SPEED RACER ADVENTURES VOL. 1:
Coming soon from Papercutz & Tatsunoko Production
Against all odds, Speed Racer is ready to floor it and prove he belongs in the driver’s seat!
Papercutz, the kids’ comics imprint of Mad Cave Studios, in partnership with Tatsunoko Production, is thrilled to hit the greenlight with SPEED RACER ADVENTURES Vol. 1, an all-new original graphic novel from New York Times bestseller, multi-Eisner Award, and Harvey Award-winning creators Franco (Superman Family Adventures, Itty Bitty Hellboy) and Derek Charm (Star Wars Adventures, Jughead), with letters by Dave Lentz. This all-new spin on the classic anime icon revs up the humor, the heart, and the horsepower for a new generation.
“I loved watching the Speed Racer cartoon as a kid,” said Franco. “It was my first real introduction to anime. It was a good show that had really engaging characters, was filled with fast-paced action, and high-stakes racing! And a really cool theme song! I tried to capture all of that with this new book for all ages to enjoy—well, except for the theme song… I’m still trying to figure out how to get that in graphic novel form.”
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!
Derek Charm added, “I’m a huge fan of the visuals of the Speed Racer world and was excited to redesign the characters with a more youthful look while still keeping the color and excitement of the original comics and cartoons. Beyond being a fan of the character, a huge part of the appeal of the project was being able to work with Franco on a book-length story. There’s so much humor and action in this book, every page was fun to draw.”
Aimed at middle-grade readers (ages 7-12), Speed Racer Adventures is perfect for fans of the classic cartoon and beyond, blending humor, heart, and high-speed action in a way that parents and kids can enjoy together!
Speed Racer Adventures Vol. 1 will be available April 28, 2026, in hardcover ($17.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2378-1) and paperback ($12.99, ISBN 978-1-5458-2379-8), available wherever books and comics are sold, as well as through Papercutz and Simon & Schuster.
Papercutz is dedicated to publishing great graphic novels for all ages—from humor and adventure to mystery and heartfelt coming-of-age tales. Visit papercutz.com to explore the full lineup!
Stay up to date with Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to explore new releases, licensed series, and creator-owned titles.
About Tatsunoko Production:
Established in 1962 by founder Tatsuo Yoshida, Tatsunoko Production is a pioneer in the Japanese animation industry, with such classics as Speed Racer, Gatchaman, and Samurai Pizza Cats. Tatsunoko is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and continues to produce animated content.
About Papercutz:
Papercutz is dedicated to publishing great graphic novels for all ages. Popular with reluctant readers and gifted readers alike, Papercutz graphic novels for kids, tweens, and teens include a wide range of genres, including humor, action adventure, mystery, horror, and favorite characters. We work every day to introduce young readers to the imaginative wonders waiting to be discovered in comics.
About Mad Cave Studios:
Driven by madness and committed to quality. Mad Cave Studios provides quality entertainment with a fresh take on an array of genres. From fantasy and action to sci-fi and horror, Mad Cave publishes stories that resonate with unapologetic and authentic audiences.