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Strangers in Paradise Trade Paperbacks #10
Strangers in Paradise, Volume 10: Tropic Of Desire
This trade paperback contains the hottest story arc yet from creator Terry Moore! Passions run high when the SIP gang find themselves in Hawaii surrounded by sun, sand and a cornucopia of sexy choices in the trade winds paradise! SIP is hot again and this is the story arc that made it happen!
104 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2001
2 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Terry Moore
832 books647 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 13, 2018
Hmmmm . . . this is interesting. I am not quite sure how I feel about this volume but it is definitely not bad. However, in this case, I almost feel like saying I cannot make a solid judgement on it until I see where the story goes in the next volume.
Cliffhanger is not the right word for what this volume is. There is a whole lot of resolution – almost like the series is coming to an end (but I know there are 90 issues and this volume only goes up through issue 43). But, there is also some new information . . . but, the way it is presented . . . well, again, I am just going to have to read on to see how I feel. These easiest way I can describe it is that Moore ends this volume like this is the end of Part One of the whole series – not just Part One of a smaller story. I really get the feeling like anything goes after this point.
I need to do some online searching for the evolution of Moore’s art. While I recognized the characters in this volume, I felt like there has been a very dramatic turn in their appearance. I know at the time he was writing this volume he was doing some spinoff work that was more cartoonish, so perhaps that influenced his art in Strangers in Paradise (See Below)
I stand by my opinion that this series is one of the best graphic novel series ever – and, I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Cliffhanger is not the right word for what this volume is. There is a whole lot of resolution – almost like the series is coming to an end (but I know there are 90 issues and this volume only goes up through issue 43). But, there is also some new information . . . but, the way it is presented . . . well, again, I am just going to have to read on to see how I feel. These easiest way I can describe it is that Moore ends this volume like this is the end of Part One of the whole series – not just Part One of a smaller story. I really get the feeling like anything goes after this point.
I need to do some online searching for the evolution of Moore’s art. While I recognized the characters in this volume, I felt like there has been a very dramatic turn in their appearance. I know at the time he was writing this volume he was doing some spinoff work that was more cartoonish, so perhaps that influenced his art in Strangers in Paradise (See Below)
I stand by my opinion that this series is one of the best graphic novel series ever – and, I cannot wait to see what happens next!
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.
June 18, 2019
Hmm. Tough analysis. The first four issues collected here were pretty standard, and I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean it was what I expected of Strangers in Paradise. And then... issue 43 happened. And I don't know how I feel about issue 43. Is it a revelation? A time jump? A twist? Or just another of Terry Moore's beloved canon-tweaking fourth wall breaks? I can't tell if the entire series so far has legitimately been thrown out and started fresh or not. I suppose I'll just have to see what happens in issue 44!
April 26, 2020
This kind of finishes off this story line and I'm not sure if I like it. I've never read SIP all the way through before, so this is news to me. I like the story up until now and I am a little afraid of what's going to be in the next volume. We'll see though. The ending in volume 10 is kind of abrupt and not all the details are told. I'm hoping everything will be shared because I got the feeling from this ending that something else is beginning. I know that I'm stating the obvious, but I don't want to give anything away. Anyway, I can't wait to see what awaits me in volume 11.
February 4, 2018
Though I enjoyed the ending part with the whole old ladies thing reverting to high school age (the timeline play is done quite well with this graphic format), I cannot ignore the fact that I DID get bored of the Francine and Katchoo back and forth thing. I got lost, I lost interest, and I felt guilty for leaving our girls. Terry Moore can’t just admit to it being repetitive in some weird inside fiction novel story thing and expect me to just forgive him!
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
March 18, 2024
Skip this one & go straight to the next volume. Mostly entertains past lives and future life alternatives and Freddie‘s dreams/fears in a light and humorous way.
February 5, 2016
http://morethansuperhumans.blogspot.c...
Volume 10 begins with an entertaining homage to Charles Schulz (who died shortly before this volume was published) and his Peanuts comic strip, with Freddie Femur taking on the role of a down-in-the-dumps Charlie Brown. Several months have passed since Francine and Katchoo parted ways in Tennessee, and Katchoo is living in Hawaii with David. Unfortunately, despite a night of passion between them, David realizes that Katchoo is too much in love with Francine to feel the same way about him. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, with her wedding just days away, Francine's mother--fearing that Francine is suffering from cold feet--invites their minister over to talk to Francine. She has a choice to make, it's clear, but what--or whom--will she choose? We then jump forward several decades into the future where Francine's daughter, Ashley, is a grown woman pitching her novel, Strangers in Paradise, to a publishing house in New York City. The editor turns her down, expressing her concern that the story is too repetitive: Francine and Katchoo get together, then break apart, then get back together, etc. Disappointed, Ashley goes outside to be consoled by her subjects, Francine and Katchoo, now in late middle age.
This is a text-heavy volume that moved slowly for me the first time I read it in installments. I wasn't sure where Moore was going with it, particularly the jump forward where we learn that Strangers in Paradise--the comic book we've been reading for years--might be nothing more than a figment of Ashley's imagination (and the editor's metacritique of SiP seems a bit defensive on Moore's part). But all I can say is that it makes sense when you read the next volume. I also appreciate the Peanuts homage that opens this volume, because it succeeded in actually making me feel sorry for Freddie. It proves that Moore is capable of instilling even his most obnoxious characters with a little pathos.
Volume 10 begins with an entertaining homage to Charles Schulz (who died shortly before this volume was published) and his Peanuts comic strip, with Freddie Femur taking on the role of a down-in-the-dumps Charlie Brown. Several months have passed since Francine and Katchoo parted ways in Tennessee, and Katchoo is living in Hawaii with David. Unfortunately, despite a night of passion between them, David realizes that Katchoo is too much in love with Francine to feel the same way about him. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, with her wedding just days away, Francine's mother--fearing that Francine is suffering from cold feet--invites their minister over to talk to Francine. She has a choice to make, it's clear, but what--or whom--will she choose? We then jump forward several decades into the future where Francine's daughter, Ashley, is a grown woman pitching her novel, Strangers in Paradise, to a publishing house in New York City. The editor turns her down, expressing her concern that the story is too repetitive: Francine and Katchoo get together, then break apart, then get back together, etc. Disappointed, Ashley goes outside to be consoled by her subjects, Francine and Katchoo, now in late middle age.
This is a text-heavy volume that moved slowly for me the first time I read it in installments. I wasn't sure where Moore was going with it, particularly the jump forward where we learn that Strangers in Paradise--the comic book we've been reading for years--might be nothing more than a figment of Ashley's imagination (and the editor's metacritique of SiP seems a bit defensive on Moore's part). But all I can say is that it makes sense when you read the next volume. I also appreciate the Peanuts homage that opens this volume, because it succeeded in actually making me feel sorry for Freddie. It proves that Moore is capable of instilling even his most obnoxious characters with a little pathos.
January 27, 2014
Paste from my review of Volume 1. I've read most of the series and feel the same review overall applies to everything:
The series has beautiful black and white line art throughout. It's the main reason I ever started it. Terry Moore is a masterly graphic artist and a riveting storyteller. I suspect I'll read anything he puts out. That said, I prefer Rachel Rising (horror) and Echo (science fiction), personally. SiP (as fans tend to call it) is a work focused almost entirely on how people relate to each other.
What an odd duck. This thing is described in quite a wide variety of ways, and mostly accurately. It's resemblance to a soap opera, happily, is all in the title. For that, it's a bit too realistic, too low in character count, too well-written, too laden with mafia intrigue/action, and too often taught in college literature classes. I'm curious as to why though. I wouldn't teach it in mine. It's not *that* good. It might be particularly relevant to a fem lit class, however, which might elevate the collegiate value of the book because of what it says and how it says it from a sociocultural standpoint rather than from a literary one.
The series has beautiful black and white line art throughout. It's the main reason I ever started it. Terry Moore is a masterly graphic artist and a riveting storyteller. I suspect I'll read anything he puts out. That said, I prefer Rachel Rising (horror) and Echo (science fiction), personally. SiP (as fans tend to call it) is a work focused almost entirely on how people relate to each other.
What an odd duck. This thing is described in quite a wide variety of ways, and mostly accurately. It's resemblance to a soap opera, happily, is all in the title. For that, it's a bit too realistic, too low in character count, too well-written, too laden with mafia intrigue/action, and too often taught in college literature classes. I'm curious as to why though. I wouldn't teach it in mine. It's not *that* good. It might be particularly relevant to a fem lit class, however, which might elevate the collegiate value of the book because of what it says and how it says it from a sociocultural standpoint rather than from a literary one.
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.
May 29, 2008
Another great book by Terry MOore. Love the look into the future.
October 15, 2009
not my favorite, but I actually really enjoyed the meta-fiction story at the end of this trade.
July 6, 2013
Fun and relationships back into SiP as Casey, Francine, Katchoo and David party and fight down in Hawaii.
June 11, 2013
I could and have re read this series over and over. It has made me laugh out loud, cry and just come to understand how powerful comics can be.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews