Uh oh. Engine fuel to unleash power in racing? Untested substance with shady unknown origins?
David Pepose tackles the effects of unknown chemical substances in creative fashion, where issue nine kicks off featuring Racer X and Inspector Rokugo investigating a gang turf war between the Brotherhood of Anarchy and the Tiger Syndicate. It would seem members of each faction were heavily under the influence of a recovered substance. As it turns out, a developed chemical was designed to overpower an engine, but may have found a way to weaponize it into a more nefarious and addictive use.
As the investigation continues, we find our racing champion, Speed, his next race, competing against the flamboyant and dramatic Mark Megalon. It would appear our villain of the month has gotten his hands on the macguffin in order to overcharge his death machine on wheels. Suffice to say, the chemical comes into play however not as intended. Speed becomes exposed to the chemical substance with disastrous effect.
Completely unaware of the anger-unlocking side-effects, Speed brushes this off as another occupational hazard. The remainder of the issue sees Speed fighting the battle from being inadvertently exposed to the chemical substance, while Racer X continues the investigation into the origin and distribution of what was supposed to be fuel.
Since the beginning of the series, Speed has possessed an underlying anger and resentment which has been building through every race and every confrontation with a rival or foe. It seems that while Speed has recovered from the tragic consequences of his conflict with Carl Cranum (see Issue #7) and his near-death experience last issue, Speed’s rage could only stay dormant for so long. I wonder if this is the real underlying story arc of the Speed Racer series. The emotional anguish and turmoil which has plagued speed from the get-go. From the good loss of his brother, the near-death of his father, and an unyielding drive to prove he can be more than a low-level street rat. It is a unique perspective in comics to watch a character clearly lacking in confidence and self-esteem try desperately hard to fight inner demons to rise above it all.
David Pepose appears to provide a very emotionally driven character through some scenarios which would cause normal individuals to balk and falter. Davide Tinto and Jao Canola provide us with light and dark, optimistic-yet-gritty panels to evoke Pepose’s storytelling. Buddy Beaudoin on Lettering adds intensity to Speed’s raging dialogue, and of course Chas Pangburn and Sarah Brunstand have their hands full editing and writing this tornado of emotional conflict.
