THE Pontoon has always been a unique superhero, from his nightmarish powers to his complicated history. However, as unique as Hulk is, the original character has nothing on the X-MenThe version of him, who is ready for a comeback.
Discover the power of the X-Men behemoth “Ice Hulk”
As revealed in Exceptional X-Men #12 by Eve L. Ewing and Federica Mancin, the members of the team of young mutant superheroes train with their mentors, Emma Frost and Iceman. The Exceptional X-Men are a spinoff team from the original X-Men team trying to find their own way in the post-Krakoa world, so they need all the training they can get. And Iceman doesn’t hold back.
Iceman uses his mutant powers to not only engulf the exceptional X-Men in a room of ice, giving them much more difficult terrain to train on, but he also does something pretty spectacular. Iceman creates a “Hulk” made entirely of ice, which he can control remotely and uses to test the exceptional abilities of the X-Men.
X-Men Potentially Teases Ice Hulk’s Return to Canon
While this may be a throwaway appearance for this issue, this is also technically the first incarnation of the fearsome Ice Hulk, known for X-Men readers of 2013 X-Men: Battle of the Atom. Ice Hulk is from a potential future timeline in the Marvel multiverse (designated Earth-13729) and, much like the version seen in Exceptional X-Men #12, Ice Hulk is a creation of Iceman, but with one key difference: Ice Hulk is sentient.
The version of “Ice Hulk” that the Exceptional X-Men fought in this issue was no more sentient than a puppet, as Iceman had complete control over him during the training session. However, this issue could set the stage for when Iceman creates a sentient Ice Hulk, leading to the return of a monstrous X-Men wicked.
It’s time for a Hulk vs. Ice Hulk showdown
Ice Hulk is an established villain in Marvel Comics, and this issue of Exceptional X-Men prepares the ground for his return. If Ice Hulk makes a return and becomes a scourge in the Marvel Universe, then it would make sense for the original Hulk to step in and take him down. Then fans will finally be able to see how this unique version of Hulk compares to the original.
Only time will tell if the non-sentient version of “Ice Hulk” featured in this X-Men the comic will ultimately become the villain fans know and love. However, what is clear is the extent to which this version of Pontoon really is, and how exciting the mere prospect of him returning to the Marvel Comics canon is as well.
- First appearance
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The Incredible Hulk (1962)
- Alias
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Robert Bruce Banner
- Alliance
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Avengers, Defenders, Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Fantastic Four, Pantheon, Warbound, SMASH, Secret Avengers
- Franchise
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Wonder
