I am assuming that Area 510 is book one in an “unknown amount” of a series by Lee Loughridge, Jay Faerber, Justin Greenwood, and Thomas Mauer (I am assuming Greenwood has illustrated this graphic novel, and Mauer is a big name in the community that I am unfortunately unfamiliar with).
But despite any short comings I might have when it comes to knowing the people who created Area 510 (the zip code of the area the story takes place) this is a great start to a (as one character says) Independence Day like comic/graphic novel. I see a little romance, a bit of innocence lost and some BUTT UGLY aliens (I mean they are a centipede like critters, in armor, with some BFT (Big-You-Know-What-Teeth) that will be capturing the imaginations of many who like science fiction and graphic novels. (Though since it does seem to follow classical traits we have seen before, this makes it not totally a “fresh” idea, and I know some people are looking for “new” and not “same old”)
Still, I liked it. I have not read a lot of science fiction, so I do not mind the “repeat” of themes if they are done in a fun way. And this is fun. There is enough tongue in cheek (and sliced in two) to keep things funny, but not weakly light. We have a young, rookie cop, an old timer, and their prisoner stopped by thieves. And unfortunately, the Boys in Blue are not able to stop them, it takes the help of the aliens. Who, by the way, were not really helping. We have a gory scene where the old timer splits (from his body) and the rookie and thief try to stay alive long enough to figure out what everyone is after.
We have traditional graphic novel-comic illustrations, that are glossy and bold images, busy and cluttered. It might be hard to focus on the main point, but everything is interesting, if not necessarily needed. They are cozy because they are familiar to the eye, but there are a few things that we do not usually see. I am hoping our thief has a heart of gold (not just a stolen gem) and stays spunky and our young rookie keeps his head (and other body parts) attached.
Though I am sure kids have seen worse in cartoons, tv shows and movies, I lean towards at least a strong 13 and up, and more on a 14 and up reading age. Though, adults, don’t let that stop you, it is good adult fun too (and I’m not sure how “racy” it will get as said, only the first part of the adventures).