Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Davide Tinto
Colorist: Jão Canola
Cover Artist: Alessio Zono
Speed Racer #7 takes the high-speed rivalry introduced in the previous issue and shifts the focus in a surprising and effective direction. After the explosive debut of Carl Cranem and the terrifying power of the GRX engine, this chapter eases off the accelerator just enough to explore the story’s emotional core. Rather than simply escalating the technological arms race between the Mach 5 and its GRX-powered rival, the issue asks a more compelling question: what if power isn’t the answer at all?
The result is a character-driven installment that still delivers the racing action fans expect. By centering the relationship between Pops and Speed, the story gains real emotional weight, grounding the larger conflict in something personal and relatable. At the same time, the Cranem storyline reaches a meaningful turning point, giving the issue a sense of progression rather than just spectacle. While it leans into familiar themes—and even embraces a bit of classic Speed Racer cheesiness—that tone ultimately works in its favor. It reinforces the heart of the series: a world where high-speed thrills and genuine emotion go hand in hand.
The Fallout from the GRX Engine
The story picks up in the immediate aftermath of the devastating race from the previous issue. Carl Cranem has already demonstrated the terrifying potential of the GRX engine, and the results were catastrophic. The Mach 5 was pushed beyond its limits, ultimately exploding in a wreck that left Speed’s fate uncertain while Cranem crossed the finish line in triumph.
At the Universal Motor Showcase, Cranem wastes no time reveling in his victory. He boldly declares that the era of Speed Racer is over, convinced that the GRX engine has ushered in a new standard of racing dominance. To him, the previous race wasn’t just a win—it was proof that no one can stand against the raw, destructive power of the technology his father once envisioned.
This moment also sharpens Cranem’s core motivation. His rivalry with the Racer family goes beyond competition; it’s deeply personal. Cranem is driven by a need to vindicate the legacy of his father, Doctor Ben Cranem. In his eyes, Pops Racer didn’t just walk away from a dangerous project—he abandoned the very breakthrough that could have completed the GRX engine and changed the future of racing.
But Speed refuses to accept that narrative. Even after the destruction of the Mach 5 and the apparent finality of Cranem’s victory, he issues another challenge. This time, however, something has changed. Speed isn’t looking for more power, more upgrades, or a technological edge.
For the first time, he’s ready to listen to Pops.
Pops Racer Steps Forward
One of the most important developments in Speed Racer #7 is the way Pops finally steps into a more active and constructive role in the story. Up until now, he’s largely served as a source of tension for Speed—constantly warning him about the dangers of racing and criticizing his decisions without offering a clear path forward.
This issue changes that dynamic in a meaningful way.
When Speed insists on facing Cranem again, Pops makes it clear that trying to outpower the GRX engine is a losing strategy. The Mach 5 simply can’t match that level of raw force, and pushing it any harder would only lead to another catastrophic failure.
Instead of focusing on upgrades or technological one-upmanship, Pops redirects the conversation to the fundamentals of racing. Victory, he argues, doesn’t come from brute strength—it comes from endurance, strategy, and control. It’s a philosophy that feels almost old-fashioned in a story increasingly dominated by high-powered machines, but that contrast is exactly what makes it resonate.
To prove his point, Pops challenges Speed to a race of his own.
This becomes one of the most meaningful sequences in the issue. Rather than continuing their cycle of disagreement, Pops demonstrates his philosophy in action. The race between father and son isn’t about crossing the finish line first—it’s about teaching Speed patience, discipline, and trust in his own skill behind the wheel.
For perhaps the first time in the series, Pops isn’t just warning Speed about danger. He’s showing him how to overcome it.
A Different Kind of Racing
The races in Speed Racer #7 feel distinctly different from those that have defined the series so far. Earlier issues leaned heavily into the Mach 5’s wild technological arsenal—buzzsaws, defensive shields, jumping jacks, and belt tires—turning each race into a chaotic spectacle where gadgets often rivaled driving skill in importance.
This issue deliberately strips much of that away.
Pops’ race with Speed becomes a return to fundamentals. Without the reliance on advanced tech, the contest transforms into a test of discipline, patience, and racing intelligence. Speed initially struggles with this approach—his instinct has always been to push harder, go faster, and rely on the Mach 5’s capabilities. But over time, he begins to internalize what Pops has been trying to teach him all along.
That lesson proves essential when Speed faces Cranem again.
The GRX engine still gives Cranem an overwhelming advantage in raw power. Its heat and force turn the race into a grueling endurance trial, one that threatens to overwhelm Speed at every turn. But instead of trying to match that power head-on, Speed adapts.
He conserves energy, studies Cranem’s patterns, and waits.
When the moment finally comes, it’s not Speed’s speed that makes the difference—it’s his control. The GRX engine’s greatest strength becomes its greatest weakness, and Speed is ready to exploit it.
The result is a race that feels just as intense as the gadget-heavy clashes of earlier issues, but far more meaningful. By shifting the focus from spectacle to strategy and character, the issue delivers tension that feels earned rather than manufactured.
Art That Captures the Emotion
Artist Davide Tinto once again delivers dynamic racing sequences, but the true strength of his work in Speed Racer #7 lies in the quieter, character-driven moments.
With the issue placing such a strong emphasis on the relationship between Pops and Speed, facial expressions carry much of the storytelling weight—and Tinto rises to the occasion. His line work may be relatively simple, but it’s incredibly effective. Speed’s determination and frustration come through in subtle shifts of his eyes and mouth, while Pops’ expressions convey a layered mix of concern, pride, and lingering guilt. The emotional tension between them is present in nearly every shared panel.
What’s most impressive is that this emotional clarity doesn’t disappear once the races begin. Even at high speeds, with cars tearing across the track, Tinto ensures that the characters’ feelings remain front and center. The action never loses its human core.
Colorist Jão Canola plays a major role in maintaining the issue’s energy. The palette is consistently vibrant, heightening the intensity of the racing sequences while emphasizing the dangerous heat generated by the GRX engine. During the final race between Speed and Cranem, the colors shift toward darker yellows and oranges, creating the sense that the track itself is overheating. It’s a subtle but powerful visual cue that reinforces the destructive nature of Cranem’s machine.
Letterer Buddy Beaudoin rounds out the presentation with strong, immersive sound design. The sound effects feel tightly integrated with the motion of the cars—every screech of tires and burst of acceleration adds to the rhythm and momentum of the race.
A Story About Legacy
At its core, Speed Racer #7 is a story about fathers and sons.
Carl Cranem is driven by the legacy of his father and the belief that Pops Racer destroyed it. His entire mission is rooted in proving that the GRX engine—and by extension, his father’s work—was right all along. Speed, meanwhile, is still trying to define himself in the shadow of Pops and the lingering impact of Rex Racer’s loss.
The resolution of Speed and Cranem’s conflict highlights the contrast between these two perspectives. Cranem is consumed by revenge, placing absolute faith in the overwhelming power of the GRX engine. Speed, on the other hand, learns that true strength comes from understanding limits—knowing when to push forward and when to hold back.
It’s a theme that can feel a bit cheesy at times, especially when the moral becomes more explicit toward the end. But that sincerity has always been part of Speed Racer’s identity. The series works best when it fully embraces those classic racing story elements without irony or hesitation.
In that sense, Speed Racer #7 captures exactly what makes the character so enduring. It balances high-speed action with heartfelt storytelling, proving that beneath the spectacle, this has always been a story about family, legacy, and the lessons passed down from one generation to the next.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Speed Racer #7 is a surprisingly thoughtful chapter that focuses more on character development than explosive racing chaos. By placing the relationship between Pops and Speed at the center of the story, the issue gives the ongoing Cranem rivalry a satisfying emotional payoff.
The racing action is still exciting, but the real strength of the issue comes from the lessons Speed learns along the way. Pops finally steps into the role of mentor rather than critic, and that shift adds a lot of depth to their relationship.
The story does lean a bit heavily into classic Speed Racer sentimentality at times, and some readers might find the resolution slightly predictable. Even so, it’s hard not to appreciate how well the issue captures the spirit of the series.
It’s a little cheesy in places, but it’s also exactly the kind of heartfelt racing story that Speed Racer has always thrived on.
Rating: 8/10
A character-driven showdown that proves wisdom and endurance can sometimes outrun even the most powerful engine.