Icicle (comics)

Icicle is the name of two fictional supervillains appearing in comic books published by DC Comics: Joar Mahkent and Cameron Mahkent (father and son; to differentiate between the two, the suffixes, Senior and Junior, are used).

Icicle
Joar Mahkent (top) and Cameron Mahkent (bottom). Respective arts by Irwin Hasen and Alan Davis.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearance(Joar):
All-American Comics #90 (October 1947)
(Cameron):
Infinity, Inc. #34
(January 1987)
Created by(Joar):
Robert Kanigher
Irwin Hasen
(Cameron):
Roy Thomas
Dann Thomas
Todd McFarlane
In-story information
Alter ego(Joar):
Dr. Joar Mahkent
(Cameron):
Cameron Mahkent
Team affiliations(Joar):
Injustice Society
(Cameron):
The Society
Injustice Society
Injustice League
Suicide Squad
Notable aliases(Cameron):
Icicle Jr.
Abilities(Joar):
Average athlete and hand-to-hand combatant; cold ray gun; special costume to protect from gun.
(Cameron):
Cold manipulation and generation

A version of the character appeared in the fifth season of The Flash, played by actor Kyle Secor. This version is Thomas Snow who is the father of Caitlin Snow. Icicle also appeared on the first season of the DC Universe streaming service show Stargirl as Jordan Mahkent, the main antagonist and leader of the Injustice Society, played by Neil Jackson while Hunter Sansone appears as his son Cameron Mahkent.

Publication history

The Joar Mahkent version of Icicle first appeared in All-American Comics #90 and was created by Robert Kanigher and Irwin Hasen.[1]

The Cameron Mahkent version of Icicle first appeared in Infinity, Inc. #34 and was created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, and Todd McFarlane.[2]

Fictional character biographies

Dr. Joar Mahkent

When noted European physicist Dr. Joar Mahkent arrived in America with his latest scientific discovery, spectators at dockside were astonished to witness the luxury liner upon which Mahkent was traveling suddenly frozen solid in Gotham Harbor. Investigating this phenomenon, the original Green Lantern (Alan Scott) was shocked by the sight of Dr. Mahkent shot dead in his stateroom, apparently the victim of Lanky Leeds, a notorious racketeer who was reportedly traveling on the same ship. Thus, when the bizarrely costumed criminal known as the Icicle appeared upon the scene later that same day, wielding a unique weapon capable of instantly freezing solid any moisture in the air, Green Lantern presumed he was actually Lanky Leeds, who had stolen Doctor Mahkent's invention. After several frustrating encounters, Green Lantern ultimately unmasked the Icicle as Joar Mahkent himself, who had, in fact, murdered Lanky Leeds, using his cold ray gun to temporarily disguise Leeds' face as his own. Attempting to escape from Green Lantern, the Icicle leaped off a 20-story building and apparently plunged to his death in the Gotham River far below.[3]

Actually, the Icicle survived his fall into the river, and returned to plague the Emerald Gladiator time and time again, eventually becoming a member of the Wizard's second Injustice Society of the World which succeeded in briefly hypnotizing the Justice Society of America. During their Patriotic Crimes, the Icicle stole the Washington Monument. Later he was a founding member of the Crime Champions of Two Earths, along with the Wizard and the Fiddler, which teamed up with a trio of crooks from Earth-1 after the Fiddler accidentally discovered a way to travel between worlds. The Icicle committed a million-dollar robbery on Earth-2 and escaped Hourman and Doctor Fate. He was defeated by Doctor Fate while robbing a museum on Earth-1. The Justice League and the Justice Society were captured and imprisoned in cages in space by the Crime Champions though, but escaped with the help of the Green Lanterns. All the villains were then captured.

The Icicle met his death during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, when he and several other supervillains attempted to invade the laboratory of the renegade Oan known as Krona.

The storyline Batman: Hush revealed that, as young children, Bruce Wayne and Thomas Elliot witnessed a fight between Alan Scott and the Icicle during a visit in Metropolis, which inspired both of them to consider the importance of the tactical expertise that they would use in their future costumed careers.

Joar Mahkent has been identified as one of the deceased entombed below the Hall of Justice.

Cameron Mahkent

Cameron Mahkent has no need for a 'cold gun', as his father's prolonged exposure to the weapon altered his genetics, allowing him to biologically pass down to his son the ability to freeze objects and people or to lower the temperature of a room or other area. Cameron's skin pigmentation was also affected, making him appear to be albino.[4]

Cameron became the second Icicle shortly before joining the Wizard's Injustice Unlimited group. It was during the period of the DC mini-series Legends (1986), the people of America were turned against their heroes, and a law was made that no one could operate as a crimefighter legally wearing a costume. This did not affect the villains much, as they were already breaking the law. For the new Icicle, it proved an opportune time to join with other super-criminals. He joined the Wizard in his new Injustice Society – called Injustice Unlimited. The group overcame the security at the International Trade Conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada... namely Infinity, Inc. and a contingent of the Global Guardians and forced the heroes to help in some mayhem. The Icicle was given the mission of finding and retrieving the man-monster called Solomon Grundy. He took with him the still hypnotized Icemaiden and Jade and they traveled to the Arctic Circle. They were successful in the mission and brought back the white behemoth to Calgary, just in time to interfere with the escape plans of the Wizard. The plan of blackmailing the wealthy businessmen went haywire when Hourman (Rick Tyler) revived and freed himself. In the confusion of the battle, however, Cameron was able to escape.[5]

Only weeks later he again joined with Artemis and Hazard, as well as the new Harlequin, the Dummy and Solomon Grundy. The Dummy wanted to head a revived Injustice Unlimited and planned to murder the members of Infinity Inc. to make a name for themselves. Their first target - Skyman - was successfully killed by the Harlequin and then Icicle went after Brainwave Jr. After believing the mental mutant dead the Icicle returned to his cohorts. A plan was hatched to bring all the remaining Infinitors to Stellar Studios and kill them, a plan defeated only by the unwillingness of Hazard to cooperate, and the sudden reappearance of Brainwave Jr. and Jade (both of whom had been thought dead). The Icicle nearly killed Brainwave Jr. in hand-to-hand combat but was knocked out by Jade. In the end Cameron was given over to law enforcement.[6]

Later, after he engaged in battle against the second Star-Spangled Kid, S.T.R.I.P.E. and Starman, he joined the new Injustice Society at the invitation of Johnny Sorrow, who released him from his prison cell. During Stealing Thunder, when the Ultra-Humanite remade the world after acquiring control of Johnny Thunder's Thunderbolt, he was forced to help the 'reserve JSA'- consisting of Captain Marvel, Hourman, the third Crimson Avenger, Power Girl, Sand and Jakeem Thunder- against the Ultra-Humanite, since they were the only other people free in the world created by the Ultra-Humanite. He was later offered a position in the JSA by Sand but turned him down saying that he only fought with Sand for his own reasons.

Cameron does not care about his father's Golden age villainous legacy. He became a villain, not because of legacy, but because he's not a nice guy. He is a far more ruthless foe than his predecessor. He has begun a relationship with his teammate, the Tigress.

As part of the Superman/Batman "Public Enemies" arc, the Icicle is part of a multi-villain attack on Superman and Batman in Washington D.C.. Despite working with other cold themed villains such as Killer Frost and Captain Cold and having the backing of President Lex Luthor, the Icicle and all the villains are soundly defeated.

During the Infinite Crisis storyline, Cameron popped up as a member of Alexander Luthor, Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains.

One Year Later, he is approached by Mirror Master to join the Suicide Squad for a mission.

On the cover of Justice League of America #13 (Vol. 2), it shows Icicle as a member of the new Injustice League, though this was not corroborated by the story.

He can seen as the member of Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains.

Icicle and Tigress appear in the "Hourman and Liberty Belle" Second Feature in JSA All Stars. The story involves them alternately working with and against the heroic couple in a quest to locate a magical artifact. He and Tigress are expecting a baby, which appears to threaten Tigress' health. Icicle is trying to 'raise' money for expensive treatments.[7]

In 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. The Green Team encountered Icicle on a meteor which he hijacked from Bellachek Temple to give to his client. He begins to attack the Green Team by freezing their shuttle.[8] As Icicle continues his attack, he kills Paul who recognizes Icicle as Cameron. Icicle continues the attack until the meteor breaks into different fragments.[9]

In "DC Rebirth," Icicle appears at a villain award show at the Hall of Doom that is hosted by Harley Quinn.[10]

James and Doyle Christie

Joar Mahkent's grandchildren briefly adopt their grandfather's name. James Christie, having adopted Joar's methods, is caught by Doyle Christie who briefly becomes a superhero.[11]

Other versions

JLA/Avengers

The Icicle and other cold-themed villains are seen among the enthralled villains defending Krona's stronghold in JLA/Avengers.[12]

Justice League Adventures

Based in the DC animated universe, Icicle is part of a group of ice-themed villains called the "Cold Warriors" that tried to overthrow a small African nation. The Cold Warriors appear in Justice League Adventures #12 (December 2002).

DC Super Friends

Based in the DC Super Friends universe, Icicle is part of a group of ice-themed villains called the "Ice Pack" that encased a city in ice and snow. The Ice Pack appear in DC Super Friends #16 (August 2009).

Flashpoint

In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Icicle is a member of Deathstroke's pirates.[13] Icicle aided Deathstroke in attacking Warlord's fleet.[14] After an attack by Aquaman and Ocean Master, Icicle was asked by Sonar to free him, which Icicle agreed to do.[15] After Warlord's ships were destroyed by Jenny Blitz, Icicle joined in a mutiny against Deathstroke, but Deathstroke and Blitz overheard this and killed the crew members for their treachery. Icicle is killed by having his head blown off by Blitz.[16]

In other media

Television
  • The Super Friends version of Icicle appeared in the "Post Super Heroes Create a Villain Contest" cereal commercial from the 1980s. Robin says "Holy Icicles!" and then Icicle shoots his freeze ray, but Superman deflects it right back at him with hands.
  • Both versions of Icicle appear on Smallville in the two-part episode "Absolute Justice": Cameron Mahkent (played by Wesley MacInnes) and Joar Mahkent (played by Gardiner Millar). Cameron is responsible for the death of the Star-Spangled Kid/Sylvester Pemberton and Sandman under Amanda Waller's orders. After killing Doctor Fate, Cameron went to see the bed-ridden vegetative Joar. After revealing his plans, he pulled the plug on his father before donning Doctor Fate's helmet. Crashing into the Watchtower, he started a fight with Hawkman, Stargirl, Clark Kent and Green Arrow before being attacked by the repowered Martian Manhunter. Due to the Martian Manhunter's ability to phase through objects, Cameron's powers were useless and the members of the JSA and Justice League defeated Cameron. Hawkman delivered the finishing blow with the mace, knocking Fate's helmet off and returning Cameron to normal. Cameron was subsequently imprisoned in a heated room in Checkmate facility. There, Waller revealed that his attacks against the JSA had accomplished exactly what she had intended—bringing the team back together, part of a plan to save the world from "a coming apocalypse". When Cameron protested that this was not what he had signed up for, Waller shot and apparently killed him, as a "welcome" to the Suicide Squad.
  • Both versions of Icicle appear in the Young Justice animated series with Cameron Mahkent (called Icicle Jr.) voiced by Yuri Lowenthal[17] and Joar Mahkent voiced by James Remar. Cameron first appeared in "Independence Day" is shown causing havoc on a bridge in Star City until he is taken down by Green Arrow and Speedy. In "Terrors", Joar appears where he, his son, and the ice-based villains (Killer Frost, Captain Cold and Mr. Freeze) specifically plan to start a breakout in Belle Reve. Icicle Jr. mentions to the disguised Superboy that his father acts as a jerk to him. Once the breakout and takeover has been done, Icicle Sr. has his son and Superboy had to break through the walls to the Women's side. Superboy convinces Icicle Jr. to "show some initiative". During this time, Icicle Jr. unwittingly aids Superboy and even helps fight off several villains, including starting a fight with Mr. Freeze. Shortly after, he discovers who Superboy really is and states "dad's gonna kill me". It turns out that Icicle Sr. was in cahoots with Hugo Strange as both are shown to be associated with the Light (Project Cadmus' Board of Directors). In "Beneath", Icicle Jr. appears in Bialya with Psimon, Mammoth, Shimmer, and Devastation where they assigned to guard a shipment of children to The Light's partner. When Devastation brings down Wonder Girl, Icicle Jr. tells her that she isn't alone. While Psimon and Miss Martian have a psychic battle, he tries to kill Miss Martian, saying his heart got broken after Belle Reve. Before Icicle can kill, Psimon is defeated by Bumblebee, allowing Miss Martian to defend herself by hurling Icicle Jr. into a wall. He is later seen at the end of the episode relatively unharmed. In "Darkest", Icicle Jr. is sent with Aqualad, Tigress, and the Terror Twins on a mission to attack Impulse and Blue Beetle. He manages to freeze Blue Beetle until he breaks free. When the Blue Beetle scarab takes control, he manages to knock down Icicle until Aqualad and Tigress subdue Blue Beetle. Icicle Jr. joins Aqualad, Tigress, and the Terror Twins into retreating back to Black Manta.
  • A variation unrelated to any of the comics' iterations appears in season five of The CW's live-action series The Flash, portrayed by Kyle Secor. This version is Dr. Thomas Snow, the father of Caitlin Snow. The first half of season five sees Caitlin looking for her father, who had supposedly died 20 years earlier, after discovering that his death certificate was faked. In the episode "The Icicle Cometh", Caitlin, the Flash, and Cisco Ramon find Thomas and learn that he was attempting to find a cure for his and Caitlin's ALS gene, which resulted in them both getting ice powers. However, he claimed that unlike his daughter, who developed a split personality called "Killer Frost", he never developed one and is dying; with a serum based on Caitlin's D.N.A. being the only cure. Eventually, it is discovered that he did develop an alternate personality, later dubbed "Icicle", who was in control of Thomas's body the entire time and that he needed the serum to kill his other self. Icicle's plan is foiled when Killer Frost reemerges and destroys the serum, forcing him to flee. Icicle returns in the episode "Snow Pack", intending to eliminate Caitlin and her mother Carla's human sides. Just as Icicle is about to kill Caitlin, Thomas suddenly finds the strength to return to his human form. When Caitlin is attacked by the supervillain Cicada, Thomas sacrifices himself to save Caitlin and dies in her arms.
    • Though he does not appear in "The Icicle Cometh," Cameron Mahkent's name was used on Thomas' death certificate as the ME who signed off on his death.
  • A version of Joar Mahkent named Jordan Mahkent appears in the DC Universe series Stargirl, portrayed by Neil Jackson. This version is portrayed as the leader of the Injustice Society of America who lost his wife Christine (portrayed by Amanda Lavasanni) due to an illness and is supported in his campaign by his parents Sofus and Lily (portrayed by Jim Franco and Kay Galvan respectively). In the pilot episode, ten years prior to the series, Icicle led the ISA's attack on the Justice Society of America's headquarters; fatally wounding their leader Starman himself. In the years since, he settled down in Blue Valley as a businessman in his civilian identity and became the founder of Blue Valley business, The American Dream. In the episode "S.T.R.I.P.E.", Icicle meets with Injustice Society member Steven Sharpe to discuss the rise of Starman's successor, Stargirl. In his self-titled episode, Icicle engaged Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. in battle, which led to the murder of fellow ISA member Wizard's son. When Icicle's associate confronted him about what happened, he froze him. In the episode "The Justice Society," Icicle meets with the ISA to determine how to handle Stargirl after she starts rebuilding the JSA. In the two-part season one finale, "Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.", Icicle leads the ISA in enacting "Project: New America", but Stargirl's JSA foil their plans. After sustaining damage while fighting her and S.T.R.I.P.E., he was shattered by the latter's son Mike.
    • Cameron Mahkent also appears in the show, portrayed by Hunter Sansone, with Roger Dale Floyd portraying him as a child. He appears as a student at Blue Valley High School and classmate of Stargirl's. In the episode, "The Justice Society," he develops his cryokinetic powers after using his breath to extinguish a candle during a memorial dinner for Christine.

Film
  • The Cameron Mahkent version of Icicle was also reportedly featured in David S. Goyer's script for the Green Arrow film project entitled Super Max.[18]
  • The Cameron Mahkent version of Icicle appears in the Superman/Batman: Public Enemies with his grunts provided by Michael Gough. He teams up with other cold themed supervillains Mr. Freeze, Killer Frost, and Captain Cold to get the $1 billion bounty on Superman. After a brief fight with Batman, they are all defeated by a blast from Superman's heat vision.

Video games
  • The Cameron Mahkent version of Icicle appears as a boss in Young Justice: Legacy, with Yuri Lowenthal reprising the role. Cameron and Sportsmaster are securing a piece of an ancient statue in Verhoyansk for The Light. Sportsmaster prey on Cameron's issues with his father to have him work more efficiently. He and Sportsmaster are defeated by The Team.
  • A version of Icicle is mentioned in Injustice 2. He is mentioned in one of the intro dialogues between Green Arrow and Captain Cold or Sub-Zero. Icicle is also mentioned by Jay Garrick when meeting Sub-Zero.

Miscellaneous

Based in the DC animated universe, Icicle is part of a group of ice-themed villains called the "Cold Warriors" that tried to overthrow a small African nation. The Cold Warriors appear in Justice League Adventures #12 (December 2002).

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References
  1. Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 163. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  2. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 149. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  3. All American Comics #90. DC Comics.
  4. Infinity Inc. #34. DC Comics.
  5. Infinity Inc. #35-37 (1987). DC Comics.
  6. Infinity Inc #51-53 (1988). DC Comics.
  7. JSA 8--Page Giant 2011. DC Comics.
  8. Green Team: Teen Trillionaires #5. DC Comics.
  9. Green Team: Teen Trillionaires #6. DC Comics.
  10. Harley Quinn's Villain of the Year #1. DC Comics.
  11. Flash Vol. 2 #56-58. DC Comics.
  12. JLA/Avengers #4. DC Comics.
  13. Flashpoint #2 (June 2011). DC Comics.
  14. Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #1 (June 2011). DC Comics.
  15. Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #2 (July 2011). DC Comics.
  16. Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #3 (August 2011). DC Comics.
  17. Fitzpatrick, Kevin (2010-07-23). "Comic-Con 2010: Young Justice". UGO.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  18. "Supermax: Green Arrow Story Details + Villains/Inmates Gallery - Movie News". Latinoreview.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
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