There seems to be something wrong with Gary No. 38. Your Major Spoilers review of Ice Cream Man #38 from Image Comics awaits!

ICE CREAM MAN #38

Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Good Old Neon
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: February 28, 2024

Previously in Ice Cream Man: The Ice Cream Man is Riccardus, but what Riccardus is, is not clear. He seems to be everywhere, he can do nearly anything, and everything wrong with the world is his great delight. Whether you’re heart-broken, sick, or just plain tired, he’s got a flavor for you, and they’re probably all full of bugs.

FINDING YOUR “DESIGNATED GARY PURPOSE”

As Ice Cream Man #38 opens, we are introduced to Garyland, an unusual settlement, located behind a concrete retaining wall, home to 478 individuals, all named Gary. In fact, they are not only all Gary, they’re seemingly all the same Gary, with the same male pattern baldness and the same birthmark, but each with his own purpose. Gary 38, for example, is in charge of raking up the leaves every day, despite the fact that there are no trees in Garyland, while his best friend is tasked with dragging cans of paint across the yard every morning. Their meals consist of vanilla ice cream for breakfast, vanilla ice cream for lunch, and, as a special treat, a dinner of vanilla ice cream. Gary 38 and his best friend, Gary 14, are surprised when their friend Gary 59 freaks out at dinner one evening, yelling about how Garyland is nothing more than a lie. He is removed from Garyland, sent (according to the doctors in charge, whom long-time readers will remember) to a “spa” for rejuvenation.

And then, Gary 14 starts to wonder… WHY does he drag the paint cans every day?

AN UNEXPECTEDLY UNBEAT ENDING

Many times, the work of Prince and Morazzo takes place in a world that feels hopeless and nihilistic. This issue starts in that vein, with Gary 59’s unexpected loss of equilibrium. The progression of the story flirts with some dark territory, but Gary 14 takes the time to give Gary 38 a letter written by Gary 59, one that changes the entire tone of the story. As usual, Morazzo’s art excels in showing us mundane people in mundane situations, especially the strangely prison-like Garyland cafeteria. The appearance of Doctor Naif and Doctor Sabrina (last seen in issue #30, which raises some important questions, especially given that they were last seen running unethical clinical trials) serves to tie this tale into a greater Ice Cream Man narrative, but at this point, I’m certain that we may never see the big picture of Riccardus’ manipulations in the world.

And honestly, I kind of prefer it that way.

BOTTOM LINE: THIS COMIC IS TOP-NOTCH

The chained fates of Garys 59, 14, and 38 make Ice Cream Man #38 a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but it’s a ride that I enjoyed, with art and dialogue that rank with some of my favorite Ice Cream Man issues to date, and a climax that I didn’t see coming, in all the best ways, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall. I don’t know if this is the ideal place to start your enjoyment of this dark little world under the sink, but I do recommend that anyone who appreciates the point where humor and horror meet check this book out.

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ICE CREAM MAN #38

77%

77%

The Garys Are Uneasy

It's hard to describe 'Ice Cream Man' in a way that makes any sense, but let me make it clear that this is one of my favorite issues of the book, and the upbeat ending, while uncharacteristic, is incredibly enjoyable.

• Writing

  8
• Art

  7
• Coloring

  8
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
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