Soska Sisters Interview Rippaverse Colorist Marcos Martins
Lore Masters Jen & Sylvia Soska sit down with one of the top colorists for Rippaverse Comics
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Jen & Sylvia Soska
1. What was the first comic book, or who was the first character or artist, that made you want to work in comics, and why?
MARCOS: I can answer both! My first job as a comic colorist was on a Brazilian indie project called Isolda. But if you ask me who inspired me, hands down it’s Dijjo Lima. His use of colors—just incredible—and his story of overcoming adversity really got to me. I’ve followed his work from the very beginning, and seeing his evolution made me want to dive into comics for real. Dijjo’s legacy as a colorist is huge. Sadly, he passed away way too soon in 2022.
2. Who are your favorite comic book characters of all time and why?
MARCOS:
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker): Peter’s a true hero. He’s an orphan, raised by his aunt and uncle, dealing with the pain of losing Uncle Ben, financial struggles, and the constant challenge of balancing his superhero life with his personal life. He teaches us how to face adversity and grow stronger every day.
- Captain America (Steve Rogers): Steve started out as a skinny, frail guy, without the kind of resilience you usually get after years of tough experiences. But his determination turned him into a symbol of courage and idealism, even when facing extreme challenges.
3. What artists most inspire you?
MARCOS: So many great artists inspire me! Some big ones are Alex Sinclair, Mark Raats, and Alex Ross. And of course, there are the amazing Brazilian artists like Joe Bennett, Will Conrad, Riccardo Jaime, Mike Deodato, Marcelo Maiolo, and Dijjo Lima.
4. How did you get connected with the Rippaverse?
MARCOS: I’ve always been following Rippaverse on social media, mostly through some artist friends. At the same time, I’ve been posting my own coloring work. One day, Eric July reached out to me, said he liked my work, and invited me to color some covers and other materials for the publisher. Since then, I’ve been working with Rippaverse.
5. How has it been working at the Rippaverse?
MARCOS: It’s been a totally different experience from anything I’ve done in comic studios before. The treatment is exceptional. The team really makes you feel like you’re part of something big and important. Everyone is super welcoming, and there’s a real sense of teamwork, which makes the workflow smooth. It’s been SO GOOD!
6. What are some of your favorite pieces that you’ve done over here?
MARCOS: So far, the work I did on the interior pages of Zalen has been my favorite. I’m really happy with the result. I feel like I achieved exactly what I set out to do, and the amazing art by Joe Bennett helped a lot. It’s always easy when you’re working with talented people.
7. Who are your favorite Rippaverse characters and why?
MARCOS:
- Isom (Avery Silman): Avery is powerful, but he’s still human, with weaknesses. His rebellious side makes him really interesting, and he’s got the courage to face challenges head-on. But sometimes, his impulsiveness and overconfidence lead to unpredictable actions. I love that unpredictability in comics!
- Yaira: She’s got her own rules, and the power to manipulate the atmosphere around her is just incredible. The character design is amazing, and her beauty is absolutely striking.
- Zalen Darq: The fact that he doesn’t have a defined past really fascinates me. What I like most about him is his sense of justice in a world without law. His motto, “What kills must die,” is brutal, but so compelling! I love cosmic characters, and it was an honor to color the first issue of his story.
8. What is your process? How do you approach each piece you work on?
MARCOS: First, I download the files and pages, clean up the art, and organize the layers to separate the lines from the base. Then I read the script, marking the key points and emotions in each panel, and figure out the color palette. I apply flat colors to different areas, like clothing, skin, and backgrounds, to create easy selections for later editing. After that, I add shading and lighting to give depth and dimension, using layers to highlight light sources and contrast.
Special effects, like glows and textures, are added, especially in action scenes. I adjust the hues, saturation, and contrast to match the emotional tone of the story. Finally, I make any adjustments necessary to make sure the art meets the expectations of the editor or artist.
9. What advice would you give aspiring artists wanting to break into the comic book industry?
MARCOS: Create! Even if it’s a personal project, treat it like a professional job. Always put your best work into everything you do. Study concepts, trends, and most importantly, the fundamentals. Choose two or three artists you really like and focus on them, but don’t copy them too much—that can slow down your own style development.
Share your work on social media—it’s the gateway for editors, writers, and other artists to see your stuff. Always be open to feedback; without it, you’ll never grow. Stick with it and always make each piece worthy of being in your portfolio.
10. Where can people contact you for commissions or see more of your work?
MARCOS: Everyone can find me and my work here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmartinsart/
X: https://x.com/mmartinsart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmartinsarts
ArtStation: https://mmartinsart.artstation.com/
Email: [email protected]
THANK YOU so kindly for your time, Marcos! You’re such a supreme talent! See more from Marcos Martins coming up soon, as an artist this talented, we are definitely going to be keeping busy!
Closing Thoughts
Marcos Martins has quickly become one of the standout talents at Rippaverse Publishing, bringing depth, vibrancy, and emotion to every page he touches. From YAIRA and BLOODRUTH to ZALEN and beyond, his work continues to inspire both fans and fellow artists.
We are grateful to have him on the team and can’t wait to see what he colors next!
