The Search for Gunther Begins in ‘Adventure Time: Ice King #1’

GameStop, Inc.

IceKing_001_A_MainAdventure Time: Ice King #1
Written by Pranas Naujokaitis
Illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

I’m about to put myself out there and potentially ruin my geek credibility with this next statement…
I’ve never seen an episode of Adventure Time.

Sure, I’m reasonably aware of the characters; there is Jake and Finn and Rey… Wait that might be a different thing… Oh yeah, that anthropomorphic Nintendo gameboy too. I know the Ice King by virtue of having attended many conventions in the last five years but I have no idea how or where he fits into the whole Adventure Time universe. Is he a good guy, a bad guy, a source of irritation to the protagonists and/or comic relief?

Why the hell am I reviewing the comic when I can’t even verify with my daughter (Who also doesn’t watch but, by her admission, that’s by choice) who or what the missing Gunther is?

Well, for starters, I have a clean slate going in and from what I gathered The Ice King falls into the comic relief zone. Even without really knowing the character by the way he behaves; vain, obsessive, insecure, inconsiderate of others, and generally clueless, I can tell that his prime role in the TV series is as classic comic relief idiot. The type that causes mostly problems, mostly unintentionally, for those around him.

Not to say he doesn’t have some likable qualities. He obviously cares for his companion and/or pet penguin Gunther whose disappearance kicks off the plot of this six issue series. Most of this issue deals with the Ice King’s search for his missing friend which brings him, briefly, into Jake and Finn’s orbit (in classic secondary character getting a main story fashion… you need the cameos from the leads). It also brings him to what I assume are secondary or minor supporting characters like copy queen (?), a fairy girl, or princess that is really pissed that Ice King is in her sock drawer and Abracadaniel whom (I can only guess) is a cross between Richard Simmons and a purple dildo. After scouring the world of Adventure Time and remaining Gunther-less, Ice King finds a ransom note on his fridge (which also lends to the idiot theory because he didn’t see the note earlier that morning). Gunther was kidnapped by someone calling himself “Dark Magistar Templi Marble” which means the kidnapper either writes God-awful Harry Potter fanfic or takes himself way too seriously.

Ice King heads off to a wizard city In search of clues and help. He becomes aware, sorta dimly, that not very many people like him. Except for the afore mentioned Simmonds/dildo hybrid Abracadaniel. But, hey, even the disliked can look down on others. He blows off Abracadaniel in a selfish character defining moment that will be sure to pop back up as a plot point in a future issue. He also taps a magic shop owner named Ron James for help with little luck. He does meet a “cool” wizard who fills in some back story on Marble and invites Ice King into a wizard clique. So thrilled is Ice King about joining a secret wizard society that he pretty much completely forgets about his missing bird. He also gets to blow off …Daniel again.

For all the wild acid induced visual flare of the book the set-up and execution of this story is pretty “by the numbers”. One with some literary experience can basically see the whole arc of this story within a few pages. That’s not a bad thing and since this book is aimed at a younger audience it’s all new to them. The jokes are a bit stale; Ron James caught checking out a centerfold exclaims “I only read it for the articles!” for example is a joke that was old when my dad was checking out centerfolds, even though the target audience is too young to get the joke.

The character designs have a ten year old on acid feel to them, or possibly a counter-cultural influence. It’s still better than I can draw and the art is working off different source material so Natalie Andrewson can’t be faulted. In fact from what I’ve seen of Adventure Time she really has a bead on the whacked out look of the show (plus some decent visual jokes like Ice King showering with ice cubes).

Pranas may be pulling punches in the writing department but he shouldn’t have to; kids are smarter than they generally let on. I have a feeling that the cartoon has a bit more zest and cleverness in its blood; usually that’s a determining factor in a cultish show like Adventure Time.

Ultimately I think I’m just too old for what Adventure Time: Ice King is, I’ve heard all the jokes and known the story for years, and that’s fine. This limited series probably serves its audience well enough. I just expected, from the look of the show, it’s reputation, and the fans I’ve met at cons, something a little more unique.

Passing fancies:

Boy there sure are a lot of Finn cosplayers out there.

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
Roz Makes Her Return to ‘Night Court’ in ‘Pension Tension’ Exclusive Clip

Roz Makes Her Return to ‘Night Court‘ in ‘Pension Tension‘ with...

The Ninaber Bros. and Kristen Kaster Talk DREAD’S ‘A Knight’s War’ – Interview

‘A Knight’s War‘ from DREAD takes us on a mystical journey...

We Test Our EQ By Revisiting the ‘New Zoo Revue’ with Doug and Emily Momary – Interview

We revisit the classic 1970s series, ‘The New Zoo Revue‘ with...

Event News Event Reviews
In Love with ‘Shakespeare in Love’ at the Maverick Theater – Review

Fall in love with ‘Shakespeare in Love‘, the Maverick Theater has...

‘Tick, Tick…BOOM!’ Explodes on stage at the Chance Theater – Review

‘Tick, Tick… Boom!‘ has dynamite performances with a lackluster book that...

‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ is Wonderous at The Phantom Projects – Review

Off-Broadway comes to North Orange County with ‘The Marvelous Wonderettes‘ at...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Goldie Collins uses her ‘Animal Instinct’ in the WOW Tag Team Division – Interview

Goldie Collins and her Animal Instinct tag team partner, Katarina Jinx...

Top Tier Talk About the Season Premiere of WOW – Women Of Wrestling – Interview

Top Tier Talk About the WOW Season Premiere and being named...

WOW and Pluto TV Tag Team with a New Channel – SDCC News

WOW – Women Of Wrestling has a new tag team partner...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents – Valentine month special featuring Luna Love good pt 2

I'm an Alpha. As my female I expect you to cook,...

Fantoy Comics Presents – Valentine’s day special 2025 pt 1

Ok you got me, I don't surf.

Fantoy Comics Presents – A REPRINT!

Oop!

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
John Dawson Talks His Cody Rhodes Inspired Song ‘Under All the Lights’ – Interview

Canadian Singer/Songwriter John Dawson Talks About His Cody and Brandi Rhodes...

Composer Youssef Guezoum Nominated for Two HMMA Awards – Interview

Moroccan born composer, Youssef Guezoum takes his adopted country by storm...

Isabella Summers Talks Composing for the Animated Feature ‘Hitpig!’ – Interview

‘Hitpig!‘ Composer, Isabella Summers Talks About Composing for the Indie Animated...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Michael Hirsh Made Gen X Citizens Via his ‘Animation Nation’ – Interview

Legendary Animator, Michael Hirsh goes from Immigrant to Emperor in his...

Billy Eddy Talks His new Book ‘Our New World of Adult Bullies’ – Interview

Lawyer, Mediator and Personality Expert Bill Eddy Provides a Six-Step Strategy...

Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Relive ‘Batman Forever’ with the Spin Master Exclusives at Target – Toys

Celebrate 30 years of ‘Batman Forever‘ with this DC Comics Retro...

The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan Unveils Halo Collar 4 – Interview

Cesar Millan Unveils Halo Collar 4: A Game-Changer for the Safety...

Artista Cigars Unveils Name Change For Two Cigar Lines – News

Artista Cigars Unveils Packaging Redesign and Name Change for Puro Ambar...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...