Denys Cowan Released New Graphic Novel Beast Mode 510
The veteran artist collaborated on a new title featuring former NFL star Marshawn Lynch set in Oakland.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Comic Books
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Legendary comic book artist Denys Cowan has released the new graphic novel Beast Mode 510. Published by AWA and written by Sheldon Allen, the story centers on the persona of former professional athlete Marshawn Lynch in an Oakland setting.
Why it matters
Cowan, a five-decade veteran of the industry, agreed to illustrate the project following a request from his friend Axel Alonso. The release marks another milestone for the artist, who recently received an induction into the Eisner Hall of Fame.
The graphic novel Beast Mode 510 takes place in Oakland and features the likeness of Marshawn Lynch. The project was published by AWA, utilizing Cowan's traditional hand-drawing methods and script breakdowns.
The players
Denys Cowan
He is a veteran comic book artist who cofounded Milestone Media in 1993 and was recently inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame.
Marshawn Lynch
He is a former professional football player who serves as the central figure for the narrative in Beast Mode 510.
Axel Alonso
He is a longtime industry figure and friend of Cowan whose request prompted the artist to work on the new graphic novel.
Sheldon Allen
He is the writer responsible for the script and narrative development of the Beast Mode 510 graphic novel.
Milestone Media
This publishing company was cofounded by Cowan to increase diversity in comics and was famously responsible for the Static Shock television series.
The details
Cowan produces his pages by first reviewing the script, crafting rough breakdowns, and then meticulously drawing each panel by hand. The collaboration also highlights his role as a mentor, as Cowan discovered artist Nicholas Draper-Ivy through Instagram.
Timeline
Cowan cofounded Milestone Media in 1993.
The Milestone Media imprint shuttered in 1997.
DC Comics relaunched the Milestone line in 2021.
Beast Mode 510 hit bookshelves on October 6, 2026.
Roadmap
This release reflects the ongoing influence of veteran creators in modern graphic storytelling as they bridge the gap between classic industry styles and contemporary narrative formats. It demonstrates how established artists continue to shape the evolution of independent imprints like AWA against the backdrop of major industry shifts.
Readers interested in the title can now find the graphic novel at local bookstores and comics shops nationwide. The project offers fans of both sports and sequential art a new way to engage with the persona of an iconic athlete through the medium of the graphic novel.
The takeaway
Cowan's latest work underscores the enduring creative energy of industry veterans as they adopt new collaboration methods to reach modern audiences. Fans can implement this insight by exploring how artistic collaboration between traditional draftsmen and social-media-discovered artists impacts visual storytelling.
Further reading
For more on industry trends, explore our Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PublishersWeekly.
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