Just in time for Halloween, Image Comics is bringing readers back to where the nightmare began with Ice Cream Man #1: Chocolate/Vanilla Twist, a special collector’s edition of the series’ debut issue arriving this October.
The release reprints the acclaimed first issue in stark black and white while adding several new features, including remastered lettering by Good Old Neon and an all-new Ice Cream Man short story created by W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, Chris O’Halloran, Good Old Neon, and the rest of the creative team.
The biggest surprise may be the comic’s interactive cover.
Using focal decoder technology, the special cover hides the Ice Cream Man himself until readers use the included “Lookety Split” Decoder Lens, revealing the original artwork along with hidden messages and secret imagery.
Writer W. Maxwell Prince said the project combines two experiences that have stayed with him for years.
“Ice Cream Man: Chocolate/Vanilla Twist is where two of my favorite things converge: Martín’s first pages of this strange little book… and this insanely cool focal decoder technology,” Prince said. “To marry those two things, as part of a special kickoff to Ice Cream Man’s December return to regular publication and its march toward issue #50, is a blessing that means more to me than I can articulate in a press release.”
Artist Martín Morazzo reflected on revisiting the series’ beginning.
“It’s crazy to look back and see what we’ve built through the years. Ice Cream Man has been a life-changing experience for us, and I hope it’s been the same for our readers. It all started here, with this first issue. It’s fantastic to release it again as we begin the celebration leading to issue #50.”
The Chocolate/Vanilla Twist edition serves as the first step toward the series’ milestone 50th issue, scheduled for 2027. Before then, readers can revisit the comic that launched one of Image Comics’ most inventive horror series, now with a fresh presentation and plenty of hidden surprises waiting to be uncovered.
Ice Cream Man #1: Chocolate/Vanilla Twist will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, October 14.
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