Review: Fence #2 by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

Fence #2
by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Published by Boom! Box
Comic/graphic novel, YA, LGBT, contemporary, sports

As Seiji and Nicholas struggle with their living arrangement, the competition heats up.

The first issue of Fence set the sport and competition nicely, but I really loved how this issue introduced the boarding school and the fencers there. It gives it a bit more in depth, although with all the new guys from the Kings Row fencing team, I'm more intrigued than ever. Also, I really want to learn more about everyone, especially Nicholas and Seiji, but everyone else too! Nicholas and Seiji's living arrangement was just so hilarious, the contrast between their personalities really comes through it. All the tension between them is just so amazing.

I need more, that's all I can say, because I really like this comic. I want to learn all about the characters, see more fencing scenes, and see if Nicholas can achieve his dreams. The wait between issues is killing me, even if I try to savour the issues and not read them as soon as they're published.

So yeah, really loving this world of boarding school, fencing, and these competitive boys. All I need is more of this adventure.

4 of 5 stars

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Review: Fence #1 by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

Fence #1
by C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad
Published by Boom! Box
Comic/graphic novel, YA, LGBT, contemporary, sports

Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox is an outsider to the competitive fencing world. Filled with raw talent but lacking proper training, he signs up for a competition that puts him head-to-head with fencing prodigy Seiji Katayama...and on the road to the elite all-boys school Kings Row. A chance at a real team and a place to belong awaits him—if he can make the cut!

I have been super excited about Fence for months - ever since I heard that Pacat was creating a comic about fencing with LGBT characters. I loved the Captive Prince series, so I dived right into the world of Fence, even if I haven't really read comics before and only a few graphic novels. First of all, I loved the artwork and illustrations: Johanna the Mad is talented, and I like the realistic style. There were multiple occasions where I just stared the panels and admired them! 

Then the story line and characters; I liked the main character Nicholas from the beginning. He's a raw talent with little to no training, but more than that, he's determined to make it to the elite school where he can fence and compete. The fencing prodigy, Seiji, also intrigued me and I can't wait to read more about him! This first installment was a nice start, however, my only complain is the length. Fence is around thirty pages long and since I'm used to reading books that have hundreds of pages, it all ended so soon and left me yearning for more. I know that comics are shorter and maybe it just takes a little bit time to get used to the shortness of them.

Anyway, I liked Fence and I'm excited the read more about Nicholas and his adventures in the world of fencing - and I do recommend it for everyone who's intrigued by the premise!

4 of 5 stars

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