It’s been awhile since I did a review for graphic novels but I’ve finally read a couple again. These are the latest releases in 2 of my favorite series (and 2 of the only ones I’m all caught up with, haha). I had high hopes for both of these so let’s see if they lived up to it!
A mysterious new fencer arrives at Halverton in the newest chapter of the GLAAD Media Award-nominated sports comic, perfect for fans of Heartstopper.
THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN RESET… EN GARDE! Return to the thrilling world of high-stakes, competitive fencing, with a brand new story featuring the beloved cast of characters from the original hit series. Are Seiji and Jesse really through? The rumors around Halverton, the prestigious fencing training camp, have spread like wildfire, but it’s not long before a mystery fencer arrives–one who may finally pose a threat to the #1 spot. Will Seiji’s unquenchable quest for rivalry take Nicholas’ place? Where will his loyalty lie? And, when Seiji gets an up close and personal look into Nicholas’ past and determination against adversity while preparing for the difficult road ahead and the State Championships, he’ll have to confront a tempting thought… are they on… a date? New York Times and USA Today best-selling author C. S. Pacat (Dark Rise, Nightwing) and acclaimed cartoonist Johanna the Mad (Wynd) continue their winning streak with this on-point entry in the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series! Collects Redemption #1-4.
Fence, Vol. 6: Redemption by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Published by Image Comics on 16/01/2024
Goodreads
Fence is possibly my favorite graphic novel series so I was once again so glad to get the newest volume. It took me a bit to actually read it, I was super stressed and wanted to fully enjoy it. Last weekend I went to the hairdresser and while waiting I read Fence vol. 6.
This series is very slow moving, I think the whole volume took place over the course of 1 or 2 days. But that is one of the things I love so much about it. You get to see everything that is happening while learning about the sport. We also get a couple of flashbacks focused on different characters. While Nicholas is the main character we also get to see what the other characters are up to and get to know them better and better with each volume.
I already said this is a slow moving story, but the romance is also the slowest burn ever. In this volume we finally get something that resembles a step in the right direction and I can’t wait until we get more. That is probably the biggest point of critique I have, the wait in between these volumes is wayyyyy too long and it slowly kills me haha. The volumes are also too short for my liking but I think that just shows that I love it a lot. I also have to mention the art, I love it so much. This seems to be the only series Johanna the Mad really worked on, at least as far as I know. I would love to get more of her work. And wouldn’t she be perfect for a All For the Game graphic novel series?
While Hazel and her family fight for scraps to survive, the rich and powerful race to forge new allegiances in the universe’s never-ending war.
Romeo & Juliet meets Star Wars in this genre-blending, sci-fi/fantasy space opera about star crossed lovers from enemy worlds. An epic for mature readers, Saga follows new parents Marko and Alana as they risk everything to raise their child amidst a never-ending galactic war. A multiple award winning, critically acclaimed masterpiece and one of the most iconic, bestselling comic book series of its time.
The SAGA series has sold over 7 million copies to date across all formats, has been translated into 20 languages, and has garnered multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, plus a Hugo Award, British Fantasy Award, Goodreads Choice Award, Shuster Award, Inkwell Award, Ringo Award, and more. It has been featured in such mainstream media outlets as TIME, Entertainment Weekly, The Atlantic, NPR, and beyond, and has become a pop culture phenomenon.
Saga, Volume 11 by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples
Published by Image Comics on 29/11/2023
Pages: 153
Goodreads
I really enjoy this space opera series and I’m so happy to have read this 11th volume. The art style is gorgeous and I love how distinctive all the characters are. Because there are a lot of characters in this series! In some graphic novel series I get confused as to who is who but that never happens here. The art and story are definitely adult and can get really graphic.
A lot happened in this volume, but at the same time it felt like nothing happened at all if that makes sense? There were a lot of ‘moments’ but it also seems like it’s all just slowly building up to something big. It looks like we also lost some characters but after volume 9 I don’t think any loss will shock me anymore. And no, I’m still not over that so I was a believer just like Hazel was in this volume.
I enjoyed this one more than I did volume 10 and think this one was really well done. After looking at some other reviews, I think we mostly feel the same. There is not much happening in the overall plot but there were a lot of subplot things going on and they were done really well. I think we’ll get more of the main plot moving forward in the next volume so I’m already excited about that one! Alana and her kids have formed such a wonderful little family and I could read about them for days on end.
Those were my thoughts on the most recent volumes of Fence and Saga, two of my most beloved, current graphic novel series. I hate waiting for the next volumes (especially when there’s not even a new one announced…), so if you have some recommendations to keep me busy in the meantime that would be appreciated ;). Let me know if you’ve read these in the comments down below!
