AfterShock Comics have announced “The Ocean Will Take Us,” a teen horror series by writer Rich Douek, artist Carlos Olivares, colorist Manuel Puppo, and letterer Dave Sharpe. Set in the town of Almanzar Bay, the book follows Casey March, a high school outcast who tries out for the swim team, and discovers something shady going on. He and his friends initially suspect the swimmers are using performance-enhancing drugs, “but in the quest to expose the team, our gang uncovers a conspiracy that threatens everyone they love, and maybe the entire world.”
The book marks the first book by Douek (“Road of Bones,” “Sea of Sorrows”) at AfterShock. He likens the series to “classic ’80s teen movies like The Breakfast Club or The Karate Kid,” as well as “more recent teenage dramas like Buffy or Riverdale. I thought it would be really fun to take a group of teenage misfits dealing with all the drama of being in high school and throw them into a situation where the stakes are higher than they could ever have imagined.” He also says has the art by Olivares and Puppo has “got a style that’s very different from what I’m used to working in, which is really exciting to me – every page that hits my inbox just wows me.”
For more from Douek, scroll below to the full Q&A after a preview, and the incentive cover by Hayden Sherman. “The Ocean Will Take Us” #1 goes on retail for $4.99 beginning April 6, 2022.
WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT AND WHY ARE YOU EXCITED FOR IT TO COME OUT?
“THE OCEAN WILL TAKE US is a supernatural/conspiracy mystery set in one of the most horrifying places on earth – high school! A gang of misfits in the ocean town of Almanzar learn that the local swim team is involved with what they think are performance-enhancing drugs – but in the quest to expose the team, our gang uncovers a conspiracy that threatens everyone they love, and maybe the entire world.”
WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR INSPIRATIONS BEHIND CREATING THE BOOK?
“One big one was your classic 80s teen movies, like The Breakfast Club or The Karate Kid, and others are more recent teenage dramas like Buffy or Riverdale. I thought it would be really fun to take a group of teenage misfits dealing with all the drama of being in high school and throw them into a situation where the stakes are higher than they could ever have imagined.”
WHEN DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT AFTERSHOCK AND DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE TITLE OF THEIRS?
“I was familiar with Mike (Marts) as a great editor at DC and Marvel, so I was paying attention to AfterShock from the very first announcement, where he was named as editor-in-chief. I’ve been consistently impressed by the books they put out, and while it’s not easy to name a single favorite, I’ve really enjoyed BEYOND THE BREACH, SCOUT’S HONOR, HOT LUNCH SPECIAL and UNDONE BY BLOOD.”
WHAT ARE (3) REASONS WHY COMIC FANS SHOULD PICKUP THIS BOOK?
“1) The art Carlos and Manuel are creating for this book is so great, I think people will be really into it once they see the pages. It’s got a style that’s very different from what I’m used to working in, which is really exciting to me – every page that hits my inbox just wows me.
2) If you know me and my writing, you know I love horror – and this book will not skimp on it, especially as the series goes on and we get a better sense of what these kids are up against.
3) Most importantly, we’ve all been having a great time putting this book together – and I hope that will come through when readers get a look at what we’re doing. It’s not only going to be a great book quality-wise, it’s going to be one hell of a fun read.”
