As the Racers roar through the ruins of San Francisco, Dick Dastardly takes a detour that uncovers a shameful secret from his pre-apocalypse days. Dick has a difficult decision: repeat the mistake that shattered his past, or man up and do the right thing? But does Dick even know what the “right thing” means? Meanwhile, Peter, Penelope and the others face a swarm of flesh-eating nanites that threatens to strip them to the bones.
SPOILER ALERT
Writing
The insane journey of the racers continues, but this time it sheds some light on everyone’s favorite mustache twirling villain, Dick Dastardly. Previous versions of this character usually just portrayed him as an antagonist without any real reason why he is such a jerk. Ken Pontac took the time to provide a flashback to before the world was thrown into chaos and show what Dick was like. Yes he was a jerk then too, but his reasons for being a jerk are relatable and it turns out he has a very powerful reason for why he wants to get to Utopia. This issue offers some great development for a character was previously so one dimensional.
Artwork
The gritty and dirty world of the future can sometimes use a little more detail. It’s easy enough to show the world isn’t as clean as it used to be without showing all the characters like they just took a bath in potting soil. Still, the gruesome violent effects that Leonardo Manco adds to the issue makes up for it.
Conclusion
The attempt to flesh out Dick Dastardly as a character is the best part of this issue. With any hope, future issues will showcase more interesting origin stories behind the characters in this grittier and more violent world and explain what makes them tick. It’s good to know it’s more than simply “You get into Utopia” as what is motivating everyone to race.
