Queer sports romance meets elite private school stakes in the first of three
young adult graphic novels from the hit series Fence!
Fence Book One
Author: C.S. Pacat
Illustrated by: Johanna The Mad
Collects Fence issues #1-12
“Gives me all the elements of a great sports story that makes me feel fully embraced into the world of fencing.”—IGN
“An action-packed slow burn you won’t want to miss.”
—Judith Utz, Teen Vogue, on Fence #1
“Come for the boys who fence, leave with more pretty boys who fence and what looks to be a new rivalry for the ages.”
—Carrie McClain, Black Nerd Problems, on Fence #2
Having sold over 1 million copies worldwide, New York Times–bestselling author of the Captive Prince trilogy, C.S. Pacat, in conjunction with fan favorite and critically acclaimed artist Johanna the Mad, brings the first of three graphic novels collecting the much-beloved breakout GLAAD-nominated Fence comic, which garnered 1.5 million views and counting after its recent debut on Webtoon on March 15, 2026. Unlocking the series in an official graphic novel format, Fence Book One (BOOM! Box; $18.99 paperback; 336 pages; on sale Sep. 1, 2026) follows an eclectic group of competitive fencers, each with their own goals and secrets, as they navigate intense rivalries, personal growth, and found family at an elite boys’ school. This is a sports romance that comes at you as fast as a parry and hits as hard as a strike.
Young adult audiences hungry for a combination of teammates-to-lovers and rivals-to-lovers will find an energizing underdog story in which an up-and-coming diamond in the rough, hidden in the shadows, challenges a near-untouchable prodigy of fencing. The Fence series continues to satiate fans’ appetite for sports anime like Haikyuu!! and readers seeking character-driven stories with a dash of slow burn romance.
Scrappy fencer Nicholas Cox has big dreams of following in the footsteps of the father he’s never known, but when he’s accepted to the elite Kings Row private school, he’s thrust into a world of cutthroat competition. From privileged rivals, grueling practices, and romance between teammates, Nicholas and the boys of Kings Row must discover there’s more to fencing than just foils and lunges if they’re going to keep their place on the team.
Popular for libraries and graphic novel collections prioritizing inclusive storytelling, the first printing will also include sprayed edges. Fence Book One is distributed worldwide by Penguin Random House and will be available everywhere September 1, 2026.
About the Creators
C.S. Pacat is the New York Times– and USA Today–bestselling author of Dark Rise, the Captive Prince trilogy, and the GLAAD-nominated graphic novels Fence, and has also written for DC Comics. C.S. Pacat has lived in a number of cities, including Tokyo and Perugia, and currently resides and writes in Melbourne.
Johanna The Mad is a comic book artist and illustrator from Mexico. Thanks to growing a social media following, she turned into a freelance artist and has worked with publishers like BOOM! Studios and Little, Brown. Find her social links at linktr.ee/johannathemad.
More Praise for Fence
“It delivers action, emotional ups and downs, and surprising depth in its characters.”—Graphic Policy
“A brisk and well-done piece of fiction that just so happens to ooze with personality from cover to cover.”—SnapPow.com
“Come for the teen drama, stay to learn a little more about a sport many only see once every four years and the genre of sports manga. You won’t be disappointed.”—Multiversity Comics
“A fun and emotionally compelling series.”—Comicsverse
“The most pleasant surprises I’ve had in a while … If you’re looking for a heartwarming escape from the dredges of reality, Fence would be a great place to start.”—Geeks Out