I really didn't enjoy this at all.

I'm surprised as I've been in such a groove of loving everything from Image Comics I've checked out far and I enjoy Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside, and Stephen King short stories. Maybe I'm missing something and I am a big believer in the joys of subjectivity, but for me this came across as rather edgelord, bitter, and shallow, which is all good if that's your thing. Personally, I need a bit more humanity and emotional connection in my nihilism. I also thought some of the subject matter, particularly with the heroin addicts, felt exploitative, used for little more than shock and easy access trauma (I'm definitely not phrasing that how I want to convey what I mean). There seemed to just be a lack of care and understanding of addiction beyond the tropes.

I'd be lying if the references to the Sweet Place, hell, and the Man in Black who appeared right at the end didn't intrigue me to know more about who the Ice Cream Man is and the lore of this world, which does genuinely seem interesting. However, short of somone seriously convincing me this is worth pushing through to better stories and pay off, I'm really not untested in reading anymore of this comic.

Addendum:

My feelings about the book haven't changed at all, but the more I read reviews with people saying it's just like or for fans of all the things I like, the more weird I feel. My brain is melting into an autistic puddle. ( )

Ok, I’ll admit it: I’m hooked. I’ve heard the off-kilter jingle and tasted the sickly-sweet treats, and I want more. Ice Cream Man, Volume 1 is a fun and frightening collection of intertwined short stories, full of lifelike characters experiencing bizarre and unnerving turns of events. If the rest of the series is this good then we have a new pop culture icon in the making, and I need to get my hands on the next volume. Lickety Split.

Full review available at Beyond the Veil (https://gobeyondtheveil.co.uk/comics/ice-cream-man-volume-1-review). ( )

"The Brazilian Wandering Spider is one of the most dangerous, deadly spiders recognized by the World Spiders Catalogue... In fact, in 2010, Guinness Book of World Records granted this charming arachnid an official, true-blue title: World's Most Venomous Spider... Most venomous. Ain't that something?"

This is just an excerpt from one of the best surreal horror comics I've ever read. I started back around 2020 and it immediately hooked me in the first few pages, it was quick and didn't take much time at all to catch and hold my attention. I've read the entire series and had to snap up the entire collection for my own shelves. I was recommended this comic by a stranger who only knew I loved monsters- and sure enough, this series is chock full of all kinds of monsters- but not in the way you think. Traditionally defined, yes, but also more of the twisted and warped moral variety too. I'd akin it to a gothic or darker Aesops: tales of caution with a twist and turn that can be both chilling and heartbreaking. It's like the anthology series Tales from the Darkside or Twilight Zone but with the morbidity and heavier tones cranked way up. Each comic is episodic and can be read on its own, but it's HIGHLY Recommended to start at the beginning- as there are little things you pick and piece together for the bigger and more cohesive overarching plot. This is more crucial in later issues, since there's something of a 'good vs evil' element driving the story, but it pales in comparison to the main tales told since normally evil is the side that prevails here. Bleak, grim, macabre, symbolic, and at times touching with consistent art that doesn't disappoint- this series is unforgettable and profound. It very much is its own thing and hard to dislike. ( )

Horror plot done right, plus bonus points for having [a:Martín Morazzo|6074284|Martín Morazzo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1540357570p2/6074284.jpg] be the illustrator because he captures horror so well. I love everything he has illustrated. I cannot wait to read volume 2 of this series. ( )

Picked this up the other day because the cover caught my eye, and I’m really glad I did. Collecting the first 4 issues of the series, this gave me a horror-flavored Twilight Zone vibe. The stories aren’t necessarily connected, other than the eponymous Ice Cream Man, who more or less narrates what’s going on in each issue. There may be an overreaching arc, but that’s not made 100% clear in this particular volume. It’s definitely an odd collection of stories, but I enjoyed it enough to want to read some more, so I’ll be seeing if the library can get this one in for me. @imagecomics ( )