Interview with Wendy Martin, the brainchild behind Castle Swimmer, at San Diego Comic-Con
In the bustling atmosphere of San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Wendy Martin, an Iowa-native author and illustrator, shared insights about her acclaimed lighthearted fantasy series, Castle Swimmer. The series, a Boys Love webcomic, follows the story of two merfolk named Kappa and Siren, and has found a dedicated following since its launch on WEBTOON in January 2019.
Martin expressed her excitement when she was given the opportunity to turn Castle Swimmer into a physical book. The first volume, containing episodes 1-19 and a bonus chapter, was released by Ten Speed Graphic in October 2024. A second volume, containing episodes 20-41 and an additional bonus chapter, followed in June 2025. Martin found it amazing to hold physical copies of her series and see her book in bookstores like Barnes & Noble.
Castle Swimmer is part of the WEBTOON Originals catalog and launched digitally as an Original. Martin's creative process is chaotic and revolves around making comics at all times. She initially posted Castle Swimmer on WEBTOON after posting it on various platforms, and was later offered to get paid to make the story full-time by WEBTOON.
The main characters, Kappa and Siren, were initially inspired by the idea of mermaids with swords. Kappa is destined to fulfill many prophecies and serve as a light to all sea creatures. Siren helps Kappa escape from the Shark Kingdom, leading to an underwater adventure that brings them closer together. Martin's favorite character from Castle Swimmer is Skiff, despite originally planning for him to die.
Martin announced that Castle Swimmer will be coming to an end soon, but did not specify a definite end date. She expressed gratitude to her fans for their support, stating that it is the main reason Castle Swimmer exists. Martin's next project will feature bird boys instead of fish boys, with a different location and theme.
Working with WEBTOON and Ten Speed Graphic has provided Martin with different experiences. WEBTOON, tied to social media, moves at a fast pace, while Ten Speed Graphic has a slower, more collaborative process. Martin's inspiration for storytelling came from video games and video game stories, particularly Shadow of the Colossus. Her inspiration for creating Castle Swimmer was the Kingdom Hearts game, specifically the Little Mermaid section.
Martin stated that she will continue to create comics and provide queer love stories and fantasy worlds. She suggests that aspiring comic creators should just start making comics, whatever medium they want, to improve and grow. The third volume of Castle Swimmer is scheduled for release in March 2026, marking the start of its final season on WEBTOON, which returned in July 2025. As the story of Kappa and Siren nears its conclusion, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this underwater adventure.
This interview was represented by The Game of Nerds at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. As for Martin's next creative project, there is no specific information available in the provided search results. However, one thing is certain: Wendy Martin's unique storytelling and captivating characters will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
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