Review: Speed Racer #3
From Mad Cave Studios
The high-octane series continues from Mad Cave Studios in Speed Racer #3.
Having finally embarked on his journey as a professional driver, Speed must face his most dangerous new rival to date... the mysterious RACER X! With Speed’s pursuit of the Formula X championship suddenly in jeopardy, Racer X throws down a challenge that will make or break Speed’s future — but when the villainous ACE DEUCEY steals the Mach 5, can these two challengers put their differences aside to save the day?
Written by David Pepose, Art by Davide Tinto, Colors by Rex Lokus, Lettering by Buddy Beaudoin
Speed Racer #3 keeps the pedal to the floor and doesn’t let up! After two breakneck issues, this one proves the series is really finding its groove—not just with high-octane racing but also with layered storytelling that deepens the world around Speed and the people orbiting his life.
Speed’s coming in hot off his last big win, but instead of basking in the glory, he’s laser-focused on uncovering the truth behind his father’s near-fatal ordeal. It’s classic Speed—always chasing answers as fast as he’s chasing the finish line. And yet, you can also feel that itch to blow off steam, which makes his run-in with Racer X even more inevitable.
And oh boy, what a run-in it is! Racer X remains as enigmatic and brooding as ever, still carrying the weight of his own rivalry and history with the opposing team (a nice nod for those of us who’ve been following the Racer X series). Their clash on the track is everything you want it to be—speed, style, and plenty of heart-thumping near misses. And just when it looks like the showdown will climax, the C.A.T. Team barrels in and throws everything into chaos. That curveball forces Speed and Racer X into an uneasy alliance, and the result is pure adrenaline: two of the greatest racers working together under pressure, with some jaw-dropping car action as a bonus.
What makes this issue so strong isn’t just the racing—it’s the character beats. The first fundamental steps in the Speed/Racer X relationship are laid here, and you can almost see the hesitation behind Racer X’s mask, that unspoken conflict of wanting to protect Speed while keeping his distance. On the other hand, Speed continues to evolve—not just as a racer, but as a person learning to fight his battles. It’s satisfying to watch his growth, especially as the story fleshes out heroes and villains equally. Everyone’s motives are clear, making every race feel bigger than those who cross the finish line first.
The artwork continues to shine—clean, bold lines with crisp colouring that practically hums with motion. The races leap off the page with a sense of speed that feels cinematic, while the reaction shots and character expressions bring the human drama to life. I especially love how the panels shift between high-speed chaos and tight, emotional close-ups—it captures the dual heart of Speed Racer: a thrill ride wrapped around a family story.
All in all, this issue proves the series isn’t slowing down anytime soon. It delivers everything fans want: blistering action, deepening rivalries, and a building sense of mystery and connection between its core characters. If you’ve been waiting to see Speed come into his own while Racer X circles closer into his orbit, this issue sets that stage.
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"Ace Deucy" sounds more like a 19th century American riverboat gambler than an auto racer.