I have the feeling that Jules Rivera used Hot Wheels models as her sources. They just look like it to me, even the van (which looks out of scale in panel 3). But that’s fine. A reference is a reference. Speaking of which, the allusion to the Roadrunner & Coyote cartoons is also obvious, along with the expected crash; though in good Roadrunner form, the van should have hit a mountain side. Like the Roadrunner, I suppose that Mark’s car can just make 90º turns at speed without swerving or running off the road. Of course, most car chases we see in movies are a time-honored way to stretch out the story.

There are few films where a car chase is an integral, effective story element:  Vanishing Point is a classic example. The Italian Job is another. I reckon we have to include the Fast & Furious franchise, as well. But for the most part, car chases are gratuitous adrenaline fixes that action movies are just expected to include.

But I don’t understand how Cliff’s cap stays on his head when it is stuck out in the open like we see in panel 2. It would have to be so screwed down on his head that his hair would be sticking out sideways. I was also puzzled by Mark’s quip in panel 3. I looked back and didn’t see any advice Mark gave out on safe driving. Gosh, maybe he was just fibbing!? Anyway, I was hoping this chase would last a few more strips. It barely even deserves to be called a car chase.