A Whale Of A Tale: Reviewing ‘Ice Cream Man’ #36

From the Bible’s Jonah to Moby Dick to Pinocchio, whales have served as a storytelling focal point for millennia. With its latest issue, Ice Cream Man looks to write itself into that esteemed company.

But as with most stories in this anthology series, this fish tale does not turn out as expected. In fact, it incorporates those classical tales and characters into the story of a father searching for his daughter who was swallowed by a whale.

Dad Winslow is understandably distraught by his daughter pulling a Jonah and disappearing into the whale’s gullet. He’s also as focused on revenge as Moby Dick’s Ahab, even quoting the infamous literary character. So the fisherman takes out a small rowboat in search of his white whale. (This one is black, though, thanks to Chris O’Halloran’s coloring.)

In W. Maxwell Prince’s script, Winslow finds his whale and gets swallowed just as his daughter was. The ensuring adventure, though, isn’t quite like Pinocchio’s – though the wooden boy does play a part in the story. In addition to telling a fantastical adventure, Price focuses on the humanity of the situation, making this story one most parents can relate to.

Winslow’s journey is as much about assuaging his own guilt about being an absent parent as it is actually finding his daughter. He bemoans the times he ignored her, even once refusing to hug her. If this story is a tragedy, it’s because most parents can find some aspect of themselves in Winslow.

Artist Martin Morazzo has lots of opportunity to show off in this issue. There’s the whale, of course, or rather the outside of the beast. Yet the inside is even more fascinating, including a collection of characters – many naked – as well as bathtubs (don’t ask).

As is usually the case with Ice Cream Man, the story operates on two levels. In this case, both are worthy of your time.

Ice Cream Man #36 is available for purchase today.