Freeway Fighter #1 is the start of a new series set in a dystopian future and based on the classic game book. This issue opens up in the year 2020 during the final I-400 race in Death Valley, California. De La Rosa, the daughter of a legendary driver is currently in 2nd place on the last lap trying to find a way to past the leader. The leader sees De la Rosa and tries to cut her off. However, he miscalculates her move and ends up putting his car in a bad position.

Fast forward to the year 2024 where resources are scare. De la Rosa is still driving but her car is now armored and instead of trying to win a race she’s fighting for survival. She deliberately takes out two cars armed to the teeth since the drivers were trying to kill her. She then proceeds to take the remaining gas from one of the cars before moving on. To the victor go the spoils. But how much longer can she survive when most of humanity has been wiped out?

The only backstory given about De La Rosa was the fact her father was a legendary driver and how talented she was as a driver. There was obviously pressure on her to win. The way this issue transitions from the race at the deciding moment to her current situation was wonderful. Simon Coleby’s artwork was perfect for this scene. However, De La Rosa’s inner monologue, her actions and subsequent conversation with her car gave a lot of insight into her current mentality. And I’m intrigued.

SUMMARY

Freeway Fighter #1 is an exciting start to the series and just gives enough to be intriguing. De La Rosa has potential as a character and I’m looking forward to learning more about her. This issue is beautifully drawn and suitable for a dystopian future. Not much is given about the current world other than the need to survive. But I’m hopeful next issue will get into more of that.