SPEED REPUBLIC #4 – Review

SPEED REPUBLIC #4, from Mad Cave Studios on May 18th, 2022, enters the next leg of the race in Germany where Seb learns the truth behind the pandemics and concocts a plan to become a true winner.

The Details

• Written By: Ryan K. Lindsay
• Art By: Emanuele Parascandolo
• Colors By: Michele Monte
• Letters By: Joamette Gil
• Cover Art By: Emanuele Parascandolo, Michele Monte (cover A)
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: May 18, 2022

Was It Good?

SPEED REPUBLIC #4 is an odd issue for the series in that it’s one of the strongest and clearest issues so far, but it almost completely changes the direction of the series. Perhaps this new direction was always the creator’s intention, but we won’t know for sure until we get to the end of the arc.

Per the blurb above, Seb enters what the series describes as “the German Gauntlet.” Historically, this is the point of the race where sabotage attacks increase and death is a near certainty. Seb doesn’t make it through the German Gauntlet because he’s rescued from his latest crash by the local village leader who uncovered the truth behind the waves of viruses ravaging Europe.

By the end of the issue, the entire focus of the story shifts from one type of rebellion (sanctioned by winning the race) to another rebellion (exposing the truth). You could argue this change was hinted at in the very early issues, but now, the pretense of the race is completely gone in favor of a story that feels closer to an allegory about the suspected origins of COVID. Is the creator making a statement about our real-world pandemic using a thinly veiled post-apocalyptic race as a point of entry into your mind? Again, we’ll know for sure once the arc concludes. When you read how the issue plays out, it stops just short of COVID creation conspiracy theories, but it comes close enough to read like it’s headed in that direction.

That’s not to say there isn’t room for a cracking good story loosely based on COVID creation theories, and to be fair, the shift in this story isn’t apples to apples. But what may come across as a down point to the readers is the perceived bait-and-switch in themes. Per our prior reviews of the series, the logistics and mechanics of the race are clunky and sometimes poorly explained, so if the race is just a cover excuse to tell a different story, some readers may feel bamboozled. That said, all misdirections can be forgiven if the creators stick the landing.

On the plus side, this issue was more coherent and easier to understand than the previous issue. Admittedly, Seb was living through a very bad drug trip without the benefit of a side character to anchor the reading experience. Here, Seb is well out of his trip and we can get back to the story at hand.

The art is generally good in this issue. The character designs are solid, the colorwork is good, and the lettering is spot on. Occasionally, the action choreography doesn’t make sense. Cars flip and tumble in odd directions for no apparent reason, but as long as you don’t concern yourself with realism the action, you’ll do just fine.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

Remind yourself how Seb wound up on a bad trip by reading our SPEED REPUBLIC #3 review.

We begin with Seb’s sister entering the roughest leg of the race so far – The German Gauntlet. Dogheads change their tactics from simple sabotage to outright murder, and we soon find out the Dogheads have decided to sabotage the entire race in retaliation for the Autocrat’s tactics against their group.

Despite her driving prowess, she’s eventually caught and taken to a nearby farm for execution. Meanwhile, Skye finds Seb passed out behind the wheel of his burning car. She takes him back to her village where the locals have built a nearly-self sustaining place to live. Also, they’re harboring a scientist who claims to have been on the Autocrat’s research team to develop controlled viruses that can be activated on-demand. When Seb learns the truth of the Autocrat’s corruption, he agrees to help Skye find a way to sabotage the race and expose the Autocrat.

Later, the village is attacked by Dogheads. We conclude the issue with remote controls and reunions.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.

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