Ice Cream Man #9 Review

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

I am thrilled that Ice Cream Man is back to give us more bizarre comic books every month. This series has gained a lot of love from me because of its many amazing qualities. And if you also missed the series and was excited for it’s return of strangeness, then you’ll be happy to know that Ice Cream Man #9 sets the series right back in its groove.

Throughout the series so far, we have been visited by the very creepy Ice Cream Man. A few of those times, the Ice Cream Man was approached by a character who looked similar to him, but with a western style. Before the series went on break, we were shown encounters between the two characters that hinted towards an upcoming reveal of their relationship and possibly a battle of some sort between the two. This ninth issue gives us a big glimpse into their relationship as we now know that they are related.

This issue takes place in an odd and unknown year and place which continues the series’ mysteriousness. The narration enhances that mysteriousness with what appears to be wisdom that must make sense in this dimension that Rick and Caleb are in. The pacing of the issue is what W. Maxwell Prince seems to have mastered. It is heavy storytelling with minimal explanation, and when the story is shocking or terrifying, it sneaks up on you and blows you away.

As always, Prince’s writing is amazingly complemented by Martin Morazzo’s artwork and Chris O’Halloran’s colors. The story that this issue tells would be interesting if told by itself. But the story is brought to life in a grand fashion by Morazzo’s vision and ability to create some of the most unique and strange artwork. His work in this issue helps unravel the story slowly by feeding our eyes a little more peculiarity page by page. O’Halloran then makes the issue complete by adding a unique range of colors. These colors sometimes change slightly with every panel which creates a beautiful visual to a creepy story.

Ice Cream Man #9 keeps the spirit of the series alive with an issue that continues its ability to make a comic book somehow both absolutely stunning and incredibly distressing. Its return is as entertaining and unusual as I expected and wanted it to be.