Bye-bye Lisa Doro (Streamliner #1)

’Fane drops readers head-first into a high-octane gearhead fantasy tricked-out with the graphic equivalent to a nitrous injector. In 1963, the Red Noses, outlaw “streamliner” hot rod drivers, invade the desert home of alcoholic engineering genius Evel “Pops” O’Neil, a legendary driver, and his feisty mechanic daughter, Cristal. There in the fuel station lot the Noses will race to determine the new leader of their club, and their current chief, Billy-Joe, presides over the proceedings, but when a drunk Pops is tricked into putting up the property as part of the prize, inexperienced Cristal must race to save their land. Further complications arise with the scrutiny of the FBI and the arrival of the Black Panties motorcycle gang (a tough-as-nails all-female outfit aiming to humiliate the boys at their own game), a fugitive killer, and professional assassins sent by the Feds. This ongoing series has energy to burn and bold, colorful artwork reminiscent of 2000 AD’s Cam Kennedy and Ian Gibson spliced with the stark wastelands of Moebius, culminating with a cliffhanger that will leave readers eager for the next installment. With aesthetics straight out of the 1960s craze for drag racing and biker movies, this winner crosses the finish line with aplomb. (Aug.)