Were you intrigued by the character of Mera in Aquaman? Have you always wanted to know more about the fierce red-headed protector of the sea? Look no further than Mera: Tidebreaker.

Mera: Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige and Stephen Byrne is the first book to come out of the new DC Ink publishing imprint. It tells the story about how Mera takes her first few steps toward becoming the fierce warrior and leader that we all know her to be (and see a bit of in Aquaman).

Princess of a kingdom that’s trapped in Atlantis’ shadow, Mera struggles with how best to help her people while still staying true to herself. When her father, the King of Xebel, orders that her intended swim to the surface and kill Arthur Curry, the Prince of Atlantis, Mera takes it upon herself to complete the mission. However, murder is easier said than done and, once she steps foot on land, she realizes that she has a tough decision to make as all isn’t quite as it seems.

Right off the bat here, I want to make a confession: I still have yet to see Aquaman. It has been on my list and I wanted to go when it first came out, but #life kept me from doing so. So my only familiarity with Mera is through some comics, namely Marguerite Bennett’s fantastic DC Bombshells series. In fact, that’s where I first encountered this strong and sassy warrior of the sea. And I’ve been enamored with her ever since.

So obviously, as soon as I heard about Mera: Tidebreaker, I knew I needed to read it.

This graphic novel is very much an origin story for Mera. We’re introduced to her kingdom as well as her world. She’s a fiery and passionate teenager who yearns to be taken seriously. 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. Not only that, but the prince is also her intended, which is an extra blow.

It’s hard not to feel for Mera with this sort of set up. 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. 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).

And these issues aren’t helped by the fact that Mera no longer has a mother to help guide her. It’s revealed early on that her mother died some years ago, leaving her with memories and a legacy to live up to. But while she doesn’t have a mother, Mera very much has a maternal figure in her teacher, Hikara.

Mera and Hikara’s relationship is one of my favorite aspects of this novel. Though it doesn’t get nearly as much time devoted to it as Mera’s relationship with Arthur or Larken, her intended, their teacher/student relationship is really nuanced and lovely to watch unfold. Though they’re both forces to be reckoned with and don’t see eye-to-eye on everything, their interactions show just how much respect and love they have for each other. Hopefully there will be more of their layered dynamic in future installments.

While Mera’s life below the surface is interesting (what with the rising tensions between her people and the Atlanteans as well as her training to become a fierce warrior), I much preferred Mera’s time on land.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of any and all iterations of The Little Mermaid. I could read only retellings or takes on the classic story for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. 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.

From 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.

But, 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. She’s not trying to win Arthur’s heart; she’s trying to kill him. Her happiness and sense of value is tied to her responsibility to her people, rather than finding her true love. 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.

Though I did thoroughly enjoy Mera’s exploration of land and humanity, I wasn’t all that big of a fan of Arthur Curry. After seeing Jason Momoa’s portrayal in Justice League and meeting the Arthur Curry in DC Bombshells, this reincarnation fell a little flat to me. Yes, those other Arthurs were a little older than the one here and yes, they had more time to grow into who they were meant to be, but he Arthur in Mera: Tidebreaker is just too nice and eerily perfect.

I know that this is Mera’s story, but I was hoping to see Arthur as a formidable match for her, at least in some way. But the only balance I can see him providing is him softening her edges a little bit, which one, I don’t think she needs and two, she could do perfectly well on her own.

Case in point: When Mera reaches land, she needs help acclimating to the environment. So what does she do? She allows her mark (who she has been told is dangerous and, at this point, is a complete stranger to her) to take her home for a few days and care for her. I understand why it’s necessary in terms of the two building a relationship, but it was mind-boggling to me that Mera, who we’re meant to see as a capable and smart (if not a bit rash sometimes) woman, would allow that. Arthur’s inclusion here makes Mera seem too trusting for someone who’s a badass on a mission.

As this is a graphic novel, I’d be remiss in neglecting to point out the effectiveness of Stephen Byrne’s illustrations. After all, they’re just as important to the heart of the story as Danielle Paige’s writing. Byrne perfectly catches Mera’s hard edges as well as her vulnerability in his artwork, balancing her strength with her femininity. Even when she’s seated or stationary, she never looks passive. She looks like she could throw a punch at any moment.

The color scheme of this novel is also really fantastic. Oceanic hues of blue, green, and brown pervade the story, providing stark contrast to Mera’s bright reddish-orange hair. Even in scenes with other characters that have hair of a similar color, Mera’s always stands out. The color scheme of the novel compliments everything about Mera’s character and makes it clear that she very much is the hero of her story.

Mera has long deserved a spotlight and well as a story of her own, and that’s just what Mera: Tidebreaker gives her. Though it’s very much an origin story, it provides a wonderful look at who Mera is at her core and the hero she could one day become. I can’t wait to see where her character, as well as the series, goes from here.

Mera: Tidebreaker by Danielle Paige and Stephen Byrne is available now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository, and your local independent bookstore. Also, don’t forget to add it to your Goodreads “to read” list!