Merfolk & Water Creatures in Literature

MerMay is quite a popular art challenge in May, almost as trendy as Inktober. While there is an official prompt list, many artists make their own and you’re free to join without a list as well. The premise is to draw (or make art of, which is not limited to drawing) merfolk or water creatures during the whole month.
You could create original characters or fan-art… But what media feature (fantasy) water creatures? Here’s part 1 of my “merfolk & water creatures in media” series, starting with literature (books & comics).

Ps. This list only includes books I’ve read or heard about myself. There are many, many more than that.

Webcomics

Castle Swimmer

A Webtoon by Lian Martin about different merfolks living in colonies, which are inspired by real fish species, such as: Vaquitas, Orcas, Sharks, Anglerfish, Octopi, Swordfish, etc. Each of them have their own curse, which they are trying to free themselves from, with the help of a so called Beacon.

Still an ongoing Webtoon. Season 2 has finished and s3 will air soon; I’ve read season 1 and half of s2 so far (been a bit on a Webtoon break, but am definitely gonna continue this series). Very recommendable! I love the lore and the art style.
Even created my own characters for multiple species and tried out the style: Shark, Swordfish, Anglerfish, Vaquita, Octopus, Needlefish, Iguana

Strawberry Seafoam

By Bryan Golden.
Colourful merpeople with magic powers going to a high-school. They wear normal clothes on top.

Unfortunately, the tropes in this Webtoon aren’t my taste, but I do love the art and would recommend it, just for that! I’ve tried it out myself once: Isabela Madrigal in Strawberry Seafoam.

Bread: A Mermaid Tale

By Mochi. A short story about a mermaid and a human boy meeting on the beach and connecting through bread.

Very cute! There’s only 7 chapters, so you should be able to find time for that. A very quick read, but wroth it! They style is adorable and their friendship wholesome. I just had to draw my OC into it too: Arely, a friend of Bread

The little Trashmaid

By s0s2, also available in print or on their Instagram.
Short comic strips about a mermaid and her friends living in the modern world. (Think, what if “The little Mermaid” lived in a realistic ocean.) Ongoing.

I love how the author raises awareness with an adorable story. They also donate part of their comic’s income to ocean cleaning organizations.
I’ve made fan-art of Neptaan (a character in the story) and posted it on his birthday (14th May).

Magic Soda Pop

By Raul Trevino.
With soda, you can gain powers for limited time, but must deal with the consequences, such as turning into a sea monster.

I love the idea with the soda and how each consequence looks like. Quite creative! Nice art style as well. I’ve not yet completed the Webtoon, but I do plan to.

The Sea in you

By Jessi Sheron on Tapas. Blurb: Corinth never expected to meet a mermaid, let alone be nearly drowned by one. It was the start of a strange friendship.

Very detailed art style, will probably lure you in (get it?)! It’s completed and also available in print.
I’ve not finished this either, but do plan to, once I get out of my Webtoon/Tapas slump.

Graphic Novels

The Girl from the Sea

Morgan desperately wants to escape the island she’s living on – far away from her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother and her friends, who don’t understand her at all. But when she’s saved by a mermaid from drowning in one night, life on the island suddenly changes for Morgan.

A sweet, queer Graphic Novel, that I have not yet read myself, but it has been lying on my TBR since forever. I’ve only heard good things about it so far, and can’t wait to read it!

The Magic Fish

Tien, a young boy, tries to tell his parents he’s gay. He was raised in America, his parents are Vietnamese immigrants, who still struggle with English. Neither languages seem to reach them, but a fairy tale book might just be the key.

Books

The little mermaid

The original tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Classic.

I’m pretty sure I’ve read it when I was a kid, I just don’t remember enough to give a proper review. Recommendable simply for the fact that it’s quite different than Disney’s and all the other adaptations.

Magic Rainbow Fairies

A kids’ book series with each book featuring a different fairy (and name) and written by multiple people (collective pseudonym is Daisy Meadows). Still ongoing and has a lot of (short) volumes. There aren’t many water fairies, but here’s some I could find: dolphin fairy, seal fairy, Mermicorn fairy, rain fairy, sailing fairy, diving fairy, the little mermaid fairy, river fairy, swimming fairy, ocean fairy, seahorse fairy, starfish fairy, sea turtle fairy, synchro fairy, kayaking fairy

The merman and the barbarian pirate

By Kay Berrisford.
Have not read this myself yet, but it was recommended by a friend and is on my TBR. It’s about a lonely merman, Raef, who spends his days dreaming about love. Jon, the pirate, might be the one for him.

See you in Part 2, which will be uploaded on the 30th April 2024!
~Arden Skye