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Strangers in Paradise Trade Paperbacks #13
Strangers in Paradise, Vol. 13: Flower To Flame
After going their separate ways, Francine and Katchoo try to rebuild their lives, with Francine making wedding plans and Katchoo painting. But the FBI is watching Katchoo and a ruthless killer wants to use her as bait for revenge. If Katchoo can make it through that, she'll face the most difficult challenge of her life: Francine's wedding.
Collects vol. 3 issues #55-60.
Collects vol. 3 issues #55-60.
121 pages, ebook
First published December 29, 2003
3 people are currently reading
131 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]
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 4, 2018
This series keeps building. Each volume more intense. Every final issue more shocking than the last issue from the previous volume. If I didn't know how many volumes there are already, I might think I was getting close to a big, dramatic, and messy end.
The emotion in this is very high and the rips in relationships seemingly unrepairable. There is a great sense of loss and moving on. In fact, one of the most shocking scenes so far in this series is in this volume and just takes the story so much farther into harsh reality than you would ever expect from a comic book.
In addition to sorting out personal drama, the dark side of Katchoo's past continues to haunt. Conspiracy and revenge is found around every corner. So much packed into one volume!
This series is just great. Amazing artistry and creativity in both the writing and the art. Not every twist in turn will be enjoyed by everyone, but it is just so damn beautiful!
The emotion in this is very high and the rips in relationships seemingly unrepairable. There is a great sense of loss and moving on. In fact, one of the most shocking scenes so far in this series is in this volume and just takes the story so much farther into harsh reality than you would ever expect from a comic book.
In addition to sorting out personal drama, the dark side of Katchoo's past continues to haunt. Conspiracy and revenge is found around every corner. So much packed into one volume!
This series is just great. Amazing artistry and creativity in both the writing and the art. Not every twist in turn will be enjoyed by everyone, but it is just so damn beautiful!
February 5, 2023
SiP ups the emotional stakes, not easy to do when you’re up to volume 13.
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.
May 4, 2020
I have mixed feelings about this book. First, Moore is an amazing illustrator. There's no doubt. His plot is interesting, unpredictable, and fresh.
It just gets old that he includes very one-dimensional characters like a priest who interrupts a private conversation or a mother who doesn't like her daughter's ex-gf. Every character, EVERY, with traditional values is shows as mean, stupid, and selfish. The cool and hip kids are shown as smart and personable...except they are also the characters committing murder and assault. From the Moore telling, disapproving of gay marriage (and I'm not in that camp, it's fine with me if it makes 2 ppl happy) is a more terrible sin than torturing and killing a person. The book would just be better without the inclusion of the one-dimensional stereotypes. They're a buzzkill, and because they are out of place, tend to dominate the reader's attention.
It just gets old that he includes very one-dimensional characters like a priest who interrupts a private conversation or a mother who doesn't like her daughter's ex-gf. Every character, EVERY, with traditional values is shows as mean, stupid, and selfish. The cool and hip kids are shown as smart and personable...except they are also the characters committing murder and assault. From the Moore telling, disapproving of gay marriage (and I'm not in that camp, it's fine with me if it makes 2 ppl happy) is a more terrible sin than torturing and killing a person. The book would just be better without the inclusion of the one-dimensional stereotypes. They're a buzzkill, and because they are out of place, tend to dominate the reader's attention.
June 20, 2019
Terry Moore loves weaving pop culture artifacts, both real and invented, into his graphic novels (even to the point of composing a score and adding the sheet music to the images he draws). But never was his use of music as devastating as the final pages, set to Billy Joel's "And So It Goes." It just WORKS. This series just WORKS. (I'm not completely sold on the new characterization of Tambi as tragicomic butch/femme sex machine, but it is what it is.)
July 27, 2025
Definitely don’t mess with a Parker girl. She will blow your ears off…literally. Loved the drawings and the action scenes! These comics are definitely about girl power. Of course, the girls have their own personal drama. Not sure what the Snow White sequence was all about. A good read!
April 28, 2020
Heartbreaking. Intriguing. Fun. Three of the best adjectives to describe this series and this volume in particular. Love it.
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
March 23, 2023
Si este comic fuese una serie de television, seria una maratón irremediable
February 7, 2025
Good looking melodrama. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that Moore is going to craft his stories to exist only in hyper-inflated emotions. Everything is turned up to 11. Sure, I find a lot of it over the top, but it’s my guilty pleasure. The characters are fun and the artwork always looks stellar.
February 5, 2016
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This volume starts with a flashback to 1988, in which Tambi confronts a headstrong mafioso and his wife. Then it's back to the present, where Katchoo moves in with Casey to begin "life after Francine." She begins painting again and meets Sara Fitzgerald, a charming model who seems to have a lot in common with Francine. Meanwhile, back in Tennessee, Francine suffers a devastating loss and reaches out to Katchoo--but Casey steps in to try and defuse the situation (with disastrous results). This all culminates in Katchoo crashing Francine's wedding--but is she too late?
Another pivotal volume in the Strangers in Paradise saga, Flower to Flame contains some heartrending moments (not least of which is Katchoo's reaction to her stepfather's death). But a Snow White fantasy sequence helps to lighten things up, and Moore also includes two helpful flowcharts that list Francine's and Katchoo's ever-growing string of relatives and friends.
This volume starts with a flashback to 1988, in which Tambi confronts a headstrong mafioso and his wife. Then it's back to the present, where Katchoo moves in with Casey to begin "life after Francine." She begins painting again and meets Sara Fitzgerald, a charming model who seems to have a lot in common with Francine. Meanwhile, back in Tennessee, Francine suffers a devastating loss and reaches out to Katchoo--but Casey steps in to try and defuse the situation (with disastrous results). This all culminates in Katchoo crashing Francine's wedding--but is she too late?
Another pivotal volume in the Strangers in Paradise saga, Flower to Flame contains some heartrending moments (not least of which is Katchoo's reaction to her stepfather's death). But a Snow White fantasy sequence helps to lighten things up, and Moore also includes two helpful flowcharts that list Francine's and Katchoo's ever-growing string of relatives and friends.
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.
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 - 13 of 13 reviews