99 Problems, but an Iceman Pitch Ain't One

Take a gander at the pitch document I sent to Marvel Comics that got me a greenlight.

A little Iceman “doodle” by original series cover artist Kevin Wada

Even though I know what makes for a successful pitch, I spend way too much time overanalyzing successful proposal documents that come my way. While there’s a bit of a formula in terms of how much and how little information to provide decision makers, none of the rules really apply if you the creator are in sync with the creation. Once you’ve cracked the code in terms of communicating the vision in your head, it then becomes a matter of if the people with the money liking that idea. Regardless, it’s beautiful to review those documents. I can’t say that I learned anything new when a friend showed me the Stranger Things pitch deck, but I can tell you that those brothers knew exactly what vibe their final product was going to serve.

Whenever I have an opportunity to demystify the process of pitching ideas to editors, the main thing I bring up is knowing when the idea is “right.” Some pieces may still shift around or need a little extra time in the oven, but the bones work. My book Ghosted in LA at Boom! Studios was a concept that I literally had to pull over 20 minutes after a meeting with my editor to go into a coffee shop and type out because I had *it*. For many years, I used to say the reason I got Iceman was that I didn’t realize I was properly pitching, or that I didn’t know other creators were up for the job. That aspect is true, sure, but the real point is clear to me: I was completely in sync with what I thought was best for the character’s next chapter, and that’s what shows in the pitch document.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been asked to try my hand at a really appealing concept. This time around, I’m aware that other folks are up for the gig, and I’m too familiar with the industry to believe my name alone will get me the project. There are stakes. My instinct is to stick to my guns and focus on what kind of story I’d want to read. That said, I pulled out my old Iceman pitch hoping I could analyze the document and reconstruct whatever magic there was in that got me the gig.

As another gifty-poo celebrating Iceman Volume One’s fifth anniversary, and in the spirit of sharing behind the scenes stuff and helping folks learn more about the process, I’m sharing the proposal doc with you! As I’ve said before, I don’t really think there’s a magical equation to decipher from the words below, but you can see that I had a very clear understanding of what I wanted to do with Bobby Drake. While SO much of it changed (why the heck was I obsessed with Hank McCoy and Trish Tilby?!), there are thematic kernels that remained the backbone of the final series.

Enjoy, have a happy new year, and may we all celebrate some greenlights in the new year!

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Iceman Ongoing Series Proposal

Prepared by: Sina Grace

June 2016

In a nutshell: Ready to live in his own skin, adult Bobby Drake’s misadventures as an X-Man and recently-gay man bring about healthy doses of action, laughs, and- if he lets go of that cool exterior- romance. The larger message of this series will help readers understand: you’re more powerful if you live comfortably and honestly in your own skin. 

Opening Arc: Ice Breaker

The first arc is bookmarked by two important conversations: first with Emma Frost, and finally with his parents. Each issue, Bobby takes on a new challenge that will in one way or another teach him a lesson about his identity and build his emotional strength up to come out to his folks. 

Issue one:

First Act: The two Bobbys train super hard and lay amazing waste to sentinels. When done, the younger of the two goes off to meet up with his Inhuman beau (or anybody… the point is without any qualms, he goes on a date). Older Bobby is left feeling weird about it. He tries talking to Beast, but the guy isn’t the right kind of cerebral for what he’s dealing with.

Second Act: Bobby sets up a clandestine meeting with Emma Frost. He pointedly remarks about how little he trusts her after all the abuse she’s inflicted on his mind over the years, and asks for help making his way through this chapter of his life. After all, she’s the only person to have spent significant amounts of time in his brain. Did she know about his sexuality? Is there more he’s kept buried?

She remarks that his entire existence is predicated on hiding behind armor- the humor, the ice, the short temper… He’s devoted so much bandwidth to compartmentalizing and keeping everyone at a distance that he has no clue who he actually is under the ice. 

Third Act: Towards the end, she pushes his buttons and they do some sparring before she loses her patience and peaces out. Of course, cue one of Emma’s signature over-the-shoulder one-liners as she struts away. Bobby goes home, thoughts crowding his mind, and smiles optimistically when winter’s first snow gently lands on him.

Issue two: Bobby goes on a date! Trying his best to “play it cool,” Bobby can’t help but bungle things … It’s awkward, it’s funny, and at one point Bobby tries to use his powers to impress the guy, but still can’t get a second date, or his first gay kiss. 

Issue three: Iceman and Beast work together and butt heads as they follow a missing mutants lead from Trish Tilby. Headstrong with a faux ambassador/ soapbox mentality, Bobby’s approach is to go guns-blazing and assume the kids are victims of a hate crime. After much spectacle, Iceman and Beast learn the mutants were just running away from home because they wanted to tick off their parents.

Issue four: After Bobby makes the news from the previous issue’s events, an unhinged Pyro sets his sights on taking down Iceman for ultimate infamy. The battle leaves Bobby exhausted, and he lets off some steam with a one-night stand (this guy will become his on-again off-again).

Issue five: Dinner with the folks. Bobby comes out to his parents. His father has historically been presented as a P.O.S. and finding out his son is gay does not go over smoothly. It’s a contentious dinner that sends Bobby storming out of Long Island, angrier and more emotional than he’s ever been. Bobby creates a field of ice statues that he silently bashes to smithereens. The issue ends with Emma chiming into Bobby’s thoughts, feeling his rage from afar, and giving him one last easter egg in the tapestry that is his mind: she wasn’t the first to tamper with it.

Plans for the future

Action Stuff:

There are a few directions that Emma’s revelation may take the story. With an eye towards capitalizing on character/ family drama, it could be revealed that Bobby’s father has been repressing mutant powers of his own (only after a subplot misdirection of Bobby thinking his dad’s been in the closet this whole time), and had been telepathically trying to suppress his son’s powers in the earlier years. His father’s festering hate could create for some great storylines and allow a longterm foil for both Bobbys to react to. Also, as Bobby becomes more and more powerful, he’ll be creating a bigger target on his back for potential foes.

Personal Quest Stuff:

Iceman furthers his relationship with his younger self, while making time for what he wants. 

As Bobby breaks through his repressed feelings and memories, he tries to push his powers to new limits. Ultimately, he could evolve to a point where he becomes elemental himself, able to have more control and precision with creating formations from longer distances, etc. He takes on a weird protective big brother stance with younger Bobby, who petulantly points out how often he’s the one schooling his older self. Also, the two incessantly prank each other.

Romance Stuff:

It’s gonna take a while for Bobby to get things right. He’ll constantly be frustrated by how naturally his younger version leans into love and dating. He’ll get advice from Northstar about juggling being gay and a mutant, he’ll have some Sex and the City-level blunders. There will be jokes about how he’s such an Elsa (Frozen joke). Through and through, we will see Bobby’s charm and humor pervade. At his core lies an endless optimism, and ultimately it will take him *ahem* chilling out and enjoying the moment for him to be ready for love. 

Ongoing Gags: 

Every few issues, readers will get to see Bobby texting with various folks from his past about his sexuality. For as deep and heady as this process is, there are several opportunities for LOLs.

Opal: had no clue!

Lorna: kinda suspected it (hence picking Alex over him)

Spider-Man: I thought so, but your fashion sense was always so off