SPEED RACER #10 (Mad Cave Studios)

Speed is crashing out with the effects of the V-Gas still influencing his attitude and demeanor. The rest of the team is getting desperate to help and save him from himself. In this desperation Trixie must make a call to the one person that may be able to pull Speed out of this. Let’s hope it’s not too late and he can still be saved.

Speed Racer #10 - Written By David Pepose – Art By Davide Tinto - Colors By Jão Canola - Letters By Buddy Beaudoin – Edited By Chas! Pangburn & Sarah Brunstad - Published By Mad Cave Studios

Credit: Mad Cave Studios

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

Speed is still firmly in the clutches of the V-Gas and his attitude has become even more abrasive. His intensity and overall horrible attitude are the worst it’s been. This couldn’t happen at a worst time as the most dangerous race of the circuit is upon us, the Great Fire Race that goes through an actual volcano. This race has been won for the past three years by Tokage Kadar, better known as the Red Dragon. Kadar unfortunately has made one possibly fatal mistake; he has antagonized Speed and doing so has painted a massive target on his back. Due to the seriousness of this race and Speed’s state of mind, Trixie calls Racer X to try and get through to Speed. But will this work or is Speed on the fast track to total destruction?

WRITING:

This issue continues Speed Racer’s troubling downward spiral as the lingering effects of V-Gas push him further away from the heroic, clear-headed driver readers know him to be. David Pepose does an excellent job showing just how much the drug has warped Speed’s judgment, confidence, and sense of self. Instead of presenting his behavior as a sudden change, Pepose lets the damage build through Speed’s sharper attitude, reckless decisions, and inability to recognize how much he is hurting the people closest to him. That makes the story feel more grounded and emotionally difficult, because the danger is not only on the track—it is inside Speed himself.

Pepose’s handling of addiction and dependency remains one of the strongest parts of this arc. The story makes the consequences of V-Gas feel serious without turning the issue into a lecture. The message is direct and powerful, but it never becomes preachy because it is rooted in character, consequence, and concern. We see how Speed’s choices ripple outward, affecting Trixie, Racer X, and the rest of the team as they try to reach someone who may not be ready to listen. That emotional weight gives the issue a sense of real urgency beyond the spectacle of the race itself.

The Great Fire Race raises the stakes even higher by placing Speed’s instability against one of the most dangerous courses in the circuit. A race through an actual volcano already has enough built-in suspense but combining that environment with Speed’s aggressive mindset creates a constant feeling that everything could fall apart at any moment. Pepose keeps the racing sequences fast, intense, and unpredictable while also making sure the action serves the larger story. Every turn, collision, and confrontation feels tied to Speed’s worsening condition, which keeps the tension climbing throughout the issue.

The most heartfelt material comes from the drama between Speed and Racer X. Racer X’s concern for his brother cuts through the chaos of the race and reminds readers that this series works best when its high-speed action is balanced with genuine family emotion. His attempts to reach Speed carry a lot of weight because they come from love, fear, and desperation rather than judgment. That bond has always been one of the strongest emotional threads in the Speed Racer universe, and Pepose uses it here to give the issue a powerful heart beneath all the danger, speed, and spectacle.

ARTWORK:

The art team shines throughout this issue and gives Speed Racer #10 the energy, danger, and emotion the story needs. Davide Tinto vividly brings the world of Speed Racer to life with immersive visuals that make every page feel active and full of motion. His character designs remain distinct and expressive, allowing readers to clearly feel Speed’s growing aggression, Trixie’s concern, and Racer X’s quiet desperation. Those emotional details are important because they keep the issue from becoming only a high-speed spectacle. Tinto makes sure the characters’ reactions, body language, and facial expressions carry just as much weight as the racing action.

The racing sequences are a major highlight, especially with the Great Fire Race taking place through an actual volcano. Tinto uses the environment to make the danger feel immediate, placing the cars against intense backdrops of heat, lava, rock, and chaos. The layouts create a strong sense of speed without becoming confusing, which is essential for a book like this. Every turn, impact, and burst of movement feels easy to follow, and the action has a cinematic quality that makes the race feel larger than life while still keeping the focus on Speed’s reckless state of mind.

Jão Canola’s colors heighten the impact of the artwork and make the issue feel even more intense. The fiery tones of the volcano setting give the race a constant sense of danger, while the brighter racing elements help the cars and characters stand out clearly on the page. Canola also does a strong job guiding the reader’s eye toward key details, whether it is a dramatic expression, a dangerous obstacle, or the explosive energy of the race itself. The colors do more than make the book look exciting; they strengthen the atmosphere and help sell the emotional pressure building around Speed.

Buddy Beaudoin’s lettering completes the package by keeping the issue readable, energetic, and well-paced. The dialogue flows naturally through the action, and the lettering helps maintain momentum during the faster sequences without overwhelming the art. Together, Tinto, Canola, and Beaudoin deliver a polished and exciting visual presentation that matches the intensity of Pepose’s script. Their work makes this issue feel dangerous, emotional, and visually memorable, further proving why Speed Racer continues to be one of the top titles at the LCS.

Check Out My Review of Speed Racer #9

Final Thoughts:

Speed Racer #10 finishes the Hell on Wheels storyline in an exciting and tension filled way. The racing action is top tier as always, but the drama surrounding Speed’s drug addiction and subsequent attitude change takes center stage. This drama built an exciting and dynamic story that has a wonderful and heartfelt conclusion. The reality-based storyline will surely hit home for a lot of readers. Speed Racer continues to be one of the best titles on the shelves each and every month.

FINAL GRADE: 9.8/10

Let me know your thoughts on Speed Racer #10 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!