Steeped in speed and death-defying races, this yarn will thrill readers of the Speed Racer franchise.
In Russell’s graphic novel, racing isn’t just about winning—it’s about surviving to reach the finish line.
For the past two years, Driver X has been the getaway driver for the Tiger Syndicate. When he was younger, all he could think about was being a racer and winning glory, but chasing his dreams and going against his father’s wishes led to X getting into a major accident. Now, his family thinks he’s dead, and it’s safer for them if they continue to believe that. But when X’s younger brother, Speed Racer, shows up on the racing circuit, X knows he can’t stay off the track any longer; someone needs to be there to watch his brother’s back. Using the skills his father forced him to master as a teen, X designs the “Shooting Star,” which is more than just a race car—it comes with everything X will need to knock other drivers out of the race and ensure Speed Racer’s win. Just one other minor hiccup: When X left the Tiger Syndicate, he took the money from their latest bank robbery and left them high and dry, and now they’re gunning for him. (“Formula X has the highest mortality rate of any sport,” and it’s even worse when the head of a gang puts a hit out on you.) In this action-packed graphic novel, Russell and artist Nuno Plati deliver an exciting tale that takes place in the world of the famous Speed Racer, featuring Speed’s mysterious sibling, the track phantom formerly known as Rex Racer. The kinetic artwork, depicting chaotic racing scenes and flashy cars, is sure to delight any longtime fans of the series (and attract new ones). The narrative blends a redemption story, a battle between good and evil, and a good old-fashioned racing drama; there’s something here for everyone (even a little romance when X and the mischievous racer Hellkitten share a kiss). Fast, fun, and feisty, this adventure is sure to please. The volume includes a short story, “Episode 0,” at the end of the book.
Steeped in speed and death-defying races, this yarn will thrill readers of the Speed Racer franchise.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
ISBN: 9781545823439
Page Count: 88
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
Even so, this remains Macbeth, arguably the Bard of Avon’s most durable and multilayered tragedy, and overall, this enhanced...
A pairing of the text of the Scottish Play with a filmed performance, designed with the Shakespeare novice in mind.
The left side of the screen of this enhanced e-book contains a full version of Macbeth, while the right side includes a performance of the dialogue shown (approximately 20 lines’ worth per page). This granular focus allows newcomers to experience the nuances of the play, which is rich in irony, hidden intentions and sudden shifts in emotional temperature. The set and costuming are deliberately simple: The background is white, and Macbeth’s “armor” is a leather jacket. But nobody’s dumbing down their performances. Francesca Faridany is particularly good as a tightly coiled Lady Macbeth; Raphael Nash-Thompson gives his roles as the drunken porter and a witch a garrulousness that carries an entertainingly sinister edge. The presentation is not without its hiccups. Matching the video on the right with the text on the left means routinely cutting off dramatic moments; at one point, users have to swipe to see and read the second half of a scene’s closing couplet—presumably an easy fix. A “tap to translate” button on each page puts the text into plain English, but the pop-up text covers up Shakespeare’s original, denying any attempts at comparison; moreover, the translation mainly redefines more obscure words, suggesting that smaller pop-ups for individual terms might be more meaningful.
Even so, this remains Macbeth, arguably the Bard of Avon’s most durable and multilayered tragedy, and overall, this enhanced e-book makes the play appealing and graspable to students . (Enhanced e-book. 12 & up)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2013
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: The New Book Press LLC
Review Posted Online: Nov. 6, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2013
Using modern language, McDonald spins the well-known tale of the two young, unrequited lovers. Set against Nagar’s at-times...
A bland, uninspired graphic adaptation of the Bard’s renowned love story.
Using modern language, McDonald spins the well-known tale of the two young, unrequited lovers. Set against Nagar’s at-times oddly psychedelic-tinged backgrounds of cool blues and purples, the mood is strange, and the overall ambiance of the story markedly absent. Appealing to what could only be a high-interest/low–reading level audience, McDonald falls short of the mark. He explains a scene in an open-air tavern with a footnote—“a place where people gather to drink”—but he declines to offer definitions for more difficult words, such as “dirges.” While the adaptation does follow the foundation of the play, the contemporary language offers nothing; cringeworthy lines include Benvolio saying to Romeo at the party where he first meets Juliet, “Let’s go. It’s best to leave now, while the party’s in full swing.” Nagar’s faces swirl between dishwater and grotesque, adding another layer of lost passion in a story that should boil with romantic intensity. Each page number is enclosed in a little red heart; while the object of this little nuance is obvious, it’s also unpleasantly saccharine. Notes after the story include such edifying tidbits about Taylor Swift and “ ‘Wow’ dialogs from the play” (which culls out the famous quotes).Pub Date: May 10, 2011
ISBN: 978-93-80028-58-3
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Campfire
Review Posted Online: April 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2011
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