Hello my loves!

So this weekend, we have a review for volume one of Fence, by C.S. Pacat. I’ve been meaning to read this, and looking forward to reading this, for well over a year at this point. Probably closer to two years, honestly. Why has it taken me this long? I really don’t know. I’m glad I finally picked it up, though!

One of the best things about this story, for me (aside from how good it is, obviously) is that my boss was captain of her college fencing team. We’ve talked about it a couple of times, so I actually saw bits and piece in the story that I recognized, which was cool (she fought sabre, and anyone who has read this comic will know why I started cackling in the middle section of this volume).

So the comic: I really, really like it. Passing familiarity with fencing aside, I wasn’t sure about this one as the artwork is different to what I usually lean toward, and the sporting aspect was a bit odd for me. Not my norm. I am, however, really glad that I was encouraged by a few different people to pick this one up, because the story (so far) is both very good and very realistic. First of all, nobody can angst quite like teenagers, and this comes through really well – I was cringing through several bits, but laughing as well because I am a grown-ass woman cringing at a comic about high-school fencers.

I enjoy the realistic representation of relationships in this comic as well – yes, including LGBTQIA+ relationships. It is utterly normal and (so far, anyway) completely accepted which is fantastic and something I hope to see far more of in contemporary art and literature. This is only the first volume so I don’t know a huge amount about the characters and plot just yet, but this is a really good setup volume and I am absolutely going to get the next when. When? Can’t say – no time, lockdown, questionable funding between now and next year. But at some point, I will be following this up!

Well worth a read, people.

Image credit: my photograph of my sister’s copy of the comic (mine is in Canberra and I am in Melbourne lockdown).

Categories: Comics/Graphic Novels

Tags: Australian Book Reviewer, book blogger, book review, book reviewer, bookstagrammer, C.S. Pacat, comic book, comics, Fence, Fence Volume One, representation matters