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Ice Cream Man
Ice Cream Man, Volume 4: Tiny Lives
The critically acclaimed horror anthology drives back into town, offering four new stories that zoom in on folks who are just barely scraping by--and willing to do anything to change that.
Collects ICE CREAM MAN #13-16
Collects ICE CREAM MAN #13-16
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2019
15 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
W. Maxwell Prince
108 books187 followersW. Maxwell Prince writes in Brooklyn and lives with his wife, daughter, and two cats called Mischief and Mayhem. He is the author of One Week in the Library, The Electric Sublime, and Judas: The Last Days. When not writing, he tries to render all of human experience in chart form.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
August 15, 2022
It’s back! Ice Cream Man is back as the second best horror anthology on the market (Sink’s the shit, make sure to check it out if you like horror comics) with a return to form for the series, as Prince & Morazzo deliver 4 stellar flavors. It’s good to see this book doing what it does best after a disappointing third volume, and I’m rather excited to see what else Prince & Morazzo do with this title in the future. I’ll save most of my thoughts for the individual reviews down below, but there’s a TLDR at the bottom for anyone interested.
Chapter Thirteen: “Palindromes” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I didn’t really like this the first time I read it since it felt repetitive, but I fucking adored it the second time around. Doing a Palindrome in a comic is hard to pull off, but this was a great use of both the medium and the palindrome as a concept.
A man is grieving the death of his husband and is sick of all the advice he has been given to “move forward”. So he decides to go backwards and on a journey to take up his grievances with the Lord of the Underworld.
This felt like a perfect meditation on not being able to move past loss while also using the comic format in an interesting way. Really fantastic issue and I liked how many palindromes Prince fit into the script itself.
Chapter Fourteen: “Down and Across” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 1/2
Jesus, Morazzo really had his work cut out for him in these first two issues of Vol. 4. I usually have an easy time describing someone’s art or the style they use, but all I can describe this one’s layout as is “crossword puzzle comic”. I won’t summarize this issue like I did with the others, you just have to read it yourself.
Chapter Fifteen: “Coat Check Story” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Jesus Christ that was depressing as fuck, even by Ice Cream Man standards. A tale of inherent madness that gives Morazzo lots of room to work with his facial expressions.
This just follows a girl and how a coat she gets brings about the madness inside her. Liked this well enough, though I will admit it wasn’t as stellar as the last two ones were.
Chapter Sixteen: “Tiny Lives” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
This probably had the coolest twist of any Ice Cream Man story so far. I won’t spoil anything beyond that because the cover already kinda does, but the ending is one of the best ambiguous ones we’ve gotten in this series. I thought it was great.
TLDR; Ice Cream Man delivers 4 amazing to near perfect one-shots in a stunning return to form for this ongoing after how iffy I was on Hopscotch Melange. Recommended to any and all horror fans, this really is the second best horror anthology you can find on the stands at the moment.
Chapter Thirteen: “Palindromes” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I didn’t really like this the first time I read it since it felt repetitive, but I fucking adored it the second time around. Doing a Palindrome in a comic is hard to pull off, but this was a great use of both the medium and the palindrome as a concept.
A man is grieving the death of his husband and is sick of all the advice he has been given to “move forward”. So he decides to go backwards and on a journey to take up his grievances with the Lord of the Underworld.
This felt like a perfect meditation on not being able to move past loss while also using the comic format in an interesting way. Really fantastic issue and I liked how many palindromes Prince fit into the script itself.
Chapter Fourteen: “Down and Across” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 1/2
Jesus, Morazzo really had his work cut out for him in these first two issues of Vol. 4. I usually have an easy time describing someone’s art or the style they use, but all I can describe this one’s layout as is “crossword puzzle comic”. I won’t summarize this issue like I did with the others, you just have to read it yourself.
Chapter Fifteen: “Coat Check Story” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Jesus Christ that was depressing as fuck, even by Ice Cream Man standards. A tale of inherent madness that gives Morazzo lots of room to work with his facial expressions.
This just follows a girl and how a coat she gets brings about the madness inside her. Liked this well enough, though I will admit it wasn’t as stellar as the last two ones were.
Chapter Sixteen: “Tiny Lives” ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
This probably had the coolest twist of any Ice Cream Man story so far. I won’t spoil anything beyond that because the cover already kinda does, but the ending is one of the best ambiguous ones we’ve gotten in this series. I thought it was great.
TLDR; Ice Cream Man delivers 4 amazing to near perfect one-shots in a stunning return to form for this ongoing after how iffy I was on Hopscotch Melange. Recommended to any and all horror fans, this really is the second best horror anthology you can find on the stands at the moment.
January 3, 2020
Ice Cream Man, Volume 4: Tiny Lives continues Maxwell’s horror comics run that is washed in pastels and ice cream and sprinkles. It’s in part nostalgia for a sweet happy American time that never was, like David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (or most suburban nightmare books and movies), that fine-trimmed lawn with evil worms just below the surface.
This collection once again features Maxwell trying to do something different every time to scare you or creep you out, this time with four stories, one of them Live Evil, yes, a story palindrome that can be read backwards or forwards exactly the same, {that’s like a definition of palindrome, I know) featuring 17 actual palindromes that actually fit into the story, such as “Dennis sinned” or “bird rib.”
A second story deals with a man lost in his life and language, obsessed with crossword puzzles. The third is about a mad family, and schizophrenic logic. Madness is a trued friend of horror, going back through Lovecraft to Poe. The fourth is a father-daughter story where the Dad reads her dairy and finds it is not just about her having sex, but also killing the boys she disdains.
So the point is horror play. I keep getting the feel of Ray Bradbury’s small town America with a serial killer, or the invention of Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. Or even Hitchcock, who makes you smile before he scares you. They don’t hide the fact that this is entertainment and some commentary about lost innocence and actual evil lurking under the surface of our happy lives.
I’ll keep reading. The invention is great fun.
This collection once again features Maxwell trying to do something different every time to scare you or creep you out, this time with four stories, one of them Live Evil, yes, a story palindrome that can be read backwards or forwards exactly the same, {that’s like a definition of palindrome, I know) featuring 17 actual palindromes that actually fit into the story, such as “Dennis sinned” or “bird rib.”
A second story deals with a man lost in his life and language, obsessed with crossword puzzles. The third is about a mad family, and schizophrenic logic. Madness is a trued friend of horror, going back through Lovecraft to Poe. The fourth is a father-daughter story where the Dad reads her dairy and finds it is not just about her having sex, but also killing the boys she disdains.
So the point is horror play. I keep getting the feel of Ray Bradbury’s small town America with a serial killer, or the invention of Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone. Or even Hitchcock, who makes you smile before he scares you. They don’t hide the fact that this is entertainment and some commentary about lost innocence and actual evil lurking under the surface of our happy lives.
I’ll keep reading. The invention is great fun.
December 21, 2019
Ice Cream Man is still going strong with its 4th volume.
This is again, 4 different stories, with very loose connections. From a story about life being a circle, to crossword puzzles, to the raising of a child and loving them unconditionally. This series tends to fall into the depressing area, and these stories are no different. With the Ice Cream Man being in the background in most of these stories we focus on each unique tale.
The first three issues are good. Not great but solid enough. I enjoyed the crossword one the most out of those three. But the 4th story is easily the best story. It's about a father loving his daughter despite her growing up. At first he thinks it's all about her sex life but what it is really about is far far worse. Creepy and sad all in one.
Overall a really solid volume. Not as good as 2 still but as good as 1 and 3. A 3.5 out of 5.
This is again, 4 different stories, with very loose connections. From a story about life being a circle, to crossword puzzles, to the raising of a child and loving them unconditionally. This series tends to fall into the depressing area, and these stories are no different. With the Ice Cream Man being in the background in most of these stories we focus on each unique tale.
The first three issues are good. Not great but solid enough. I enjoyed the crossword one the most out of those three. But the 4th story is easily the best story. It's about a father loving his daughter despite her growing up. At first he thinks it's all about her sex life but what it is really about is far far worse. Creepy and sad all in one.
Overall a really solid volume. Not as good as 2 still but as good as 1 and 3. A 3.5 out of 5.
March 6, 2020
4.0 Stars
I have been a bit hit or miss with this horror anthology series, but I absolutely loved this fourth volume. The first, second and fourth story were standouts (and the third story was still good). Not necessarily scary, but these stories were creative and very original. Since this is an anthology, readers could certainly start with this one without spoiling anything in the previous volumes.
I have been a bit hit or miss with this horror anthology series, but I absolutely loved this fourth volume. The first, second and fourth story were standouts (and the third story was still good). Not necessarily scary, but these stories were creative and very original. Since this is an anthology, readers could certainly start with this one without spoiling anything in the previous volumes.
February 12, 2024
Another Volume of Devil inspired Horror Anthology.
This one relies a little too much on gimmicks for my liking..
A backward/forward story...that's just clever but not needed.
A man uses crosswords to open his eyes and guide him
This one relies a little too much on gimmicks for my liking..
A backward/forward story...that's just clever but not needed.
A man uses crosswords to open his eyes and guide him
June 27, 2020
I keep expecting my enjoyment of these volumes to dip, but they just keep getting better and better!
Palindromes:
This issue was just smart. i loved the use of well known (and strange) palindromes throughout the story as well as the fact that the whole issue is a palindrome. loved it.
Down and Across:
okay i’m going to be completely transparent with you, i had to pause halfway through this issue because it was freaking me out so much. LOVED this story, the art was horrifying and the story theme (crosswords) was really neat
Coat Check Story:
Creepy and sad. Probably the weakest issue in the volume but i would still give it a 5/5. Loved the colour schemes in this one
Tiny Lives:
What was at first extremely uncomfortable quickly became extremely shocking (almost to a funny point). i LOVED this story. i was also a huge fan of the use of diary entries and letters!!
Palindromes:
This issue was just smart. i loved the use of well known (and strange) palindromes throughout the story as well as the fact that the whole issue is a palindrome. loved it.
Down and Across:
okay i’m going to be completely transparent with you, i had to pause halfway through this issue because it was freaking me out so much. LOVED this story, the art was horrifying and the story theme (crosswords) was really neat
Coat Check Story:
Creepy and sad. Probably the weakest issue in the volume but i would still give it a 5/5. Loved the colour schemes in this one
Tiny Lives:
What was at first extremely uncomfortable quickly became extremely shocking (almost to a funny point). i LOVED this story. i was also a huge fan of the use of diary entries and letters!!
February 27, 2020
This is getting a little boring honestly, the pace needs to pick up. The palindrome issues were fun but more of a gimmick to me. I get it SOMETHING is wrong with this small town....some evil dude is messing with peoples minds... I got that point back in vol.1 and vol 2. The story is entertaining but these single stories are getting old to me and I would like more progression with the main story about the ice-cream man. Sure the author could be weaving a masterful tale but I am leaning towards no. The art remains very well done with crisp line work and great colors.
July 2, 2022
When this book is on, it is absolutely on. Like Volume 2, every issue collected here does something special and different that really made me sit up and take notice.
The first issue is a palindrome, meaning that you can read it both forwards and backwards to get the same story. It's a basic enough plot about a widower looking for his husband, with a clever little twist that takes it to some dark places. The palindrome effect is quite clever, although there's no real reason to read it backwards and forwards since it is literally the same thing; still, it's innovative and ambitious, and it works.
Next we have a crosswords themed story, with the book slowly being overtaken by black and white squares as the protagonists fall deeper towards despair. This one actually has a kind-of happy ending, which I appreciated for a change, and again the visuals really sell the idea that Prince is going for.
Third on the plate is a story about mental illness, and how easy it is to break someone's mind. The Ice Cream Man delights in driving a young woman over the edge like her mother in what's probably the most straight forward kind of horror, but there's a final page reveal that will absolutely mess with your head.
And then there's the simple story of a single father trying to make sure his daughter is making the right decisions about boys. I could see a twist coming to this one, but I wasn't prepared with just how...twisty, it would get. It actually made my jaw drop when the reveal came, and I think that's only happened one other time reading this book.
My only complaint is that none of these issues further the story of the Ice Cream Man and the Cowboy, but it doesn't really matter, because they're extremely engaging even without tugging on that string.
The first issue is a palindrome, meaning that you can read it both forwards and backwards to get the same story. It's a basic enough plot about a widower looking for his husband, with a clever little twist that takes it to some dark places. The palindrome effect is quite clever, although there's no real reason to read it backwards and forwards since it is literally the same thing; still, it's innovative and ambitious, and it works.
Next we have a crosswords themed story, with the book slowly being overtaken by black and white squares as the protagonists fall deeper towards despair. This one actually has a kind-of happy ending, which I appreciated for a change, and again the visuals really sell the idea that Prince is going for.
Third on the plate is a story about mental illness, and how easy it is to break someone's mind. The Ice Cream Man delights in driving a young woman over the edge like her mother in what's probably the most straight forward kind of horror, but there's a final page reveal that will absolutely mess with your head.
And then there's the simple story of a single father trying to make sure his daughter is making the right decisions about boys. I could see a twist coming to this one, but I wasn't prepared with just how...twisty, it would get. It actually made my jaw drop when the reveal came, and I think that's only happened one other time reading this book.
My only complaint is that none of these issues further the story of the Ice Cream Man and the Cowboy, but it doesn't really matter, because they're extremely engaging even without tugging on that string.
January 25, 2020
Neviem aký majú problém všetci s tým, že sú viacmenej oddelené hororové príbehy než niečo ucelené. Mne sa to tak vcelku páči, každé volume dostať štyri zaujímavé príbehy, jeden divnejší ako druhý. Síce musím uznať, že po predchádzajúcich zväzkoch je tento slabší, ale prvý a tretí zošit boli super a zvyšok tiež nebol na zahodenie (aj keď finále som čakala iné).
November 23, 2019
Kind of a let dow after two pretty good volumes. Author should start work on some world building soon, as 16 issues of random creepy/horror stories with fluctuating quality and without proper connection to tight them together is kind of a lot.
January 31, 2022
Ok tohle volume bylo opět perfektní, všechny povídky mají nádherný feeling bez snahy být něco víc a přitom z nich příjemně mrazí v zádech. To od téhle série přesně chci a miluju to.
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June 26, 2024I still don't know what to think of this series overall but this was definitely the best volume so far - I love how creative it is and how it's not afraid to play with new formats and try something completely different! Really cool!
March 2, 2020
What is this series doing to me?! It's so disturbing and great!
Highlights:
- "Palindromes" messed me up bad. Again, much like "Strange Neapolitan", this issue stands out as one of the most unique comics I've ever read. The issue can literally be read backwards and forwards, and it makes total sense each time. A man seeks out "the King of the Underworld" for an explanation as to why he lost his lover. When they aren't in, he reverses his path and goes back home.
- "Down and Across" tells the story of a older man who is obsessed with crossword puzzles. His wife is concerned about the 3 men working in their backyard, but he is too focused to care. When she is almost killed, as well as almost killing her husband due to deceptive reasoning, he leaves his "games" behind and reconnects with her.
- "Coat Check Story" is the story of a woman who is losing her mind, but it began all with her taking a different coat from a coat check. What is real and what is her insanity? Time in an asylum should sort her out...
- "Tiny Lives" is the tale of a father and daughter. When the dad begins to read her diary, he is first worried that she is becoming sexually active, but instead discovers she is a murderer. Taking the wrap for her and going to jail, her life gets turned around.... or does it?
This series reminds me Tales From the Crypt. I can't get enough of it....
NO! Where's the next Volume??? Ugh... begin the waiting....
But totally worth it. :)
Highlights:
- "Palindromes" messed me up bad. Again, much like "Strange Neapolitan", this issue stands out as one of the most unique comics I've ever read. The issue can literally be read backwards and forwards, and it makes total sense each time. A man seeks out "the King of the Underworld" for an explanation as to why he lost his lover. When they aren't in, he reverses his path and goes back home.
- "Down and Across" tells the story of a older man who is obsessed with crossword puzzles. His wife is concerned about the 3 men working in their backyard, but he is too focused to care. When she is almost killed, as well as almost killing her husband due to deceptive reasoning, he leaves his "games" behind and reconnects with her.
- "Coat Check Story" is the story of a woman who is losing her mind, but it began all with her taking a different coat from a coat check. What is real and what is her insanity? Time in an asylum should sort her out...
- "Tiny Lives" is the tale of a father and daughter. When the dad begins to read her diary, he is first worried that she is becoming sexually active, but instead discovers she is a murderer. Taking the wrap for her and going to jail, her life gets turned around.... or does it?
This series reminds me Tales From the Crypt. I can't get enough of it....
NO! Where's the next Volume??? Ugh... begin the waiting....
But totally worth it. :)
September 26, 2022
Continues to be very creepily compelling, and you’ve got to love a well-executed gimmick like that palindrome issue!
February 1, 2023
Another four stories in this volume. Not a lot of the ice cream man here but certainly some creativity.
The first comic is a palindrome. It reads the same front to back (well almost the same). It’s super unique the way it’s set-up and I appreciated the information and panel sketches at the back of the volume showing how they created it.
Second up is a comic that plays off crosswords and integrates someone who is obsessed with crosswords in the story. Different if not super clever.
The third story was fairly unmemorable. But does deal with a mental health condition and the idea of genetic predisposition. Can you be pre-disposed because you convince yourself you are perhaps?
Finally the absolute best story of ALL the Ice Cream Man to date. A story about a teen girl, her single father, first time sexual adventures, and murder. This one is mind blowing. I love the use of the diary entries as full pages in the comics. A gutsy choice as it’s not really artwork or illustration; just text with a diary page beneath. In a comic to give up multiple pages to this type of design is very bold. I love it. Fits perfect with the idea this anthology of stories is telling. Never mind the twist at the end that just had me go ‘woah’.
Onto Volume 5 it is!
The first comic is a palindrome. It reads the same front to back (well almost the same). It’s super unique the way it’s set-up and I appreciated the information and panel sketches at the back of the volume showing how they created it.
Second up is a comic that plays off crosswords and integrates someone who is obsessed with crosswords in the story. Different if not super clever.
The third story was fairly unmemorable. But does deal with a mental health condition and the idea of genetic predisposition. Can you be pre-disposed because you convince yourself you are perhaps?
Finally the absolute best story of ALL the Ice Cream Man to date. A story about a teen girl, her single father, first time sexual adventures, and murder. This one is mind blowing. I love the use of the diary entries as full pages in the comics. A gutsy choice as it’s not really artwork or illustration; just text with a diary page beneath. In a comic to give up multiple pages to this type of design is very bold. I love it. Fits perfect with the idea this anthology of stories is telling. Never mind the twist at the end that just had me go ‘woah’.
Onto Volume 5 it is!
December 25, 2023
4.5 Stars
This series delivers every time. I love the strange writing and episodic stories like back when the X-files was good.
This volume was inventive as usual with a Palindrome issue, and a crossword story which was really great and even had a happy ending for once. Morrazzo's art is perfect for this series and I think it's safe to say I'm going to buckle myself in to finish this series off.
This series delivers every time. I love the strange writing and episodic stories like back when the X-files was good.
This volume was inventive as usual with a Palindrome issue, and a crossword story which was really great and even had a happy ending for once. Morrazzo's art is perfect for this series and I think it's safe to say I'm going to buckle myself in to finish this series off.
April 9, 2024
4.2/5.0
The unnerving detail and depth to the stories that Prince is putting together in this universe is a pleasurable take on horror. From the psychedelic originality of each story, to the emotional unfolding within each character's plot... these collections have clear elements of storytelling that are bound to give you nightmares.
The unnerving detail and depth to the stories that Prince is putting together in this universe is a pleasurable take on horror. From the psychedelic originality of each story, to the emotional unfolding within each character's plot... these collections have clear elements of storytelling that are bound to give you nightmares.
November 25, 2019
"That's another insidious thing about words, right?
You finally start to feel like you've got the right ones...And then suddenly...you don't.
The board clears and the grid is empty; the puzzle begins a new.
Good luck trying to figure it a ll out"
As good and creepy as ever.
You finally start to feel like you've got the right ones...And then suddenly...you don't.
The board clears and the grid is empty; the puzzle begins a new.
Good luck trying to figure it a ll out"
As good and creepy as ever.
September 21, 2021
SO creepy! This is my official kick off to my monster mash and boy howdy what a start! This edition is way too realistic! Insanity, grief, crazy drug addicts and defining love are the basis most of which in palindrome form. Nuts whichever direction you start!
January 3, 2020
At least as good as Vol 1, not quite as good as Vol 2, but definitely better than Vol 3 and a "return to form" for the series. As a whole, this collection had the least amount of cohesion and seemed to have little to do with the Ice Cream Man at all (except as a very background driving force) and seemed to rely on our familiarity with him as a villain.
Issues 13 & 14: 5/5
Issue 15: 3/5
Issue 16: 4/5
Issues 13 & 14: 5/5
Issue 15: 3/5
Issue 16: 4/5
January 15, 2021
This one I like best. We're back to simply observing the torment Ice Cream Man Rick puts us through, and he's in the details. Hanging on the wall, growing from the lawn. He's in the back of your car and in the diary you write.
Rick's getting more clownish every issue and all he needs now is a painted face, some slap stick jokes and a bundle of balloons to go full Jocko.
Rick's getting more clownish every issue and all he needs now is a painted face, some slap stick jokes and a bundle of balloons to go full Jocko.
February 8, 2020
A neat volume, but not as good as some the previous ones. The first comic is a palindrome and contains several phrases that are also palindromes – I thought this was pretty cool! The stories in this volume seemed sentimental to me and explore issues like parenthood, grief, and fear of losing your mind.
Summary for reference:
Summary for reference:
December 2, 2020
“That’s another insidious thing about words, right? You finally start to feel like you’ve got the right ones…And then suddenly…you don’t.”
Again we see that Prince is not afraid of a little bit of experimentation, I thought that Palindromes was a very clever piece of work and it could have so easily failed, but he pulled it off really well and even got away with a few palindromic phrases too.
The Ice Cream Man lingers around the edges and proves to be as menacing as ever, and this collection could well be the darkest so far, but either way the quality and consistency remains and this is another winner.
February 7, 2020
The Palindromes piece is an impressive one, but the other three installments of this volume were a little below-par. Aspects of each were definitely interesting -- but this whole installment really felt like it was biding time for something. Whither the larger narrative? Whence the actual Ice Cream?
July 24, 2020
I am so highly enthralled by this series! So creepy and disturbing, yet so colourful with such amazing art. Wow. The stories and images definitely stick with me! I would recommend it to those who liked Clean Room by Gail Simone. I can't wait for the next volume.
December 30, 2021
This one reminded me of such shows as The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Particularly the story about the preoccupied Dad. It was nice to see that he kept his role of protector until the very end.
December 10, 2022
Yet another fascinating installment. There wasn't a single story here that bored me. Palindromes was such a creative way to tell a story and reminded me of Neopolitan in an earlier installment. As always, the artwork was phenomenal but this time around I really loved how Martín focused more on the characters faces. It was also a real treat (pun intended) to see the little ICM symbols in the background of certain panels.
April 23, 2020
Half of the stories the volumes of this series, leave me wondering what I just read. I don’t know if I’m missing the point if them but I really don’t understand them...
September 5, 2020
I have enjoyed every one of these volumes. I love the art, the stories are creepy, and they are usually told in some unusual and creative way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews