Ice Cream Man #10 Review

Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Good Old Neon
Publisher: Image Comics

Every month, I find myself being very curious how Ice Cream Man is going to continue to be interesting and shocking. The series up to this point has consistently been incredible, full of bizarre and unsettling twists and turns along the way. My expectations are now very high going into every new issue. However, my curiosity is never fearful because I have a lot of faith in W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo. They’ve yet to disappoint and Ice Cream Man #10 is another example of that.

Despite not knowing how to read or speak Spanish, I loved the seven pages of Spanish dialogue and narration. W. Maxwell Prince has conditioned me to know that whether I understand something or not to know that the payoff is coming. Once the issue switches over to English,  we take part in a beautiful conversation with John and Maria full of promises for her escape. The interaction ends nicely, which immediately made me realize that this love story isn’t going to end happily ever after.

This time period and setting are interesting because seeing the Ice Cream Man as a Mexican general further establishes that he is looking to cause mayhem in every place in every year. His delight in every issue as he does such terrible things is one of the things that scares me most about him. He thoroughly enjoys the pain he causes to the people we’ve met in this series and it’s what also then causes me to feel the pain of these people. He enjoyed putting an end to this young couple’s relationship and it showed.

This issue’s setting of Mexico in 1919 seemed like another challenge that artist Martin Morazzo conquered. From the buildings to the people celebrating Dia de los Muertos, Morazzo captured the essence of this country and this time period. He also made the Ice Cream Man seem more sinister, just as he has done with each issue so far. Morazzo’s Ice Cream Man is always an eerie sight and is always a highlight of the issue. And once again, the transformation that he does from being the general to the sharp-toothed Ice Cream Man is haunting.

Ice Cream Man #10 keeps the series moving along as one of the most unique current series. This series has a tendency to not really ever let you in on the secret of where it is going and that makes every issue enjoyable. Without relying on a set formula, this tenth issue is as fascinating and exciting as all of the previous ones.