Riptide

## THE CHARACTER OVERVIEW

Leanna Creel was a young woman whose life was forever changed by a near-fatal undersea accident. Rescued and empowered by a mystical entity known as the Sea Witch, Leanna emerged with the ability to manipulate water at a molecular level. Originally joining Youngblood for the financial security and celebrity status, she quickly evolved into a tactical pillar of the team. Riptide is more than just a “water-controller”; she is a symbol of the 90s media-savvy hero, famously navigating the pressures of fame while acting as the team’s primary elemental force.

## COLLECTOR’S CARD: “POWER STATS”

NAME: RIPTIDE (LEANNA CREEL)

LEVEL: CLASS 50 ELEMENTAL

POWERS: Hydrokinesis (manipulation of water in all forms); Moisture Absorption (drawing water from the atmosphere); Hydro-Jet Propulsion (Flight via high-pressure water streams).

ORIGIN: Mystically empowered during an undersea event; daughter of the legendary “Storybook Smith.”

THE HOOK: Riptide is a “High-Stakes” hero. Her power level is directly tied to her environment—in a coastal city or a storm, she is virtually unstoppable, capable of summoning tidal waves to neutralize entire battalions.

## INVESTOR PITCH: THE “MEDIA & ELEMENTAL” STRATEGY

1. The “Influencer” Narrative Prototype:

Riptide was one of the first characters to explore the dark side of superhero celebrity (famously being fired from the team after a controversial magazine shoot). This makes the IP incredibly relevant for a modern “The Boys” or “X-Statix” style adaptation that deconstructs fame in the age of social media.

2. Fluid Dynamics VFX Showcase:

From a technical standpoint, water simulation is one of the most impressive feats in modern gaming and cinema. Riptide offers a “Visual Anchor” for high-budget productions. Her ability to create “Water Constructs” and manipulate weather patterns provides a unique visual language that separates her from standard energy-blasters.

3. The “Storybook” Lore Expansion:

Riptide’s connection to her father, Storybook Smith, introduces a “Meta-Narrative” element to the license. The concept of a character whose destiny was literally “written” in a mystical book adds a layer of high-concept fantasy that can be expanded into spin-off novels, prequel series, or lore-heavy RPGs.

## SYNOPSIS FOR THE DIRECT MARKET (REBOOT POTENTIAL)

“Leanna Creel wanted a paycheck; she got a legacy. As Riptide, she is the most photographed woman in the world, but her powers are a tide she can barely contain. When she discovers that her origin wasn’t an accident—but a chapter in her father’s missing ‘Storybook’—Leanna goes rogue to find the truth. Now, hunted by the very team that made her a star, Riptide must decide if she is a hero by choice or by design. The ocean doesn’t take orders, and neither does she.”

## THE “KAYFABE” ANALYSIS: THE SIMPLICITY OF DESIGN

From a Cartoonist Kayfabe perspective, Riptide is one of Liefeld’s most “Timeless” designs. Unlike the heavily armored or “pouch-laden” members of the team, Riptide features a sleek, swimsuit-inspired aesthetic that emphasizes her fluid movement and aquatic nature. Her white hair and blue-and-teal palette provide a high-contrast look that pops on any cover. She represents the “Classic Heroine” archetype reimagined through the high-energy, “Bad-Girl” lens of the early 90s Image Revolution.

## LICENSING CATEGORIES

Gaming: The “Zone Control” specialist. A character who can manipulate the battlefield by creating water barriers and “Slippery” terrain.
Collectibles: “Aqua-Effect” statues using clear blue PVC to simulate swirling water currents.
Apparel: A “Riptide-Inspired” line of high-performance swimwear and aquatic athletic gear.

## YOUNGBLOOD: THE COMPLETE “HOME TEAM” MATRIX

Character	Element / Role	Market Appeal
Shaft	Tech / Leader	Strategic / Iconic
Badrock	Earth / Muscle	Youth / Universal
Riptide	Water / Tactical	Media / Fluid FX
Photon	Light / Range	Cosmic / Visual FX
Brahma	Density / Tank	Durability / Scale

Character	Combat Style	Visual Signature
Brahma	Melee / Tank	Blue Skin / Massive Bulk
Photon	Ranged / Energy	Glowing Hair / Light Trails
Masada	Size-Shifter	Giant Scale / Red & Gold
Shaft	Tactical / Tech	Compound Bow / Precision