Hey everyone!
We are about two weeks from THE OCEAN WILL TAKE US hitting comic book shops everywhere! I’m really excited for you all to see this series, it’s very different from anything I’ve ever done before, in a good way!
The Ocean Will Take Us is about a group of high school misfits that find out something sinister is going on with their school swim team - leading to a darkness that could engulf their entire school, and town in the process!
I took a lot of inspiration in creating these characters from 80s teen movies that I love, like The Breakfast Club, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and also more modern stuff like Buffy and Riverdale (I didn’t want it to feel like it was stuck in the past or anything!) Regardless of where these crazy kids actually sprang from, they’ve developed into another set of characters that I love dearly, both to see on the page, and to write.
So, without further ado, here’s the gang!
Casey’s the character we spend the most time with, at least in the first few issues. He’s a good kid, just moved to town with his mom. Where he comes from, he’s at the top of the swimming game - but he’s about to learn Almanzar High’s swim program is unlike any other.
Piper is Casey’s new neighbor, who decides to take pity on him and show him the ropes around school. She’s way into horror movies, history, and a thousand other things. She’s one of the smartest kids in school, which is good, because Casey’s gonna need all the help he can get.
The other smartest person in school, Elizabeth is unashamedly one of the cool kids. She’s not a bad person, but man can she be mean when she wants to. She doesn’t really want to get caught up with this bunch of weirdos, but she might not have the choice.
A one-woman crime wave, the source of many headaches for all the teachers and staff of Almanzar High. It’s not all her fault - people love to give her shit, but she’s not the type to take any of it. She’s drawn to trouble like a magnet, so when Casey and Piper start stirring it up, Danica is all in.
Brian’s a good kid. Everyone would say so, if they noticed him at all. Unfortunately, usually everyone’s eyes are on his brother Darren, a rising swim star and athlete. But Darren disappeared just before the start of school, turning his entire world upside down. (Note: This is an early sketch of Brian, in the actual book he has blonde hair. Guess he dyed it between then and now!)
Of course, what’s a high school story without some kids who make it absolutely terrible? Our gang is going to come up against some formidable enemies over the course of the book, but it really all starts with this guy.
If Elizabeth is Queen of the school, Trent is the King. Like a lot of jocks, he’s spent his entire life hearing how great he is, and it’s kind of gone to his head. And he makes damn sure everyone knows it. But does everyone turn a blind eye to his bullying because they want the school to win trophies, or is there a darker reason?
I can’t wait for you all to see this group come together in the pages of THE OCEAN WILL TAKE US… if you haven’t let your store know you want a copy yet, please do as soon as you can!
HAPPY HILL #2 Next Week!
Speaking of new releases, Happy Hill #2 hits stores next week! After another gangbusters Kickstarter campaign, we’re happy to bring it to comic shops everywhere! Look for it on the stands, and if they don’t have it, let them know you want it!
Tyler just got the books in to distribute to our Kickstarter backers. Are they beautiful? Can confirm.
Keep an eye out for both awesome covers next week!
Thanks for checking out another edition of this little newsletter - be back soon with more news, and more talk about comics!
- Rich