Ice Cream Man Vol. 1: Rainbow Sprinkles
W. Maxwell Prince, writer; Matthew Morazzo, artist; Chris O'Halloran, colorist
Image Comics, 2018
In some ways this series hearkens back to vintage EC and DC comics horror series: an anthology unified by a central character (although not a narrator like the Crypt Keeper or Cain and Abel). The Ice Cream Man looks like both an observer and an instigator, and the reader learns more and more about him over the course of the first four issues in the series collected here. He appears to be some kind of supernatural being, at one point seen in werewolf form.
We also meet a number of interesting, troubled people: a young boy with an extremely poisonous pet spider that hates adults; a junkie couple trying to make one last score before cleaning up and moving out of town; a has-been rock star trying to make a comeback (complete with references to characters drawn from classic rock songs, and a psychedelic Yellow Submarine-style dream sequence); and another musician story, about a young man who has died young. After giving the eulogy, his friend meets the deceased's estranged father and confronts his own dissatisfaction with his life.
The final scene shows a mysterious man named Caleb dressed like a cowboy. He tells the Ice Cream Man that he's been watching and doesn't like what he's seen. Whatever the relationship is, he clearly scares the Ice Cream Man (who has always looked confident and in control), setting up a significant possible conflict going forward. Morrazzo's art seems perfectly suited to the series. It reminds me of Eduardo Risso's collaborations with Brian Azzarello. Definitely looking forward to the next chapter.
Replies
Good review, Mark.
This is one of those series, I'm still not sure if I like it or not. There have definitely been some interesting issues, and it has held my interest enough to keep reading. I'm just not sure about it though.
Thanks. I'm impressed by the variety in just four issues, so I'm definitely on board for the next collection at least.