Fence, Vol.2 by C.S. Pacat (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Fence, Vol 1 REVIEW

Title: Fence Vol. 2
Author: C.S. Pacat
Artists: Johanna the Mad & Joana LaFuente
Recent Release Date: January 15, 2019

Synopsis: Nicholas Cox is determined to prove himself in the world of competitive fencing, and earn his place on the Kings Row fencing team, alongside sullen fencing prodigy, Seiji Katayama, to win the right to go up against his golden-boy half-brother.

Tryouts are well underway at King’s Row for a spot on the prodigious fencing team, and scrappy fencer Nicholas isn’t sure he’s going to make the grade in the face of surly upperclassmen, nearly impossibly odds, and his seemingly unstoppable roommate, the surly, sullen Seiji Katayama. It’ll take more than sheer determination to overcome a challenge this big!

From the superstar team of C.S. Pacat (The Captive Prince) and fan-favorite artist Johanna the Mad comes the second volume of this acclaimed, dynamic series.

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Review: I don't usually read sports comics, but I am really enjoying this series. It reminds me of the anime Yuri! on ice. All of the sports lingo is explained through context. There are plenty of fencing specific words and references, but you don't have to be familiar with the sport. There's so much wonderfully exaggerated drama in this series and I love it all. There's also great tension. Potential romantic tension? Rivals to Lovers? Friendship to Lovers? Friendship to Rivals? So many different dynamics of relationships. 

Although I am really enjoying this series, I wanted more to happen. There's a lot of build-up. With not much pay out yet. I'll give this book a 4/5, but i have already pre-ordered Volume 3!   


--PAUL

Fence Vol.1 (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Fence Vol. 1
Author: C.S. Pacat
Artists: Johanna the Mad & Joana LaFuente
Recent Release Date: July 31, 2018

Synopsis: Nicholas Cox is determined to prove himself in the world of competitive fencing, and earn his place alongside fencing legends like the dad he never knew, but things get more complicated when he’s up against his golden-boy half-brother, as well as sullen fencing prodigy, Seiji Katayama.

Nicholas, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, is a scrappy fencing wunderkind, and dreams of getting the chance and the training to actually compete. After getting accepted to the prodigious Kings Row private school, Nicholas is thrust into a cut-throat world, and finds himself facing not only his golden-boy half-brother, but the unbeatable, mysterious Seiji Katayama...

Through clashes, rivalries, and romance between teammates, Nicholas and the boys of Kings Row will discover there’s much more to fencing than just foils and lunges.

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Review: This graphic novel reminds me of Yuri on Ice in all the right ways. I've heard so much praise for Pacat's The Captive Prince, but I haven't read it. When I saw she wrote a fencing comic with queer characters, I was all in! I'm not a big sports buff so I really enjoyed the explanations into the world of fencing. There's not too much to bog you down, but definitely enough to get you invested and excited for each match. 

I haven't read an extensive amount of manga, but I can see the sports manga/anime tropes being used. They're done in a fresh way. I love how casually queer this comic is. Sexuality is very nonchalant. I've excited for the slow burn rivals to lovers scenario to go down! This is only the first volume, so I can just see a glimpse of potential so far.

I give this graphic novel a 5/5. It's a fun fencing comic with interesting characters. I've already pre-ordered the second volume.  


--PAUL