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Strangers in Paradise Pocket Books #6
Strangers In Paradise, Pocket Book 6
This is the final book in the Strangers in Paradise Pocket Book series chronicling the lives of Francine and Katchoo. When her famous brother-in-law falls prey to a crazed fan's bullet, Francine is forced to confront her own doubts and fears about the life she has chosen. In a bold move, she leaves her cheating husband and tries to reconnect with the only person she ever truly loved, Katchoo. But things have changed since Francine left, Katchoo has changed, and it soon becomes apparant that if Francine wants her friend back she's going to have to fight for her.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2007
2 people are currently reading
328 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 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 1, 2017
And...WRAP!
The current last issue of the series has come to a close. Evoking deeper emotions of the adult characters the love triangle comes to a resolve and a semi happy ending.
Primarily we are following David and the world around him in this last installment. I have enjoyed spending time reading about this character, since he is simply such a good guy. And ultimately he is the glue that keeps them all together.
I don't want to give anything away by saying too much about the ending. I personally feel that wrapping it up with the "surprises" at the end were perhaps a bit convenient. There was no twist or pitfall, no more climax. In part that is because the whole series has taken on a more humane and relatable aspect as the characters grew up and life became demanding. I definitely enjoyed that as well as all the craziness of the first issues. However, I don't have a few million $$ in an off shore bank account to fully grasp the characters I suppose, haha.
Katchoo and Francine have been by my side it seems, for a good 3 months while I worked my way through reading about them. It is silly to think that a graphic novel can stick with you. But this series definately does. For all it's funny, silly, sad, deep, whack, and surprise moments....I will miss them around.....till I reread the series.
"I've been without you, I've been so deep within you, And the feeling's still the same when I'm holding you, I can't even remember my name." p. 245, pocket book 6, last installment.
The current last issue of the series has come to a close. Evoking deeper emotions of the adult characters the love triangle comes to a resolve and a semi happy ending.
Primarily we are following David and the world around him in this last installment. I have enjoyed spending time reading about this character, since he is simply such a good guy. And ultimately he is the glue that keeps them all together.
I don't want to give anything away by saying too much about the ending. I personally feel that wrapping it up with the "surprises" at the end were perhaps a bit convenient. There was no twist or pitfall, no more climax. In part that is because the whole series has taken on a more humane and relatable aspect as the characters grew up and life became demanding. I definitely enjoyed that as well as all the craziness of the first issues. However, I don't have a few million $$ in an off shore bank account to fully grasp the characters I suppose, haha.
Katchoo and Francine have been by my side it seems, for a good 3 months while I worked my way through reading about them. It is silly to think that a graphic novel can stick with you. But this series definately does. For all it's funny, silly, sad, deep, whack, and surprise moments....I will miss them around.....till I reread the series.
"I've been without you, I've been so deep within you, And the feeling's still the same when I'm holding you, I can't even remember my name." p. 245, pocket book 6, last installment.
October 3, 2011
...And finally this story comes to a gooey gross end, everything tied in a nice man-hating bow.
Every time I caught myself liking something in this final installment something irksome reared its head, be it in the form of obnoxiously maudlin sissiness, self-righteous smuggery, embarrassing jokes, overblowing cutesiness, cloying, over-emotional drama, too-convenient plot devices, patronizing misogyny (towards men), tough-farting, sneering sentimentalism, or a stunningly stupid revelation.
Gah. Oh well, it's finally over.
I probably wouldn't read it again.
I'll give Moore credit: he's an exceptional artist and he has amazing talent within the comic medium. Of course, his story is unbearable ass so it all goes to waste, but nobody's perfect.
Oh, and it's best not worrying about the ambulance-exploding maniac. I'm sure everything will turn out fine with that.
Every time I caught myself liking something in this final installment something irksome reared its head, be it in the form of obnoxiously maudlin sissiness, self-righteous smuggery, embarrassing jokes, overblowing cutesiness, cloying, over-emotional drama, too-convenient plot devices, patronizing misogyny (towards men), tough-farting, sneering sentimentalism, or a stunningly stupid revelation.
Gah. Oh well, it's finally over.
I probably wouldn't read it again.
I'll give Moore credit: he's an exceptional artist and he has amazing talent within the comic medium. Of course, his story is unbearable ass so it all goes to waste, but nobody's perfect.
Oh, and it's best not worrying about the ambulance-exploding maniac. I'm sure everything will turn out fine with that.
June 12, 2020
I read the Abstract Studios comic books Strangers In Paradise series 3, #77-90, to see this amazing series end with some spectacular reveals, a few shocks, a few unions, but mostly, simply exceptional story writing by Moore… I salute him. The final collection contains some of the best work in the series! 9 out of 12.
February 5, 2023
Otto anni.
Ecco quanto ci ho messo a finire questo “piccolo” capolavoro che è Strangers in Paradise.
Ho gli occhi lucidi e il motivo è duplice: da una parte in questo lungo lasso di tempo i personaggi e le meravigliose protagoniste di Terry Moore sono diventatə in un angolo della mia anima persone di Famiglia, mentre l’altro motivo per cui in questo momento, a lettura finita, sono l’equivalente emotivo di un disastro ferroviario è che se penso a quando iniziai il primo volume di SiP mi vengono i brividi e un groppo alla gola a pensare a quanto la mia vita sia stata piena di Amore e crescita in questi otto anni.
Vale per qualsiasi fumetto o libro la cui lettura ci accompagna per un certo numero di anni, giusto?
Probabilmente sì, ma mi piace pensare che in questo caso sia un po’ più speciale proprio perché di mezzo ci sono Katchoo, Francine, Casey, David e tutti i personaggi che mi hanno preso per mano in questi anni.
Grazie, SiP, e grazie Mr. Moore.
Ecco quanto ci ho messo a finire questo “piccolo” capolavoro che è Strangers in Paradise.
Ho gli occhi lucidi e il motivo è duplice: da una parte in questo lungo lasso di tempo i personaggi e le meravigliose protagoniste di Terry Moore sono diventatə in un angolo della mia anima persone di Famiglia, mentre l’altro motivo per cui in questo momento, a lettura finita, sono l’equivalente emotivo di un disastro ferroviario è che se penso a quando iniziai il primo volume di SiP mi vengono i brividi e un groppo alla gola a pensare a quanto la mia vita sia stata piena di Amore e crescita in questi otto anni.
Vale per qualsiasi fumetto o libro la cui lettura ci accompagna per un certo numero di anni, giusto?
Probabilmente sì, ma mi piace pensare che in questo caso sia un po’ più speciale proprio perché di mezzo ci sono Katchoo, Francine, Casey, David e tutti i personaggi che mi hanno preso per mano in questi anni.
Grazie, SiP, e grazie Mr. Moore.
October 24, 2007
If you're a fan of the series, you'll doubtlessly want to read it, but you may not like what you find. It's more of the same from Terry Moore, which, after so many years, is just not enough anymore.
With Katchoo center stage, the main characters go through needlessly complicated relationship swapping and emotional overhauls. A few people conveniently die, forced allusions to fairy tales are made, and the only ending possible is reached. The characters are forced into their pegs by the overbearing plot, which makes any attempts at catharsis feel artificial.
The art, as always, is top notch, and a scene with David and Darcy Parker stands out as particularly well-crafted. Still, the rest of the book reads like the author's victory parade over completing the series, which is a shame for the characters and for the fans who've spent years following them.
With Katchoo center stage, the main characters go through needlessly complicated relationship swapping and emotional overhauls. A few people conveniently die, forced allusions to fairy tales are made, and the only ending possible is reached. The characters are forced into their pegs by the overbearing plot, which makes any attempts at catharsis feel artificial.
The art, as always, is top notch, and a scene with David and Darcy Parker stands out as particularly well-crafted. Still, the rest of the book reads like the author's victory parade over completing the series, which is a shame for the characters and for the fans who've spent years following them.
May 13, 2017
The saga of Terry Moore's Strangers In Paradise series comes to a tearful, breathtaking conclusion. Francine's brother-in-law, renowned musician Griffin Silver is gunned down by a crazed fan seeking eternal glory. Francine confronts her cheating husband in the wake of this tragedy and realizes the life she should've chosen all along. Returning to Houston to be with "Katchoo", Francine discovers her best friend beset with a tragedy of her own.
Tautly-written and superbly illustrated, Book 6 is a terrific bookend to an astonishing series. There's a tremendous amount of payoff in this final chapter chronicling the lives of "Katchoo" and Francine, so if you've stuck with the series through the first five books, then you will bask in the fruits of your labor. Be warned, though, you'll be weeping by the last page.
Tautly-written and superbly illustrated, Book 6 is a terrific bookend to an astonishing series. There's a tremendous amount of payoff in this final chapter chronicling the lives of "Katchoo" and Francine, so if you've stuck with the series through the first five books, then you will bask in the fruits of your labor. Be warned, though, you'll be weeping by the last page.
April 7, 2024
Easily the best find in recent years. I have been enjoying Strangers in Paradise so much i allowed myself two pockets a month this month its gonna be the end of Katchoo, Francine, David and Casey. Im even gonna miss dickhead Freddie Femur. I think there is not anything like SiP its romance, crime, thriller, comedy and drama. Terry Moore is a fantastic artist and writer, and i do think he pours everything he loved in this book and it workes. It has poems, songs, artwork throughtout the book, it even gots lots of prose intertwined, this is a huge series in every way. And its gonna be in my mind for quite some time.
July 29, 2016
I’ve been a fan of Strangers in Paradise for a while, though it’s taken me a long time to get around to finishing off the series. During that time, I’ve gone through the ups and downs of the relationships that bind Katchoo, Francine, David, and Casey together. This collection covers the final section of the entire story, and while I liked the way it wrapped up, I was a little aggravated with the way the author wrapped it up. That may not make sense, so let me explain, but be warned, the following comments will be spoileriffic.
Read further at your own risk.
Several years ago, my wife and I watched Monster’s Ball, and weren’t all that impressed with it. For one thing, the story forced the two main characters together by eliminating all the other people in their lives that would have prevented it: Halle Berry’s character’s husband was executed, and then her son was hit and killed by a car; Billy Bob Thornton’s son committed suicide, and then he committed his father to a nursing home when he tried to get in the way of the relationship. I got the same feeling off of the wrap-up for Strangers in Paradise. David was terminally ill; Casey was in love with David, but wound up being unable to have children due to her teenage anorexia (which, I should add, had never been mentioned in the series until now); Francine’s husband cheated on her, and then her brother-in-law was killed, meaning she was free to come to terms with her feelings for Katchoo; Katchoo agreed to have David’s child, and Francine had been having difficulty conceiving. So it made perfect sense for them to get together at the end of the story.
Now, it makes sense, and I have to give credit to the author for pulling all that together and making it work. I just felt like it was another situation where the characters were forced into a situation where they would finally work. And maybe that’s the point of both stories, that when people are meant to be together, the world will arrange for that to happen, no matter what else happens in their life. In one sense, that’s a sweet sentiment; in another, it’s scary as hell, since it means that everyone else in their lives is disposable.
I was glad to see the series finish with Francine and Katchoo together — it was really the only way the series should have ended — but then again, it would have been effective if the author had gone against what seemed to be inevitable. I imagine the SiP fans would have lynched him if he hadn’t, though.
Anyway, it’s definitely a series worth reading. I highly recommend it.
Read further at your own risk.
Several years ago, my wife and I watched Monster’s Ball, and weren’t all that impressed with it. For one thing, the story forced the two main characters together by eliminating all the other people in their lives that would have prevented it: Halle Berry’s character’s husband was executed, and then her son was hit and killed by a car; Billy Bob Thornton’s son committed suicide, and then he committed his father to a nursing home when he tried to get in the way of the relationship. I got the same feeling off of the wrap-up for Strangers in Paradise. David was terminally ill; Casey was in love with David, but wound up being unable to have children due to her teenage anorexia (which, I should add, had never been mentioned in the series until now); Francine’s husband cheated on her, and then her brother-in-law was killed, meaning she was free to come to terms with her feelings for Katchoo; Katchoo agreed to have David’s child, and Francine had been having difficulty conceiving. So it made perfect sense for them to get together at the end of the story.
Now, it makes sense, and I have to give credit to the author for pulling all that together and making it work. I just felt like it was another situation where the characters were forced into a situation where they would finally work. And maybe that’s the point of both stories, that when people are meant to be together, the world will arrange for that to happen, no matter what else happens in their life. In one sense, that’s a sweet sentiment; in another, it’s scary as hell, since it means that everyone else in their lives is disposable.
I was glad to see the series finish with Francine and Katchoo together — it was really the only way the series should have ended — but then again, it would have been effective if the author had gone against what seemed to be inevitable. I imagine the SiP fans would have lynched him if he hadn’t, though.
Anyway, it’s definitely a series worth reading. I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2007
This is a fantastic book. Terry Moore knows how to write characters that have real weight and feeling. He also knows how to end a series. That is a problem with a lot of authors today: they have great ideas and great first and second acts but they can't close the deal with a satisfying payoff. He did this with gusto in this, the final issue of Strangers in Paradise. It was so good, in fact, its got me thinking about going back and reading it all from start to finish. If you like a story with complex relationships, that doesn't mind taking the time to explore them thoroughly, then this is definitely the book for you.
September 9, 2017
A satisfying conclusion to the SiP story, even if some of the beats to get us there don't quite add up (particularly Casey's story)
And I still have a problem telling Moore's faces apart. There's a few pages where the only character I can immediately identity is Francine, as the other 3 in the scene are blonde women...
And I still have a problem telling Moore's faces apart. There's a few pages where the only character I can immediately identity is Francine, as the other 3 in the scene are blonde women...
November 21, 2009
Strangers in Paradise ends on a wonderful note, erasing the confusion and loss of interest I felt from the "Molly & Poo" bit at the end of pocket book 5. A little melodramatic (okay, a LOT melodramatic), but that's forgivable because the story is pretty great. I was sorry to see this series end!
February 1, 2022
An addicting, emotional rollercoaster. This was a sad, yet satisfying ending to this series. Definitely a new favorite.
November 7, 2015
I was pretty late to the game and just discovered Strangers in Paradise after all the pocket books were published and difficult to find in any comic and/or bookstore. Still devoured them pretty quickly, considering. Art is beautiful. Terry Moore is great at capturing the real physical elements of women but still adding like a comic-y twist. And like I got annoyed at times but I really loved the story of Francine and Katchoo. Buuut I was a little grossed out by the ending.
**spoilers start***
I was thrilled Katchoo and Francine finally got together but it also kind of gave off the vibe of women need to reproduce to be happy. Also having David's baby isn't really keeping him alive, just felt like a gross device for them to have sex with him. And it was just like David has pined after Katchoo for so long and it's like she's gay she loves you as a friend, but kind of fuck off. But him suddenly dying changed that. It just, I'm older now, but when I first read it I remember feeling kind of betrayed. Like it just felt so much like this lesbian love story was written by a dude bc a guy somehow is able to squeeze himself into the middle of this couple. It suddenly became less about Katchoo and more like oh poor David. I don't know, I'm writing this review mostly from memory, volumes not super fresh in my mind, but I just remember feeling so let down and grossed out. And I'd like to be able to recommend a better, happy comic ending in lesbians but I really don't know of any (maybe Angelus, but it's significantly shorter/not real world and not nearly as long). Strangers in Paradise isn't perfect but it is one of the few relatively well known comic books that's main focus is a lesbian relationship. So if you're like me and looking to devour any type of literary medium that involves lesbians I wouldn't turn SiP away. Just don't let your hopes get to high :/
**spoilers start***
I was thrilled Katchoo and Francine finally got together but it also kind of gave off the vibe of women need to reproduce to be happy. Also having David's baby isn't really keeping him alive, just felt like a gross device for them to have sex with him. And it was just like David has pined after Katchoo for so long and it's like she's gay she loves you as a friend, but kind of fuck off. But him suddenly dying changed that. It just, I'm older now, but when I first read it I remember feeling kind of betrayed. Like it just felt so much like this lesbian love story was written by a dude bc a guy somehow is able to squeeze himself into the middle of this couple. It suddenly became less about Katchoo and more like oh poor David. I don't know, I'm writing this review mostly from memory, volumes not super fresh in my mind, but I just remember feeling so let down and grossed out. And I'd like to be able to recommend a better, happy comic ending in lesbians but I really don't know of any (maybe Angelus, but it's significantly shorter/not real world and not nearly as long). Strangers in Paradise isn't perfect but it is one of the few relatively well known comic books that's main focus is a lesbian relationship. So if you're like me and looking to devour any type of literary medium that involves lesbians I wouldn't turn SiP away. Just don't let your hopes get to high :/
February 8, 2020
COMMENTO ALL'INTERA SERIE
Ventiquattro numeri divorati in poco più di una settimana. Una storia che mi ha letteralmente stregata e fatta rimaner attaccata alle pagine con il fiato sospeso e la voglia di sapere cosa diavolo sarebbe successo.
Mi trovo un po' in difficoltà a descrivere questo fumetto, non avevo mai letto niente di simile. Accanto alle normali tavole a fumetti troviamo infatti parti scritte sotto forma di romanzo, altre sotto forma di diario e poi poesie e fotografie.... e il tutto amalgamato alla perfezione per formare un'opera frizzante, divertente ma allo stesso tempo drammatica, malinconica e con molta, moltissima suspance. Sta di fatto che Katchoo e Francine, David, Casey, Tambi e sì, diciamolo, pure Freddie mi resteranno nel cuore per sempre :)
"Come potrebbero i figli di Francie comprendere l'ironia di loro madre che si spoglia in cortile durante una litigata con me se non ne conoscessero la storia del suo spogliarello nel parco anni prima... o la perdita della toga durante la recita scolastica? C'è un filo dorato che collega tutto quello che facciamo... lega tra di loro i giorni e si vede facilmente quando ci guardiamo alle spalle. [...]
La scriverò, tutta la storia, il bene e il male. La vita di Francine e la mia... due fragili fili che ne tessono uno che non si può spezzare. Mia figlia saprà che suo padre era un brav'uomo. Saprà quello che ha passato per stare con me e quanto fosse importante Dio per lui. I figli di Francine sapranno che benedizione saranno per la vita di loro madre... e perché. E' questo che farò.... scriverò tutto.... tutto quanto. Potrebbe volerci un po', è una storia lunga, ma ho tempo. Ho tutto il tempo del mondo. Penso che inizierò con quella sera alla recita, la sera che vivi per la prima volta Francine com'era realmente... Una ragazzina persa in una bellissima donna... un'estranea in paradiso."
Ventiquattro numeri divorati in poco più di una settimana. Una storia che mi ha letteralmente stregata e fatta rimaner attaccata alle pagine con il fiato sospeso e la voglia di sapere cosa diavolo sarebbe successo.
Mi trovo un po' in difficoltà a descrivere questo fumetto, non avevo mai letto niente di simile. Accanto alle normali tavole a fumetti troviamo infatti parti scritte sotto forma di romanzo, altre sotto forma di diario e poi poesie e fotografie.... e il tutto amalgamato alla perfezione per formare un'opera frizzante, divertente ma allo stesso tempo drammatica, malinconica e con molta, moltissima suspance. Sta di fatto che Katchoo e Francine, David, Casey, Tambi e sì, diciamolo, pure Freddie mi resteranno nel cuore per sempre :)
"Come potrebbero i figli di Francie comprendere l'ironia di loro madre che si spoglia in cortile durante una litigata con me se non ne conoscessero la storia del suo spogliarello nel parco anni prima... o la perdita della toga durante la recita scolastica? C'è un filo dorato che collega tutto quello che facciamo... lega tra di loro i giorni e si vede facilmente quando ci guardiamo alle spalle. [...]
La scriverò, tutta la storia, il bene e il male. La vita di Francine e la mia... due fragili fili che ne tessono uno che non si può spezzare. Mia figlia saprà che suo padre era un brav'uomo. Saprà quello che ha passato per stare con me e quanto fosse importante Dio per lui. I figli di Francine sapranno che benedizione saranno per la vita di loro madre... e perché. E' questo che farò.... scriverò tutto.... tutto quanto. Potrebbe volerci un po', è una storia lunga, ma ho tempo. Ho tutto il tempo del mondo. Penso che inizierò con quella sera alla recita, la sera che vivi per la prima volta Francine com'era realmente... Una ragazzina persa in una bellissima donna... un'estranea in paradiso."
May 16, 2008
I've been reading Strangers in Paradise in pocket book form. (These are compilations of material that originally appeared in single issue comic book format.) This book is the last in the series, as the story comes to a close.
At its heart, Strangers in Paradise is a love story. Katchoo and Francine meet in high school. They're perfect for each other. They should be together. But instead, they wind up apart for years, and when they find each other again, they're plunged into drama and intrigue: secret identities, organized crime and killers, marriages, divorces and, er, folksingers. You name it, it's all here, rolled into one entertaining, convoluted ride.
Let me get my criticisms of the series as a whole out of the way. It lagged at times. There were a whole lot of interludes with song lyrics and poems that I didn't feel contributed much, and that frankly I didn't think were very good. Also, some of this series was reorganized when it was reprinted in these Pocket Books, and the result is a long, odd tangent in one of the previous books that is too disconnected from the characters and story we've grown invested in. So... not all 6 Pocket Books would have gotten 5 stars from me. This one, though does.
Book 6 fulfills all the promise built up through the series. This final volume brings the multifaceted story to a close most effectively, and affectingly. I was left at the end with that bittersweet feeling you get at the end of a really good book or film: you know these people are fictional characters, but you will miss them, now that their story is over. I was so glad I took the time to read Strangers in Paradise.
At its heart, Strangers in Paradise is a love story. Katchoo and Francine meet in high school. They're perfect for each other. They should be together. But instead, they wind up apart for years, and when they find each other again, they're plunged into drama and intrigue: secret identities, organized crime and killers, marriages, divorces and, er, folksingers. You name it, it's all here, rolled into one entertaining, convoluted ride.
Let me get my criticisms of the series as a whole out of the way. It lagged at times. There were a whole lot of interludes with song lyrics and poems that I didn't feel contributed much, and that frankly I didn't think were very good. Also, some of this series was reorganized when it was reprinted in these Pocket Books, and the result is a long, odd tangent in one of the previous books that is too disconnected from the characters and story we've grown invested in. So... not all 6 Pocket Books would have gotten 5 stars from me. This one, though does.
Book 6 fulfills all the promise built up through the series. This final volume brings the multifaceted story to a close most effectively, and affectingly. I was left at the end with that bittersweet feeling you get at the end of a really good book or film: you know these people are fictional characters, but you will miss them, now that their story is over. I was so glad I took the time to read Strangers in Paradise.
January 24, 2017
I didn't want it to end! The series started to drag in the middle to me, but the final volume really took off and I hate that it ended.
The ending was sort of what I saw coming from the beginning, but wow what a ride. There were some sad parts in this volume, as well as some far fetched things going on, but overall this was a pretty solid ending.
Overall this was an awesome series, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes truly human stories with realistic characters (for the most part.) Really powerful storytelling that shows comics aren't just for superheroes.
The ending was sort of what I saw coming from the beginning, but wow what a ride. There were some sad parts in this volume, as well as some far fetched things going on, but overall this was a pretty solid ending.
Overall this was an awesome series, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes truly human stories with realistic characters (for the most part.) Really powerful storytelling that shows comics aren't just for superheroes.
September 13, 2017
I have some real problems to review SiP. I have to vote 5 stars, even with all the problems of the story and really not good deus ex machina. I had similar problems with Echo, another work (much shorter of this one), he creates these giant blockbusters with an interesting starting point but never takes things to the next level. Still, they're always entertaining and, in this case, you inevitably fall in love with the characters, i'm so sorry to leave them. Actually i'm pretty lucky since Moore will return with SiP in 2018. So, i loved SiP and i don't regret how much i spent on these beautiful books, i'm sure that i'll read all of them again sooner than i think... but i can't say that this is really an important series to have. Sure i have a lot of people I would suggest it (i already did it and these people are loving it), but i can't suggest it to someone who wants only the best.
P.S. I'm surprised that Moore works are just in comics, Echo would be a perfect blockbuster and Strangers in Paradise a perfect tv show!
P.S. I'm surprised that Moore works are just in comics, Echo would be a perfect blockbuster and Strangers in Paradise a perfect tv show!
September 25, 2008
This is really a review for the series of six pocket books.
Strangers in Paradise is one of my new favorite comics. The main characters come to feel so real and vulnerable and I kept hoping that they would just get it together and figure it out!
My only real criticism is that there were parts that felt repetitive and other parts that wandered too far from the meat of the story, but I can easily forgive the author for these dalliances since I can only imagine how hard it would be to remained focused on an open-ended story for so long.
The graphic novel in its entirety is a kind of love letter to love. The complicated and intertwining relationships of all the characters allows Moore to explore the meaning of family, the meaning of love, and what it means to risk everything to allow love to come into your life.
This book's highly recommended for anyone, particularly those that cling to the idea that comics are for kids or are an inferior art form.
Strangers in Paradise is one of my new favorite comics. The main characters come to feel so real and vulnerable and I kept hoping that they would just get it together and figure it out!
My only real criticism is that there were parts that felt repetitive and other parts that wandered too far from the meat of the story, but I can easily forgive the author for these dalliances since I can only imagine how hard it would be to remained focused on an open-ended story for so long.
The graphic novel in its entirety is a kind of love letter to love. The complicated and intertwining relationships of all the characters allows Moore to explore the meaning of family, the meaning of love, and what it means to risk everything to allow love to come into your life.
This book's highly recommended for anyone, particularly those that cling to the idea that comics are for kids or are an inferior art form.
February 24, 2019
I started to cry reading the end of this book.
One could say the ending is too neat, too sweet, I couldn’t disagree exactly, but Strangers in Paradise was never perfect (sometimes pretentious prose segments in comic sans are not the best idea, just saying.) SiP does everything a little too much, and that’s part of its charm! There aren't a lot of other comics that are soap operas, slapstick, sex comedies, and espionage.
Secondly, queer women don’t usually get unabashedly happy endings, and this feels more than earned.
anyway,
I'm so happy for these cartoon people!!! 👭
One could say the ending is too neat, too sweet, I couldn’t disagree exactly, but Strangers in Paradise was never perfect (sometimes pretentious prose segments in comic sans are not the best idea, just saying.) SiP does everything a little too much, and that’s part of its charm! There aren't a lot of other comics that are soap operas, slapstick, sex comedies, and espionage.
Secondly, queer women don’t usually get unabashedly happy endings, and this feels more than earned.
anyway,
I'm so happy for these cartoon people!!! 👭
May 12, 2017
Katchoo and Francine got the ending they deserve. That's what's most important. bunch of out of character moments that bugged me. I neeeeeeed a baybah!! And Casey's turn was pretty stupid and didn't make much sense.
Still his best work .
Still his best work .
July 4, 2025
so this whole melodrama hit very different when i was in my teens and figuring out my sexuality, but NOW it's a whole lotta drama (jfc) and lack of self-knowledge (francine) and lack of restraint (katchoo). and lying WHILE committing to the bit (David, Casey). and rather interesting masculine and amoral big sister energy (Mary Beth, which, lol her name was very funny). and gross men getting away with garbage/abusive behavior (freddie obvs, and pretty much every other guy in this universe) and then being 'forgiven' in kind of ridiculous ways.
and the one super confusing 'but which path would they take' book (3? that's what i get for bingeing them all immediately after each other late at night) was more annoying than interesting.
that said.
a few laugh out loud moments.
some of the art-induced emotional tugs were just how i remembered.
and the ending was satisfying and sweet with only a little bittersweet.
also: i'm annoyed that the one nice dude 'saved the day' and was sort of a martyr in the end bc WHAT. feminist, my ass. a 'Christian' trope that's overdramatic and irritating at best (in quotes bc Christianity is a lot of Greek mythology dressed up as truth, when Jesus was more of a Jewish anti-establishment socialist. I have excellent historical receipts about this stance, don't bother coming at me.) feels like a lot of books written by men that end up having them as somehow 'different than other guys.' which. sure, honey. still acted like a regular guy a lotttttttt, so, let's not be precious about true love and honesty.
also. good lord, the money stuff, the politics. at this moment, just shows how we got where we are now. so gross.
.
lol i am kind of hilariously salty about this. mostly bc reading it a second time 25 years later was both a very weird memory-jogger (and that time in my life was a gigantic YIKES in almost every way), a nostalgia-vibe-tear-jerker (and a wish for a return to dum-phones and landlines), and mostly a reminder of what i thought was possible at 20. which is fine, but this really pulled up that little femme part of me that was so hopeful back then! sad to have to break it to her that yeah, babe, no.
and the one super confusing 'but which path would they take' book (3? that's what i get for bingeing them all immediately after each other late at night) was more annoying than interesting.
that said.
a few laugh out loud moments.
some of the art-induced emotional tugs were just how i remembered.
and the ending was satisfying and sweet with only a little bittersweet.
also: i'm annoyed that the one nice dude 'saved the day' and was sort of a martyr in the end bc WHAT. feminist, my ass. a 'Christian' trope that's overdramatic and irritating at best (in quotes bc Christianity is a lot of Greek mythology dressed up as truth, when Jesus was more of a Jewish anti-establishment socialist. I have excellent historical receipts about this stance, don't bother coming at me.) feels like a lot of books written by men that end up having them as somehow 'different than other guys.' which. sure, honey. still acted like a regular guy a lotttttttt, so, let's not be precious about true love and honesty.
also. good lord, the money stuff, the politics. at this moment, just shows how we got where we are now. so gross.
.
lol i am kind of hilariously salty about this. mostly bc reading it a second time 25 years later was both a very weird memory-jogger (and that time in my life was a gigantic YIKES in almost every way), a nostalgia-vibe-tear-jerker (and a wish for a return to dum-phones and landlines), and mostly a reminder of what i thought was possible at 20. which is fine, but this really pulled up that little femme part of me that was so hopeful back then! sad to have to break it to her that yeah, babe, no.
March 6, 2019
I walked by this in the library, and thought, 'hey, I've heard of these graphic novels but I've never read one!" and so I checked it out (first I looked at a number that involved mythical creatures and lots of weird action in their plots that I couldn't relate to).
Well, I was quite engaged in both the story line and more so, in the art. The range of emotions that the graphics picked up (well, that the artist conveyed) was quite amazing, and funny, and sad, etc. I like to think that I would have been a graphic novel writer-artist if this had presented itself as a possibility back in the 60s. Perhaps it did, but not in White Fox where the options for young women were pretty much teacher, nurse, secretary, and/or wife. I did have a friend who took a "commercial art" course but that was to draw stuff for ads, etc. and I am not sure if she actually got a job. She does paint now as an older woman.... so.... nothing was lost.
I likely won't read another one of these, but you never know. In any case, it was interesting and I like the genre.
Well, I was quite engaged in both the story line and more so, in the art. The range of emotions that the graphics picked up (well, that the artist conveyed) was quite amazing, and funny, and sad, etc. I like to think that I would have been a graphic novel writer-artist if this had presented itself as a possibility back in the 60s. Perhaps it did, but not in White Fox where the options for young women were pretty much teacher, nurse, secretary, and/or wife. I did have a friend who took a "commercial art" course but that was to draw stuff for ads, etc. and I am not sure if she actually got a job. She does paint now as an older woman.... so.... nothing was lost.
I likely won't read another one of these, but you never know. In any case, it was interesting and I like the genre.
October 14, 2019
Good Lord! I keep preaching to the masses about this writer! What more can I say. He is a phenomenal artist and such a talented writer. I can’t say which of these gifts are more proficient. This is the last in the pocket series. However, he has continued the series and characters in the series: five years. Not going to ruin anything but you would be well served by reading this wonderful series! Highly recommended!
April 6, 2024
This final volume of SIP reaches its emotional conclusion. Terry Moore does an excellent job of wrapping up the story of the intertwined relationships between Katchoo, Francine, David and their friends in a natural way. Katchoo and Francine resolve the nature of their relationship, and have to deal with the illness of one of their friends. The final page is a unique way to wrap up a comic book story.
February 18, 2021
A beautiful bookend to a wonderful series. It’s all the adjectives you might think of. I have been following the characters for a while now, and I will truly miss them... until I read again the series.
May 25, 2023
This is an astonishing series in terms of the characterisation and the sheer wealth of work Terry Moor has put into it over the years. Although rather late to the party, I'm thoroughly glad I was able to read and enjoy Strangers in Paradise. Highly recommended.
June 13, 2017
Such a good ending. Was totally worth it.
November 19, 2017
È bellissimo! Ma che lo dico a fare...
January 15, 2019
Increíble.
Es verdad que sin amor, solo somos extraños en el paraíso.
Es verdad que sin amor, solo somos extraños en el paraíso.
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
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