Marvel is set to launch its new Midnight horror imprint on October 7, featuring a dark reimagining of its most iconic characters. The upcoming Midnight: X-Men series highlights a terrifying transformation for founding member Iceman, who appears to be evolving into a creature composed entirely of frozen blood.
Iceman trades frozen water for a ruby-red blood slide
Marvel's upcoming Midnight imprint is pivoting the X-Men franchise toward a darker, horror-centric narrative. According to the report, the launch on October 7 will feature three distinct series: Midnight: X-Men, Midnight: Spider-Man, and Midnight: Fantastic Four. This move suggests a strategic attempt to blend superhero action with specialized horror sub-genres, ranging from cosmic horror to animalistic transformations.
The most striking visual reveal involves the founding X-Man Iceman, or Bobby Drake, in the upcoming Midnight: X-Men series. As reported by the source, Skan Srisuwan’s variant cover for issue #2 depicts Iceman not as a creature of ice, but as a being made of frozen blood riding a ruby-red slide into combat.. This transformation places him within the "empyres"—a faction of mutants infected by an undead virus who fight both traditional vampires and standard mutants.
A dark reversal of the "holy water" tactic from Curse of the Mutants
Iceman's new form represents a complete inversion of his previous role as a primary defense against the undead. During the Curse of the Mutants event, Iceman famously utilized a method where he turned his body into solidified holy water to kill vampires on contact. By transforming him into a blood-based "empyre," Marvel is effectively turning the X-Men's most potent anti-vampire weapon into one of the greatest threats to mutantkind.
Three horror-themed series arriving on October 7
The new Midnight imprint is expanding its reach beyond the X-Men to include other pillar franchises . While Midnight: X-Men focuses on the conflict between mutants, vampires, and empyres, the Midnight: Fantastic Four series is expected to lean into cosmic horror. Meanwhile, Midnight: Spider-Man will reportedly explore themes of animalistic transformations, diversifying the brand's horror appeal.
Where is Wolverine in the Midnight lineup?
Several major questions remain regarding the full roster of characters slated for these horror-themed titles. While Dike Ruan's cover for Midnight: X-Men #2 shows Beast, Angel, and Jean Grey in the background, it is unclear if they are part of Cyclops' anti-vampire faction or if they have already succumbed to the virus. Furthermore, the notable absence of Wolverine has sparked speculation among fans. The source suggests Marvel may be holding Logan in reserve for a potential solo Midnight series , depending on the initial success of the October launch.
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