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Comics About Cars: 15 Automotive-Themed Comic Books & Graphic Novels

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While the majority of casual comic book readers think that the format is limited to just superheroes and pulp fantasy, gearheads know that plenty of titles have been published over the years that depict high-octane thrills in comic book panels. Here’s a list of the 15 most prominent comic books and graphic novels to involve car culture and vehicle racing.

Note: There are far too many Japanese mangas to include any on this list, so if you want to read about those, check out our list of the 10 most popular cars from anime.


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15 Comic Books Car Lovers Must Read

Michel Vaillant

Michael Valiant comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Graton éditeur

Publisher: Le Lombard, Graton éditeur

Years: 1957 – present

Synopsis: Michel Vaillant and his family’s race team compete in numerous Formula One races, as well as other motorsports leagues around the world. The comics involve a notable amount of real-life people, teams, and locations within the stories.


Hot Rods and Racing Cars

Hot Rods and Racing Cars comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Charlton Comics

Publisher: Charlton Comics

Years: 1951 – 1973

Synopsis: The series consists of various stories, real and fictitious, that involve car culture and automobile racing. The series was published bi-monthly by Motor Magazines, Inc.


Mod Wheels

Mod Wheels comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Gold Key

Publisher: Gold Key

Years: 1971-1976

Synopsis: Steeped and 1970s fashion, slang, and car racing entertainment, the series follows Wheels and his team as they face evil drivers and compete in street races.


Monster Motors

Monster Motors comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: IDW Publishing

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Year: 2015

Synopsis: This horror-comedy one-shot title takes place in Transylvania, KY, where mechanic Vic Frankenstein, his android iGOR, and vehicular hunter Minivan Helsing battle Cadillacula, a sinister vampire-car that sucks gas out of victim vehicles.


NASCAR Heroes

NASCAR Heroes comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: ABDO Publishing

Publisher: ABDO Publishing

Years: 2007-2009

Synopsis: Bumbling janitor Dashiell James gains super powers in a radioactive accident, allowing him to race under the pseudonym Jimmy Dash and becoming NASCAR’s newest hotshot driver.


March Grand Prix

March Grand Prix comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Capstone Publishing

Publisher: Capstone Publishing

Year: 2015

Synopsis: Daredevil racer March Hare faces off against other furry animals in high-speed vehicle races across the land, taking place in speedways, fields, and deserts.


The Art of War: Five Years in Formula One

Art of War Formula 1 comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Adam Parr

Publisher: Adam Parr

Year: 2012

Synopsis: This hardcover graphic novel that depicts the political ins and outs of Formula 1 over recent years, how the business is run and what rivalries take place within the industry.


Disney-Pixar’s Cars

World of Cars Disney Pixar comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: BOOM! Kids

Publisher: BOOM! Kids, Joe Books

Years: 2009-2010, 2017

Synopsis: Disney and Pixar partnered with BOOM! Studios to create the short-lived The World of Cars comics, and recently Joe Books took over the license to produce comics following Lightning McQueen in conjunction with the release of Cars 3.


Ghost Racers

Ghost Racers comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Marvel Comics

Publisher: Marvel

Years: 2015 – present

Synopsis: Motorized mayhem takes place in the Arena, where five different iterations of the Ghost Rider compete against each other in the ruthless, high-speed Battleworld tournament. There are plenty of flaming cars and motorcycles with apocalyptic style.


Grand Prix

Grand Prix comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Dargoud

Publisher: Dargaud

Years: 2010

Synopsis: A trio of volumes by Belgian comic artist Marvano (Mark van Oppen) who is known for historic fiction, Grand Prix depicts the feats and challenges of grand prix racers during the 1930s.


CARtoons

CARtoons magazine comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: CARtoons magazine

Publisher: CARtoons magazine

Years: 1951-1991, 2015 – present

Synopsis: A periodical publication that consisted of comic strips and artwork pertaining to car culture and entertainment, including recurring titles and characters over the years. It was recently revived and has received a dozen issues already.


Calandre Collection

Mauro Caldi comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Paquet

Publisher: Paquet

Years: 2009 – present

Synopsis: The Calandre Collection consists of over a dozen different series that specifically involve automobiles, such as the adventures of young sleuth Mauro Caldi and his rescuing of classic cars.  


Wacky Raceland

Wacky Raceland comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: DC Comics

Publisher: DC Comics

Year: 2016

Synopsis: The classic Wacky Races cartoon is re-imagined as a gritty, twisted post-apocalyptic story reminiscent of Mad Max. Racers, including the psychotic Dick Dastardly, compete in a cross-wasteland race just to survive.


Race Warrior

Race Warrior comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Race Warrior

Publisher: Race Warrior

Year: 2000

Synopsis: This short-lived title was marketed as “the comic book for racing fans” and featured real drivers like Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in futuristic, science fiction stories. The comic book was sponsored by 7 Up.


Steve McQueen in Le Mans

Steve McQueen in Le Mans comic book graphic novel automotive cars racing gearheads series

Photo: Garbo Studios

Publisher: Garbo Studios

Years: 2016-present

Synopsis: This graphic novel adapts the first-half of the 1971 film Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen, in which Michael Delaney (McQueen) returns to compete in Le Mans and face the demons of his past. The adaptation of the second-half is currently in production.

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