses. His refrigeration suit gives him super strength and his accident has drastically slowed down the aging process making him a fierce competitor long after Batman is gone. Mr. Freeze was recently revealed to have never been married to Nora. She was a research subject that he fell in love with which cost him his job at Wayne Enterprises. This version makes Freeze out to be more psychotic (Arkham bound) and potentially more dangerous. Mr. Freeze, though not the oldest ice-themed villain, has certainly received the most screen time and attention making him a fan favorite among Batman and comic book lovers.
So there you have it, the top 5 ice-themed villains of DC Comics (sorry, Minister Blizzard and Cryonic Man, maybe next time). Now go have yourself a hot cocoa and warm up!
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