For its Marvel Legacy kickoff, Iceman is looking beyond the title character's X-Men roots to a lesser-known era of his past -- his time as part of the Los Angeles based superhero team known as the Champions.

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When Iceman #6 arrives in September, Bobby Drake discovers that his mutant power, to say nothing of his outlook, is evolving, and heads with longtime friend Angel to Los Angeles to reunite with Hercules, Ghost Rider, Black Widow and Darkstar, their former teammates from the late-1970s team the Champions.

"If you go back and look at the Champions books, Bobby was very much working hard to not be perceived as 'the kid' in the group," writer Sina Grace, who's joined on the title by artist Robert Gill, told CBR. "What’s interesting is that no one really sees him as that anymore, but that doesn’t mean his perceived value has grown. He’s always trying to prove something, it seems. I want to play with that. What’s even more interesting is that most all of these characters are in the midst of a shakeup of sorts, so everyone’s kind of wondering about the phrase 'the more things change, the more they stay the same.' Add the theme of 'legacy' to the mix, and you’ve got a solid backbone for a story about people leaning on each other in a time of need."

Check out the issue's solicitation text, and artist Kevin Wada's cover, below, and return to CBR this afternoon for an exclusive interview with Grace about what he has in store for Iceman and his amazing friends.

ICEMAN #6

  • Written by SINA GRACE
  • Penciled by ROBERT GILL
  • Cover by KEVIN WADA
  • CHAMPIONS REASSEMBLED
  • ICEMAN, one of the most powerful mutants within the Marvel Universe, discovers his powers and his outlook on life evolving. He needs to lead the charge with a team who stand proudly by his side in the war to “protect those who can’t protect themselves.” Hercules, Ghost Rider, Black Widow, Darkstar, and Angel re-unite with Marvel’s fearless frozen fighter setting ICEMAN on an all-new path. As more unexpected enemies emerge, can Bobby mature into the warrior he’s destined to become? Hope he survives the experience!