Castle Swimmer
| Castle Swimmer | |
|---|---|
| Author | Wendy Lian Martin |
| Website | Castle Swimmer om Webtoon |
| Current status/schedule | Ongoing; updates Sundays |
| Launch date | January 5, 2019 |
| Publisher(s) | Webtoon, Ten Speed Press |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy, Romance |
| Original language | English |
Castle Swimmer is a fantasy LGBTQ romance webcomic by Wendy Lian Martin. It has been published digitally on Webtoon since 2019, and in print since 2024 by Ten Speed Graphic.
Plot
[edit]In a world inhabited by various species of mermaids, the prince of the sharks, Siren, learns of a prophecy to save his cursed people. The prophecy requires him to kill an individual known as the Beacon, who turns out to be a boy named Kappa. With Siren unwilling to kill Kappa, the two attempt to find a way to avoid their fates.[1][2][3][4]
Development
[edit]Martin has cited the Little Mermaid world from the video game Kingdom Hearts as an inspiration for the work.[5][6][7] She has also discussed a desire for explicit LGBTQ representation.[5][8]
Publication
[edit]Digital
[edit]The comic started publication on Webtoon in 2019, updating on Sundays. The series has been divided into four seasons.[9]
In 2024, it was announced that Ten Speed Graphic would be adapting the series for print, with the first volume being published in October of that year.[10]
| Volume | Date | Episodes | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 22, 2024 | 1-19 | ISBN 978-0593835814 | [11][10] |
| 2 | July 3, 2025 | 20-41 | ISBN 9780593835845 | [12] |
| 3 | March 17, 2026 | 42-65 | ISBN 9780593835876 | |
| 4 | September 8, 2026 | 66-86 | ISBN 9780593835913 | [13] |
Reception
[edit]Reviewing the first print volume, CBR praised the humor and underwater theming, but criticized the overuse of blue in comic's color scheme, stating it made certain scenes blend together.[3] School Library Journal also reviewed the first volume.[14] Ollie Kaplan of The Mary Sue labeled it as one of the best middle-grade and YA graphic novels of 2024.[15]
By November 2024, the series had approximately three million subscribers.[11] By June 2025, it had 344 million views.[16]
The series was nominated for the Harvey Award for Digital Book of the Year in 2025.[17] The Volume 1 print was also included on the 2025 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Reading List by the American Library Association.[18]
References
[edit]- ↑ Locke, Alexandra; Robinson, Robbie; Failde, Juliana (2020-04-28). "15 Must-Read Ongoing Romance Webtoons, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ Kaplan, Avery (2019-06-12). "12 Queer Comics to Read on WEBTOON Right Now!". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- 1 2 Ramsburg, C. M. (2024-10-23). "Webtoon's Delightful LGBTQ+ Romance Comes to Print Form". CBR. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ Anton, Kromoff. "The Awesome Weight Of Prophesy And Expectation — Reviewing 'Castle Swimmer' Vols. 1 And 2". comicon.com.
- 1 2 Leung, Hilary (2024-10-02). "Interview: Wendy Martin on CASTLE SWIMMER Vol. 1". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ Morrow, Maddie (2025-08-06). "'Castle Swimmer' WEBTOON by Wendy Martin Offers Beautiful, Queer Representation". TEMPLE OF GEEK. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ Ramsburg, C. M. (2025-06-24). "'It is Set in Stone': Major Webtoon Creator Reveals Series Comeback & Next Big Project". CBR. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Kaplan, Avery (2019-06-12). "Interview: Discovering the creative process behind CASTLE SWIMMER with Wendy Lian Martin". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-31.
- ↑ "Castle Swimmer". www.webtoons.com. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- 1 2 Puc, Samantha (2024-03-28). "Exclusive: Ten Speed Graphic announces its fall 2024 lineup". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- 1 2 Garrity |, Shaenon K. "7 LGBTQ+ Webcomics Become a Rainbow of Romance". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ Puc, Samantha (2025-01-07). "EXCLUSIVE: Check out the Ten Speed Graphic Spring 2025 release schedule". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
- ↑ Kaplan, Avery (2026-05-07). "TEN SPEED GRAPHIC announces Fall 2026 catalog". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ Wendy, Martin. "Castle Swimmer". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-18.
- ↑ Kaplan, Ollie (2025-01-24). "11 best middle-grade and YA graphic novels of 2024". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ Heupel, Shannon. "Webtoon artist with Alabama ties finds her fins in merman love story 'Castle Swimmer'". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ "Harvey Awards Unveil 2025 Nominees". www.harveyawards.com. Retrieved 2026-07-19.
- ↑ "Great Graphic Novels | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-07-21.