Written by Jay Faerber
Art by Justin Greenwood
Published by Oni Press
Faerber and Greenwoods’s Area 510 represents a growing trend in independent comics, where the final comic is a sneaky backdoor pilot for a movie or TV series. In an alternate universe was a major motion picture in 1996, starring Will Smith and Charlize Theron.
Area 510 is a fun, witty, fast-paced, tightly written, and beautifully illustrated thrill ride.
On the mean streets of Oakland, California, rookie cop Colton Ward finds himself smack-dab in the middle of an alien invasion.
Although a group of murderous aliens turns the world upside down, Ward is determined to bring his collar, Lucinda Page, across the war torn city to the local precinct for detainment.
The pair must put their differences aside in an action caper that is on par with gritty cop films like The Taking of Pelham 123, 16 Blocks, Assault on Precinct 13, sprinkled with a heavy dusting of War of the World and Cloverfield.
Clocking in at Area 510 is a concise, breezy read that is always fun and crazy balls-to-the-walls action.
In the real world, Ward is an utterly unbelievable character. I don’t know many folks who would continue bringing in a petty thief during an alien invasion, but Ward is a man on a mission, which makes him the perfect heroic trope for this type of action book. Despite facing impossible odds, Ward is determined to carry out his duty in bringing Lucinda in for her aborted heist. In contrast, Lucinda is incredulous that Ward is determined to bring her in, although the world is falling apart. Like any good buddy cop film, this oil and water pairing is entertaining as they travel across ravaged Oakland fighting off gangbangers and aliens.
Greenwood’s is a perfect compliment to the action, and he captures faces and movements in a cinematic fashion; for instance, Sullivan’s shootout with a group of thieves was brilliant.
If you are looking for something fun to read that won’t consume too much of your time, choose Area 510.
Final Score: 5 out of 5
