Comic of the Week: “Speed Racer” #1

Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer, he’s a demon on wheels — and he’s got a new comic, brought to us by David Pepose (who readers might recall is also writing the “Space Ghost” and “Captain Planet” comics, among others), with art by Davide Tinto and colors by Rex Lokus. This comic book revival of the classic anime brings the series to the modern day, and “Speed Racer” #1 is our pick for Comic of the Week.

While this is the first full issue of the “Speed Racer” comic, readers did get a look into the world in a zero issue during Free Comic Book Day. But even those who missed the free issue can dive right in and enjoy the story, as we’re introduced to Speed Racer, his family, and his dream to be a champion Formula X racer.

Then we’re brought to the present and see how so much of that fell apart.

Speed is a champion racer, but not in the way he hoped. Instead of racing around the tracks, he’s racing in the city at night, while his younger brother Spritle live streams it for betting (with Chim-Chim, of course). His brother is dead (okay, we all know he’s the mysterious Racer X, but Speed doesn’t know that), his parents are split, and his relationship with his father is not at its best. This is a Speed Racer at his lowest, which means the comic can show him rise.

The first issue serves to introduce us to the characters and setting, as well as kick off the story and set the plot points to come. It does this with excellent pacing, taking us between a race, Speed’s personal life, his meeting with Trixie, and the first major conflict and personal stakes without slowing down or feeling rushed. The moments outside the races and chases help establish and build core character traits, while the car scenes are fast-paced and exciting.

To say more would be going into spoilers, but suffice to say, the story is engaging and sets high stakes right off the bat, getting readers invested in the characters and conflicts to come (not to mention the races ahead).

You don’t need an encyclopedic knowledge of the Speed Racer anime (or even the criminally underrated live-action movie) to enjoy the “Speed Racer” comic. Not only do these characters stand on their own, but there are enough differences between them and their previous incarnations that fans of the classics may be surprised. But writer David Pepose has also clearly done his homework, because not only do the core aspects of the characters remain true, but even minor recurring characters like Skull Duggery make appearances with updated designs.

Now let’s talk about the art. Davide Tinto illustrates the issue, using a style filled with sharp detail, intense action, and just a tiny bit of anime-style flair for good measure. (Not nearly as much as Alessio Zonno’s cover, but enough to be seen in aspects of the character designs.) Tinto’s artwork is an excellent choice for the comic, as he captures the action, speed, and motion of the race perfectly. Everything from the way the speed lines make the surroundings blur to the shapes and sizes of the panels captures the intensity of the race, taking readers along for the ride.

The character designs receive a modern update to go with the new take. Gone are the white pants, polo shirt, and red ascot, replaced with a blue and red jacket that carries the Mach 5’s iconic red M on its back, and the yellow G on Speed’s left chest remains, only in a sharper font. Yet key elements of the character designs are still plain to see, like Spritle’s striped red hat and Pops’ iconic mustache. The characters’ styles may have been updated to the modern day, but their core aspects and color schemes remain.

Even the Mach 5 receives a bit of a visual redesign, with red stripes along its side, but the iconic, instantly recognizable silhouette and color scheme remain, rendered in loving detail throughout the comic.

Rex Lokus provides the colors, adding brightness and intensity to every page. The colors are key to selling the characters, the action, and the atmosphere, and Lokus has each of those down. We get bright, multi-colored explosions as the cars race through the city, and the characters fit their color schemes nicely. Even in the night scenes, the black sky is filled with stars, and the brightly lit streets let the characters stand out.

Each panel is bursting with color, keeping readers from looking away. It’s eye-catching through and through, even when the flashbacks take on a sepia tone.

“Speed Racer” #1 introduces us to a new take on Speed Racer and his family. It’s a modern update, carrying on the core elements of the story and characters while making them feel more alive and, yes, flawed in ways that lend themselves to the developments to come. Each page is intense, whether it’s building the story or racing through the streets, as David Pepose’s love for the series comes through in his writing, and the art and colors from Tinto and Lokus bring it all to glorious life.

What else can I say but: Go, Speed Racer, go!

And to cover all the mandatory lines that make good quotes while sticking to a general racing theme: “An adrenaline-filled rush!” “A high-octane thrill ride!” “Kicks the story off in a high gear!” “Good comic go fast!”(Okay, maybe not that last one.)