Blue Snowman

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For the enemy of Batman, see Snowman (comics).
Blue Snowman
BlueSnowman.jpg
Blue Snowman in Power Girl #7 (2010).
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSensation Comics #59 (November 1946)
Created byWilliam Moulton Marston
In-story information
Alter egoByrna Brilyant
Team affiliationsVillainy Inc.
Notable aliasesThe Snowman
AbilitiesUsed a telescopic snow ray to create and reverse blizzards
Genius-level intellect

Blue Snowman (also known as The Snowman, real name Byrna Brilyant) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Blue Snowman is a genderfluid person who uses the invention of "blue snow", a special form of precipitation that freezes everything it touches. They're also notable as being an enemy of Wonder Woman and a member of the original Villainy Inc.

Publication history[]

Blue Snowman first appeared in Sensation Comics #59 and was created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter.[1]

Fictional character biography[]

Earth-Two version[]

Byrna Brilyant's scientist father died while working on his invention of "blue snow", a special form of precipitation that freezes everything it touches. This invention was intended to "serve humanity", although precisely how seems rather vague. Thinking to put their father's work to more profitable use, Byrna creates the masculine identity of the Snow Man and unleashes the petrifying power of blue snow upon the farming community of Fair Weather Valley, demanding each farmer's "life savings" in return for the chemical antidote that will free crops, livestock, and people from the snow's effects. The Blue Snow Man is discovered in "his" mountain sanctuary by Wonder Woman, who forces "him" to defrost the valley.[2]

Like many of Wonder Woman's enemies, Brilyant is sentenced to prison on the Amazon penal colony Transformation Island, but in 1948 they and seven female super-villains escape and pool their talents as Villainy Inc.. Led by the Saturnian slaver Eviless, the evil eight are again defeated by Wonder Woman. In this appearance, they call themself the Blue Snow Man.[3]

Byrna retained their male appearance and name in this second appearance, but what if anything is to be made of their choice of criminal identities is unknown.

Post-Crisis[]

After all of the Golden Age Wonder Woman stories were erased from history by the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, Blue Snowman fell into obscurity for many years. Sometime later, the Blue Snowman reappeared as they are pursued and defeated by Power Girl and Doctor Mid-Nite. They were accidentally killed and devoured by a giant alien bug that Vartox brought to earth in order to impress Power Girl.[4] In this version, Byrna uses a robotic suit of armor that is capable of creating snow. They're mentioned as "an old Wonder Woman foe", suggesting that their battles with Wonder Woman had occurred in the past. They were also mentioned as having worked with the Ice Pack, which did not exist in that continuity.

The New 52[]

In The New 52, Blue Snowman is first seen when appearing briefly after battling Wonder Woman and her ally Hessia alongside their robot minions.[5]

DC Rebirth[]

After the events of DC Rebirth, Blue Snowman's origin is altered. At some point, Byrna Brilyant came into contact with Veronica Cale, who had equipped Brilyant with an Exo-Mecha suit. This suit enabled Brilyant to attack Washington D.C. with blue snow, though the suit was eventually destroyed by Wonder Woman which in turn rendered Brilyant comatose.[6]

Later, Blue Snowman returned, wearing the post-Crisis version of the suit, ambushing Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor during their Valentine's Day date. Having encased both Wonder Woman's and Steve Trevor's arms in blue ice, the villain went to finish Steve off, at which point Wonder Woman knocked off Snowman's helmet. Steve was surprised to discover that Blue Snowman was a woman, but Byrna corrected that assumption by coming out as gender-fluid. Wonder Woman decided to let Byrna leave, hoping that this new insight will bring them peace.[7]

Powers and abilities[]

Blue Snowman possesses no superhuman powers, but has a genius-level intellect.

Equipment[]

Blue Snowman relies upon a "telescopic snow ray" to create petrifying blizzards and a "defroster ray" for reverse effects. They use a variety of gadgets, including a hat that produces blue snow and a smoking pipe that projects icicles.

Other versions[]

DC Super Friends[]

Blue Snowman appeared as a member of the Ice Pack with Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold, Minister Blizzard, Killer Frost, and Icicle in issue #16 of the Super Friends comic book series. Along with the Ice Pack, the group was able to freeze the Super Friends in a solid block of ice. Later, Blue Snowman argued with Killer Frost over the Selma Diamond, which resulted in the two encasing each other in ice and allowed Superman and Aquaman to take them into custody.[8]

The All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold[]

Blue Snowman appeared in the All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold comic book series (which is based on the animated series of the same name). They were seen with the other Wonder Woman villains (consisting of Amoeba Man, Angle Man, Cheetah, Crimson Centipede, Fireworks Man, Giganta, Mouse Man, and Paper-Man) as they, along with an assortment of Batman's villains, crashed the wedding between Batman and Wonder Woman. They were swiftly defeated by the joint efforts of the Justice League and the Amazons of Themyscira.[9]

The Legend of Wonder Woman[]

Blue Snowman was set to appear in the second volume to The Legend of Wonder Woman, a retelling of Wonder Woman's origins by Renae de Liz and Ray Dillon. However, DC cancelled the project under unknown circumstances. De Liz later posted preliminary artwork featuring Blue Snowman on Twitter.[10]

Sensational Wonder Woman[]

In the digital-first anthology series Sensational Wonder Woman, Blue Snowman first appears in the story "Ice Blue", where they receive funding from Veronica Cale to enhance their blue snow technology.[11] Blue Snowman later appears in "The Queen's Hive", where they, Giganta, Dr. Poison, and Silver Swan serve as Queen Bee's generals.[12]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jimenez, Phil; Wells, John (2010). The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 68. ISBN 978-0345501073.
  2. ^ Sensation Comics #59 (November 1946). DC Comics.
  3. ^ Wonder Woman #28 (March 1948). DC Comics.
  4. ^ Power Girl (vol. 2) #7 (February 2010). DC Comics.
  5. ^ Superman/Wonder Woman #4 (March 2014). DC Comics.
  6. ^ Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #41 (2018). DC Comics.
  7. ^ DC Love is a Battlefield #1 (2021). DC Comics.
  8. ^ DC Super Friends #16 (August 2009). DC Comics.
  9. ^ All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold #4. DC Comics.
  10. ^ Renae De Liz [@RenaeDeLiz] (16 December 2016). "As a love letter to the fans of Legend of Wonder Woman who patiently awaited Part 2, here's an icy villain for ya :)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Sensational Wonder Woman #7-8 (2021). DC Comics.
  12. ^ Sensational Wonder Woman #11-12 (2021). DC Comics.

External links[]

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