Again, I’m not sure how intentional the parallels are, but they’re really effective in showing the reader exactly who Mera is, what her vulnerabilities are, and who she could become in the future. Her happiness and sense of value is tied to her responsibility to her people, rather than finding her true love.

She’s not trying to win Arthur’s heart she’s trying to kill him. So imagine my surprise and delight when Mera’s time on land morphed into a Little Mermaid-like tribute, whether it was intentional or not.įrom washing up on shore and needing the help of a land-dwelling prince to take her in until she gets her legs (so to speak), to Mera’s bright red hair, to small Easter egg-like shout-outs to the classic tale (like Mera trying on a shell-shaped bralette or wearing a shell necklace), Mera: Tidebreaker draws a lot of parallels to a story we all love so much.īut, while the parallels are fun to watch for and point out, they’re also important in highlighting the differences between the two red-headed heroines and just how much more driven Mera is. I could read only retellings or takes on the classic story for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of any and all iterations of The Little Mermaid. But while she doesn’t have a mother, Mera very much has a maternal figure in her teacher, Hikara.

It’s revealed early on that her mother died some years ago, leaving her with memories and a legacy to live up to. They’re just a little more intense than most of the problems we land-dwellers may have encountered at that age (or any age, really).Īnd these issues aren’t helped by the fact that Mera no longer has a mother to help guide her. Though she may be princess of one of the largest kingdoms in the sea, she’s dealing with some pretty relatable issues: being underestimated by others, having the intense drive to prove oneself, and fighting against a future that’s being chosen for you. It’s hard not to feel for Mera with this sort of set up. Not only that, but the prince is also her intended, which is an extra blow. Her father sees her more as a future figurehead rather than a leader, so he puts his trust in the prince of an ally kingdom to do the job that Mera believes she should be entrusted with. She’s a fiery and passionate teenager who yearns to be taken seriously. We’re introduced to her kingdom as well as her world. This graphic novel is very much an origin story for Mera.

Mera tidebreaker