Title: Speed Racer Volume 1
Writer: David Pepose
Artists: David Tinto, Chris Batista, Sabrina Cintron
Colorists: Rex Lokus, Carlos Lopez
Letterer: Buddy Beaudon
Cover Artist: Alessio Zonno
Price: $ 17.99 US
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Website: www.madcavestudios.com
Comments: This book collects issues #0 through #5.
Palm City is the home of Formula X racing and of Speed Racer himself. The Mach 5 is a beautiful machine—sleek, streamlined, and built purely for speed. Formula X racing is street racing taken to an extreme level, with cars equipped with weapons and gadgets. The Mach 5 is especially well outfitted. Though Formula X racing is illegal, that does nothing to stop the drivers, and the danger level is sky high.
One driver, dressed in black and grey, stands out immediately as a mystery figure. From his appearance alone, you know trouble follows him.
Speed Racer faces fierce competition as he sets the pace in thrilling races that deliver excitement from start to finish. Beyond the track, Speed also deals with family drama, and eventually meets Trixie, bringing romance into the story.
Speed Racer always tries to do what he believes is right, even when his father, Pop, does not fully agree. Still, Speed follows his own sense of justice.
Then there is Racer X—a mysterious and incredibly tough man. Whoever he is hunting is in for a world of hurt.
Speed is more than just a driver. He is a man who looks out for his family, and behind the wheel of the Mach 5 he is one of the best racers alive.
Speed enters the Formula X World Championship, determined to win for his father. There is plenty of tension between racers and team owners as well, adding more drama to the competition. Speed’s heart is set on racing—it is in his blood. With Trixie’s support and her family’s racing team behind him, he has a real shot.
The qualifying race sees Speed pushing his skills to the limit. Inspired by others, he gets his head back in the game and starts driving street style—the way he does best. He pulls off wild manoeuvres that have to be seen to be believed. The artwork during these scenes is stunning, presenting racing in ways rarely seen before.
Racer X appears only briefly at first, but he commands attention immediately. The art captures him as both mysterious and dangerous.
If you have a need for speed, this book delivers. The art is outstanding and constantly reminds readers this is a racing comic first and foremost. Through his actions, Speed proves he will do whatever it takes to win.
At Club Diesel, the hangout of the C.A.T. Team, a bar fight breaks out before being quickly shut down. Racer X is there, and once again makes an impression.
Speed and Racer X end up in a race with high stakes, and things quickly go from bad to worse for Speed. Yet Racer X shows he has a heart when he works with Speed to save Speed’s younger brother.
Ace Deucey appears as a thief, giving Speed yet another problem to handle.
Speed races for family, not for fame or money. Racer X also helps him, while readers learn more about the mysterious masked driver.
Speed is full of hope and confidence. Having the Mach 6 is impressive, but it is his heart that truly makes him a great racer.
There is real emotion in these stories, alongside hard-driving races between Speed and Racer X. Their rivalry is skill against instinct, and both have plenty of each.
The Black Jaguar now sets his sights on Speed Racer, and Speed had better watch his back.
With another race approaching, the C.A.T. Team, led by Black Jaguar, is determined to take Speed down. The Tiger Syndicate, under Dante Ferno, is also out to stop him at any cost.
Speed begins the race with Racer X and Black Jaguar right beside him. He needs this win. Every car is loaded with special accessories, and the competition is brutal. Racer X and Speed make a strong team, and watching them work together is enough to make readers cheer. But when Black Jaguar makes his move, racers do not always survive.
Speed pushes himself to the edge, performing brilliantly until fortune suddenly turns against him.
Adding Black Jaguar as a villain was exactly what this story needed. He is calm, cool, and utterly vicious.
The back cover features a masterpiece pin-up of the Mach 5 and company. The car is illustrated as pure speed and power in motion.
Even when bad luck strikes, Speed keeps going. The facial expressions throughout the book are excellent, capturing the intensity of the high-speed action. These races are about far more than winning—your life is on the line. For Speed Racer and Racer X, survival becomes the real challenge against the C.A.T. Team and Black Jaguar.
The race cars themselves are beautifully designed, all built for speed, with gadgets and weapons that make them even cooler.
Amid all the racing chaos, there is still room for a little romance.
Dante Ferno, owner of the C.A.T. Team, is drawn perfectly as a man furious when things do not go his way.
Watching these cars race gives a real sense of velocity. The speed, danger, and excitement all come through clearly.
Speed Racer reaches the Formula X World Championship Tournament, and there are emotional moments along the way that genuinely land.
Racer X now has a mission—to protect his family—and he will not stop until it is done.
As for Speed Racer, he powers through this book at full throttle, bringing excitement every step of the way.
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