To be fair, we’ve all been a bit distracted this Pride Month. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of time to celebrate the occasion in some small way, like supporting a fantasy comic with queer themes and a helluva lot of inclusivity.
The Sea in You is a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, courtesy of writer and artist Jessi Sheron, who has worked on the likes of Monster High, Ever After High and Princeless books. This time around, the story splits the focus between two “fish out of water”: lonely 15-year-old goth Corinth, and fanged mermaid Skylla, who is dismissed as the smallest and weakest of her aquatic people. Following an initial beach encounter, which should have ended with Corinth’s drowning, the two young women find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. Their deepening connection will have major repercussions for them, and their worlds.
What started as an 87-episode Webtoon series is now a 200-page graphic novel. Well, it will be as of January 2023, thanks to indie publisher Iron Circus’s crowdfunding campaign. The independent kickstarter is already a success, but you can still get in on the action, and become a backer of either the ebook version, or softcover physical edition of The Sea in You. The campaign concludes at the end of June.
There’s a lot to like about The Sea in You. It is targeted at adolescent readers in the middle grade bracket, so don’t expect any topical deep dives, explicit labelling (Corinth and Skylla are officially best friends, okay?) or graphicness. That said, just as our heroines don’t really have the vocabulary to describe what they’re feeling, The Sea in You gently opens the door to self-reflection, acceptance and living with authenticity. With tenderness and relatability, the book encourages young readers like Corinth and Skylla to embark on that personal journey. As for adults, there are many sweet, and salty, pleasures on the page.
The Sea in You goes all in in terms of inclusivity and diversity – without the need for flashing neon signs. Characters feature different body types, gender identities and sexual orientations, and it’s all treated matter of factly. Corinth’s mother uses sign language, further expanding representation (and helping to ease in a key plot point later in the comic). Meanwhile, Skylla’s mermaid world challenges the structures and behavioural norms of Western human society.
Speaking of mermaids, The Sea in You provides a fresh take on the mythical sea creatures. Magic is a key component of their existence, of course, but Sheron isn’t afraid to play up the monstrous side of the merfolk. No fishtailed Barbies here. Mermaids in The Sea in You are dangerous and unquestionably “other,” but nonetheless bewitching. Adding a further layer of relatability, their austere manner is undercut by a love for shiny things and human junk food.
Finally, there’s the comic’s darkest aspect: its depiction of a toxic relationship. Corinth has a dashing boyfriend, Seth, but his princely exterior masks a rotten core. Readers are given reasons for his behaviour, but Seth is emotionally manipulative. If he’s not love bombing Corinth, he’s stirring up her insecurities (she was once chronically bullied), to continually recentre his importance in her life. Sheron’ depiction is chilling, accurate and difficult to witness – to the point of being triggering. However, it also hopefully serves as a warning for young readers with little experience as to what constitutes a healthy relationship.
It feels a bit unfair to end this article on such a dark note. The Sea in You is far from depressing. It’s not even painfully bittersweet like Anderson’s Little Mermaid. Sheron’s reinterpretation balances out the story’s more intense moments with levity, and, most importantly, a positive depiction of reciprocated, empowering love shown by Corinth and Skylla.
The Sea in You is a sweet and satisfying read for Pride Month, and all year round, with a sequel already in the works.