If you’ve spent any time digging through the dusty corners of action figure forums or scrolling through high-end eBay listings, you’ve probably tripped over the name Nekron Fire and Ice. It’s one of those phrases that sounds like a heavy metal album from 1984, but for DC Comics fans and collectors, it carries a lot more weight. We're talking about a specific crossover point between the Blackest Night era and the classic Justice League International roster. Honestly, it’s a bit of a niche rabbit hole. But once you start looking at the history of these characters—specifically the "Black Lantern" versions of Fire and Ice—you realize why people are still obsessed with tracking down these specific iterations.
The lore is heavy. During the Blackest Night event (written by Geoff Johns), Nekron, the physical embodiment of Death, rose to reclaim the universe. He didn't do it alone. He used black rings to reanimate the dead, turning beloved heroes into terrifying, decaying versions of themselves. This is where the Nekron Fire and Ice connection gets interesting. While Nekron is the big bad, his influence on characters like Beatriz da Costa (Fire) and Tora Olafsdotter (Ice) created some of the most striking visual designs in modern comic history.
People often get confused. They think "Fire and Ice" is just a single entity or a specific two-pack toy set. It's more complicated than that.
The Blackest Night Connection: How Nekron Claimed the Duo
To understand the appeal, you have to look at the emotional stakes. Fire and Ice aren't just teammates; they are the "BFFs" of the DC Universe. When Ice died back in the 90s, it broke Fire. When Ice eventually returned, their bond became the heart of the Justice League. Then Blackest Night happened. Nekron didn't just want soldiers; he wanted to twist the emotions of the living.
Seeing a "Black Lantern Ice" was a gut punch. Tora, who is usually the gentlest person in the room, was transformed into a cold, murderous husk of herself. The design was peak Ivan Reis: shriveled skin, the iconic Black Lantern emblem, and a frozen, horrific aura. Fire had to face her best friend turned into a monster. This isn't just "cool outfits." It’s a specific moment in DC history where the concept of Nekron Fire and Ice became synonymous with the corruption of innocence.
Why the Action Figures Are So Hard to Find
Most people looking for this today are actually looking for the DC Direct or DC Universe Classics figures. There’s a catch, though.
If you're hunting for the Black Lantern version of Ice, you're looking for the Blackest Night Series 4 figure from DC Direct. It was released around 2010. Finding one in a mint box now? Good luck. Prices have spiked because, frankly, they don't make them like this anymore. The paint apps on the "undead" skin have this weird, pearlescent grey quality that modern mass-market figures often lack.
Fire is a different story. She didn't get a "Black Lantern" figure in the same way, but collectors often pair the classic Fire figures with the Black Lantern Ice to recreate the tragic standoff from the comics. This DIY approach to collecting is basically what keeps the secondary market for Nekron Fire and Ice related items alive.
The Visual Power of Contrast
Why does this specific combo work so well? It’s basic color theory mixed with horror.
Fire is bright green. Ice is soft blue and white.
When Nekron’s influence touches them, those colors get muted, corrupted by black and silver. It’s a visual representation of death extinguishing life. It sounds edgy, and it is, but in the context of 2009-2010 comics, it was revolutionary.
- The Black Lantern Ring: The source of the power. It targets those who have died and been resurrected.
- The Emotional Spectrum: Fire and Ice represent "Will" and "Hope" in a metaphorical sense, even if they aren't Green Lanterns.
- The Scale: These figures were part of a massive 8-wave set that remains the gold standard for event-based toys.
I remember talking to a shop owner in Chicago who told me he gets more requests for the "dead" Justice League members than the living ones. There’s something morbidly fascinating about seeing a character you grew up with turned into a zombie thrall for a cosmic entity.
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Common Misconceptions About the Nekron Connection
Let’s clear something up. Nekron isn't "related" to Fire and Ice. He’s their tormentor. Sometimes people search for "Nekron's Fire and Ice" as if they are his daughters or something. Nope. They are just victims of the Black Lantern Corps.
Also, don't confuse this with the "Fire and Ice" video game tropes or other elemental pairings. In the DC world, these are specific women with names and decades of history. If you see a listing for a "Nekron Fire" figure and it's just a red demon, you're being scammed. The real deal is Beatriz da Costa. Green flames. Always.
How to Collect These Today Without Getting Ripped Off
If you're serious about getting your hands on Nekron Fire and Ice related memorabilia, you need a strategy. You can't just walk into a Target and find these.
First, check the joints. The DC Direct Blackest Night figures were notorious for "frozen joints." The plastic used for the clear ice effects on the Tora figure can become brittle over fifteen years. If you buy a "Loose" figure, ask the seller if the limbs move freely. There’s nothing worse than spending $60 on a Black Lantern Ice only for her arm to snap off the moment you take her out of the bubble wrap.
Second, watch out for the "re-paints." Some customizers take the 2013 Justice League Unlimited figures and paint them in Black Lantern colors. They can look great! But they aren't official. If you want the investment value, stick to the DC Direct Series 4 or the Mattel Signature Series.
The Legacy of the Blackest Night Era
It’s been over a decade since the Nekron storyline peaked, yet we’re still talking about it. Why? Because it was the last time a major comic event felt like it had genuine stakes for the "B-List" heroes. Fire and Ice aren't Superman or Batman. They don't always get the spotlight. Giving them a central, tragic role in the Nekron Fire and Ice saga made them matter to a new generation of readers.
It’s also about the aesthetic. The "Black Lantern" look is just cool. It’s "Goth DC." It’s "Metal Justice League."
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive into this specific corner of the fandom, don't just start buying randomly. You'll burn through your budget and end up with a shelf of mismatched scales.
- Read the Source Material: Pick up the Blackest Night: Justice League trade paperback. It covers the specific Fire and Ice arc far better than the main series does. You’ll appreciate the figures more once you see the heartbreak on the page.
- Verify the Series: When searching eBay, use the term "DC Direct Blackest Night Series 4." This is the specific wave that contains the most relevant figures for this niche.
- Check for "Sticky Plastic": Many figures from this era (2009-2012) develop a sticky residue due to plasticizer migration. If you get a figure that feels tacky, don't panic. A gentle wash with mild dish soap and lukewarm water usually fixes it without damaging the paint.
- Join the Groups: Look for "DC Collectors" groups on Facebook or Reddit. People there often trade these figures for much fairer prices than the "Buy It Now" sharks on major retail sites.
- Look for the Set: Occasionally, you'll find someone selling the entire "International" team as a lot. This is often cheaper than buying Fire and Ice individually, as the shipping costs for single figures have become ridiculous lately.
The world of Nekron Fire and Ice is a weird blend of cosmic horror and superhero soap opera. Whether you're a reader or a collector, it represents a peak moment in comic book creativity where even the most "elemental" heroes were forced to face the literal coldness of death.