This October, Image Comics is taking a bold new approach with their fan-favorite series Ice Cream Man. Instead of releasing a traditional comic book, the creative team is unveiling a one-shot story called The Mortal Coil Shuffle—and it’s told entirely through a deck of 55 custom playing cards. Each card plays a part in the narrative, creating a reading experience that’s just as interactive as it is eerie. It’s exactly the kind of boundary-pushing experiment that fans have come to expect from Ice Cream Man.
The deck isn’t just a gimmick. Every card has been carefully designed to serve a purpose in the story. Some cards carry narrative moments, others include “spells” that affect characters, and several can be combined to form larger spreads of artwork. Martín Morazzo is providing the illustrations, with Chris O’Halloran on colors and Good Old Neon handling the lettering and design. The entire set will come packaged in a custom-designed box, making it feel like a special collectible as well as a one-of-a-kind comic.
Writer W. Maxwell Prince revealed that part of his inspiration came from a childhood memory. When he was nine and home sick, his German neighbor Inge taught him how to play Gin Rummy. Prince recalls her tapping those press-on nails on the table between drags of her extra-long Kool cigarettes, and how alive the cards felt in that moment. This release is dedicated to her, an attempt to bring that same sense of magic back to life through storytelling.
Fans should know this release is truly one-of-a-kind. The Mortal Coil Shuffle will only be printed once. There will be no second printing, no trade paperback, and it won’t appear in any collected editions. The one-shot will be available in comic shops on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
For longtime readers, this is just the latest example of the Ice Cream Man team refusing to play it safe. After more than 44 issues, they continue to surprise readers with strange, unsettling stories and daring experiments with format. If you’re a fan of comics that push the limits of the medium—or just love collecting unique pieces—this release is absolutely worth adding to your pull list.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
