NFL Legend Marshawn Lynch Plays Detective in New Comic Book Set in Oakland

You’ve seen him win Super Bowls. You’ve seen him steal scenes on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Now former NFL star Marshawn Lynch is branching out into the world of comic books with the publication of Beast Mode 510.

Set in Oakland, the story takes its inspiration from the city and sees Lynch cast as a freelance detective who “solves problems no one else will touch,” reports KRON4.

Sharing a title with Lynch’s Beast Mode 510 brand, the comic is reportedly imbued with many personal touches from the legendary running back’s past.

“Feel good for the community,” Lynch told KRON4 when asked how it felt to launch a comic packed with ties to Oakland.

Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer for AWA, also hails from the Bay Area. He confirmed that AWA leapt at the chance to work with Lynch on a comic celebrating his local pride.

“We can take Marshawn — he’s an amazing character, fierce but very lovable — and make him a hero for Oakland,” Alonso told KRON4. “He’s Oakland’s protector.”

Making a comic book set in Oakland is but the latest example of Marshawn showing love for his birthplace.

As SFist previously reported, Lynch is a member of the Oakland Roots’ ownership group. He also ran the flagship location of his Beast Mode Apparel clothing line out of Oakland before the store eventually closed. Lynch retired from the NFL in 2019 after returning to play his final seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

Appropriately, Lynch was at a Roots’ game when KRON4 spoke with him about his forthcoming comic book, which is set for publication on Oct. 6.

In typical Beast Mode fashion, Lynch attempted to keep the shine on the field, despite the afternoon doubling as a launch event for the comic.

“It feels good for them to come out and support the Roots, too, so we don’t want to take away from that,” Lynch said. “But for this first graphic novel, it feels good. It’s a blessing.”