Issue cover

At the center of the cover is Big Chill, an imposing, icy alien figure, shrouded in a ghostly, ethereal blue aura. His translucent wings are spread wide, casting a chilling glow across the scene. His eyes, glowing an icy white, pierce through the viewer, exuding a menacing, otherworldly presence.

Big Chill is depicted in mid-flight, his claws extended as if ready to strike. Frost and shards of ice swirl around him, creating a stormy, frozen atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the background. His formidable presence dominates the cover, establishing him as the main monster of the issue.

In the foreground, a group of diverse heroes, including Wiccan, Hulkling, Iceman, and America Chavez, stand defiantly, their expressions determined and resolute. Wiccan's hands are glowing with magical energy, Hulkling is in his powerful transformed state, Iceman is encased in his signature ice form, and America Chavez's fists are clenched, ready for a fight.

The title "Marvel's Voices: Pride" is emblazoned across the top in bold, colorful letters, with the "Pride" part of the title featuring the colors of the rainbow, celebrating the theme of the issue.

"Big Chill Takes Center Stage" – placed just below the main title, indicating the central conflict of the issue.

———
Lee clutched his small rainbow flag tightly in his chubby fist, his wide eyes sparkling with excitement. He sat securely in his stroller, surrounded by a joyful sea of colors and sounds. The vibrant hues of the parade decorations, the rhythmic beat of drums, and the laughter of people filled the air.

"Look at all the colors!" Lee exclaimed, pointing at the bright banners and streamers fluttering in the breeze.

His parents smiled at his enthusiasm. Jennifer, his mom, pushed the stroller, while her wife, Alice, walked beside her, holding Lee's other hand. Behind them, Lee's other parents, Alex and Jordan, followed closely. Alex, who was non-binary, glanced at Jordan, worry etched on their face.

"Do you think this is too much for him?" Alex asked, their voice filled with concern. "He's only three. What if it's overwhelming?"

Jordan placed a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder. "He seems to be having a great time so far. Look at that smile."

Jennifer glanced back at them, her face softening with understanding. "If it gets to be too much, we can always find a quieter spot. But for now, let's just enjoy the parade."

Alice nodded. "Lee's a curious little guy. I think he's fascinated by all the new sights and sounds."

Lee giggled as a group of dancers in glittering costumes twirled past, waving and blowing kisses to the crowd. He waved back enthusiastically, his face lighting up with pure delight.

"This is so fun!" he shouted, bouncing in his seat.

Alex's worry eased a little as they watched Lee's happy reactions. "Maybe you're right. He's taking it all in stride."

The parade was a dazzling tapestry of colors, sounds, and emotions, a vibrant celebration of love and acceptance. Floats adorned with rainbow flags and glittering decorations rolled down the streets, each one more elaborate than the last. Performers in sequined costumes danced energetically, their smiles as bright as the sunshine that bathed the parade route.

Bands played upbeat music, their rhythms echoing through the city, while cheerleaders waved their pom-poms and chanted enthusiastically. People of all ages, races, and orientations filled the sidewalks, waving flags, and cheering as the parade passed by. It was a joyful, united community, celebrating diversity and the freedom to be who they truly were.

Jennifer and Alice pointed out different parts of the parade to Lee, who was wide-eyed with wonder. A float featuring a massive, rainbow-colored unicorn passed by, and Lee squealed with delight.

"Look at the unicorn, Mommy!" he exclaimed, bouncing in his stroller.

"I see it, sweetie," Jennifer said, smiling. "Isn't it beautiful?"

Alex and Jordan walked alongside, holding hands and occasionally stopping to take photos of the floats and performers. The atmosphere was electric, filled with love and positivity. There were moments of solemnity too, with groups marching to honor those who had fought and continued to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

A group of drag queens, resplendent in their elaborate outfits, strutted by, blowing kisses to the crowd.

As they continued to watch the parade, Lee started to shiver. Jennifer, noticing his discomfort, leaned down. "Are you cold, sweetheart?"

Lee nodded, rubbing his little arms. "It's cold, Mommy."

Alice looked around, puzzled. "That's strange. It was so warm just a moment ago."

The crowd's murmur shifted from excitement to confusion as the temperature plummeted rapidly from a balmy 82 degrees to a chilly 55. People began rubbing their arms, pulling jackets tighter, and exchanging worried glances.

"What's happening?" Jordan asked, scanning the sky.

Lee tugged on Jennifer's sleeve, pointing upward. "Mommy, look!"

Everyone followed Lee's gaze, squinting against the bright sky. Something was flying high above, casting a shadow that seemed to blanket the entire area. The object was too big to be a bird, too erratic in its movements to be a plane.

"What is that?" someone in the crowd asked, voicing what everyone else was thinking.

"Maybe it's a drone?" another suggested, though the size made that unlikely.

"No, it's way too big for a drone," Alex countered.

The object descended slowly, becoming more defined as it approached. It was a creature, unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. With wings spanning wide and an ethereal, icy glow emanating from its body, it was mesmerizing and terrifying at the same time.

The crowd's curiosity quickly turned to fear as the creature flew closer, and the temperature dropped even further. Some people began to panic, backing away or pulling their children close.

The creature took a deep breath, the air around it becoming visibly colder, frost forming on surfaces and breath turning to mist. With a sudden, terrifying descent, it swooped down, unleashing a massive blast of ice from its mouth. The icy breath spread rapidly, freezing everything in its path. Parade floats turned into ice sculptures, and colorful decorations were encased in frost.

Screams of panic filled the air as people tried to flee, but the creature was swift and relentless. As it swooped down further, its sharp, crystalline wings sliced through the crowd with deadly precision. People fell, some frozen in place, others cut down by the creature's razor-like appendages.

Alex, clutching Lee tightly, ran with all their might, their heart pounding in their chest. "Keep moving!" They shouted to the others. "Don't look back!"

The creature, a monstrous figure of ice and malice, continued its rampage, its icy breath freezing anything it touched. It screeched again, a bone-chilling sound that reverberated through the streets. Those who were too slow or too close were instantly encased in ice, their terrified expressions frozen in time.

Suddenly, the creature landed with a thunderous crash, the ground beneath it cracking and freezing. It looked around with cold, glowing eyes, surveying the destruction it had wrought. Its presence was overwhelming, a nightmarish figure of ice and death.

"Big Chill!" The creature roared

In the chaos, Alex and Lee were separated from the rest of the group. Alex's heart raced as they looked around frantically for Jennifer, Jordan, and Alice, but the surging, panicked crowd made it impossible to see anything clearly. Clutching Lee tightly, they whispered reassuringly to the terrified child, "It's okay, buddy. We're gonna find them. Just hold on."

Meanwhile, Big Chill continued to unleash hell upon the parade. The creature's icy breath created deadly sculptures of frozen people, trapping them in solid ice. Its razor-sharp wings lashed out, slicing through anything in their path, while its cold, glowing eyes surveyed the destruction with a cruel satisfaction.

Big Chill's feral nature made its attacks even more unpredictable and terrifying. Unlike some of the other aliens in the Carnitrix, Big Chill seemed to revel in the chaos it was creating. It let out an unsettlingly loud screech, a sound that pierced through the cries of panic and fear, sending shivers down the spines of everyone within earshot.

Alex tried to navigate through the mayhem, desperately seeking a safe place to hide. But everywhere they turned, they were met with scenes of horror: people frozen in agonizing positions, others impaled on jagged ice spikes, and still more sliced to ribbons by Big Chill's deadly wings. The creature moved with a brutal efficiency, its every action causing more destruction and death.

"Stay close to me, Lee," Alex said, their voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. They had to protect Lee, no matter what.

Alex and Lee crouched behind a car, Alex's heart pounding in their chest as they tried to keep Lee calm. The temperature had dropped even further, and Alex could see their breath in the frigid air. Big Chill flew overhead, its icy breath creating a snowstorm that turned the once festive streets into a frozen wasteland.

With a powerful blast from its mouth, Big Chill froze a group of drag racers in mid-motion, their vibrant costumes and lively expressions now trapped in ice. The creature moved with a deadly grace, its wings cutting through the air with a chilling whoosh.

Alex peered out cautiously from behind the car, trying to gauge the creature's movements. As they watched Big Chill wreak havoc, a realization began to dawn on them. The descriptions in the news, the strange, deadly patterns, the way this creature seemed to take a sick pleasure in its violence—it all fit. This had to be the creature the police were calling "The 10 Alien Killer."

Big Chill hovered menacingly above the chaotic scene, its wings flapping rhythmically, creating gusts of freezing wind. The temperature had plummeted to near-arctic levels

With another deep breath, Big Chill unleashed a powerful blast of ice, encasing a group of revelers in solid ice. Their expressions of terror were frozen in place, a macabre tableau of fear and helplessness. The alien's screeching, high-pitched cry reverberated through the air, sending shivers down the spines of anyone who heard it.

Big Chill then directed its icy wrath downward, creating a rain of sharp ice spikes that pummeled the ground. The spikes impaled several people, their blood staining the snow that now covered the once colorful streets. The ground was littered with bodies, some frozen solid, others mutilated by the alien's vicious attacks.

Alex and Lee stayed hidden, their breaths coming in short, terrified gasps. The sound of ice shattering and people screaming filled the air

Alex knew they had to stay calm and focused, but the sheer horror of what they were witnessing made it almost impossible.

As Big Chill continued its relentless attack, the sky above darkened with storm clouds.

The area around the parade route transformed as snowflakes began to fall from the darkened sky, swirling in the gusts of frigid wind that Big Chill's presence seemed to conjure.

The ground was coated in a thick layer of snow and ice, making every surface dangerously slick. The roads, previously bustling with traffic and parade floats, were now blocked by overturned vehicles, debris, and the frozen remains of those unfortunate enough to be caught in Big Chill's attack.

Alex peered through the wreckage, scanning for any signs of law enforcement or emergency responders. They noticed the absence of sirens or flashing lights that typically accompanied such catastrophic events.

"Where are the police?" Alex mumbled to themselves, their voice barely audible over the howling wind.

As Alex surveyed the blocked-off roads and the sheer scale of the destruction, they nodded grimly to themselves. "Okay, that makes sense," they muttered, realizing the logistical challenges emergency responders faced in reaching the area.

Alex shivered as the temperature continued to plummet, the cold seeping through their clothes and chilling them to the bone. They turned their attention to Lee, who was visibly trembling, his small body struggling to cope with the frigid air. Alex knew they needed to find shelter fast.

"Lee, we need to find somewhere warm," Alex said urgently, their breath forming visible puffs of steam in the icy air. They glanced around, trying to spot any nearby buildings that might offer refuge. "Stay close to me, okay?"

Lee nodded, his wide eyes reflecting his fear and confusion. Alex took his hand and began to carefully navigate the slick, icy streets, keeping an eye out for any potential hiding spots.

Meanwhile, Big Chill continued his rampage, his feral instincts driving him to unleash more destruction. He soared through the air, his wings beating with a chilling force that sent gusts of icy wind down upon the fleeing crowd. His breath, a deadly weapon, blasted powerful streams of ice, freezing everything in its path. People screamed and scattered, but many were caught in the sudden freezes, their forms encased in solid ice.

Big Chill's eyes glowed with a cold, merciless light as he targeted groups of people, sending sharp ice spikes raining down from above, impaling anyone unfortunate enough to be in their way. His screech echoed through the streets, a terrifying sound that sent waves of panic through those still trying to escape.

Alex and Lee ducked behind a car as Big Chill flew overhead, their hearts pounding in their chests.

The air was filled with the sounds of cracking ice and the distant cries of the injured and dying. Alex knew they couldn't stay exposed for long; the temperatures were dropping too fast.

"We need to keep moving," Alex whispered to Lee, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "We'll find somewhere safe. I promise."

They moved quickly, skirting around the edges of the chaos, trying to stay out of Big Chill's line of sight. The snow continued to fall, the ground becoming more treacherous with each passing moment.

Alex picked up Lee and clutched him tightly, their heart pounding in their chest. They spotted a woman nearby, her leg gruesomely frozen and bleeding, tears streaming down her face as she cried for help. Alex's breath caught in their throat, knowing they couldn't do anything for her without putting Lee in danger.

The woman's pleas for help echoed in the air, but her cries were soon silenced. Big Chill swooped down, his icy claws slicing through the air, and descended upon her with a ferocity that left Alex trembling. The creature's maw opened wide, and in a horrifying instant, the woman was devoured, her screams cut short.

Alex turned Lee's face away, shielding his eyes from the gruesome sight. "Don't look, Lee," they whispered, trying to keep their voice steady. "We need to keep moving."

Just then, another woman bolted from her hiding place, her panicked footsteps crunching against the icy ground. Big Chill's head snapped towards the sound, and with a chilling screech, he launched himself after her, his wings cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Seizing the moment, Alex tightened their grip on Lee and dashed towards a nearby alleyway, hoping it would provide some temporary cover. Their breath came in ragged gasps, the cold biting into their skin, but they forced themselves to keep going. The sound of Big Chill's pursuit grew fainter as they slipped deeper into the maze of buildings, but the terror lingered.

"We need to find somewhere warm," Alex repeated, scanning their surroundings for any signs of shelter. "Just a little longer, Lee. We're almost there."

As Alex sprinted through the icy streets with Lee clutched tightly in their arms, a piercing screech echoed through the air. Alex glanced over their shoulder and saw Big Chill swooping down towards them. Panic surged through their veins, but just then, a figure emerged from the shadows, brandishing a phone.

"Try anything and get cancelled!" the person shouted, pointing the phone at Big Chill with a defiant sneer.

Alex's eyes widened in horror. "You moron!" they yelled, their voice filled with desperation. "Run!"

The person stood their ground, but their bravado was short-lived. With a terrifying swiftness, Big Chill descended upon them, his icy claws tearing through flesh and bone. The person's screams mingled with the screeching of Big Chill, creating a nightmarish cacophony.

Alex didn't waste another second. They ducked into a narrow alleyway, their breath coming in frantic gasps. Lee whimpered softly, and Alex held him tighter, trying to shield him from the horrors unfolding around them.

"Just hold on, Lee," Alex whispered, their voice trembling. "We have to keep moving."

As Alex ran with Lee in their arms, they heard the terrifying screech of Big Chill echo through the frozen streets. The sound sent a shiver down their spine, and they knew the creature was closing in on them. Alex's mind raced, searching for a way to keep Lee safe. The memories of their dads' wilderness survival weekend trips came flooding back.

"Damn it, Mom," Alex muttered under their breath, cursing the countless hours spent on piano lessons and study sessions. "Thank you, Dad, for those survival trips."

Alex spotted a narrow alleyway between two buildings and ducked into it, pressing their back against the cold brick wall. They gently set Lee down, whispering, "Stay here, Lee. Be very quiet, okay?"

Lee's eyes were wide with fear, but he nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Alex crouched down, trying to blend into the shadows, and listened intently. Big Chill's screech grew louder, and the air around them became even colder. They knew they had to act fast.

Recalling their dads' lessons, Alex picked up a small rock and threw it down the alley, away from where they were hiding. The sound echoed off the walls, and they heard Big Chill's wings flap in that direction. Alex took a deep breath, hoping the creature would be distracted long enough for them to make their next move.

"Stay quiet, Lee," Alex whispered again, peeking around the corner to ensure Big Chill was gone. The creature's silhouette disappeared into the distance, drawn by the noise. Seizing the moment, Alex scooped Lee up and dashed across the street to another building, searching for an entrance or a hiding spot.

Their heart pounded in their chest as they found a small, partially open basement window. "Come on, Lee," Alex urged, helping the boy through the narrow opening. Once Lee was inside, Alex followed, pulling the window shut behind them. The basement was dark and cold, but it was a temporary haven from the icy terror outside.

"We'll be safe here for a little while," Alex whispered, trying to reassure Lee and themselves. They hugged the boy close, hoping the nightmare would end soon.

Alex, still trembling from the close call, reached for their phone. "Stay close, Lee," they whispered, trying to dial their husband or one of the women. The phone rang, but there was no answer. Panic surged within them as they frantically tried calling again, their hands shaking.

Suddenly, the basement window shattered, and Big Chill's claws ripped through the frame. The creature's icy breath filled the room, dropping the temperature even further. Lee screamed, and Alex instinctively shielded him, their heart pounding with fear and adrenaline.

Big Chill lunged forward, claws outstretched. In a desperate move, Alex grabbed a nearby pride flag, its vibrant colors a stark contrast to the monochrome horror invading their sanctuary. "Stay back!" Alex shouted, waving the flag defiantly. "The power of the rainbow compels you!"

To their surprise, Big Chill recoiled, seemingly intimidated by the large, vibrant flag. Alex realized the flag made them appear larger and more imposing. They waved it aggressively, taking a step forward. "Yeah, you heard me! Back off!"

Big Chill hesitated, its screeches turning into confused, guttural growls. Alex took advantage of the creature's hesitation, waving the flag with more vigor and shouting, "Stay away from us!"

The creature took another step back, unnerved by the bold colors and Alex's newfound confidence. Alex continued to brandish the flag, pushing Big Chill further away from the basement entrance. The creature's retreat gave Alex a moment of hope.

"Lee, stay close to me," Alex commanded, never taking their eyes off Big Chill. They maneuvered themselves and Lee toward a sturdier part of the basement, using the flag to maintain their distance from the creature.

Big Chill, visibly unnerved, let out one last screech before turning and fleeing through the shattered window. Alex watched as the creature's icy form disappeared into the night, the basement returning to an eerie silence.

Breathing heavily, Alex hugged Lee tightly. "We did it, Lee. We scared it away."

As Alex and Lee burst out of the building, the cold air hit them like a wall. They barely had a moment to catch their breath before they heard the familiar screech of Big Chill descending upon them again. Alex's heart pounded as they scanned the area for a weapon, spotting a discarded metal pipe nearby.

Grabbing the pipe, Alex braced themselves, ready to defend Lee at all costs. Big Chill's icy form swooped down, but before it could reach them, a blast of magical energy struck the creature, knocking it off course.

"Hey! Freeze face!"

Alex looked up in astonishment as Wiccan hovered in the air, his hands glowing with arcane power. "Get away from them!" Wiccan shouted, unleashing another burst of energy at Big Chill.

Hulkling, with his imposing green form and wings, swooped in next, tackling Big Chill and wrestling it to the ground. "Stay down, you icy freak!" he roared.

America Chavez landed with a thud beside Alex and Lee, her fists glowing with cosmic energy. "You okay?" she asked, quickly assessing them for injuries.

Alex nodded, still clutching Lee tightly. "Yeah, we're... we're okay. Thank you."

"No problem," America said with a reassuring smile. "Just hang tight."

Iceman slid into the scene on a bridge of ice, immediately reinforcing their defenses with a wall of ice between them and Big Chill. "Let's chill this situation out," he quipped, forming sharp ice projectiles and hurling them at the creature.

Big Chill shrieked in anger, fighting back with blasts of icy breath and sharp, frozen claws, but the combined efforts of the heroes were overwhelming. Wiccan's magic restrained Big Chill, while Hulkling's brute strength kept it pinned. America Chavez delivered powerful punches that rocked the creature, and Iceman's relentless ice attacks started to encase Big Chill in a solid block of ice.

Alex watched in awe as the heroes worked in perfect sync, systematically wearing Big Chill down. They felt a surge of relief and gratitude as it became clear that Big Chill was losing the fight.

With one final coordinated attack, Wiccan and America Chavez delivered a double punch of magical energy and cosmic force, sending Big Chill crashing into the ground, where Iceman swiftly encased it in an impenetrable ice prison.

Hulkling turned to Alex and Lee, offering a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. We'll make sure this thing doesn't hurt anyone else."

Alex nodded, tears of relief welling up in their eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Just as Alex and Lee were being escorted to safety by Iceman, a piercing screech echoed through the area. The ice prison encasing Big Chill began to crack and shatter. In a horrifying display, Big Chill phased through the ice, emerging with a malevolent glare.

"Get them out of here!" Wiccan shouted to Iceman, his voice edged with urgency.

Iceman nodded, quickly forming an ice slide to whisk Alex and Lee away from the battlefield. "Hold on tight," he said, propelling them to a safer distance.

Wiccan was the first to react, sending a barrage of magical blasts towards Big Chill. But the creature's ability to phase through solid matter made it difficult to land a hit. With a flicker of movement, Big Chill phased through Wiccan's attacks, closing the distance between them.

"Stay back!" Wiccan shouted, summoning a protective shield around himself. But it was too late. Big Chill's hand became ethereal as it reached Wiccan, phasing directly through his head and chest. Wiccan's eyes widened in shock and pain as the ghostly coldness penetrated his body.

"No!" Hulkling roared, rushing forward, but Big Chill completed its phase-through, leaving Wiccan to collapse, lifeless, onto the ground.

"You're gonna pay for that!" America Chavez yelled, her fists glowing with cosmic energy. She charged at Big Chill, delivering a powerful punch that sent the creature staggering back.

Hulkling, consumed with rage, transformed into his full hulking form and tackled Big Chill, pinning it to the ground. "You killed him! I'll make you pay!"

America Chavez screamed, charging at Big Chill with fury. She landed a series of powerful blows, but Big Chill retaliated by firing an ice spear that pierced through her chest. She staggered, trying to fight through the pain, but the wound was fatal. She fell to her knees, gasping for breath before collapsing.

Hulkling, enraged by the loss of his friends, launched a ferocious attack. He grappled with Big Chill, his strength and determination unmatched. "You're not getting away with this!" he roared, landing heavy blows that cracked Big Chill's icy exterior.

Big Chill screeched in pain but didn't back down. Using his phasing ability, he maneuvered through Hulkling's attacks, delivering chilling blows that slowly wore him down. Despite Hulkling's best efforts, Big Chill gained the upper hand, delivering a series of brutal strikes that brought Hulkling to his knees.

Hulkling's eyes blazed with defiance as he fought to his last breath, inflicting as much damage as he could. But ultimately, Big Chill's relentless assault proved too much. With a final, crushing blow, Big Chill ended Hulkling's life.

Breathing heavily, Big Chill surveyed the battlefield, now littered with the bodies of fallen heroes. He let out an unsettling, triumphant screech, savoring the devastation he had wrought.

Meanwhile, Iceman managed to get Alex and Lee to a safe distance, watching in horror as his friends fell one by one. He knew he had to protect the survivors at all costs. "Stay here," he told Alex and Lee. "I'll be back."

Alex clutched Lee tightly, tears streaming down their face. "Be careful," they whispered.

Iceman nodded. He turned back toward the battlefield, ready to face Big Chill once more.

Iceman arrived back at the scene, but it was clear that Big Chill had already flown off, leaving behind a wake of destruction and despair. He sighed, knowing they had missed their chance to stop the creature for now.

Back at the safe zone, Alex and Lee were reunited with their family. Tears and hugs were shared, and a sense of relief washed over them, even if it was just momentary.

"Are you okay?" Jordan asked, their voice trembling.

Alex nodded, clutching Lee tightly. "Yeah, we're okay. Just... let's not say 'ice' or 'snow' for at least ten years, alright?" They tried to manage a weak smile, though the terror of the day still lingered in their eyes.

Soon the police finally arrived.

"You should have seen the look my my girlfriends face when I asked for a jacket today." Ben said to officer Simon Stroud as they arrived at the crime scene.

"It's the middle of June, and it's like the dead of winter!" Patrick Mulligan shouted in frustration