Iceman (X-Men) by James Harren
Artist: James Harren (Penciller)
24 Comments - 2,254 Views - 20 Likes
Additional Images:
Bowen Original Iceman Statue
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionStill going in 2021 posting my first pieces by artists, going with a few non-published pieces next, following up my Dike Ruan commission from last week. Here – Iceman by the very talented Mr. James Harren! Got on his commission list last year through Felix Comic Art.Been a fan of Iceman since the Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends cartoon of my childhood. Comic-wise I followed the character through his ‘80s miniseries, then X-Factor, then X-Men off and on. Design wise I’ve always liked that artists can really take it where they want – you can go sleek, craggy, slimmer, bigger, display his powers different ways, etc. And in his first handful of issues in X-men – snowbally! Which brings me to the art. When I first saw it I liked it but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I had just seen some more energetic images by Harren and thought “Hmm. This is not that. But cool.” But I quickly dug the kind of contemplative nature Bobby has here. With the yellow boots (never got why he wore those early on but hey...this is comics) it made me think this might be a scene early on where he’s figuring his powers out. Shedding (or melting?) the snowman look for the ICEman one. I like the serious expression and the craggy crystals on the shoulder and arm. Subtle blue colors really work. And the environment definitely gives that “figuring this out on my own” vibe, like it’s too cold for anyone else to be around. Let’s not forget that he IS an omega level mutant. Harren’s one of the best at displaying his own unique take on his character commissions and this is no exception. And I like how this image tells a story, at least to me! 3/4/21 UPDATE - Told James how much I liked the piece and asked why he went with the boots. His response: "Thanks man! Glad you like it. As far as I'm concerned it doesn't get any better than floppy yellow pirate boots. I love that original Kirby design. Whenever people commission me, I usually look at Kirby's version first for reference." So there you have it! I know many an artist share the same view - both on pirate boots and Kirby :) Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
M L 
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/24/2021
Great piece. Harren always brings the heat! 😎 Particulalry like the boots.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
Posted on 2/25/2021
M L wrote:
Great piece. Harren always brings the heat! 😎 Particulalry like the boots.
Or the cold ;) I remember you mentioned that if I ever got this framed it might be a good idea to have the Bowen original costume statue placed by it...I'm thinking about it! Went ahead and included a pic of the statue in the additional images so everyone can see dem boots :) Thanks, M, and all, for the comments!
JN 80
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Very unique rendition of Bobby drake. I dig it, loving your commission pieces K
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
The "diamond cut" Iceman being my favourite, I was absolutely shocked at this version when I first laid eyes on him in Astonishing X-Men a decade ago. But when I saw the new ways in which he used his powers, I grew to appreciate this look. Unlike Mikail up above, while I'm not down with the boots myself, I still dig this illustration. Very nICE. 😉
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
The "diamond cut" Iceman being my favourite, I was absolutely shocked at this version when I first laid eyes on him in Astonishing X-Men a decade ago. But when I saw the new ways in which he used his powers, I grew to appreciate this look. Unlike Mikail up above, while I'm not down with the boots myself, I still dig this illustration. Very nICE. 😉
In general the boots were just an odd choice way back when. Didn't make much sense to me but that wouldn't be a first or last in comics! I guess what's also is odd is that I actually do like the boots in this piece. Adds a little pop artistically and like I said in the description contributes to the stoy the piece tells. In my head, anyway :) Thanks!
Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Such a gorgeous take on Ice Man! The coloring alone is hypnotic. Congrats!
kent mansley
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
I love this piece so much! It feels cold which is exactly what you want for Iceman. The blue color with the yellow outline is perfect! Huge congrats!
Paul P Spiderversity
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Beautiful piece (love the blues and yellow outline), and yeah, I also see a story where he has discovered a new aspect of his powers (bunching up his ice into one of his limbs), but he's nooooot quite sure how he feels about it. With so many character design options, I am always interested to see how artists will portray Iceman. (You made me laugh when you called his early version "snowbally.")
J H
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
And then you have Beast going shoeless. Maybe Beast would pass his yellow booties to Bobby off-panel when they changed for Super Duty? I mean, we don't want Bobby's feet to get warm, fellas!!! I really like this commission, and Harren's choices. The yellow power glow is a nice choice to set him apart from the icy background. The crystallized power look is one I always liked. Nice pick up! Congrats
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
J H wrote:
And then you have Beast going shoeless. Maybe Beast would pass his yellow booties to Bobby off-panel when they changed for Super Duty? I mean, we don't want Bobby's feet to get warm, fellas!!! I really like this commission, and Harren's choices. The yellow power glow is a nice choice to set him apart from the icy background. The crystallized power look is one I always liked. Nice pick up! Congrats
Ha ha, yes! Beast bootless, Iceman with boots - makes total sense :) I was remiss in noting the yellow outline around Bobby there, and you're right, it does serve to make him stand out. And makes the whole image pop even more with that highlight of yellow. But it's subtle. Which is cool. Cold! FREEZING! :) Thanks for the add, J!
Matt Todd
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Beautiful piece K. James did a fantastic job with this. Great pick up my friend!!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
This piece is definitely cool! Time to chill, sit back and enjoy. Congrats!
Yo Kuri
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
This image is so evocative! It FEELS like walking through a snow storm. Congrats!
Travis Ellisor
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Fantastic work from James! I remember telling everyone back in 2010 that he was an artist to watch and I'm so happy to see that he has only gotten better as his popularity has increased! And I discovered Iceman in the Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends cartoon as well!
Jason Hussa
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/25/2021
Ooh! I love this one, K. My first thought when I saw it (after the cold shock of the color work here; I am in absolute delight with the bottom half of this piece, with the glacial drifts, blowing snow, icy vista - love how everything is sort of 'snowblinded out' on the left side - and, yes, the yellow boots...) was how James managed to encapsulate every era of Iceman, the character, in this image... Iceman changes his look every once in a while, of course, and here he's kind of showing them all (while trying on his latest...). I've looked back at the piece several times as I've been writing this and it grows on me more and more each time. It's solid, man! You've got yourself a winner, stone cold.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 2/26/2021
Jason Hussa wrote:
Ooh! I love this one, K. My first thought when I saw it (after the cold shock of the color work here; I am in absolute delight with the bottom half of this piece, with the glacial drifts, blowing snow, icy vista - love how everything is sort of 'snowblinded out' on the left side - and, yes, the yellow boots...) was how James managed to encapsulate every era of Iceman, the character, in this image... Iceman changes his look every once in a while, of course, and here he's kind of showing them all (while trying on his latest...). I've looked back at the piece several times as I've been writing this and it grows on me more and more each time. It's solid, man! You've got yourself a winner, stone cold.
"The Iceman cometh!" OK, BAD Batman & Robin Mr. Freeze pun but I just had to :) That popped in my head when I read your "snowblinded out" comment...got me thinking here that Iceman's approaching and bringing the "icy vista" with him...so whoever's around, best roll out! Good point on James including the multiple era looks of Iceman - hadn't thought of that before. And after first seeing this piece the first time and thinking "definitely good, but not what I was expecting", I've definitely grown to like it more and more! Thanks, Jason!
Xatari (Mike Hansen)
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/26/2021
I loved that cartoon too! This piece is a total blast!
Reba Jacobs
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 2/26/2021
Really enjoyed your write-up and how you found your way into the story of this one. That yellow outline makes in feel like we're in 'mid-power' here with some kind of transformation underway. I barely know the character so those boots just add to the curiosity of the tale to my eyes!
David Askani’Son
Member Since 2012
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 2/26/2021
This Version of Iceman is so different, i just love it. Great Commish K!
Steve N. Comic/Fantasy Art
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 3/5/2021
So cool. This right here would be Bobby's Magic: The Gathering card art.
Casey A
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 3/8/2021
Like most of Harren's stuff, I looked at it, nodded approvingly, left, kept thinking about it, came back, thought it was awesome, came back again, and here I am leaving a run-on comment about how awesome the piece is. Now I gotta get on his next list. Love this pickup!
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
 |
Auctions
| Hal Forrest Tailspin Tommy #2348 Daily Comic Strip |
Auctions
 |
FRANK FRAZETTA DEATH DEALER IV OIL PAINTING |
Auctions
 |
Jim Starlin - Epic Illustrated #14 - 'Messiah' Complete 6 Page Story |
Hakes Auctions
 |
SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL SOURCEBOOK RPG BOOK COVER ORIGINAL ART BY DAN JURGENS. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
Geoff M Art Sales
2 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Dan Goodsell9/7/2025 5:50:00 PM |
|
M Y-C9/7/2025 4:15:00 PM |
|
Nikolaos K9/7/2025 3:59:00 PM |
|
Peter Marino9/7/2025 3:28:00 PM |
|
Arnaud B.9/7/2025 3:12:00 PM |
|
ERFAUKI D9/7/2025 2:59:00 PM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/7/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Val Semeiks9/7/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Kirby's Comic Art9/7/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/7/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/7/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Galerie Daniel Maghen9/7/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|