Fence #1 –
Boom! Box
Written by C.S. Pacat
Art by Johanna The Mad
Colors by Joana LaFuente
Letters by Jim Campbell
When was the last time you watched fencing? It’s ok…the majority of us probably have the same answer. At the same time, there is something fascinating about it. Plus, it may be the closest (and safest) we get to any sort of medieval sword battles in modern times. Would it be crazy to have a comic about a niche sport like this? Well…call Boom! Studios crazy, because that’s what is happening.
Fence is a story that is legitimately about fencing, but also about a group of young adults who are vying for a better future. Yes, there are scholarships for fencing too, folks. Nicholas Cox is trying his best to break into the sport and, at the same time, be a part of a group that seems to have been together for a while. You can imagine how that works out when an outsider tries to venture into any competitive situation. Not to mention, Nicholas draws the top competitor in the entire competition in his first match. One thing you really love about Nicholas in this book is his attitude and his competitive spirit. There is also some vulnerability there, but I won’t spoil what that is all about or the results of the match itself. That determination leads to an opportunity for Nicholas, but I will admit, I did not see the ending of this book coming. It’s surprising, and set up very well.
This book captures the would of young adults quite well. If you’ve seen the movie School Ties with Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon, it’s kind of like that but less intense (and without the antisemitism.) Dealing with wanting something and wanting to be a part of something at the same time is a balance that plays well here. Plus, how can you go wrong when you’re artist’s name is Johanna The Mad? I was really getting into the visuals during the match itself, and found myself wanting even more. That’s what this book does very well, overall…it makes you want more. Sure there is some fencing terminology, but there’s no harm in learning a little something. Nicholas gets training, so in a way, we are too. While I don’t feel like I’m ready to grab a foil and take on the world, I do feel like this is a book that I want to read more of.
Boom! Box
Written by C.S. Pacat
Art by Johanna The Mad
Colors by Joana LaFuente
Letters by Jim Campbell
When was the last time you watched fencing? It’s ok…the majority of us probably have the same answer. At the same time, there is something fascinating about it. Plus, it may be the closest (and safest) we get to any sort of medieval sword battles in modern times. Would it be crazy to have a comic about a niche sport like this? Well…call Boom! Studios crazy, because that’s what is happening.
Fence is a story that is legitimately about fencing, but also about a group of young adults who are vying for a better future. Yes, there are scholarships for fencing too, folks. Nicholas Cox is trying his best to break into the sport and, at the same time, be a part of a group that seems to have been together for a while. You can imagine how that works out when an outsider tries to venture into any competitive situation. Not to mention, Nicholas draws the top competitor in the entire competition in his first match. One thing you really love about Nicholas in this book is his attitude and his competitive spirit. There is also some vulnerability there, but I won’t spoil what that is all about or the results of the match itself. That determination leads to an opportunity for Nicholas, but I will admit, I did not see the ending of this book coming. It’s surprising, and set up very well.
This book captures the would of young adults quite well. If you’ve seen the movie School Ties with Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon, it’s kind of like that but less intense (and without the antisemitism.) Dealing with wanting something and wanting to be a part of something at the same time is a balance that plays well here. Plus, how can you go wrong when you’re artist’s name is Johanna The Mad? I was really getting into the visuals during the match itself, and found myself wanting even more. That’s what this book does very well, overall…it makes you want more. Sure there is some fencing terminology, but there’s no harm in learning a little something. Nicholas gets training, so in a way, we are too. While I don’t feel like I’m ready to grab a foil and take on the world, I do feel like this is a book that I want to read more of.
RATING: PULL / BUY