Javascript must be enabled in your browser to use this page.
Please enable Javascript under your Tools menu in your browser.
Once javascript is enabled Click here to go back to Zeros 2 Heroes - The People's Publisher
Rip Current
You need to update your flash player.
Click here to visit Adobe's site to download the latest version.

Rip Current

by mariathedreamer

This comic brought to you by gracious support from:

Heat

Content

  • Rip Current

    • mariathedreamer

    • RATED: E

    • 133 ratings

    Drama / Epic

    Lucia Ribeiro loves her job patrolling the waters surrounding Cascadia, watching over crops and fish

    mariathedreamer

  • Rip Current - Original Pitch

    • mariathedreamer

    • RATED: PG

    • 85 ratings

    Finding equilibrium in our planet's watery future...

    mariathedreamer

  • Carmen Wright

    • mariathedreamer

    • RATED: E

    • 5 ratings

    The story continues here...

    mariathedreamer

Credits

Rated

PG

Parental Guidance

Words from the Creator: When patrol pilot Lucia Ribeiro is rescued by a strange and exotic man, she becomes obsessed with finding him, despite the political ramifications. In this first installment, discover a future earth where the island fortress of Cascadia strives to protect its resources from attacking Cordovan raiders. Join the world of Rip Current! Start by clicking the Rip Current comic tile to read. If you *Become a Fan*, you'll be able to rate the comic, blog about your ideas, share your fan art, invite friends and help *raise the heat*!

Around The Block
Rip Current has 50 Fans
  •  
  • BigRed01
  • soimalyss
  • Atomic Skull
  • WillGibson
  • Autolycan
  • inkwest
  • jmcleod
  • szubzda
  • right
Become a Fan

For the Ladies

STURSTEIN, 18:36 Wed Oct 21st, 2009

hotness, Rip Current,

Reading MariaTheDreamer's recent post on hot guys I got to wondering if more hot guys would attract more girl Zeds to hang out here....
Reading MariaTheDreamer's recent post on hot guys I got to wondering if more hot guys would attract more girl Zeds to hang out here. Mostly I just draw girls and monsters, which we all love, but I don't think I'm giving enough to the ladies. Ladies, you want to see the occasional hot guy, right?

So, because MariaTheDreamer was kind of the one who prompted this, I thought I'd do Trajan, from her Rip Current book. (Plus, he's way cool, and fun to draw.)

I'll let the ladies decide whether or not I succeeded. (I don't get a lot of practice drawing hot guys, and I have nowhere near the level of appreciation that I have for hot girls, so I'm really not sure if I can pull it off.)

Top Rated Comment of 44

dumo

Wed Oct 21st, 2009 19:43

I am confident in my masculinity enough to say, "Sturs, that is an awesome drawing, and that coupled with the fan art for Ripcurrent you did earlier, tells me YOU should have been the one to draw...

Comments (44)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...

Posts

For the Ladies

STURSTEIN, 18:36 Wed Oct 21st, 2009

hotness, Rip Current,

  • +9
  • +9
Edit
Preview
Close
Reading MariaTheDreamer's recent post on hot guys I got to wondering if more hot guys would attract more girl Zeds to hang out here....
Reading MariaTheDreamer's recent post on hot guys I got to wondering if more hot guys would attract more girl Zeds to hang out here. Mostly I just draw girls and monsters, which we all love, but I don't think I'm giving enough to the ladies. Ladies, you want to see the occasional hot guy, right?

So, because MariaTheDreamer was kind of the one who prompted this, I thought I'd do Trajan, from her Rip Current book. (Plus, he's way cool, and fun to draw.)

I'll let the ladies decide whether or not I succeeded. (I don't get a lot of practice drawing hot guys, and I have nowhere near the level of appreciation that I have for hot girls, so I'm really not sure if I can pull it off.)

Top Rated Comment of 44

dumo

Wed Oct 21st, 2009 19:43

I am confident in my masculinity enough to say, "Sturs, that is an awesome drawing, and that coupled with the fan art for Ripcurrent you did earlier, tells me YOU should have been the one to draw...

Comments (44)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Rockin' the NOW masthead

mariathedreamer, 00:47 Thu Oct 9th, 2008

Media coverage, Rip Current, Mind Crimes,

  • +8
  • +8
Edit
Preview
Close
Nick (genrewriter) already posted the big pic and link to the Coquitlam Now...
Nick (genrewriter) already posted the big pic and link to the Coquitlam Now article, but here's the groovy mini-Nick and mini-Carmen, hanging out on the masthead!

Coquitlam Now masthead

You can't really tell, but they took this at the pier in Port Moody. Heels, planking, and wobbly surfaces gave me new respect for superhero gals in stilettos everywhere... at the photoshoot, the photographer had us balancing on this stingy outcrop of crumbling dock, and I figured one false move would send me into the water. But he definately wanted water going on, and he got the look he wanted in the end -- my daughter took one look at the big pic they used with the feature story and said we looked as though we were under water.

Doing the interview was a bit nerve-wracking -- I kept talking and talking. I figured I said the right kind of things but didn't know how it would all come out. I guess media savvy will be acquired as we all sore to famedom!! Hoo-raw!!

Top Rated Comment of 11

Tenzil Kem

Thu Oct 9th, 2008 00:57

Hopefully you'll be soaring as well!  Congrats again, to the both of you.  I think you two look great hanging out there on the masthead and everything!  My sister lives out in the...

Comments (11)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Dynamic Duo in the News

genrewriter, 17:13 Wed Oct 8th, 2008

The Coquitlam Now, Rip Current, Mind Crimes,

  • +6
  • +6
Edit
Preview
Close
Mariathedreamer and I made the news today! We're like famous or something. The Coquitlam Now featured us and our Z2H comcis in their arts and entertainment section. And it's got a super cool picture of us...only you can't really tell it's us, LOL....
Mariathedreamer and I made the news today! We're like famous or something. The Coquitlam Now featured us and our Z2H comcis in their arts and entertainment section. And it's got a super cool picture of us...only you can't really tell it's us, LOL. Check it out:
Mind Crimes and Rip Current creators

There's also a picture of us on the cover of the paper! (But that one's not online.) You can read the article here.

Top Rated Comment of 32

genrewriter

Wed Oct 8th, 2008 18:27

True, but it's hard finding reliable minions.

Comments (32)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Surrey International Writers' Conference

genrewriter, 02:21 Sat Sep 20th, 2008

SIWC, Rip Current, Mind Crimes,

  • +6
  • +6
Edit
Preview
Close
So, anyone planning on going to the Surrey International Writers' Conference this year? Mariathedreamer and I will be there. It's not until October 24th, but I have a specific reason for bringing it...
So, anyone planning on going to the Surrey International Writers' Conference this year? Mariathedreamer and I will be there. It's not until October 24th, but I have a specific reason for bringing it up now.

For those of you who've been there, you'll recall that for the Friday lunch, all the tables have topic starter cards, such as 'coffee shop writers', 'picture book writers', 'Lego lovers', etc. There's been a table in the past that was reserved for writers from a specific online newsgroup, although the name escapes me. So what I'd like to do is ask the con organizers to reserve a table specifically for Z2H writers....but only if there are enough of us. (I think the tables seat 10, but maybe just 8 or 9.)

If we can't get a whole table to ourselves, we could still plan to meet up and then go in and take over a suitable table, such as one labeled 'online writers'.

So if you're going this year, let me know! Thanks.

Top Rated Comment of 13

genrewriter

Sat Sep 20th, 2008 03:43

That's too bad, TK, but work can't be avoided (at least not as often as we'd like). I've lost track of how many years in a row I've gone now (5 maybe), but I've had a great experience every time and...

Comments (13)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Amazing Algae

mariathedreamer, 21:04 Fri Jul 17th, 2009

algae, mariathedreamer, Rip Current,

  • +5
  • +5
Edit
Preview
Close
The wonders of Rip Current never cease! The other night, I was driving home from a dance class and listening to CBC radio, when the discussion turned to alternative fuel sources. Turns out, that one of the best options is to draw oil from algae!!...
The wonders of Rip Current never cease! The other night, I was driving home from a dance class and listening to CBC radio, when the discussion turned to alternative fuel sources. Turns out, that one of the best options is to draw oil from algae!!

Algae is fast and easy to grow in a small area, and is 60% oil. This is technology that exists now; we could apparently be switched over within a decade if the politics aligned.

When I created the world for Rip Current, I knew they would be using salt water for food production as much as possible (incidentally, that same radio program also talked about growing foods in salt water, also successfully in development). But I hadn't gone as far as considering what they'd use to fuel everything. I assumed solar, wind, the usual.

I'm VERY happy to discover algae biofuel is REAL. How convenient! How perfect! I'll be adding it to my Rip Current world.

Top Rated Comment of 6

genrewriter

Sat Jul 18th, 2009 00:03

That is so cool.

Comments (6)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Stormtrooper Theatre: Rip Current!

WillGibson, 09:23 Mon Sep 29th, 2008

Eating Pie, Stormtrooper Theatre, Rip Current,

  • +5
  • +5
Edit
Preview
Close
Stormtrooper Mobilized Entertainment Platoon z-Alpha is proud to present to you,

Rip Current, Page 5 [This may be altered as I get better using my stone-aged computer to do water effects!]

...
Stormtrooper Mobilized Entertainment Platoon z-Alpha is proud to present to you,

Rip Current, Page 5 [This may be altered as I get better using my stone-aged computer to do water effects!]

Top Rated Comment of 5

mariathedreamer

Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 23:42

That is SOOOO excellent!!  I'm still laughing!! So is my daughter! Can I please, please put it into my fan art gallery?!

Comments (5)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

The Rip Current Community

mariathedreamer, 02:41 Mon Aug 25th, 2008

Community, mariathedreamer, Rip Current,

  • +5
  • +5
Edit
Preview
Close
Once upon a time, there was a comic called Rip Current, launched into the unsuspecting web at the stroke of midnight (eastern standard time)...

... what happens next is up to you.

One year ago, I joined the Zeros 2 Heroes community,...
Once upon a time, there was a comic called Rip Current, launched into the unsuspecting web at the stroke of midnight (eastern standard time)...

... what happens next is up to you.

One year ago, I joined the Zeros 2 Heroes community, hoping for a chance to have one of my story ideas produced as a comic. The one I chose to try for was Rip Current, an idea I had come up with years before. Incredibly, the community agreed Rip Current deserved a chance, voted for it, and now, after months of hard work, it sits ready for readers, and hopefully, fans!

This page (www.rip-current.net) is designed to be THE place for all things to do with Rip Current. The comic of course, and hopefully lots and lots of new stuff created by you, and by me.

If you enjoy reading Rip Current, please click the button to become a fan. If you're new here, you'll be asked to set up a profile before you can become a fan. Why set up a profile? Well, because that way, we'll be able to know for sure how many fans are out there, and that's important to the people who may want to turn this into a movie, or a tv series, or who knows what else. Plus, the bonus is that you'll get a special 'limited edition' Rip Current Zed to start off with!

If you decide to become a fan, feel free to get involved. I figure it'll be much more fun this way! Send me any fan art and I'll post it into a special gallery. Blog about your ideas, thoughts and even your fan fiction. I've got my own series of mini-chapters to share - the first one is about Lucia and picks up just after the end of this comic.

And beyond that... well, we'll just have to see where this all leads. We can be surprised and amazed together.

Top Rated Comment of 5

Crackwalker

Tue Aug 26th, 2008 11:08

I saw the potential in Rip Current from the get-go, and the execution of it has surpassed my high expectations. I am so happy to see this book come to life, and I'm sure it will become a well-loved...

Comments (5)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Local boys

mariathedreamer, 20:35 Sat Oct 17th, 2009

hotness, mariathedreamer, Rip Current,

  • +4
  • +4
Edit
Preview
Close
I've seen some of the trailers for New Moon. Studly Quileute guys. Well built. Shirtless. All this got me thinking of Marsden, my own studly First Nations dude in Rip Current.

One of the very first scenes that I had filtering in my mind for...
I've seen some of the trailers for New Moon. Studly Quileute guys. Well built. Shirtless. All this got me thinking of Marsden, my own studly First Nations dude in Rip Current.

One of the very first scenes that I had filtering in my mind for this story ultimately shows up on page four of the comic. Marsden, frustrated after a day squeezing into the patrol pods and not making a great impresstion, walks past Lucia and Remy, pulling his shirt over his head. You know, that move that guys do when they grab the shirt behind their shoulders and pull it forward over their heads. Anyways, the gals enjoy the view. Remy wonders at how he'd fit into the patrol pods. Things begin to spark.

Now granted in my comic, I let Marsden keep his shirt on, but the studly impact still happens and it's one of my favourite pages in the book.

As I've mentioned, Marsden is the only character in my book based on a real person. About ten years ago, this tall, really cute young guy with fabulous cheekbones and sweet dimples was helping me out during a visit to a second-hand sports shop in Port Moody, BC. When I saw him, I decided that I'd turn him into a character in one of my stories. I kept my promise and he became Marsden.

Now, when I hear all the fervor about Twilight, and all the drooling over the Quileute guys, even the fact that they're busy filming in Port Moody, I think to myself, Hey! I got there first!

And Marsden is WAY hotter.

Top Rated Comment of 5

STURSTEIN

Sun Oct 18th, 2009 03:32

I shall either confirm or deny that once someone gives me the wormhole location. But it has so many cool people in it, so I guess it can't be too bad.

I like Trajan the...

Comments (5)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

LifeFLUX

mariathedreamer, 00:22 Thu Sep 25th, 2008

randomness, UT3, Rip Current,

  • +4
  • +4
Edit
Preview
Close
It's September. Life changes in September.

I've always thought of myself as kinda artsy, kinda wierd. But on Sunday morning, I found myself standing in a field, watching pee wee football with my new green slim-cut down vest, holding a double...
It's September. Life changes in September.

I've always thought of myself as kinda artsy, kinda wierd. But on Sunday morning, I found myself standing in a field, watching pee wee football with my new green slim-cut down vest, holding a double double, and a flash of horrow came over me. How can this be me? What happened?!?

Cheerleading happened. My youngest daughter joined up. I'm now thrust into a whole new sphere, far, far away from the land of musical theatre that I once inhabited. And shockingly, I don't mind so much. That may end however, once the rains start...

Generally speaking, life has been a zoo so far this month.
Home: busy.
Work: busier. 
Writing: aside from UT3, zilch.
As a result, not much blogging, not much new content here.

Good news, I seem to be adjusting to the general swampedness! I'll post the next of the mini-chapters by Saturday, this one from Marsden's POV. If I'm really lucky, I'll get a chance to read all the UT3 pitches that I know are going to be amazing.

Top Rated Comment of 28

Asclepius

Thu Sep 25th, 2008 07:41

I didn't notice the pee-wee part in there.  At least I know I've sufficiently embarrassed myself for today.

Comments (28)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Rip Current playlist

mariathedreamer, 00:48 Fri Sep 12th, 2008

mariathedreamer, music, Rip Current,

  • +4
  • +4
Edit
Preview
Close
When we all began production on our comics, Z2H asked us to answer many questions about our books, including what songs would make up a soundtrack for the book.

I usually write to a song mix that I've had since Y2K, which I call Pavlov's...
When we all began production on our comics, Z2H asked us to answer many questions about our books, including what songs would make up a soundtrack for the book.

I usually write to a song mix that I've had since Y2K, which I call Pavlov's Writing Mix. When I hear the opening of Praise You by Fat Boy Slim, I just start typing... tica tica tica... I use it for all my work.

But specific for Rip Current? That was tougher... at the time, there were only a few songs that I felt worked:


Alive, by Edwin

Miracle Drug, by U2

Brother Down, by Sam Roberts

Don't Panic, by Coldplay

Lately, I think Viva La Vida, by Coldplay would also work, it has that big sound that makes me want to open my arms wide and throw my head back and spin around and soak up the world. And that love of life is something that Lucia has as well, as seen in the first few panels of the comic.

I've created a play list for Rip Current here:
http://view.playlist.com/11280308491


(If you click on the button that says Pop Up Flash Viewer, it opens in a new window and you can listen and read at the same time!)

It's only six songs... and I'd like to add to it. I'm sure you 'hear' different tunes when you read or even think of Rip Current. Let me know your suggestions and I'll listen and add it to the playlist if I can!

Yeah!!

Top Rated Comment of 9

Juiceboy

Fri Sep 12th, 2008 11:09

I usually have a song that I try and find for each pitch and then I repeat that.  I find the switching of songs throws me off.

When I am really stuck on any kind of writing and frustrated...

Comments (9)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Dream on...

mariathedreamer, 21:01 Sun Jan 18th, 2009

mariathedreamer, music, Rip Current,

  • +3
  • +3
Edit
Preview
Close
Hey! I added a new tune to the Rip Current playlist... (or get the link from the comic page, bottom left).

Driving home, listing to an old 'mix cd', listening to...
Hey! I added a new tune to the Rip Current playlist... (or get the link from the comic page, bottom left).

Driving home, listing to an old 'mix cd', listening to Depeche Mode's Dream on, got me thinking about Oakes.

Oakes is the rather unfriendly dude on the last page of the comic, giving Trajan a hard time. Oakes has had a rough go... everything he creates falls apart, everything he dreams of is destroyed. When the song asks, 'can you feel a little love...?' The answer would be yes, but just a little, because to open it up any more risks having that disappear as well.

I do wonder why Oakes keeps on trying, because he does... but he hasn't let me see that part of him yet.

For a glimpse of Oakes, check out the Chapter 1.2 : Trajan, either in the Extra Chapters goodies on the comic page or further along in the Rip Current blog.

Top Rated Comment of 6

genrewriter

Sun Jan 18th, 2009 22:44

Not one of DM's better known songs, but definitely a cool choice for Oakes. Glad Rip Current's still on your mind.

Comments (6)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Greetings from the inker

Fetternity, 13:40 Tue Sep 2nd, 2008

Rip Current,

  • +3
  • +3
Edit
Preview
Close
Hello everyone!

I'm Christian Major, Carmen's inker for Rip Current, as well as the creator of Deutschmaschine.

That's right: those editor's notes about brushes and chocolate and Cascadia patrol girls were...
Hello everyone!

I'm Christian Major, Carmen's inker for Rip Current, as well as the creator of Deutschmaschine.

That's right: those editor's notes about brushes and chocolate and Cascadia patrol girls were written by me.
...
You haven't read them you say? Well in that case don't just... go... now... (dammit!)

I just want to take the time to say, it was truly a great project to work on, minus the fishies everywhere, but hey, I suppose we had to expect that :)
For everybody new to Zeros 2 Heroes, I bid you welcome, and I hope you have enjoyed this fascinating and eerie read.

In February, when it was time for Rip Current to win, I commented in a blog that Rip Current had "a very aesthetic, fanciful, borderline fae-like theme and appeal to it, along with a cold, dark and horrific brutality worthy of what lurks in the deep. It could go some very enlightening places, and some very scary ones."

So right now, it's up to you all, fans. Give it a direction. Give it a purpose. I'm certain Carmen will be more than happy to oblige :)



- Christian

Top Rated Comment of 3

Tenzil Kem

Wed Sep 3rd, 2008 01:37

Well said, Christian.  Rip Current is stellar, thanks in no small part to you!  For my part, just like I've heard some say about my Minus One, I want to know more about the characters in...

Comments (3)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Trajan added...

mariathedreamer, 20:02 Mon Nov 9th, 2009

fan art, Sturstein, Rip Current,

  • +2
  • +2
Edit
Preview
Close
Well, Sturstein was kind enough to send me his gift to the ladies - Trajan emerging from the ocean depths. It's now been added to the Rip Current Fan Art gallery - for all eternity!!! Ha Ha!

Be sure to check out his other...
Well, Sturstein was kind enough to send me his gift to the ladies - Trajan emerging from the ocean depths. It's now been added to the Rip Current Fan Art gallery - for all eternity!!! Ha Ha!

Be sure to check out his other contributions - Lucia and Trajan together and Lucia in Art Nouveau.

Plus, of course, Will's storm trooper theatre, Fett's Lucia and Trajan, and a young fan's rendition of Lucia and Trajan facing underwater perils.

Top Rated Comment of 4

STURSTEIN

Tue Nov 10th, 2009 03:59

Cool! That means people will still be shouting at me long after I'm dead!


(Probably something along the lines of 'wake up, you bastard! You still owe me a drawing!')

Comments (4)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Brownie Points

jmcleod, 21:29 Tue Jan 27th, 2009

fan art, I'm already a fan, Rip Current,

  • +2
  • +2
Edit
Preview
Close
If I throw Ken and Barbie into the bathtub for a photo op, would that count as fan art?  Blue Jell-o would probably look more like water, but I don't want to try and get that out of Barbie's hair ;) 

What are brownie points...
If I throw Ken and Barbie into the bathtub for a photo op, would that count as fan art?  Blue Jell-o would probably look more like water, but I don't want to try and get that out of Barbie's hair ;) 

What are brownie points anyway?  Chocolatey goodness, the tiny guys from "Willow" or small girl children who sell cookies?  I use the expression brownie points and have no idea what it's in reference to.

Top Rated Comment of 13

Autolycan

Tue Jan 27th, 2009 23:12

You take the brownie points and exchange them in the mail and you get stuff like rockets and high sugar. It's fun.

Comments (13)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete

Property pages = cool platform

mariathedreamer, 13:55 Sun Jan 4th, 2009

mariathedreamer, platform, Rip Current,

  • +2
  • +2
Edit
Preview
Close
I just got a new book, Get known Before the Book Deal. It talks about how important it is in today's market to have an author's platform, which is a readership, following or fan...
I just got a new book, Get known Before the Book Deal. It talks about how important it is in today's market to have an author's platform, which is a readership, following or fan base. A strong platform helps prove to publishers, agents, etc that you've got that 'something' that audiences want.

Hmmm... sound suspiciously like what Z2H is trying to help us ALL with, both with the property pages for the published comics AND now with the new option to build our own property pages.

Now, having had a property page for Rip Current for just over four months now, I can say with authority that having the page is not enough. So, how to build a following both at Z2H and beyond? I'm hoping this book will offer some practical tools. When I get some goodies, I'll be sure to share them here. 

But, I'm curious... I hadn't heard the term "Platform" used prior to picking up this book, even though I know many of the underlying concepts. Have any of you?

Top Rated Comment of 11

genrewriter

Sun Jan 4th, 2009 15:38

For the most part, I've only heard "platform" used for pitching non-fiction books. But it makes sense that if you can show you have a built-in fanbase already that publishers/producers will pay a lot...

Comments (11)
Make a Comment
Less...
More...
Show Full Post
Unhide
Publish
Delete
< Prev | 1 - 15 | 16 - 30 | 31 - 45 | Next >

Sign up for a Zeros 2 Heroes account right now and become a fan of this property! If you are already a member, log in on the right to participate!

First Name:
Last Name:
Username:
Email:
Password:
Password (again):
Postal/Zip Code:
Want our newsletter?
Agree to our terms and conditions?
Use the property avatar?

Why do you want to become a fan of this property?

  • Solid Writing

  • Great Artwork

  • Excellent Pacing

  • Immense Potential

  • Extremely Fresh

  • Other:




 
Follow Us On Twitter