Castle Swimmer, Volume 1 - by Wendy Martin

Book Synopsis

In the gorgeous first installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer, two young mermen reject their destinies and embark on an epic adventure full of romance and danger, featuring exclusive bonus material.

"Castle Swimmer hooks you from the start and doesn't let go. It's devastatingly charming with a hint of sweetly heartbreaking."--Katie Cook, author of Nothing Special

From the moment Kappa tumbles into existence on the ocean floor, his life's purpose is already decided for him: He is the Beacon, a light to all sea creatures, and destined to fulfill their many prophesies. In high demand and under immense pressure, Kappa quickly realizes that fame and glory are small compensation for a life of predetermined self-sacrifice.

Unable to resist the call of destiny due to a magical yellow cord that appears from his chest and pulls him inexorably to any sea creatures he swims by, Kappa ultimately finds himself drawn to the Shark kingdom, where he is immediately imprisoned. The Sharks' prophecy states that the curse maiming their people will only be lifted once their prince, Siren, kills the Beacon. But when Prince Siren decides to defy fate and help Kappa escape, Kappa realizes that there might be more to life than fulfilling endless prophesies, leading to a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself--and a romance that nobody could have predicted.

Episodes 1-19 of Webtoon's Castle Swimmer Season 1 is collected in this stunning graphic novel, which also includes a never-before-seen bonus chapter featuring Kappa and Siren.

Review Quotes

"The world building throughout the volume is its most remarkable feature, effectively transporting readers to this magical underwater world . . . Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 offers an incredible LGBTQ+ fantasy and romance for fans to dive into."--Comic Book Resources

"Castle Swimmer hooks you from the start and doesn't let go. It's devastatingly charming with a hint of sweetly heartbreaking. Kappa and Siren really are a beacon of light and a joy to read."--Katie Cook, author of Nothing Special

"Drawn together by an immediate attraction but on the opposite ends of fate, the two mermen find themselves at odds with destiny. What follows can best be described as Romeo and Juliet but gay and furry."--The Mary Sue

"An immersive read! Castle Swimmer's endearing protagonists are snugly woven into a juicy undersea world that reels in the reader and leaves them hungry for more."--Danie Stirling, author of Crumbs

"Castle Swimmer is an immediate classic. Wendy has crafted a rich world with beautifully expressive art and amazingly thought-out characters all packed with personality. She plays every emotion to the perfect note from humor to dread to guilt to sweet budding romance! Volume 1 is an excellent start to a very exciting journey and I can't wait to see how the rest of that journey looks in print!"--Miranda Mundt, creator of Muted

"Wendy Martin's Castle Swimmer is a beautifully illustrated and intensely sincere tale of expectation, duty, and love that will leave you nostalgic for a time that has yet to pass."--Graveweaver, creator of I'm the Grim Reaper

"Dive into the world of Castle Swimmer, filled with endearing characters and a heartwarming story that will leave you eager for more."--Curryuku, creator of Not So Shoujo Love Story

"In an underwater world full of curses and prophecies, an unlikely--and HILARIOUS--love story unfolds!! Wendy Martin's talent for balancing out dark moments with bright humor shines through as Prince Siren gets stuck between his duties to his people and the cute sparkly goldfish boy he's supposed to kill!"--Deya Muniz, author of The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

"Martin illustrates a compelling story--about two 'chosen one' heroes defying their destinies and finding each other--with her charming art and unique worldbuilding. Castle Swimmer is a much-needed, heartwarming boys' love story filled with humor, romance, and mermaids."--LySandra Vuong, creator of Covenant

"This print publication of the popular Webtoon has been gracefully transferred to a new format. . . . It retains the quality of the charming art and the deliberate pace of the story. . . . Between the vast waterscape to explore, evolving lore, balance in life-defining moments, and the lovable characters, every panel draws readers in deeper."--Library Journal

About the Author

Wendy Martin was born in the Midwest and grew up in Iowa. She spent her childhood raising animals, but she spent even more time drawing them. As she grew older, she dedicated more time to the arts and creating fantasy comics and stories, particularly ones that involved characters who were half human and half animal. After graduating high school, she worked as a waitress and continued making comics on the side until Castle Swimmer, a story about two mermen, was picked up by Ten Speed Graphic and allowed her to draw comics full time. Castle Swimmer is her first series.