The Ice King is a recurring antagonist of the series, and is 1,043 years
old. The
Ice King frequently steals princesses throughout Ooo to forcefully marry them,
Princess Bubblegum being his usual target. His
ice-based magic abilities come from a magical crown he wears, which directly
causes his insanity.
Though defined as completely crazy by many, the Ice King is actually lonely and
misunderstood, having a generally benevolent relationship with the penguins of
his realm.
Furthermore, he is secretly envious of Finn and Jake for being such good
friends. Finn
and Jake learned during the events of "Holly Jolly Secrets" that the Ice King
was originally a human antiquarian named Simon Petrikov who
bought his crown from a dock worker in northern Scandinavia, predating the Mushroom War. Wearing
the crown, Petrikov began to lose both his mind and then his fiancée Betty; this
explains his subconscious need for princesses. He soon began deteriorating in
both mind and body over the years into his current state.
Sometime before the Mushroom War he also discovered the Enchiridion. 996 years
before the events of the series and directly after the Mushroom War, he met,
befriended, and took care of young Marceline. Eventually, he realized that his
deteriorating mind and behavior would possibly become a threat to young
Marceline. Thus, he wrote a letter to Marceline, describing why he could not
help her anymore and imploring her to forgive him for whatever wrong he might do
with the crown possessing him.
old. The
Ice King frequently steals princesses throughout Ooo to forcefully marry them,
Princess Bubblegum being his usual target. His
ice-based magic abilities come from a magical crown he wears, which directly
causes his insanity.
Though defined as completely crazy by many, the Ice King is actually lonely and
misunderstood, having a generally benevolent relationship with the penguins of
his realm.
Furthermore, he is secretly envious of Finn and Jake for being such good
friends. Finn
and Jake learned during the events of "Holly Jolly Secrets" that the Ice King
was originally a human antiquarian named Simon Petrikov who
bought his crown from a dock worker in northern Scandinavia, predating the Mushroom War. Wearing
the crown, Petrikov began to lose both his mind and then his fiancée Betty; this
explains his subconscious need for princesses. He soon began deteriorating in
both mind and body over the years into his current state.
Sometime before the Mushroom War he also discovered the Enchiridion. 996 years
before the events of the series and directly after the Mushroom War, he met,
befriended, and took care of young Marceline. Eventually, he realized that his
deteriorating mind and behavior would possibly become a threat to young
Marceline. Thus, he wrote a letter to Marceline, describing why he could not
help her anymore and imploring her to forgive him for whatever wrong he might do
with the crown possessing him.