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Strangers in Paradise Trade Paperbacks #14
Strangers in Paradise, Volume 14: David's Story
At fifteen he was a member of L.A.'s most powerful street gang, facing murder charges and fighting for his life, both on the streets and in his own household. But on the darkest day of his life, Yousaka Takahashi makes a vow to a dead boy and turns his life around to become David Qin. Just when David's life seems to be on track, however, he meets an alcoholic teenager named Katchoo and falls deeply in love. From a life of violence and incest to one of faith and love, this is the story of one of Strangers In Paradise's most enigmatic characters, David Qin.
88 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2004
3 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Terry Moore
826 books649 followersFollowing the examples of independent comic creators such as Dave Sim and Jeff Smith, he decided to publish Strangers in Paradise himself through his own Houston-based "Abstract Studios" imprint, and has frequently mentioned a desire to do a syndicated cartoon strip in the authors notes at the back of the Strangers in Paradise collection books. He has also mentioned his greatest career influence is Peanuts' Charles Schulz.[1] Some of Moore's strip work can additionally be found in his Paradise, Too! publications.
His work has won him recognition in the comics industry, including receiving the Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story in 1996 for Strangers in Paradise #1-8, which was collected in the trade paperback "I Dream of You".
It was announced on June 15th, 2007 that Moore would be taking over for Sean McKeever as writer of Marvel Comics's Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane series starting with a new issue #1. On July 27th, Marvel announced that Moore would also take over for Joss Whedon as writer of Marvel's Runaways.[2]
On November 19th, 2007 Terry Moore announced in his blog that his new self-published series would be named Echo and its first issue would appear on March 5th, 2008.[3]
His work has won him recognition in the comics industry, including receiving the Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story in 1996 for Strangers in Paradise #1-8, which was collected in the trade paperback "I Dream of You".
It was announced on June 15th, 2007 that Moore would be taking over for Sean McKeever as writer of Marvel Comics's Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane series starting with a new issue #1. On July 27th, Marvel announced that Moore would also take over for Joss Whedon as writer of Marvel's Runaways.[2]
On November 19th, 2007 Terry Moore announced in his blog that his new self-published series would be named Echo and its first issue would appear on March 5th, 2008.[3]
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 27, 2018
Here it is! The story that Strangers In Paradise fans waited 10 years to hear. The back story of one of the main characters (who has been interestingly almost absent from the past few volumes) is revealed! In reading the letters at the back of early issues people wanted to know “What is David’s Story? Where did he come from and how did he get the way he is?”
Obviously, reviewing a volume that had fans ravenously waiting has a high potential for spoilers. I will do my best to avoid any in case people have been following the progression of my SiP reviews and are getting interested in trying the series out. I will say that it is an interesting and quick diversion from the main story line and I wonder if there is a reason Moore chose this point in the story to clarify David’s past?
Some characters we have not seen in a while are present. Other characters we expect to see in these pages are missing. Makes sense, I suppose, for a long, long ago flashback! And, speaking of flashback, part of David’s story integrates with the story lines of previous issues so, instead of redrawing, Moore just used the original panels right in the middle of the new ones. One of the coolest things about this was seeing how much is style had changed over the years and through about 80 issues.
So, I am not reviewing this in a way that says, “it was great, you should go get it now!” There is no reason to read this unless you have read the 60+ issues/13 volumes leading up to it. But, when you do, it is pretty interesting stuff!
Obviously, reviewing a volume that had fans ravenously waiting has a high potential for spoilers. I will do my best to avoid any in case people have been following the progression of my SiP reviews and are getting interested in trying the series out. I will say that it is an interesting and quick diversion from the main story line and I wonder if there is a reason Moore chose this point in the story to clarify David’s past?
Some characters we have not seen in a while are present. Other characters we expect to see in these pages are missing. Makes sense, I suppose, for a long, long ago flashback! And, speaking of flashback, part of David’s story integrates with the story lines of previous issues so, instead of redrawing, Moore just used the original panels right in the middle of the new ones. One of the coolest things about this was seeing how much is style had changed over the years and through about 80 issues.
So, I am not reviewing this in a way that says, “it was great, you should go get it now!” There is no reason to read this unless you have read the 60+ issues/13 volumes leading up to it. But, when you do, it is pretty interesting stuff!
July 15, 2021
(Zero spoiler review for the series as a whole and the score for the individual volume)
So I am writing this literally a few minutes after finishing this story, and it all feels a little bit raw and unexpected. Unexpected for the fact that I thought a had a couple of hundred pages to go. I had been powering through the second book for the last two days, and I stopped after a binge read this morning. When I came back to it just now, I read a page, turned another one, and found the story abruptly ended. A few days before, I had carefully flipped through to the last few pages to see how long it was, so I knew how much I had to read and look forward to. It seemed like there was no added content at the end, and the story went to the final page. Good I thought, and returned to my reading. To say the end of the story hit me like a tone of bricks would be an understatement. Its true the story had sort of reached a natural conclusion, although going off the little twist in the middle of the book, I kind of thought there was one more arc to come, although maybe I need to go back and read it again. I kind of feel like I was robbed of something. I read 200 pages today, and then somehow stopped two pages before the end without realising it. I settled in for another 200 pages, to find I only had 2 left. I don't really feel like reading the additional content. Most of it isn't the story itself, and I don't want to add those memories to what is something pretty close and personal right now. I think I'll sit with it and let it gestate before I delve into it, if I ever do. Let the grieving process commence.
So what's the story like? It's certainly not perfect, although I just can't imagine finding another graphic novel that will ever come close to doing what this one did. In a medium that is overflowing with easily digestible content and two bit superheroes, Strangers in Paradise stands apart as something pretty damn special. Francine and Katchoo, and the small but memorable cast of side characters will stay with me for a considerable time to come. Yes, the conspiratorial/crime aspects of the story were a little far fetched and weak at times (especially in the first half of the story where it was most prominent). Pretty much every male character played second fiddle to the female cast. Very one dimensional, with the slight exception of David, who was obviously more fleshed out, although always came across as subservient to the women around him. You can tell Terry Moore leans very much to the left, although I could have done without much of the modern day identitarianism that reared its head throughout. Whilst the females characters were flawed, they were never portrayed as the sexist Neanderthals most of the men were. It was at times, grossly stereotypical. Moore might have been going for humour, although it just soured a wonderful story somewhat. In fact, if I wasn't so invested in the story, you would be looking at lesser marks, and a much more critical review from me. Not to mention that every female character seems to be a lesbian. I guess I'm still a big softie at heart, that this rather lovely tale about love shone through, despite the flaws. Moore's artwork was near to faultless throughout. Some of his panels I just lingered on, feeling the emotions dripping off of the page. True, he occasionally over reached, like the excessive poetry and lyrics, although when he nailed it, it was pretty damn memorable. I've read Echo, which was written after this, as far as I know, and the art just didn't resonate the same way as it did here. Though Echo will never be as adored or heralded as SiP is. Even the title is one of the most poignant and evocative titles a work of fiction has ever had. I really miss that this is over. You absolutely need to read this, now! 4.75/5
OmniBen.
So I am writing this literally a few minutes after finishing this story, and it all feels a little bit raw and unexpected. Unexpected for the fact that I thought a had a couple of hundred pages to go. I had been powering through the second book for the last two days, and I stopped after a binge read this morning. When I came back to it just now, I read a page, turned another one, and found the story abruptly ended. A few days before, I had carefully flipped through to the last few pages to see how long it was, so I knew how much I had to read and look forward to. It seemed like there was no added content at the end, and the story went to the final page. Good I thought, and returned to my reading. To say the end of the story hit me like a tone of bricks would be an understatement. Its true the story had sort of reached a natural conclusion, although going off the little twist in the middle of the book, I kind of thought there was one more arc to come, although maybe I need to go back and read it again. I kind of feel like I was robbed of something. I read 200 pages today, and then somehow stopped two pages before the end without realising it. I settled in for another 200 pages, to find I only had 2 left. I don't really feel like reading the additional content. Most of it isn't the story itself, and I don't want to add those memories to what is something pretty close and personal right now. I think I'll sit with it and let it gestate before I delve into it, if I ever do. Let the grieving process commence.
So what's the story like? It's certainly not perfect, although I just can't imagine finding another graphic novel that will ever come close to doing what this one did. In a medium that is overflowing with easily digestible content and two bit superheroes, Strangers in Paradise stands apart as something pretty damn special. Francine and Katchoo, and the small but memorable cast of side characters will stay with me for a considerable time to come. Yes, the conspiratorial/crime aspects of the story were a little far fetched and weak at times (especially in the first half of the story where it was most prominent). Pretty much every male character played second fiddle to the female cast. Very one dimensional, with the slight exception of David, who was obviously more fleshed out, although always came across as subservient to the women around him. You can tell Terry Moore leans very much to the left, although I could have done without much of the modern day identitarianism that reared its head throughout. Whilst the females characters were flawed, they were never portrayed as the sexist Neanderthals most of the men were. It was at times, grossly stereotypical. Moore might have been going for humour, although it just soured a wonderful story somewhat. In fact, if I wasn't so invested in the story, you would be looking at lesser marks, and a much more critical review from me. Not to mention that every female character seems to be a lesbian. I guess I'm still a big softie at heart, that this rather lovely tale about love shone through, despite the flaws. Moore's artwork was near to faultless throughout. Some of his panels I just lingered on, feeling the emotions dripping off of the page. True, he occasionally over reached, like the excessive poetry and lyrics, although when he nailed it, it was pretty damn memorable. I've read Echo, which was written after this, as far as I know, and the art just didn't resonate the same way as it did here. Though Echo will never be as adored or heralded as SiP is. Even the title is one of the most poignant and evocative titles a work of fiction has ever had. I really miss that this is over. You absolutely need to read this, now! 4.75/5
OmniBen.
July 27, 2025
Even though there is a kick-a action scene that starts off this story, it’s not really that clear. I’m not sure where the Chinese gangs fall into this. The politics were confusing. The art work was cool as always. Looks like this David was the boy that was killed and the boy’s killer was wracked with guilt. Were we going back in time here with a guy named David? An okay read.
June 21, 2019
I'll admit: "David's Story" is inessential. Beyond some cool additions to lore, it doesn't add THAT much to the story as it stands. Still, it's a great little side jaunt, reminiscent of the flashbacks on "Lost" and how they'd gradually change the context of scenes we had already seen.
April 28, 2020
Short and sweet. It fills in all the gaps in David's life that we didn't know. It explains a lot about who he is. I could have used a deeper dive into his life, but this covers the essentials. It's a must read to understand the basics of what motivates David.
June 21, 2018
Short and sweet - an excellent prequel to the SIP series.
May 4, 2020
Beautifully illustrated, interesting and original backstory.
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
May 30, 2023
Se siente como historia de relleno, algo más bajo que los otros volumenes
February 5, 2016
http://morethansuperhumans.blogspot.c...
This volume tells the story of Yousaka, a conflicted teenage gang member in Los Angeles whose father runs the West Coast Yakuza. One night, as a matter of so-called honor, Yousaka nearly beats to death a 15-year-old boy whose own father was killed in a drive-by shooting a few months before. He had to quit school to get a job so that he could support his mother and four sisters, and he has resisted joining the local gang despite enormous pressure. His name is David Qin, but he's not the David Qin we have followed through the last 13 volumes of Strangers in Paradise. How Yousaka comes to adopt this boy's name as his own is a story of true honor, remorse, and atonement.
Long overdue, David's Story shows us how David came to be the man he is today. As with the High School! volume, this one is far too short, and rushes through David's earlier life at a breakneck pace, but it nonetheless contains some excellent material. It's also useful for the further insight it provides into David and Katchoo's initial meetings (first in L.A. and later in Houston).
This volume tells the story of Yousaka, a conflicted teenage gang member in Los Angeles whose father runs the West Coast Yakuza. One night, as a matter of so-called honor, Yousaka nearly beats to death a 15-year-old boy whose own father was killed in a drive-by shooting a few months before. He had to quit school to get a job so that he could support his mother and four sisters, and he has resisted joining the local gang despite enormous pressure. His name is David Qin, but he's not the David Qin we have followed through the last 13 volumes of Strangers in Paradise. How Yousaka comes to adopt this boy's name as his own is a story of true honor, remorse, and atonement.
Long overdue, David's Story shows us how David came to be the man he is today. As with the High School! volume, this one is far too short, and rushes through David's earlier life at a breakneck pace, but it nonetheless contains some excellent material. It's also useful for the further insight it provides into David and Katchoo's initial meetings (first in L.A. and later in Houston).
December 10, 2012
This was the third Strangers in paradise volume I found at Oxfam. I thought even though it was vol. 14 it'd be okay to read next as it was all about the events that took place before vols. 1 and 2. Even though this book didn't have Francine it was my favourite of the ones I'd read so far. I think the style had improved (for example now I could tell that characters were supposed to be Asian) the mixing of the violent world and the real world seemed to be much smoother. The story while still quite over the top (Japanese gangs fighting in L.A) it still felt like an enjoyable story and there was much more insight into the Characters, not just David but also his sister. I'd definitely recommend this to people who've read the other books. I do want to read more of this series. Unfortuantely the amazon seller I bought volume 3 from is not returning any emails...
November 12, 2012
2012 Reread: I got lost in this for a month. My very first full reread since the series hit its ending. Since I knew where it would start and go and end up. It was just as terrible, wonderful, painful, heartbreaking, heart healing, amazing as every other read. I never stop knowing my heart belongs to this.
September 15, 2022
I read all of SiP as it came out, in single issues. But I also bought each book when it came out so I guess I got this in... 2004?
Sometime in the future I should re-read all of SiP and actually review these, but I'm afraid I won't irrationally love them as much on a re-read as I did the first time and it would kill my fond memories of this series.
Sometime in the future I should re-read all of SiP and actually review these, but I'm afraid I won't irrationally love them as much on a re-read as I did the first time and it would kill my fond memories of this series.
October 4, 2011
a really shy, bumbling nerd named David bumps into a facinating woman named Katchoo in a dallas art gallery. or maybe thats not what happened at all... one of the most enjoyable stories in the whole series.
January 19, 2008
Good story line. Intro into who David is and how he fits in with Darcy et al.
Like the repentance and guilt angle
Like the repentance and guilt angle
January 9, 2011
It started out really interesting, but it just kinda ended on a weak note. I was slightly disappointed.
February 27, 2014
The series began a repetitive cycle midway. It's still good, but nowhere near as good as it had been.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews