Of Swamp & Sea Volume One by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

The reproduction quality of this galley is not representative of the final book.

ADVANCE READER’S EDITION—NOT FOR SALE

Of Swamp & Sea Volume One

Mia Jay Boulton

Laurel Boulton

November 2025

Mercy Gray Harding’s troubles started in the swampland on the outskirts of town—that’s where a mist wolf murdered her father. She enlists a monster hunter named Jonah to put the creature down, but the plan quickly falls apart. The incorporeal beast tries to attack Mercy and instead possesses her. Now new human and wolfish sides must grapple for control.

Jonah promises to set things right, and the two set off for a cure. But the open road is full of untold danger, and her powers come in handy. And is it Mercy or the wolf who is flirting with the handsome Jonah?

Mia Jay Boulton is a writer and illustrator with a passion for cinematic storytelling that explores romance and interpersonal drama. Alongside her wife, Laurel, she tells stories that celebrate the beauty in everyone, from humans to monsters.

Laurel Boulton is a graphic designer with a fascination for the Southern Gothic genre, the supernatural, and the magic of forests and oceans. She co-writes Of Swamp & Sea and handles the colors and rendering.

ISBN: 978-1-250-38696-0

Price: $19.99 US / $27.99 CAN

On Sale Date: 11/4/2025

Category: Graphic Novel Fiction

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages/Trim: 256 / 6" x 9"

Age: Adult

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SEA SWAMP

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Mia Jay Boulton

Laurel Boulton

New York

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Special thanks to Aria Villafranca Mia and Laurel

From the lone sheep pasture, from the night-wind’s moan,

From the wild scud of clouds, and the grass’s monotone, From the sad wailing of the whippoorwills,

From the low swamp where the dark fern distils Its heavy dew, the Lone Wolf comes.

Chapter One Glow

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I wonder...

...what happened to his eye?

The town will be better off for this, I’m sure of it.

Not that anyone else would pitch in to ensure the beast’s capture…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

If you want something done right…

Ah, you pay someone to do it yourself?

Oh dear.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

You know, the one I put in the paper?

Haha…

Hrm.

I was beginning to think that no one would. What I mean to say is... Thank you for agreeing to this.

I know that it’s just a job for… ah, for people like you…

Monster hunters.

But still, it means a lot. Yes.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

This is where I found my father. He was...

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

...torn apart.

I’m sorry.

the teeth marks were enormous. As if they came from something bigger than any animal I can imagine. Only…

Isn’t that strange? Baffling.

Listen...

You seem brighter than most of the backwater folk I’ve had the pleasure of encountering since I got here.

Oh.

Thank you.

Yes, I’ll keep that in mind...

Although, I do hope it doesn’t come to that. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What is he thinking?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

And intriguing.

Hand me that lantern and go find some cover.

Teeth marks, huh?

All right.

If we’re lucky, I can convince our friend to pay us a visit.

After all this is done, maybe we could head back and I could, ah… make you some tea?

Well, I could mix us up some cocktails, then?

Just a thought.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

We’ll see.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

All right.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Let’s see how you like a meal that fights back, eh?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

The crickets…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s all become so quiet.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

The silence, it’s… suffocating.

It’s... ...fearsome.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I bet you made quite a mess. Damn.

Well, come on, then.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

You gonna growl about it?

Or you gonna have a go?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

If this beast kills him...

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

...if it tears him apart, that’s my fault.

I brought him here.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Hrnn-

Now that I have your attention…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Looking for something?

Ughn…

It’s prowling

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I have to move!

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Over my dead body, you son of a bitch!

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Something…

Something is happening…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Come on now…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Chapter Two Together

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Think twice.

This might not have done much to you while you were floating around in the bog, but right now you’re corporeal.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Flesh and blood. I’m willing to bet it’ll do a mite more.

Unless you want to find out, I suggest you get out of her. Now.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

There won’t be a second chance.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

If you’re in there and you’re awake, try to give me a sign. I need to know you’re in there. Fight.

Wait...

I’m sorry.

I-I’m not sure why I did that.

What?

Oh, we’re in my kitchen. Her kitchen? M-my- *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I’m sorry.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I won’t do it again.

Everything seems so cloudy.

Ugh…

My head...

Have a seat.

All right.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

We’re in something of a situation here, the lot of us.

I’m going to ask you some questions.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What’s your full name?

And who am I?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

My name is Mercy Gray Harding.

I hired you to… to hunt…me?

And you’re Jonah…

Well, you never told me your last name.

Look, I-I don’t think we need to do this.

I mean, I did hire you, when it comes down to it. I can call you off, can’t I? That depends.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Sure, you hired me, and you can call me off if that’s what you want.

Problem is, I’m not sure you’re you right now.

I’m me enough…

Maybe manifesting a mist wolf out of your face was a talent you always possessed and just neglected to mention before.

Somehow, I doubt it.

Next question, Ms. Harding. Your father. I think.

Do you remember what happened to him?

Well, I-

Ugh, my head aches horribly.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s as if... there’s two sets of memories here, trying to occupy the same place.

I killed him.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I remember… tearing him to pieces.

What did I do?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I remember finding his body.

What did I do?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I killed my own father, Jonah.

No, Mercy, listen.

Look at me. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Those aren’t your memories.

You didn’t kill him.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s the beast-it’s in your head. That’s whose memories you’re seeing.

Look, this is my fault. Something went wrong back in the swamp.

Some kind of... freak accident.

Something must have gone wrong with the compound I threw.

I’m sorry.

I’m going to…

Oh, Jonah.

I’m sorry, too. I should have left this well enough alone.

I never should have gotten us into this.

I’m going to try to fix it. Try to get the wolf out of you.

You can do that?

Oh… Is it another hunter?

Like you?

Not exactly.

He knows more about this sort of thing than I do.

But I’m afraid he’s not exactly just down the road. Oh...

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

We’ll stay the rest of the night here. Tomorrow morning, pack up some things and we’ll set out. I’ll take care of everything.

I...I’ll have to leave?

How far?

But that’s not for you to worry about.

Hard to say.

Most of the folks I associate with are…well, let’s call them transient.

I know this all must be difficult for you.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Just…try to get some rest. We can talk more tomorrow.

Good night, Jonah.

What will the world see when it looks at me?

I’ve never been far from home.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I wonder what’s waiting out there for me?

Beyond the town. Beyond the swamp.

Will it see me?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Or will it see the wolf?

Chapter Three Departure

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I guess I’m going to have to get used to strange dreams…

At least until Jonah gets the wolf out of my mind.

I never actually agreed to this journey of his. But I don’t think he was asking.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s so quiet.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Did he… leave? Jonah?

Morning. Morning.

Course not.

Told you last night I’m going to try and fix this whole mess, and I’m no liar.

Well…

I wasn’t lying, anyway.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

So I know that you’re not a tea kind of person.

I thought that maybe you had left.

How about a cup of coffee?

Sure. Thanks.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

That’s… coffee.

You know… …I’ve lived here, right by this swamp, my entire life. I had always hoped that I would see more of the world, but…

Well, I wasn’t expecting to see it this way, is all.

Now…I feel like I’m not supposed to leave it.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Probably the beast talking.

Doubt it wants to leave its hunting ground.

Probably gives it a sense of danger, being drawn out of hiding.

Well, good.

It should be nervous.

We’ll need to stock up on some bits and pieces before we leave.

Supplies, food.

You know where the nearest town is?

Well, technically, we’re on the outskirts of it now.

The town center is a bit south of here, and that’s where you’ll find the shops you’re looking for.

It’s not too far. I used to walk there to get to my job at the bookstore.

We don’t-

I mean my father didn’t-

I don’t own a car. I’m sorry.

Do you think it’s safe for me to be around people?

Or rather…

I just… don’t want to be one of the things you hunt. That’s all.

You’ll be fine.

Just…don’t wander too far from me. As long as I’m close, you’ll be all right.

We’ll keep things under control.

We’ll sort this.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

…safe for people to be around me?

And you won’t have to be.

Or maybe, just maybe…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

...it will run wild.

The garden will be dead by the time I come back home.

Dead, or full of weeds.

Is that pack heavy?

A little. I wonder if I brought along too many books…

You brought… books?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Right, just need revolver ammunition now.

Running low after that fight.

Any idea where one might find such a thing as that in this… …“town”?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

That way.

Yes, actually. There’s a store that sells firearms near the end of town.

They’ve got an enormous yard in the back that they’ve set up as a shooting gallery.

My father used to go there a lot. Sometimes he took me with him. He tried to teach me to shoot a rifle once, but I’m afraid I never quite got the trick to it.

Oh, of course-

I suppose you already know all about that.

Sounds like he was a good man.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

He was. We were close.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Oh, Miss Harding! Oh no.

Herbert’s come down with a fever, so I’m running things around here today.

Who’s this now?

You’re not stomping all over your daddy’s grave already, are you?

You can't possibly think he'd approve...

Oh-Um-

This is the hunter I hired to-

He’s just- I’m helping him find supplies.

He needs… revolver bullets?

Revolver bullets.

There’s some on that side of the store. Mind if I have a moment with the lady?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Well, isn’t that something?

Guess I’ll be over there.

Won’t take long.

Let me know if you have any problems.

I do this kind, too.

Nice store.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I suspect this won’t be pleasant...

Well, he seems like a bit of a handful, doesn’t he?

I’m glad you’re here, Miss Harding, I was hoping to see you again.

He’s fine enough.

Ah.

I’m sure you would have.

You see, my son-you do know him, right? Seen him around the store? Handsome boy.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Oh no...

Well, the thing is… He’s looking to settle down and start a family.

He could use himself a pretty little wife like you.

I figure you could sell that old house, move into town.

Given your… …situation…

Well, it might just be the best thing for you.

I mean…

…you are twentyone years of age now, and still no marriage prospects…

Hm.

Well, just give it some thought, then.

I-I don’t think that now is necessarily the right time for me…

Oh!

While I have you here…

I forgot to mention that your father had an outstanding balance.

You know… for family.

For time spent at the gallery, as well as quite a few rounds for that rifle of his.

Of course, that’s the kind of thing someone might overlook…

Keep ahold of yourself.

Just take deep breaths.

Ma’am, I don’t think that this is appropriate-

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It is a real shame what happened to your daddy, you know.

We were all crushed, me and the boys.

No. Don’t you speak of him.

It’s not how any of us expected him to go, though, I’ll admit. You know, he never really made the best decisions, so we thought that*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Caught the tail end of that.

And as much as I’d like to let you finish your thought, that’s not your body to go murdering with.

Not to mention, goes against the job description. You understand. What I said before still goes. She’s a sweet girl, but I can’t let you go around killing folks.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

So you’d better listen to me and start getting that temper under control, or it’s lights-out.

For both of you.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Or maybe I’m bluffing.

Want to find out?

Let me go, Jonah. Please. Mercy, hold on*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

She was gonna kill you.

And I stopped her.

Consider that your outstanding balance paid up.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

And thanks for the ammo.

They’re...

Whoa!

Watch it!

Say, wasn’t that Bram’s girl?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

They’re all staring at me.

Hey- Is there some sort of trouble?

Hold up there, miss!

Please-

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What…?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What am I?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

…the Harding girl. Coulda sworn it was…

…something wrong with her eyes…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

…in an awful hurry…

Mercy? That you I’m talking to?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It wasn’t the beast that woman provoked. It was me.

Why does it matter?

I gave in to the wolf.

I let it take over.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

If you’re going to kill me, just do it.

I’m tired of being threatened.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I don’t like this situation any more than you do.

But if the wolf hurts somebody, that’s not on youit’s on me.

I had to stop it coming to that. I know. I know...

My legs feel like jelly.

Look, you hired me to do a job. I fucked it up. Doesn’t happen often, but it happens.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Sometimes, though, it’s other people.

People like you, who just want a monster dead and get more than they bargained for.

Now I’m sorry it happened.

I can’t always fix my fuckups.

But I’ll be damned if I’m not gonna try and fix this one.

But this is going to go a lot easier if we’re on the same side.

So, fine, no more threats.

But for your part, that means you stick with me… you don’t fight me…

and if what you said is true, and that was your choice back there… then you can learn to control it. Fight it.

How about it?

We understand each other?

It’s all so jumbled up. All these memories and all these instincts.

The wolf is fierce, and I can feel it even when it’s not in control.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

So, yes, we understand each other.

But…wanting

It can’t be.

I’ll try to learn to control it. I just worry… What if I can’t?

What if it’s not enough? *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Well, that’s what I’m here for.

I’ll watch you, just like I did today.

And what about you?

I’ve already hurt you.

I’m sorry.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What, this?

I can handle myself.

You don’t wrestle the likes of harpies for a living if you’re afraid of a little scratch.

Course, I never met a harpy like Missus Gunshop back there before…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I’ve got it handled. You have my word.

This trip of ours may not be pretty, but it’ll be all right.

Can’t believe you didn’t want to marry into that, though. What an offer.

Well, he’s a little rough around the edges.

Okay, Jonah.

Missus Mercy Gunshop. I bet she’d even let you work the counter sometimes.

But I think he’s trying his best. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

A week ago, if someone had told me I would be sharing a hotel room with a monster hunter for hire…

This feels rather improper.

…well, I’m not sure I would have believed them.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Well, maybe a little impropriety every now and then isn’t so bad.

Good night, Jonah.

I can’t believe I did that. Why did I do that? What must he think of me? I’m so embarrassed, what’s wrong with me? It’s bad enough that we’re sharing a room, and now I’ve just made it worse! We’re sharing a room! Why did I do that?

Chapter Four Novel

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Langston? Jonah.

It has. Listen-

I’m trying to track down Snarl.

What? When?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Maybe he didn’t notice.

Can you get him to stay put any longer?

Port Falrest?

Look, I need his help with something.

It’s important, and it needs to be him.

Well, I need you to try. Tell him I’ll make it worth his while.

I don’t know. Just until the end of the month-that should be long enough.

I understand. Just do what you can.

Thanks, Langston.

So, hear anything interesting?

Uh-huh...

He noticed.

It’s quite a story, you know.

It’s full

ForReviewPurposesOnly

I’m not sure what you mean.

I’ve been rather absorbed with my novel, you see.

The protagonist is something of a heartthrob, if you catch my meaning.

He has a sharp wit and a pretty face but is wrestling with a sordid past that makes him seem aloof and detached.

You know, in some ways, he almost reminds me of you, actually. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I mean, I’m not trying to say that you’re unattractive, because I don’t-

What in the world do you call that?

I call it evidence. I saw it again last night, rooting around in my barn, eating straight from the grain sacks.

Uh-huh...

Having the damndest year. First the coyotes, and now this beast.

What next? Pestilence? *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Gee whiz, Gav.

…which is to say, I’m not trying to accuse you of being-

Come on now, Gav.

Look, don’t get yourself down about it. Me and the boys will swing by tonight.

One or two blasts from a shotgun ought to take care of your monster. What do you say?

Wait here a minute.

Excuse me, couldn’t help but overhear.

You got a monster problem?

That was mortifying, but at least I don’t think he was paying attention.

Not for much longer he doesn’t.

What of it?

I’m what you’d call a professional in such matters. What you’ve got thereBulky creature?

Gray hide, curved antlers?

That’s it! Aye, that’s him!

I’ve seen these creatures before. Can’t recommend you and your “boys” try and handle it alone.

It’ll take a damn sight more than a shotgun to put it down.

Professional “monster killer” says we can’t handle killing the monster.

Go figure, right, Gav?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

We’ll be just fine, thanks anyway, fella. Suit yourselves.

Sure you’ll do better than the last folks I saw try to put down a brancher.

Ah, hold on a second there, mister...

Gentlemen.

Gav, come on- Bertie, I’ve seen this thing.

If this hunter says he can

Jonah.

It’s what I do.

Right. Uh...this beast. You could take care of it? For good?

Here, let me give you the address…

Is there… something wrong?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

You might say so…

Seems there’s something of a… situation.

I just caught wind of a couple of geniuses about to put down a beast that doesn’t need putting down.

Oh?

If the creature they’re talking about is what I suspect it is, it’s not typically harmful to humans.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s a herbivore, keeps to itself. No reason for it to die.

But…if those two get their way, that’s likely what’ll happen.

But you want to stop them?

It doesn’t matter. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

To save this creature?

Why?

As long as you’re keeping an eye on the wolf, is there really in harm in taking our time?

I’d hate to keep you from your work.

What…what do you mean?

Look, the truth is, I’ve heard stories about spiritual possessions.

Like the kind you have.

In similar cases…

if the spirit wasn’t exorcized in time…

...the possession became permanent. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

The spirit took over entirely.

And everything that made that person who they were was gone forever.

Now, I don’t have any intentions of seeing that happen to you.

So we keep moving.

If I weren’t here with you, would … Yes.

And if you don’t stop, those men will kill it?

It…

...seems likely.

Then that’s what you should do.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

But-

I don’t want my company to be the reason you can’t do this.

Let’s help the creature.

You’ll get me where we need to go in time.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I trust you.

It’s all a little strange, though, I have to admit.

Don’t you usually, you know…

…hunt things like this?

I thought that monsters were evil.

And the ones that aren’t-do you often go about saving their lives?

But sometimes. Not often.

Harmless nonhuman wanders where it shouldn’t, gets folks riled up.

Suddenly the “monster” is the one that needs protecting.

Your outlook is a very

So, not my job, not technically.

But I figure, if I don’t, nobody’s going to.

Noble, eh?

Unexpectedly so, actually.

He almost reminds me of you, actually...

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

That’s a new one to me.

And here I was just getting used to being aloof and detached. You know. On account of my sordid past.

Think of you as a heartthrob...

Think of you as a heartthrob... Think of you as a heartthrob...

He has a sharp wit and a pretty face...

Aloof and detatched.. A pretty face...

Wrestling with a sordid past...

That’s not to say that I think of you as a heartthrobNot trying to say that you’re unattractive...

Farmer probably spooked it.

It must be awfully hungry. It would seem so.

But it’s going to have to find somewhere else to eat if its alternative is a round of buckshot to the head. *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Average brancher doesn’t come out before sundown, and by the farmer’s account, this one is no different.

Which means you’re about to discover the most riveting part of monster hunting…

Oh?

The waiting around. You’d be surprised how much of it there is.

It probably has a burrow it’ll flee to once it sees us.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I’ll have to follow it and scare it off from there.

Seems like the only way it’ll get the message.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s about emotion.

You know what I mean?

That’s what I like about it.

Grand battles are all well and good...

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s about gutwrenching, heartpounding humanity.

Ahh.

Take for instance our protagonist’s encounter with the murder of crows.

It’s a metaphor for his own inner turmoil.

Turmoil. Right. And what’s a metaphor?

Hehe...

Oh.

He’s not joking, is he?

Um, well…

A metaphor is a literary device.

So, I could say, ah…

I could say that this barn is…is a pot in which our patience is boiling away.

It’s when a writer states that one thing is actually something else.

It’s, ah...

So as to draw a comparison between them. You see?

Yes. I got it.

It’s not actually a pot.

Did…you go to school…?

Most of the books I read are about real things. Places.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s so big!

Jonah, you said they weren’t dangerous…

Please be careful…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Okay, that’s that part done.

They’re not… usually that aggressive.

There’s something strange about this one. But are they usually that big?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I think you rather undersold the beast!

Pretty standard size for an adult.

That was… That was really something.

Do you always wrestle your monsters?

Not always. But sometimes.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

When they have it coming.

Branchers are fairly smart creatures.

They’ll take care coming and going from their hideouts.

Don’t leave much in the way of tracks.

But give it a good scare like we just did, and instinct takes over.

He walks so fast! I can hardly keep up.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I guess that’s just part of the hunt.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Well…

I suppose the “fairly smart” part of the brancher’s mind took over again.

Jonah, now that the wolf is…well… you know…

You don’t suppose I could… smell the creature?

Hmmm...

Ah, no.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

There’s something about the trees.

When I look at them like this, they…

Right. Keeping an eye out.

…feel like home.

Jonah, I found something!

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s some manner of carcass.

Too small to have been a wolf. Wild dog, maybe, or…

You’re right. From blunt impact.

Look at its bones-I think those are ribs-they’ve been snapped.

The farmer said he was having coyote problems up until recently.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Looks like maybe our brancher is the reason they stopped.

What kind of brancher fights off coyotes rather than finding somewhere else to nest?

Maybe we can ask it ourselves.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Nicely found. Stay close.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Looks like she’s holed up here to protect her young.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

It’s more dangerous for them to travel at this age, so she fought off the coyotes to make

Now she’s stealing food from the farm to feed them.

Well, we can’t chase them off now!

Think I have a plan.

Look at how happy they are.

We’ll see if I can undo some of the damage I did back at the barn…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

You stay put for a bit.

Easy…

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

You’re fine. Not a chance!

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Okay…

Maybe a small chance.

Wow!

Here, let me see your hand.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What’s your plan?

And that’s about the size of it.

Leave some grain in a small sack outside your barn and keep it locked.

The brancher isn’t a danger to humans, and it won’t harm your cattle.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

You have my word.

Your word?!

You’re lucky I didn’t.

If I took out the brancher, those coyotes of yours would come right back.

I thought I had your word you’d kill the damn beast!

What kind of a monster hunter are you, anyways?

I don’t want a relationship!

I want it dead!

What you have here is a chance for a mutually beneficial relationship.

The brancher will move on in its own time, but for right now, it’s not going anywhere.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

A little grain, once a night. No more coyotes, and you can sleep soundly. That’s the deal.

I’m not paying you.

Somehow I had a feeling. I suppose that’s that.

Maybe if he had seen the babies he would understand. Or maybe he wouldn’t.

You know, that was a kind thing you did. I’m glad I was there to see it.

It’s the job.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

So… how does it end, anyway? That book of yours.

Oh! The book!

After these last few days, my world seems so much bigger...

Well...

I wonder, how much bigger still must Jonah’s world be?

Ah, you know. It doesn’t really matter now.

Besides, I’m sure I’ve been boring you.

All right. Hm.

You know, though, I’m actually-

I’m sort of invested in it now.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

If it’s all the same...

I’d like to hear about it.

Chapter Five Vanish

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

We’ve stopped?

I’m sorry. I must have nodded off.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

We haven’t arrived already, have we?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

No,

The postman’s gone.

And so is the horse.

Come again?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Must have left the road.

Probably a delivery down through those trees, far enough away that he wanted his horse.

Yes, he must have.

A bit strange, though.

town now. We can walk *ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Shouldn’t we have seen someone by now?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Maybe everyone’s afraid of the rain.

I don’t think so.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

I don’t like it... But we still need supplies, and there’s not another town around for miles.

Everything’s rotted.

Something happened here.

Detour like that would take time...

Something we don’t have a whole lot of.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

See what you can find around here but stay close.

And Mercy...

Move quietly.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Eerie. All of it.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

There’s nothing.

You’re not yourself.

Hey, listen to me. We got what we need. We can go now.

It’s not raining.

Son of

Get into a building!

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Let me fight them!

We’ve got a few minutes.

What?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

No. By no means.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Okay.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

My face…

Keeping… calm.

What-

Tell me you have a plan!

What do we do?

Working on it.

Those are rain fairies.

Hm.

Not much of this left…

All right, forget the keeping calm thing.

anything organic, but they have a tougher time if it’s not meat.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Go find anything that’ll explode, that’ll burn. Stick some rags in bottles of alcohol.

You must have a colorful history.

Worse than this?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Ugh! That’ll certainly burn.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Found plenty of alcohol.

The kitchen was…well stocked.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Family after my own heart.

They must have lived here…

It’s horrible, what must have happened here.

Though, I suppose you see this sort of thing all the time.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Stiff drink helps.

You’re doing good. One

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Straight down the hall is the back door.

When I say go, open it, throw that, and get out and as far away as possible.

I’ll be right behind you.

Might be a little late for the folks who lived here, but I’m gonna take care of their pest problem.

You still have my problem to fix.

Be careful, if you don’t mind.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

What…?

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Are you all right?

Can you stand?

I’m all right. Just a little-

Things were a little strange there, for a moment.

He’s not human.

Not entirely.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

He’s something changed.

Something like me.

Your eye...

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Not mine.

We’re done here.

Time to move.

Long story.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Later.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

To be continued in

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Thank you for reading Of Swamp & Sea

Volume One!

Of Swamp & Sea has been a passion project for the two of us for over ten years now. It was one of the first stories that we worked on together. When we decided to start publishing our work for the world to see, we knew we wanted to start with Mercy and Jonah.

The story that has been dear to our hearts for so long has now been welcomed into the hearts of thousands of readers. We’re so very happy to have an OSAS edition for those readers to finally hold in their hands, as has long been requested.

The following pages contain some bonus OSAS art for your enjoyment. Included is early concept art for our main characters, the mist wolf, and the other monsters that populate the adventures of Volume One. Also featured are some pieces created for promotional purposes—namely, launch banners for WEBTOON.

Finally, we have included a couple of excerpts from the Of Swamp & Sea unpublished prose version. Writing in this format is how we have always created our stories in the early stages before they’re adapted into scripts and then transferred onto the page as a finished comic.

Thanks again for joining us on this adventure, and we hope you enjoy everything yet to come.

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

-Mia Jay and Laurel

Concept Art

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Promo Art

*ForReviewPurposesOnly*

Prose Excerpts

Before she could find the words, her vision dimmed. It flickered like a lantern that had sipped its last drop of fuel. Knees buckling beneath her, she dropped to the ground, a stone sinking to the bottom of a well. A groan escaped her lips as she turned onto her back, finding the hunter among the specks of darkened ash that seemed to be sweeping through the air.

What she saw trapped the air in her lungs and threw her heart off its rhythm. She blinked, trying to make sense of the sight, putting together the pieces of a grotesque puzzle. And yet, her senses were slow, trapped beneath a weight that seemed to blanket her like a storm cloud. Mercy watched as the world around them did something indescribable. It aged. Rapidly and visibly, what might have been became real, a distant future racing

The pale light of the lantern illuminated their faces as the hunter held it between them. His was grizzled and inscrutable. Hers, he thought, was playing at being coy for a fleeting moment.

“We’ll see” was all he said before she turned and left him alone with her lantern and her lingering words. He watched her walk away to hide somewhere, a girl who had just had a hole ripped into her life by something with big teeth, who had lost a father whom she obviously cared for, and who now was wandering a darkened swamp with a man who had promised his gun and his expertise for a stack of cash.

He tried to imagine what she was thinking. How it would play out. Then he imagined her sitting alone in that little house, having that tea by herself.

He sighed again and needed a drink, but it wasn’t tea.

Published by 23rd St. 23rd Street is an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 23rdstbooks.com • firstsecondbooks.com © 2025 by Mia Jay Boulton and Laurel Boulton All rights reserved

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024948830

Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact your local bookseller or the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.

First edition, 2025

Edited by Robyn Chapman

Cover design by Molly Johanson

Interior book design by Molly Johanson

Production editing by Starr Baer

Of Swamp & Sea Volume One was previously serialized as a scrolling webcomic on WEBTOON.

Penciled, inked, and colored digitally in Clip Studio Paint using a Wacom Cintiq 16. Color correction in Photoshop. Lettered digitally with the Ready for Anything and Ready for More fonts from Blambot. Printed in China

ISBN 978-1-250-38696-0 (paperback)

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ISBN 978-1-250-38694-6 (hardcover)

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