Fence, vol. 1

Fence (2017)

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Content Warnings: None

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.

From: BOOM! Studios

Notes on This Title

None.

Awards

2019 GLAAD Media Award Nominee for Outstanding Comic Book

Reviews

“The story stars two young men, Nicholas Cox and Seiji Katayama, who have seemingly little in common beyond competitive fencing. Nicholas is poorly trained, but possesses natural skill and a drive that pushes him to succeed, while Seiji is a seasoned competitor with an unbeatable record. It’s a familiar trope, but that’s because it works. The contrast provides immediate tension and lays out a compelling plot with specific parameters.” (Source: Paste Magazine)

“One of the downsides of a sports rivalry is that the rivals are usually on opposing teams, meeting face-to-face only at games. But Pacat has no patience for delay; she puts her heroes in each other’s pockets from the start. She goes even farther than that, though. In sports manga, the rivalries are fairly obviously standing in for forbidden gay attraction. In Fence, that attraction isn’t forbidden in the least.” (Source: NPR)

Interviews

The Mary Sue: “C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad Bring Unique Perspectives on Gender, Sports, and Art to Boom! Studios’ Fence”

SyFy: “Indie Comics Spotlight: Why Johanna The Mad had to learn fencing to draw for Boom! Studios”

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