Killer Frost

Killer Frost
Louise Lincoln as Killer Frost preparing to attack Firestorm and Lorraine Reilly. Art by Jamal Igle.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	(Crystal Frost) Firestorm # 3 (June 1978) (Louise Lincoln) Firestorm (vol. 2) # 21 (March 1984) (Caitlin Snow) Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #19 (June 2013)
Created by	Gerry Conway Al Milgrom
In-story information
Alter ego	Crystal Frost Louise Lincoln Caitlin Snow
Team affiliations	(Crystal Frost) Secret Society of Super Villains Hudson University Black Lantern Corps (Louise Lincoln) Suicide Squad Injustice League Secret Society of Super Villains (Caitlin Snow) S.T.A.R. Labs Secret Society of Super Villains
Abilities	(All) Cold and ice manipulation

Killer Frost is the name of several fictional characters in the DC Comics universe. They are supervillains that appear mainly as foes of the superhero Firestorm, Batman and the Flash.

Fictional character biographies

Crystal Frost

Crystal Frost was the first incarnation of Killer Frost. She appeared in Firestorm #3 (June 1978). While Crystal was studying to be a scientist in Hudson University, she fell in love with her teacher Martin Stein. While working on a project in the Arctic, Frost was upset to learn that Stein did not reciprocate her feelings. Frost accidentally locked herself in a thermafrost chamber but somehow survived. She was transformed in a way in which she was able to absorb heat from a living being and project cold and ice. Calling herself "Killer Frost", she began her murderous crusade against men and clashed with Firestorm on many occasions.^[1] Killer Frost eventually died after she absorbed too much energy from Firestorm. Crystal has been identified as one of the deceased entombed below the Hall of Justice.^[2] Her body was reanimated as a Black Lantern.^[3]

Louise Lincoln

Dr. Louise Lincoln is the second incarnation of Killer Frost. She first appeared in Firestorm (vol. 2) # 21 (March 1984) and used the name "Killer Frost" in issue #34. Lincoln was a colleague and friend to Crystal Frost. After her friend died, she decided to repeat the experiment as a last respect to her former mentor, and became the new Killer Frost. She became just as ruthless as her predecessor and began her own personal vendetta against Firestorm whom she blamed for Frost's death. She briefly served as a member of the Suicide Squad and sold her soul to Neron for more power.

During the Underworld Unleashed event, Killer Frost attacked Hawaii, freezing part of the islands before being stopped by Superboy and Knockout.

After a group of mobsters put out a hit on Lois Lane, Killer Frost rescued her from Solomon Grundy, only to then leave the reporter bound and gagged on a set of train tracks, hoping to take the credit and reward for Lane's death. Her plan was foiled by Superman who rescued Lois before the train could hit her.^[4]

Killer Frost was later freed by Effigy and the two had a brief flirtatious partnership before she was apprehended by Green Lantern.

Killer Frost was one of many supervillains seeking to earn a $1 billion reward offered by President Lex Luthor to sanction Superman and Batman whom he considered treasonous. This takes place in the Superman/Batman "Public Enemies" arc. She teams with Mister Freeze, Icicle, and Captain Cold in an attempt to ambush the two heroes in Washington D.C., but all four were defeated. They attack in a second wave, along with more villains such as Giganta and Gorilla Grodd but a similar backup of superheroes batter them all into submission. It was later discover that this ice-themed team of villains was being mind controlled by Grodd in Superman/Batman #3.

Dr. Light hires Frost and Mirror Master to attack Green Arrow and Black Lightning at a hospital in Chicago, Illinois where Kimiyo Hoshi is being held. Green Arrow stops Killer Frost by firing an arrow filled with Greek fire into her thigh. Unable to absorb the heat from the arrow, she is defeated by Green Arrow (Volume 3) #54-55.

Around this time, Lincoln discovered that she had contracted cancer, and tricked Jason Rusch, the new Firestorm (who had gained the previous Firestorm's abilities after his death during Identity Crisis), into curing her by posing as a normal civilian. With her health and powers restored Killer Frost went on a rampage, only to be defeated when Jason used his abilities to reverse his alterations to Lincoln's body, returning her cancer.^[5]

Killer Frost returned during the events of One Year Later, where she had apparently entered into a relationship with Mr. Freeze. Together, the two villains went on a killing spree in Manhattan New York, hoping to draw Firestorm into an elaborate trap. Once the hero arrived, Killer Frost used a device to send both of them into space, where she sought to absorb the heat energy of the sun. Firestorm narrowly managed to stop her plan, and both Frost and Mister Freeze were taken into custody by Batman. As they were being sent away, Killer Frost angrily revealed to Mister Freeze that she had only been using him as a pawn, and had no romantic interest in him.^[6]

Frost was later seen in the Justice League of America Wedding Special, battling Firestorm, until Lex Luthor, Joker, and Cheetah arrived, subdued Firestorm, and invited her to join the new Injustice League. She then appeared in Salvation Run, where she was sent to the Prison Planet after having been defeated and captured by the Suicide Squad.

In DC Universe #0 she was seen as the member of Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains. She is later seen as one of the villains sent to retrieve the Get Out of Hell free card from the Secret Six, and ultimately helped deal the killing blow to the crazed supervillain Junior and the troubled vigilante known as the Tarantula.^[7] A short time after this encounter with the Secret Six, Killer Frost appeared as one of the participants in a metahuman fighting tournament in Tokyo. She was defeated by Wonder Woman and Black Canary, who had disguised themselves as villains in order to take down the tournament from the inside.^[8]

Loren Fontier

In The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), the history of Firestorm is rebooted so that Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond are two high school classmates who gain their powers at the same time. A terrorist cell attacks the kids' school and female terrorist Loren Fontier goes after Ronnie and Jason in hopes of killing them and taking the Firestorm Matrix. Just as she is about to pull the trigger, Jason opens the Matrix, transforming both himself and Ronnie into Firestorm and badly injuring Loren. When one of the other gunmen attempts to dig Loren out of the rubble, he is horrified to discover that her skin has turned blue and is now apparently inhumanly cold, causing her to strongly resemble both of the previous Killer Frosts.^[9]

Caitlin Snow

In September 2013 as the "Villains Month" part of the Forever Evil storyline during The New 52, Killer Frost was featured in the one-shot Justice League of America #7.2, also titled Killer Frost #1.^[10] She can also be seen on the cover of Forever Evil #1 which hints at her involvement in that series. The issue revealed this is yet another version, however. Dr. Caitlin Snow is a scientist sent to S.T.A.R. Labs Outpost #72 in the Arctic to work on a thermodynamic engine whose creator had committed suicide, and she soon discovered the place had been infiltrated by H.I.V.E. agents. When they tried to kill her inside the engine, Caitlin frantically ripped off the coolant system merging her body with ice. Transformed into a heat vampire, she killed the H.I.V.E. agents and continued to search for other sources of heat, eventually discovering Firestorm's blasts can temporarily heal her condition. When he was declared dead by the Crime Syndicate, she loses hope for a cure.^[11]

Killer Frost mourns the disappearance of Firestorm (who was the only person who could provide her with the unlimited heat she needs for sustenance). She is distracted though by a woman's cries for help as her son is trapped in a flaming car. Though she is tempted to steal the woman's heat, the talk of fire intrigues Killer Frost. Investigating, she discovers that a supervillain calling herself Hotness is causing fires everywhere. Gleefully, Killer Frost catches her and steals her heat, killing Hotness. Despite having done nothing else to help, the boy is reunited with his mother, and Killer Frost resumes her search for Firestorm.^[12]

Powers and abilities

Both versions have shown the ability to absorb heat from external sources and transmute it into waves of cold. Using these powers, Killer Frost can create an ice-sheen across her entire body. She can then generate objects composed completely of ice, such as projectiles (ice daggers) and defensive walls. She can also instantly freeze animate matter through physical contact. In pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths appearances, she had the ability to make men fall under her control with a kiss.

Other versions

DC Super Friends

Based in the DC Super Friends universe, Killer Frost 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).^[13]

In other media

Television

Animated

• An exclusive version of Killer Frost appears in the animated series Justice League, voiced by Jennifer Hale (albeit uncredited). Although it was never stated which version she is, she's motivated by a base desire to kill people and does not seem to care who she serves so long as she is afforded the opportunity to do so. She joins Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society, relishing the chance to freeze Morgan Edge (off-screen) when the rest of the team is distracted examining the canisters containing Clayface. They were eventually defeated by the Justice League.

• The Justice League version of Killer Frost also appears in the sequel series Justice League Unlimited, again voiced by Jennifer Hale. She rejoined Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society. She was sent with Devil Ray, Heat Wave and Giganta to a mountain to steal a Viking ship frozen in a glacier. The ship held the remains of a Viking prince that were believed to hold the key to invincibility. When an avalanche threatened a nearby lodge, she was forced by the Martian Manhunter to save the people there. Later, when the Secret Society mutinied on the way to Brainiac's former lair, she joined Grodd's faction but was defeated by Toyman. After the mutiny was defeated, Lex Luthor demanded "one good reason" why any of the rebellious faction should be allowed to live to which Killer Frost stepped forward and froze the half of the Secret Society that had opposed Luthor. Satisfied, Lex replied "You've got a future" to Killer Frost. She subsequently appears as one of the Legion members who survive Darkseid's resurrection and ends up fighting alongside the Justice League in their struggle against Darkseid's forces.

• The Crystal Frost incarnation of Killer Frost appears in Young Justice, voiced by Sarah Shahi. In the episode "Independence Day", she appears briefly at the beginning of the episode, where she attacks Pearl Harbor and is defeated by Aquaman and Aqualad. In the episode "Terrors", Killer Frost is seen as an inmate at Belle Reve. She is part of the breakout attempt alongside Captain Cold, Mister Freeze and both Icicles. She freezes an undercover Miss Martian when she stops Killer Frost from finishing off a guard, but is stopped by Superboy. In the episode "Coldhearted", Killer Frost and the other ice-based villains were suspected of being behind the ice fortresses that attacked the United States. Hugo Strange told Batman and Flash that neither of the ice-based villains left their cells.

• The Louise Lincoln incarnation of Killer Frost appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Jennifer Hale (for the fourth time). This version is portrayed as Ronnie Raymond's vengeful ex-girlfriend. In the teaser of the episode "Darkseid Descending!", she crashes Raymond's class and attempts to kill Ronnie until Batman interferes. She battles Batman and Firestorm. They managed to defeat her and she is taken into custody by S.T.A.R. Labs vowing revenge on Firestorm.

Live action

• Danielle Panabaker portrays Dr. Caitlin Snow on The CW's The Flash and Arrow. She made her debut as a guest in the Arrow episode "The Man Under the Hood" and is a series regular in The Flash. Along with Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes) she is part of the S.T.A.R. Labs team which supports Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) in using his powers to save lives as the Flash, and eventually becomes good friends with Barry. Her season one storylines include mourning for her boyfriend Ronnie Raymond (Robbie Amell) who was believed to have died in the accident which gave Barry his powers. This caused Caitlin to sink into a state of depression but after the time spent with Barry helps her to eventually move on and regain her livelier attitude. Later she discovers that Ronnie is alive as one part of the fiery superhero Firestorm, though his mind is suppressed by his other half Martin Stein, and becomes determined to find him and fix him, eventually succeeding but Ronnie (and Stein) is still forced to leave to keep Caitlin safe. However knowing that Ronnie is alive and now himself again Caitlin is able to accept his departure.

Film

• The Louise Lincoln incarnation of Killer Frost appears in Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, with Jennifer Hale reprising her role (albeit uncredited) for the third time. In this film, she teams up with fellow cold-based villains Mister Freeze, Captain Cold and Icicle to capture Superman due to a bounty placed by President Lex Luthor. After a brief fight with Batman, they are defeated by Superman.

• The Louise Lincoln incarnation of Killer Frost appears in Batman: Assault on Arkham, voiced again by Jennifer Hale (for the sixth time).^[14] She appears as a member of the Suicide Squad, given by Amanda Waller the secret mission of killing the Riddler. During the infiltration of Arkham Asylum, Killer Frost locates Riddler, but decides against killing Riddler when she learns the reason she was sent for assassination - Riddler knows how to disable the bombs implanted in the Suicide Squad members. She also finds Mister Freeze's gun and uses it briefly to fight Batman, but has trouble lifting it and ends up leaving it behind after one fight. After the Joker breaks free and sets all the patients of Arkham loose, she tries to escape from Arkham by stealing a police car. However, Bane grabs and throws the car she was trying to drive, causing it to explode and leaving her fate unknown.

Video games

• In Justice League Chronicles, Eclipso noted that Killer Frost was the only one with a heart dark enough to free him from his prison.

• Killer Frost is featured in the video game Justice League Heroes, voiced by Nika Futterman.

• Killer Frost is also an outdoor raid boss in the MMORPG DC Universe Online, voiced by Christina J. Moore.

• The Crystal Frost version of Killer Frost appears as an unlockable character in the portable version of Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes.

• The Crystal Frost version of Killer Frost will appear as a boss in the video game Young Justice: Legacy, voiced by Vanessa Marshall.

• The Louise Lincoln version of Killer Frost appears in Injustice: Gods Among Us, voiced again by Jennifer Hale for the fifth time. In the alternate reality, she is a member of Superman's Regime and is shown to have her hair in a mohawk style. She fights Green Arrow at Wayne Manor (alongside Solomon Grundy) and Deathstroke at the Ferris Aircraft facility (alongside Wonder Woman). After the alternate Superman is defeated by Superman, Killer Frost is among the Regime members to be rounded up by the Justice League. In Killer Frost's ending, she becomes overconfident after her defeat of Superman and S.T.A.R. Labs scientists manage to apprehend her with the intent of using her ability to fortify the polar ice caps. They underestimate her however and she turns on them, eventually freezing the entire western hemisphere. The survivors of the incident currently struggle to overthrow the self-proclaimed "Ice Queen".

• The Caitlin Snow version will appear as a downloadable character in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.

Miscellaneous

• The Crystal Frost version of Killer Frost appeared along with Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold, Minister Blizzard, Cryonic Man, Icicle, Polar Lord and Snowman in Justice League Adventures.^[15]

• Killer Frost has appeared in the Justice League Unlimited spin-off comic book. Her appearance is in issue #21 with her Secret Society teammate (and current romantic interest) Heat Wave.

References

Firestorm Creators Gerry Conway Al Milgrom Dan Jolley ChrisCross Supporting characters Captain Atom Gehenna Firehawk Naiad Pozhar Felicity Smoak Enemies Hyena Killer Frost Multiplex Plastique Slipknot Typhoon Weasel In other media Super Friends Batman: The Brave and the Bold The Flash