Preview: Speed Racer #1

Get ready… Get Set… Go!

David Pepose must be burning the midnight exhaust. If two issues last week wasn’t enough for the retro-inspired writer, we’ve got one more revved up release, this time brought to fans by Mad Cave Studios in the form of Speed Racer #1!

We jump in where the Free Comic Book Day preview left off. Speed continues his underground racing habits and law-avoiding consequences in death-defying fashion while also projecting a thrill seeking and brash online persona thanks to his pit crew live streaming each suspenseful moment.

Elements of amped up and weaponized cars are introduced in Formula X Racing, and aptly explained through each page. Also scattered throughout the story are flashbacks to Speed’s brother Rex, a racing champion who ultimately meets a grim fate. 

The cast of characters appears consistent from the original cartoon. Joining Speed are Spritle and Chim-Chim, as live-streaming personalities, Pops, and Trixie makes her first appearance in this issue. The interaction between Pops and Speed escalates to soul-crushing. For those who grew up with the original show, this is going to be one hell of a shock. 

Speed isn’t the responsible character one might think. He’s brash, cocky, also suave in a way which reminds me a bit of Spike from Cowboy Bebop or Axel from Lazarus. But through Pepose’s charm of storytelling, it’s clear the persona projected is merely a mask for inner anger, resentment, and a quest for answers. Or is it revenge?

Readers will already tell this series is a sharp left deviation from the cheery, campy cartoon of old. I never saw the 2008 movie, so no comparisons can be made. Joined by artist Davide Tinto, colorist Rex Lokus, Buddy Beaudoin on lettering, David Pepose brings Speed Racer back to life with a gritty, neo-Tokyo underground feel through what one would expect from dangerous underground racing. There is more than meets the eye as rival gangs, a police presence and a familiar Inspector will likely see a number of smaller story arcs burst out from this introductory issue. Intense dialogue is accompanied by a visual splash of bright lights with a blend of dark overtones to emphasize this is not some wacky racing action, but potential life-or-death. 

Before the issue is over, we get another glimpse of the vengeful presence Racer X will bring to the series. If true to form, it is likely we know who Racer X truly is, but one never knows when we are in for a swerve. 

Speed on over to your local comic shop this Wednesday, but don’t run any red lights or crash through barricades please. 

Speed Racer #1 releases on Wednesday July 30th at your local comic book shop.