By Hunter T. Patrick

Free falling. The most surprising thing about the series is how strong it began, and how it does the impossible and keep getting better and better. If you missed issues 1-4 do not worry, each issue is a stand-alone tale thus far. Typically, the plot is about madness caused by the mysterious titular character, the Ice Cream Man. This issue is no difference besides the fact that he is never shown in the way he usually is. His catchphrase “lickity-split” is what distinguishes him and this time it is said by various other characters. This is what happens when an entire business building becomes affected by Ice Cream Man. The issue goes from a man jumping off a 100-floor building and confessing his sins, counting down to the bottom, and it moves to the business building and the madness that ensure. This is Ice Cream Man at his most ferocious, or at least so far.

The writing is completely creepy as always, though a better word is maddening. The falling man’s honesty tells its own story of the madness of life. It is as intriguing as it is thrilling for the countdown to his inevitable death. The business building succeeds in being frightening for the condition of (wo)man and how that has always been the most terrifying thing in life. The writing brings forth madness, which is what the series excels at. The pacing throughout is perfect as well, balancing what is going on with perfect ease.

The art is not too creepy at all at first glance. It is what appears to be a typically normal art style. The further the issue goes, the more this art style captures the mundane mixed with horror. If you read the previous issues then expect the same, which is the perfect blend of both the writing and the art. No other artist could capture what is complementary to the writing. It does not matter how talented the artist either. The blend of the two bits of help makes the series even better than it has any right to be. Do not expect a standard horror art style that should be expected in a horror series, but instead get ready for an art that is much scarier than at first glance.

The first trade has been released with the first four issues included. Get that or try to find issues 1-4 if you can find them. Issue 5 is stand-alone, but the series is too good not to collect and follow. The series has so much merit and deserves to be a much own, at least thus far. It is with great hope the series continues this trend, with five issues in a row being a home run being a very hard feat to accomplish. Horror is a hard genre in any field to succeed with. This is the case that not only is it above average but well above average. The art helps greatly that is unexpected. It is creepy how great this is.

Score: 5/5

Ice Cream Man #5
Image Comics