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Strangers in Paradise Trade Paperbacks #17
Strangers in Paradise, Volume 17: Tattoo
As Brad and Francine prepare to make the move to Houston, Brad discovers Francine's new tattoo and the hidden feelings behind it. Free spirit Casey finds new roommates in Vegas showgirl Rusty and her adorable son Cody. She soon becomes entangled in their heartbreaking story and realizes that a stalker is lurking around every corner. Katchoo and David arrive in Las Vegas with big news of their unconventional future, while Francine is shattered to discover that her friends have moved on without her.
120 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2005
2 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Terry Moore
824 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
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 22, 2019
For the first time, "Strangers in Paradise" genuinely feels as if it's reaching an end point. If this were a television show, this volume would be the season finale of the next-to-last season. Everything from here on out is going to feel like moving towards the close, and that's a bittersweet feeling.
May 9, 2017
Again developments in the characters lives take place, they have to live with the consequences of their actions, and consequences do come. Not necessarily a good jumping on point for someone new to the series, but a satisfying read to those of us familiar with the characters.
May 1, 2020
Back to the main story and I'm happy. I'm sad, because there are only two more volumes left. I can't help but feel that bad things are going to happen in the next volume. This is Terry Moore's usual genius and it left me looking forward to the next story.
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
May 8, 2023
Donde se nota que la historia va llegando a su fin y Moore va cerrando las historias secundarias. No se merece las 4 estrellas pero tampoco 3.
July 21, 2020
Moore is an amazing illustrator. While better than recent volumes in the series, it lacks the fire of the first dozen entries. Moore was on the leading edge of the cancel culture, which gets to be dull, predictable, and nonsensical.
February 5, 2016
http://morethansuperhumans.blogspot.c...
Katchoo and David are visiting Casey in Las Vegas and end up getting married in an Elvis wedding chapel. But their bliss is cut short by David's confession to Katchoo that while he was in Japan he slept with Tambi, her half-sister. Meanwhile, Casey's friend and fellow showgirl Rusty learns that she has a stalker, and it's up to Katchoo to keep her safe. Later, back in Houston, Katchoo opens "Studio Katchoo," a teaching studio for everyone interested in art, along with her art agent, Carolyn. And we are (re)introduced to Freddie's new girlfriend, Emily Stryker, a criminal pathologist with a very strange case on her hands. Brad, meanwhile, accepts a new position at a medical center in Houston, so he and Francine pack their things to return to Francine's home town.
With just two volumes left, you can tell that Moore is deliberately preparing to wrap up his story, and as such this is a fairly satisfying volume. The "Rusty and her stalker" subplot seems more like a distraction than an interesting detour, and in my opinion it's a little late in the story for Moore to be introducing entirely new characters to his already crowded cast (particularly because the end is near and I'd prefer that he focus on his three core characters), but what can you do? It would also be nice to see a bit more of Francine's domestic life with Brad, but Moore seems thematically uninterested in Francine without Katchoo by her side. Nonetheless, this volume adequately sets the stage for (and gets this reader excited about) the end.
Katchoo and David are visiting Casey in Las Vegas and end up getting married in an Elvis wedding chapel. But their bliss is cut short by David's confession to Katchoo that while he was in Japan he slept with Tambi, her half-sister. Meanwhile, Casey's friend and fellow showgirl Rusty learns that she has a stalker, and it's up to Katchoo to keep her safe. Later, back in Houston, Katchoo opens "Studio Katchoo," a teaching studio for everyone interested in art, along with her art agent, Carolyn. And we are (re)introduced to Freddie's new girlfriend, Emily Stryker, a criminal pathologist with a very strange case on her hands. Brad, meanwhile, accepts a new position at a medical center in Houston, so he and Francine pack their things to return to Francine's home town.
With just two volumes left, you can tell that Moore is deliberately preparing to wrap up his story, and as such this is a fairly satisfying volume. The "Rusty and her stalker" subplot seems more like a distraction than an interesting detour, and in my opinion it's a little late in the story for Moore to be introducing entirely new characters to his already crowded cast (particularly because the end is near and I'd prefer that he focus on his three core characters), but what can you do? It would also be nice to see a bit more of Francine's domestic life with Brad, but Moore seems thematically uninterested in Francine without Katchoo by her side. Nonetheless, this volume adequately sets the stage for (and gets this reader excited about) the end.
June 2, 2019
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 26, 2007
It was interesting but felt very disjointed.
May 5, 2008
We're nearing the end. :(
May 3, 2008
Good book. Story was a little confusing, but that might be because I'm reading the story out of order. But fun story and graphics.
February 27, 2014
The series began a repetitive cycle midway. It's still good, but nowhere near as good as it had been.
August 24, 2025
I have always liked the writing of Terry Moore. He does a great job with his character development and story lines.
December 4, 2018
This is the mid-life crisis of Katina Choovanski!
I don’t know how else to explain it and the volume as a whole kinda felt weird. You spend the volume in the mind of Katchoo as she battles to re-find her identity after years of shady business deals, trust issues, and friends becoming lovers (and vice versa). The overall tone just felt so much different than previous volumes – makes me wonder if Terry Moore was having a bit of a mid-life crisis himself!
Over the course of the series it has been obvious that Moore’s artistic style has been changing. To me, this is the issue where it became the most dramatically obvious. I can say that I like both the old and the new style. I feel like the newer style is a bit more comic book-y (if that makes sense). As Moore was finishing the Strangers in Paradise series, he started work on Echo – which is a more action/super hero/sci fi comic book so perhaps that had an influence. See below, the first picture is the cover of issue 1 (Katchoo on the left) and the one below is of her circa this volume.
At the time of the release of the original issues in this volume, Moore was saying he didn’t have a plan yet for the end of the series. But, now I know there are only 14 issues/2 volumes left! At times I think I know where the story is going, but then I get thrown for a loop. The Katchoo in this volume is not what I expected and it seems a lot is still possible. I do feel like some of the long standing questions have been answered (maybe!?) I look forward to seeing where it goes, but I will be sad when it ends . . .
Note: This volume collects issues 70-72 and 74-76
I don’t know how else to explain it and the volume as a whole kinda felt weird. You spend the volume in the mind of Katchoo as she battles to re-find her identity after years of shady business deals, trust issues, and friends becoming lovers (and vice versa). The overall tone just felt so much different than previous volumes – makes me wonder if Terry Moore was having a bit of a mid-life crisis himself!
Over the course of the series it has been obvious that Moore’s artistic style has been changing. To me, this is the issue where it became the most dramatically obvious. I can say that I like both the old and the new style. I feel like the newer style is a bit more comic book-y (if that makes sense). As Moore was finishing the Strangers in Paradise series, he started work on Echo – which is a more action/super hero/sci fi comic book so perhaps that had an influence. See below, the first picture is the cover of issue 1 (Katchoo on the left) and the one below is of her circa this volume.
At the time of the release of the original issues in this volume, Moore was saying he didn’t have a plan yet for the end of the series. But, now I know there are only 14 issues/2 volumes left! At times I think I know where the story is going, but then I get thrown for a loop. The Katchoo in this volume is not what I expected and it seems a lot is still possible. I do feel like some of the long standing questions have been answered (maybe!?) I look forward to seeing where it goes, but I will be sad when it ends . . .
Note: This volume collects issues 70-72 and 74-76
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews