An Exciting New Era of Speed Racer is About to Begin

21 hours ago 9

Emile Hirsh driving the Mach 5 in Speed Racer

John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.

Speed Racer is coming back with a brand-new series that is perfectly tuned for younger audiences looking to get into comics for themselves.

Per a press release from Mad Cave Studios, the publisher's kids imprint Papercutz is set to release a new Speed Racer series geared specifically for young readers. The upcoming graphic novel, Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1, comes courtesy of the creative team of Franco and Derek Charm, and is set to arrive in stores everywhere on April 28, 2026. Readers can check out the main cover for Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1 down below.

Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1

The official solicit synopsis for Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1 from Papercutz reads, "The best race car driver in the world has been invited to drive the most advanced artificial intelligence car in the world. Speed Racer is not that driver, and the Mach Five is not that car — but that’s not going to stop him from entering that race and winning!"

"When the world’s richest man uses unlimited funds to build the most technologically advanced car ever and hires Racer X to run a race he created, the deck is stacked against Speed Racer! It’s not going to be an easy race, but with his secret weapons, his friends and family, Speed has a pretty good chance of getting in the race and winning — and he’s going to hedge his bet with a whole lot of candy! Come for the laughs, the hijinks, and the amazing speeds the cars reach. Go Speed Racer, GO!"

Speed Racer has been a fixture of pop culture since the titular character was introduced all the way back in 1966 in Tatsuo Yoshida's original Mach GoGoGo manga. Published in Shōnen Book, Mach GoGoGo marked the debut of the beloved cast of characters who would go on to help define the wider Speed Racer franchise. In the decades since, Speed Racer has been reimagined for dozens of manga, comics, animated television shows, and even a big-budget live-action feature film back in 2008.

Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1 is set to be just the latest in a long line of increasingly exciting Speed Racer releases from Mad Cave Studios. Back in June, the publisher unveiled their new take on the franchise with the release of Speed Racer #1 from critically acclaimed writer David Pepose and fan-favorite artist Davide Tinto. Per the official solicit synopsis for the series' first issue from Mad Cave Studios, "Speed Racer lives for the thrill of the race, but on the underground circuit, the rules are anything goes."

"Dodging bullets, explosions, and dirty tricks, he’s got one goal: to prove he’s the best. But when a dangerous syndicate targets his family, Speed’s greatest challenge won’t be on the track...it’ll be on the streets."

The release of Speed Racer was followed by writer Mark Russell and artist Nuno Plati's Racer X #1 in September. Russell himself said of the series ahead of its release, "So while I'm thrilled to be working in a universe I've loved for so long, getting to write a character with the mystique and gravity of Racer X makes it a truly unique opportunity. I hope readers not only enjoy the new direction in which I'm taking Racer X, but sense the love and respect I have for the character as well."

Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1 goes on sale April 28, 2026 from Papercutz.