Strangers in Paradise: Treasury Edition

by Terry Moore

Based on the bestselling comic book and graphic novel series, this is the ultimate compendium of Strangers in Paradise , the critically acclaimed story of two ordinary women whose friendship turns to love during one violent summer. Author Terry Moore weaves a fascinating director's cut of the entire series from its quiet beginnings to the terrifying climax, compiling the best of the best from the first sixty-plus issues, adding never-before-seen pages and insightful commentary, and reconstructing the lives of Katchoo (the beautiful young rebel), Francine (the lovable neurotic), and the rest of his cast into a spellbinding story all its own, perfect for newcomers and hardcore fans alike.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, LGBT, Graphic Novels Comics, Art, Friendship

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Following 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]

Reviews

[Lori Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOOOVE this book. Terry Moore's SiP is still my favorite comic series of all time, and it's amazing to see just how much thought goes into such a book. I love how it shows the first unpublished issue of SiP!

[Howell Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a summary or rehash, but there are some interesting things about how the author out the series together. And his art is always good.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really the style of comic book that I like. Trying too hard to be realistic.

[Bookworm Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book was a treat !! We need another one to finish the series and one for Rachel Rising

[Todd N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice introduction and overview to Strangers In Paradise, one of the most successful and longest running comic book series to come out of the incredibly fertile DIY self-publishing "alternative" comics movement of the late 80's and early 90's.

Now might be a good time to go to the last remaining used bookstores and buy out-of-print copies of the amazing comics from this time -- Hernandez Bros., Eightball, Lloyd Llewellen, Strangers in Paradise, New Wave Comics, Flaming Carrot reprints, Matt Groening's early books, etc., etc. They are all there. The zines, too. I bought this for $10 at Bookbuyers in Mt. View.

In about 10 years these are all going to be re-packaged and sold to aging Gen Xers and their younger siblings as either nostalgia or serious literature. Bone is already being reissued and sold in the young readers section of the Palo Alto Borders. They are clearly targeting me, not my kids.

So in 2020 when you see an elderly gentleman at a coffee shop or a bus stop reading a Cometbus Anthology or David Boring just remember that I predicted it.

But I digress. I slept on most of these comics back in the day (which is why I am so ripe for the nostalgic repackaging), so this was my first look at Strangers in Paradise.

The three main characters Francine, Katchoo, and David form the same classic triangle as Krazy Kat, Ignatz, and Offica Pup. But instead of bricks and Kononino Co. we get body image issues and a band of international assassins. It all hangs together and works surprisingly well. My impression is that the plot doesn't matter as much as the chance to hang out with these excellent characters.

The overview ends about 1/2 way through the actual series, which continued on until a few years ago.

There are some weird flashforwards mentioned in the overview that get retconned away later in the series, so don't get too freaked out by that.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before I'd read a single SiP comic... I guess I thought it was some giant one-volume omnibus, but it's more like the book equivalent of a clips show. It did whet my appetite for the actual series, but perhaps took some of the fun out of the actual plot of the whole thing. And it made me feel slightly daunted by the plethora of editions and different collections of this long series... public library systems, don't fail me now.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this comic book series when it came out and enjoyed it, although Terry Moore's time-jumping sometimes left me confused. This treasury provided a lot of back story as to why he made the story line choices he did. It also had never-before seen artwork and stories. For any SiP fan, it was a real delight.

[Bea Elwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember the exact moment I was first introduced to this series. I would go monthly to the local comic book shop to pick up the latest issue. Even had a poster I displayed for years. Recently reread the comics and a lot can happen in 15 years! I'm holding onto the comics but I'm going to donate this book. Thank you Terry Moore for being such a big part of my early 20s.

[Rahadyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A behind-the-scenes look at the genesis and development of Terry Moore's comics series, including the unpublished version of the first issue. I first read about this in Moore's interview in the Comics Journal some years ago and enjoyed a look at the process. Recommended.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I doubt this book would mean much as a standalone, but it reminded me of everything I loved about Strangers in Paradise. I might need to reread the series this summer.

[mairywo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful addition to the series for every SiP fan. It includes sketches, background stories, covers and scenes never seen before.

[suetella · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it's been a while since you read SiP and want an overview up to issue 60, this is it. Otherwise, read the trade paperbacks to get the most out of Moore's incredibly good storytelling and drawing.

[Kate McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the "behind the scene" look at one of my favorite comics.

[Sonja P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to read the actual comics now;)