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The Last Mermaid #1-6
La última sirena. Libro 1
“Epic. Heart-breaking. Utterly gorgeous. You’ll love every panel of this sprawling saga.”—Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese)
THE LAST MERMAID is a post-apocalyptic adventure that is perfect for fans of lush, animation-style artwork like that of ISOLA, LOW, and classic Miyazaki.
A lone mermaid roams an endless wasteland on a quest beyond reason. To press ever onward, she must survive the interminable stretches between tiny pockets of water, roaming bands of cybernetic cannibals, and fearsome mutant beasts. What propels her forward to take such a risk? And who is that cloaked figure watching her from afar…?
Eisner, Harvey and Ignatz Award-winning writer/artist DEREK KIRK KIM’s first graphic novel in a decade kicks off an epic journey—a literal fish-out-of-water story that will turn the post-apocalyptic genre on its ear.
THE LAST MERMAID is a post-apocalyptic adventure that is perfect for fans of lush, animation-style artwork like that of ISOLA, LOW, and classic Miyazaki.
A lone mermaid roams an endless wasteland on a quest beyond reason. To press ever onward, she must survive the interminable stretches between tiny pockets of water, roaming bands of cybernetic cannibals, and fearsome mutant beasts. What propels her forward to take such a risk? And who is that cloaked figure watching her from afar…?
Eisner, Harvey and Ignatz Award-winning writer/artist DEREK KIRK KIM’s first graphic novel in a decade kicks off an epic journey—a literal fish-out-of-water story that will turn the post-apocalyptic genre on its ear.
184 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2025
4 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Derek Kirk Kim
24 books101 followersDerek Kirk Kim is an award-winning Korean-American cartoonist. He won both major industry awards in 2004, the Eisner and the Harvey, for his debut graphic novel Same Difference and Other Stories, which was originally serialized on his website Lowbright (formerly known as "Small Stories"). He also won the Ignatz Award for promising new talent, in 2003, for the same graphic novel (which was originally published with the help of a 2002 Xeric Award).
Kim came to the United States when he was eight. He considers himself fortunate to have received formal training in the visual arts and in the craft of writing. Much of his early highly acclaimed work was done while living with his parents in Pacifica, California. He now lives in Portland, Oregon.
Kim came to the United States when he was eight. He considers himself fortunate to have received formal training in the visual arts and in the craft of writing. Much of his early highly acclaimed work was done while living with his parents in Pacifica, California. He now lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
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October 21, 2024
‘Isn’t that what makes us human? Helping each other?’
Prepare for a post-apocalyptic adventure through desert wastelands alongside a *checks notes* mermaid and her adorable axolotl companion! This first volume of Derek Kirk Kim’s The Last Mermaid is a thrilling start to a new series full of promise with death-defying action and heartfelt humanity amidst a decaying world overrun with violence, and scant uncontaminated water for Isla the mermaid to survive in. Kept alive inside a fishbowl-like mech suit equipped for high speed travel as well as battle, Isla is on a quest to return home. But the wastelands are a dangerous place where the landscape is just as deadly as the roving gangs of mutant warriors and even with the aid of a mysterious, one-eyed stranger who teams up with her it will be a fight to the finish. With dreamy art and aesthetics that tease reminders of Hayao Miyazaki’s environmentally conscious early films, The Last Mermaid is off to a solid start.
This first volume collects issues #1-6 and I’m pretty eager to see the rest of this series through. The premise is quite fun and a fascinating twist on post-apocalyptic survival with a Mad Max type story but with the added complications of a mermaid protagonist needing to find water resources for living inside instead of merely drinking. It’s like The Road but with a Mech-suit instead of a shopping cart. There also seems potential for a slow-burn romance or friendship with the mysterious stranger where, once again, having to live inside the mech-suit fishbowl will add complications. But we also have an axolotl and that is always a win. Say hi to Lotti!
The artwork is outstanding as well and I love all the ruined landscapes. The colors are fantastic and the use of light really makes the artwork pop on the page. The frame rate is great too, keeping the story and action moving without ever being difficult to follow. I’ve not read any of Derek Kirk Kim’s books before but now I’ll certainly be on the lookout for them. It’s just a joy to look at and while the use of sound effects on the page is perhaps a bit overused, its still a lot of fun.
So head into the unknown with this trio of unlikely companions for a fast-paced and fun time with the first installment of The Last Mermaid. It also gets a big shoutout for quoting Mr. Roger’s famous line ‘always look for the helpers.’ I will be eagerly awaiting more!
4/5
Prepare for a post-apocalyptic adventure through desert wastelands alongside a *checks notes* mermaid and her adorable axolotl companion! This first volume of Derek Kirk Kim’s The Last Mermaid is a thrilling start to a new series full of promise with death-defying action and heartfelt humanity amidst a decaying world overrun with violence, and scant uncontaminated water for Isla the mermaid to survive in. Kept alive inside a fishbowl-like mech suit equipped for high speed travel as well as battle, Isla is on a quest to return home. But the wastelands are a dangerous place where the landscape is just as deadly as the roving gangs of mutant warriors and even with the aid of a mysterious, one-eyed stranger who teams up with her it will be a fight to the finish. With dreamy art and aesthetics that tease reminders of Hayao Miyazaki’s environmentally conscious early films, The Last Mermaid is off to a solid start.
This first volume collects issues #1-6 and I’m pretty eager to see the rest of this series through. The premise is quite fun and a fascinating twist on post-apocalyptic survival with a Mad Max type story but with the added complications of a mermaid protagonist needing to find water resources for living inside instead of merely drinking. It’s like The Road but with a Mech-suit instead of a shopping cart. There also seems potential for a slow-burn romance or friendship with the mysterious stranger where, once again, having to live inside the mech-suit fishbowl will add complications. But we also have an axolotl and that is always a win. Say hi to Lotti!
The artwork is outstanding as well and I love all the ruined landscapes. The colors are fantastic and the use of light really makes the artwork pop on the page. The frame rate is great too, keeping the story and action moving without ever being difficult to follow. I’ve not read any of Derek Kirk Kim’s books before but now I’ll certainly be on the lookout for them. It’s just a joy to look at and while the use of sound effects on the page is perhaps a bit overused, its still a lot of fun.
So head into the unknown with this trio of unlikely companions for a fast-paced and fun time with the first installment of The Last Mermaid. It also gets a big shoutout for quoting Mr. Roger’s famous line ‘always look for the helpers.’ I will be eagerly awaiting more!
4/5
December 17, 2024
4.5 stars. Been hearing really good things about this and the book did not disappoint. This was dope. In a bleak apocalyptic world, a lone mermaid in a mech suit is trying to get by and find her way somewhere. Along the way she runs into all kinds of hazards but also luckily meets an ally and we learn what the mermaid is looking for. The sense of adventure was great and the stakes were high with characters hanging on to survival by a thread. The art was fantastic also. Man, can’t wait for the next volume. Definitely recommended.
September 5, 2024
Ahhh! I can't wait for the series to start back up again. So so so good!
October 15, 2024
This was absolutely incredible, I was totally engrossed from beginning to end.
June 14, 2025
Superb artwork, it feels like a storyboard - or really stills - from an incredible animated film. There's not a lot of story here, it's quite a simple journey and there's not a ton of world building either.
January 7, 2025
The Last Mermaid is a visual feast that sweeps along a relatively predictable post-apocalypse story. Our titular mermaid is roving the wasteland in a robo-car with a water tank, hunting for the mysterious trident her mother once told her to find. She encounters a variety of obstacles, including one monster that a dark stranger helps her defeat. Said stranger then accompanies the mermaid on her quest.
Straightforward stuff, but the art is gorgeous and the pacing is excellent. I was certainly caught up in the story, eager to find out what this trident is. Looking forward to future volumes.
Straightforward stuff, but the art is gorgeous and the pacing is excellent. I was certainly caught up in the story, eager to find out what this trident is. Looking forward to future volumes.
February 8, 2025
(3.5) A Post-apocalyptic desert world where a Mermaid is on a constant journey to a water-dwelling home? Yes please! Along the way, they encounter overgrown sea creatures, cannibals, and mutants/cyborgs that pose a threat. Beautiful artwork on each page, leaving nothing to the imagination.
January 19, 2025
The story is weak, but the art is awesome. I like the dystopian mermaid mech suit is a really cool concept. It's giving mad max vibes.
January 6, 2025
A mermaid navigates a post-apocalyptic wasteland in her water-filled mech suit with her cute axolotl sidekick, Lottie. Constantly scavenging for her next source of water to re-fill the mech suit whilst dodging roving bands of mutants, the Last Mermaid embarks on a seemingly very personal quest to achieve a life of peace. Derek Kirk Kim unveils the fairly minimalistic plot slowly across the six issue opening arc, unfolding a new narrative beat with each issue. There isn't too much in the way of what one might consider an original plot - it's pretty comfortable working within the typical structure of many other post-apocalyptic stories. But where it feels light on story, it's rich in visual storytelling.
Kim's artwork is exceedingly similar to that of an animated feature film (no surprise given Kim's roots in animation and that this itself was a proposed animated project initially), but it works incredibly well as a sequential work. Vibrant colors, energetic action sequences, and expressive characters pepper the pages of The Last Mermaid making it a visual treat across all six issues. Though the story itself isn't something that'll necessarily feel novel, there's an intriguing enough premise cultivated here to serve as a strong foundation for subsequent volumes.
Kim's artwork is exceedingly similar to that of an animated feature film (no surprise given Kim's roots in animation and that this itself was a proposed animated project initially), but it works incredibly well as a sequential work. Vibrant colors, energetic action sequences, and expressive characters pepper the pages of The Last Mermaid making it a visual treat across all six issues. Though the story itself isn't something that'll necessarily feel novel, there's an intriguing enough premise cultivated here to serve as a strong foundation for subsequent volumes.
December 12, 2024
Not sure what to say. Something was clearly off on this edition/binding. Major misprint or editing issue. No page numbers so hard to determine what happened exactly. But around page 32, it repeats pages 12-32. One page you’re underwater, and the next you’re racing along a desert. No transitions. Pages must be out of order, too. Waste of money. Publisher killed the story with shoddy publication. It’s like no one read it before release….
February 7, 2025
Wow wow wow! What an action packed/original/beautifully illustrated/fantastic graphic novel! I left wanting more and more! I can't wait to see where this goes. :)
January 6, 2025
Loved it! Gorgeous art.
October 21, 2024
70
This was fine, art was pretty but story was lackluster. No need to continue the series.
This was fine, art was pretty but story was lackluster. No need to continue the series.
November 26, 2025
En la semanal visita a la biblioteca nos topamos con esta sirena, novedad de otoño en la sección de cómics para adultos, de un desconocido para mí Derek Kirk Kim; pero de amplia trayectoria profesional.
En un mundo postapocalíptico al estilo Mad Max, encontramos a una joven sirena en una búsqueda existencial.
Nos enfrentamos a un guion sin grandes diálogos ni cartelas, exento de profundidad explicativa de lo que se viene a llamar el worldbuilding; en numerosas ocasiones con un toque más juvenil que adulto.
Allí nos encontramos con Isla, el personaje principal de la historia, a bordo de su transformer, peleando por sobrevivir en un mundo desértico cual fremen en el clásico de Dune. Un mundo lleno de peligros y portafolio perfecto para un apartado gráfico que sí es excelente.
Es en el arte donde este cómic se hace grande. Con un estilo onírico y visual, con toques de manga (el autor es coreano) y un agradable empacho de siena tostada y aguamarina, cada viñeta es una pequeña obra de arte en sí misma; una delicia a degustar con el detenimiento que se sin duda se merece.
La falta de diálogos se suple con creces con el mensaje de cada viñeta, las facciones de los personajes, imágenes que son una maravillosa explicación que vale más que mil palabras.
Una delicia para degustar al lado del crepitar de una chimenea, con mantita y un buen té. Porque quien no se va a enamorar de una sirena que tiene como mascota un axolote... Imposible, vamos!
En un mundo postapocalíptico al estilo Mad Max, encontramos a una joven sirena en una búsqueda existencial.
Nos enfrentamos a un guion sin grandes diálogos ni cartelas, exento de profundidad explicativa de lo que se viene a llamar el worldbuilding; en numerosas ocasiones con un toque más juvenil que adulto.
Allí nos encontramos con Isla, el personaje principal de la historia, a bordo de su transformer, peleando por sobrevivir en un mundo desértico cual fremen en el clásico de Dune. Un mundo lleno de peligros y portafolio perfecto para un apartado gráfico que sí es excelente.
Es en el arte donde este cómic se hace grande. Con un estilo onírico y visual, con toques de manga (el autor es coreano) y un agradable empacho de siena tostada y aguamarina, cada viñeta es una pequeña obra de arte en sí misma; una delicia a degustar con el detenimiento que se sin duda se merece.
La falta de diálogos se suple con creces con el mensaje de cada viñeta, las facciones de los personajes, imágenes que son una maravillosa explicación que vale más que mil palabras.
Una delicia para degustar al lado del crepitar de una chimenea, con mantita y un buen té. Porque quien no se va a enamorar de una sirena que tiene como mascota un axolote... Imposible, vamos!
November 30, 2024
Oh. This is VERY cool.
In this first volume, readers are introduced to a dystopian world where a lone mermaid [and her axolotl companion Lottie] in a mecha suit is trying desperately to survive in a desert wasteland populated by cybernetic cannibals and other deadly monsters. She is searching for the ocean her mother told her about before her death. But, with each day that passes in this endless desert without even a drop of water in sight, her despair grows. She may just need to seek assistance in her quest from the cloaked figure who’s been following her…
This first volume introduces a lot to love.
There’s expansive world-building, imaginative characters, mysterious motivations, and a compelling plot.
The visual storytelling alone here is enough to stop you in your tracks. I was completely mystified. The art and style choices being made in this story make for a captivating and gripping experience.
I mean, I was almost crying over this little axolotl T_T (If anything happens to Lottie, I don’t know what I’ll do.)
Definitely worth picking up, especially if you enjoy a dystopian in the same vein as “Mad Max”. This story definitely captures a lot of the same visceral vibes~
In this first volume, readers are introduced to a dystopian world where a lone mermaid [and her axolotl companion Lottie] in a mecha suit is trying desperately to survive in a desert wasteland populated by cybernetic cannibals and other deadly monsters. She is searching for the ocean her mother told her about before her death. But, with each day that passes in this endless desert without even a drop of water in sight, her despair grows. She may just need to seek assistance in her quest from the cloaked figure who’s been following her…
This first volume introduces a lot to love.
There’s expansive world-building, imaginative characters, mysterious motivations, and a compelling plot.
The visual storytelling alone here is enough to stop you in your tracks. I was completely mystified. The art and style choices being made in this story make for a captivating and gripping experience.
I mean, I was almost crying over this little axolotl T_T (If anything happens to Lottie, I don’t know what I’ll do.)
Definitely worth picking up, especially if you enjoy a dystopian in the same vein as “Mad Max”. This story definitely captures a lot of the same visceral vibes~
February 12, 2026
A classic adventure about a hero returning home. The twist (and for me, the draw) is the hero is a mermaid surviving a desert wasteland in a mech-suit. Radical! The story is a lot of fun and action packed. I’m looking forward to the continuation. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous and might be my favorite thing about this book. My only bit of critique is the bland paneling. My experience with comics and manga is, in fact, limited so take my critique here with a pinch of 60% toxic salt water. Out of the comics and mangas I have read, many artists will present each panel uniquely as well to emphasize flow and action. The panels in this story were noticeably uniform and I found it a bit lacking. Is this a thing that could’ve gone over my head? Sure! I’m just a guy. Still, I would welcome some more unique panel shapes and directions. Nevertheless, this didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment, I simply noticed it. I recommend this fun read!
December 4, 2024
Derek Kim made his name in comics with "Same Difference," a sharply written relationship comic drawn in B&W in an indy-comix style. Sometime between then and now he developed a BEAUTIFUL talent for highly rendered color, which is fully on display in this gorgeous science fiction action comic. And action is what it's about: traveling in a water-filled mecha suit through the postapocalyptic desert that used to be the San Francisco Bay, the title character (and her pet axolotl!) runs from giant monsters, fights mysterious enemies and generally goes from one cliffhanger to another in search of the water she needs to survive. Storyboard-like layouts give the feeling of a great animated film, and the swift pace reads best in this collected format.
March 28, 2025
A mermaid travels across an apocalyptic wasteland in search of fresh water. She has an even deeper mission--to find a new home. Her only companion at the beginning of the story is a small fish inside her giant mechanized suit. It's basically a large fish bowl with a four-wheel drive vehicle that can transform into a two-legged robot. Her adventures lead her to a human who knows where the sign she is looking for is located...in the north, probably past some mutants, mountains, and other problems.
The story is fairly simply but the art is amazing. The future world is a bit bleak but is so well rendered. The narrative has almost no dialogue, it's told mostly through pictures. I am curious to see more of the story.
Recommended.
The story is fairly simply but the art is amazing. The future world is a bit bleak but is so well rendered. The narrative has almost no dialogue, it's told mostly through pictures. I am curious to see more of the story.
Recommended.
Read
June 28, 2025Well this one was a bit too close to home given the current weather – a mermaid roaming the parched post-apocalyptic wastelands in a transforming fishtank mech, with only her pet axolotl (Lottie!) for company, until she meets a mysterious wanderer and starts to learn that maybe she can trust someone else... For all the grimness, of which there's plenty, it's very beautiful, even if the storytelling wasn't always entirely clear – though I think it would be improved on both those axes if read at a larger scale than my little tablet screen. Somewhere between a Ghibli version of Fury Road, and Ennis & Ezquerra's Just A Pilgrim with a vastly more sympathetic lead. Content warning: imperilled axolotl with a very cute little nervous face.
January 17, 2025
I love when worldbuilding addresses mundane problems so when it started with "oh no I need fresh water or else I will die because I'm a mermaid in a mech suit with a water bubble" I was sold. Oh and did I mention? MERMAID in a MECH SUIT, with an adorable axolotl.
The actual plot is quite basic, but the concepts are super cool, interesting world building, and gorgeous art.
Highlights (sort of out of context spoilers):
- mermaid with claws
- big ass monster fish with ambush predator hunting style
- mermaid punching giant monster fish let's gooooo
- giant monster fish is amphibious oh sheeet
- cool mysterious hooded figure
The actual plot is quite basic, but the concepts are super cool, interesting world building, and gorgeous art.
Highlights (sort of out of context spoilers):
- mermaid with claws
- big ass monster fish with ambush predator hunting style
- mermaid punching giant monster fish let's gooooo
- giant monster fish is amphibious oh sheeet
- cool mysterious hooded figure
November 27, 2024
An amazing and mind-blowing artistic journey. The art is what carries this book, there is little writing as the art tells most of the story. The overall state of the world is intriguing and there is a lot to tell. This book had me wanting so much more and another volume! This is also what leads to a lower score, the story could have used more exposition. I did notice that this book was labeled a manga, which may be as to why the story is going by slower than typical western comics but there is a lot to see where Kim takes the story. Overall I highly recommend this book. Grade: B+
December 18, 2024
The Last Mermaid, Derek Kirk Kim
Unique and quirky spin on the hero's quest narrative.
Mermaid, axolotl, robot vehicle.. human boy, wasteland, water cave monsters, mutants, cyborgs, and the pursuit of a promise-land home.
#1 - "Water toxicity 93%. Change Water"
#2 - "I've never seen so many beautiful seashells in one spot."
#3 - "Don't look back.. keep moving..."
#4 - "'Always look for the Helpers.'"
#5 - "Mutants." "Okay, don't let them know we see them. Just pretend--"
#6 - "No one's ever given me a gift before..."
Unique and quirky spin on the hero's quest narrative.
Mermaid, axolotl, robot vehicle.. human boy, wasteland, water cave monsters, mutants, cyborgs, and the pursuit of a promise-land home.
#1 - "Water toxicity 93%. Change Water"
#2 - "I've never seen so many beautiful seashells in one spot."
#3 - "Don't look back.. keep moving..."
#4 - "'Always look for the Helpers.'"
#5 - "Mutants." "Okay, don't let them know we see them. Just pretend--"
#6 - "No one's ever given me a gift before..."
March 28, 2025
The Last Mermaid is hauntingly beautiful. It’s ironic that such a profound story can unfold with so little to almost no script. That’s the power of superior storytelling. That’s the power of comics.
This feels epic, like the sensation that swells inside before undertaking a true literary odyssey. I think it’s gonna hurt in the end, but boy am I ready for it.
This feels epic, like the sensation that swells inside before undertaking a true literary odyssey. I think it’s gonna hurt in the end, but boy am I ready for it.
July 19, 2025
4.5 stars. The artwork is gorgeous! I love how Isla gets around. Lottie is sooooo cute! I’m not really into graphic novels, but I devoured this one. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book(s).
Future / apocalyptic, mutants, a lone mermaid traveling over desert in search of the ocean while inside of a transforming water vehicle.
Song: The One To Survive by Hidden Citizens & Josh Bruce
Future / apocalyptic, mutants, a lone mermaid traveling over desert in search of the ocean while inside of a transforming water vehicle.
Song: The One To Survive by Hidden Citizens & Josh Bruce
December 24, 2025
ooooooo this was really interesting! the art is really great too! my only complaint is the edition i picked up had a section that was printed twice and skipped ahead in a way that made it seem like a chapter was missing, if that makes sense? anywho, if you like mermaids, apocalypse settings, and mechas, this graphic novel is for you!
November 13, 2024
Derek Kirk Kim's triumphant return to comics is like nothing else he's done before. The plot is simplistic, but I call that a strength because it gives rise to excellent set pieces for the action and emotional characterizations without a bit of fat on them. And the art is gorgeous to boot.
November 23, 2024
What an absolutely beautiful story. The artwork is evocative and gorgeous, the concept is fantastic (MERMAID MECH), and when I devoured this, I feel like there will be little details that I’ll enjoy noticing as I reread it repeatedly. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
December 10, 2024
Intense, gripping and one of the most beautifully drawn sci-fi graphic novels out there! Derek Kirk Kim’s art in this project is a culmination of his career in animation, writing, directing, and drawing. The storytelling is one of a kind.
#BestComicBook2024 #mermaid #axolotl #TheLastMermaid
#BestComicBook2024 #mermaid #axolotl #TheLastMermaid
January 5, 2025
Derivative, decompressed, Did Not Finish
Every second panel looks the same, nothing happens, zero character development. World building is weak. Lacks imagination. No backgrounds in any of the panels. Souless digital art.
Pointless
Every second panel looks the same, nothing happens, zero character development. World building is weak. Lacks imagination. No backgrounds in any of the panels. Souless digital art.
Pointless
July 2, 2025
Major misprint; an entire chapter repeated. Big plot plot holes. Why can the mermaid fix mechs when she’s been wandering alone since age 5.
The landscape art is nice. The figures and faces, not so much. The characters seemed like “Big Eyes” replicas done by a high school art student.
The landscape art is nice. The figures and faces, not so much. The characters seemed like “Big Eyes” replicas done by a high school art student.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews