Boom’s ‘Fence’ To Become Original Graphic Novel Series
Novelist C.S. Pacat and artist Johanna the Mad’s Fence (Boom! Studios), a popular LGBTQ comics series about a fencing rivalry, will become an original graphic novel series following the end of the 12-issue periodical run in November.
Fence, the story of the rivalry (and personal relationship) between competitive fencers Nickolas Coste and Seiji Katayama at a prestigious private school, was an immediate hit with fans when it was launched as a 12 issue limited series in 2017 by Boom! Studios. In July, Boom! Studios released Fence Vol. 1, a trade paperback collection of the first four issues of the best selling series. Fence Vol.2 will be released in January 2019 and Fence Vol.3 will be available in April 2019.
Boom! Studios’ v-p, marketing Arune Singh said the initial book collection sold out after its release in July. “The book market sales are incredibly strong - we sold out of our first printing of Fence Vol.1 immediately when it released,” he said.
Novelist C.S. Pacat, author the LGBTQ-themed fantasy triology Captive Prince, said “I’m so thrilled that Fence will be continuing as a series of graphic novels! Thanks to the amazing support of fans who have shown the series so much love it can now go to a whole new level. I can’t wait to take these characters all the way to nationals, to reveal some huge surprises that we’ve got stored up - and of course for the team romances to blossom!”
Fence is published by Boom! Studios’ Boom! Box imprint, which publishes such acclaimed YA graphic novel series as Lumberjanes by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn Allen, and Noelle Stevenson, Giant Days by John Allison, Lissa Treiman, and Max Sarin, and Goldie Vance by Hope Larson and Brittney Williams.
“Continuing Fence as original graphic novels was the perfect solution,” Boom! senior editor Shannon Watters said. “Cat, Johanna and everyone on this series is thrilled not only that we got to tell our complete story over these twelve issues but that we get to tell the next chapter of Nicholas, Seiji and everyone’s journeys with lots of fighting, romance, and humor.”
