Strangers in Paradise

by Terry Moore

The greatest love story ever told is finally available in an affordable, softcover omnibus edition! This two-book package contains all 2,128 pages of Terry Moore's epic tale featuring Katchoo, Francine, David, and Casey as they face life's biggest challenges by facing them together. All 107 issues of the Strangers In Paradise series are here, including the spin-offs Molly & Poo, Princess Warrior, When World's Collide, and David's Story.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Romance, Graphic Novels Comics, LGBT, Queer, Lesbian

2128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 5 out of 5]

War and Peace. Harry Potter. And this.

If "Harry Potter" is the undeniable top-tier example of a character-based young adult epic, and "War and Peace" is the same for serious literature, Terry Moore's "Strangers in Paradise" is the comic and graphic novel contender. I am not exaggerating, and neither is the blurb calling this "the greatest love story ever told." It is THAT GOOD. Romance, comedy, drama, crime, poetry... even sheet music. It's all here, it's all wrapped up in this beautiful, complicated, oddly real story of love and faith and self. Just read it. Then give it to the friends you love, whichever way it is you love them.

[Evan Dossey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put off reading "Strangers in Paradise" for five or so years. I'd given it a shot every once in awhile, to the point of finishing the first (of six) pocket book editions a few years ago, but for some reason I could never attach to it. The style, the length, the depth of the series were, to sound completely ridiculous, a bit daunting. Eventually my friend Christy, who was prodding me to read it for quite some time, gifted me the Omnibus last Christmas. I was pretty much out of excuses.

"Strangers in Paradise" is a story originally published between 1993 to 2007 across 90 issues, incorporating story told through comic, prose, song lyrics, photographs, about two women and a man whose lives criss-cross, on and off again, beautifully, tragically, sensationally.

In some ways, I wish I'd read it monthly, but reading it all together didn't make the drama any less effective, the experimental aspects any less impressive. Terry Moore accomplished something amazing with "Strangers in Paradise," and it really is one of the best independent comics I've ever read. I'd suggest it to anyone looking to get into the medium, or anyone who doubts the presence of well-rounded, compelling women in comics. Francine, Katchoo and the gang (unnamed because spoilers) are fantastic.

Just one note I really have, about this Omnibus edition. It's collected without any sort of demarcation between issues or volumes. While this is supposed to make the story read like a novel, it does mean that certain 'special features,' originally serialized in the back of certain issues and later collected chronologically story-order in the 'pocket book' editions, find themselves slapped into the back of Omnibus 2. This doesn't bother me *too much,* but it does create a different reading experience between the Omnibus and the Pocket Book editions. So if you're looking to read "Strangers in Paradise," I would keep in mind that the Omnibus isn't necessarily the superior reading experience. The Pocket Books are still excellent editions.

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 but I'll round it up :)

Stangers in Paradise is, hands down, the best love story I have ever read. Granted, I do not read many of them, but I stand by that statement.

Sometimes it's annoying and slow, but other times it hits you right in the heart or introduces a crazy twist that leaves you staring at the pages, mouth agape. Yes, it seems to be the same plot over and over again. Katchoo loves Francine, but Francine can't respond in kind (because of her upbringing, her fear of defying social convention, etc.). They separate - and then get back together. Katchoo still loves Francine, but Francine still can't respond in the same way.

They split again. They get back together. They split. They reunite.

But in the meantime, life goes on, and their relationships with other people in their lives evolve.

Strangers in Paradise is wonderful. Beautifully illustrated, well-written, thought-provoking, and unforgettable. Terry Moore is a genius, but I have already said that when reviewing his other graphic novels. I will read anything this guy writes.

[Highland G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book, really enjoyed it. Only marking it down for the shear amount of prose throughout, about half of which I felt was unnecessary.
Otherwise great story, great characters, lots of twists and turns. I even shed a tear at one point.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume One

OK I'm not technically finished with this two-volume, 2000+ page monstrosity, but I did finish the first volume, and wanted to log my thoughts on each of them separately since they're so enormous.

Terry Moore is one of my favorite comics writers and artists, and possibly my absolute favorite writer/artist combo. He's written excellent, character-driven, genre-bending comics for years, many of which are absolute must-reads. Strangers in Paradise was his first major foray into the medium, and his main series from 1993-2007. So, while it's often considered to be his magnum opus, it's also very rough.

Well, the writing is rough. The art is the same stellar, emotive mixture of cartooning and detailed comics artwork he's become known for. The pencils in this thing are simply gorgeous, and his sense of space also draws you fully into the world. Some of his characters look a little indistinguishable at times, but that's a minor problem.

The real issue, as I said, is the writing. I just don't think Moore had quite cracked his style yet in this first volume. I'm interested to see how it evolves over the next volume, as it definitely gets better as it goes along. But this first volume is a bit of a slog at times. The main characters, Francine and Katchoo (an unforgivable name), are intended to be well-drawn, full characters, as well as deeper, more realistic women, something that was particularly missing in the 90s when Moore was writing this.

However, they just kind of... aren't. Throughout this volume, the characters change barely one iota. Francine eats a lot and her weight fluctuates and she can never make up her mind about anything. Katchoo hates men and gets very very mad very very easily. The two of them circle each other as potential love interests for nearly 1000 pages, going through the same cycle over and over: Francine doesn't think she's gay but loves Katchoo, Katchoo finally shows Francine that they're meant to be together, they nearly seal the deal, and then a fight comes completely out of nowhere based on absolutely nothing, destroying their relationship and sending them back to square one. In the process, Katchoo also makes you hate her more and more. She is borderline abusive to Francine, and at times a full gas-lighter, but this behavior isn't really shown to be bad. It's just plot fodder to throw a wrench in the works, and it never gets dealt with satisfactorily.

I'd be fine with this if it ever felt like there was any character growth or momentum, but there just isn't. They go through this same cycle over and over, never seeming to come closer to actually being a full couple. The storytelling just isn't varied or dynamic enough to make this soap opera worth restarting over and over. There are some interesting crime elements that come up in regards to Katchoo's dark past, but they often fizzle out before they really get moving, and are usually solved by a deus ex machina or a random twist that feels unearned.

Also, the male characters are written so thinly as to be infuriating. Writing feminist comics as a man does not mean making every man an unbelievable piece of shit or glowing, perfect angel. It requires dynamic realism for both the men and the women. Instead, this feels weirdly reductive at times, kind of patronizing in its approach to women and their relationships with men. It also frequently makes Francine seem like a complete idiot for often being hung up on the worst men ever created by God. It isn't realistic enough to be dramatic or absurd enough to be funny, and as such it's hard to get behind.

All of those gripes aside, though, there are hidden gems of character and world building hidden under this rough outer shell. Moore's better instincts do occasionally shine through. It's why I'm interested to keep going, particularly knowing how great some of Moore's later work is. This hasn't necessarily been "doing it" for me, but I'm hopeful it will start to in volume two.

[Kenny Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard about the comics, Strangers In Paradise for years. While perusing my local comics shop I would hear people talk about them but shrug and then go to my usual super hero shelves. I read a few reviews online and wondered what the fuss was all about.

For my birthday last year (2014) I decided to treat myself to the omnibus edition. I could sit down in one sitting and see what if this was worthy of being on my favorites shelf.

Boy is it worth! The story pulled me in from page one! Katchoo may be angry (and blonde) but she is HIGHLY intelligent. Francine is painted as a weak person but she shows flashes of brilliance and by the end of the story proves she is just as intelligent as Katchoo and grows immensely by choosing love and not what society expects from her.

David is the common thread of the book in my opinion. I love how he and Katchoo truly love one another but in a totally different way. If you get to the end of his story and don't feel something then I strongly recommend you see a cardiologist cause your heart is in need of some serious repair.

In conclusion I think that you will fall in love with the series the same that I have done. That's what the series is truly about: love. Love and the choices we make to protect, nurture and at the end, express the love that we find. Until we all respect each others choice/chance to love, we will always be "Strangers In Paradise."

[Louis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't believe I read the whole thing.

This is brilliant. And pathetic. And incredible. And stupid. And romantic. And trashy. And uplifting. And disappointing.

There's so much here that you get everything at some point (except believable male characters or heterosexual women). I'm glad I read it, and I'm sort of sad I spent so much time on it at the same time. If I'd have read this before Echo, it would probably rate higher for me.

All that said, I do recommend it to anyone tired of the Capes and cowls the industry is usually shoving down or throats.

[Matthew WK · Rating 5 out of 5]

No doubt about it - one of the best pieces of written work I've ever read - and that includes comics, fiction, or non-fiction. Closest thing in comics to literary fiction. Just an unbelievably written and drawn story. I dare you to try to not fall in love with these characters. So many touching moments and the story twists and turns like real life - you'll never expect it, but it stays true to the stories. Easily in my top 3 best comics of all time and one that will receive continued readings!

[OmniBen · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review) 4.75/5
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.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have not yet read the bonus content in book 2. I have just finished Strangers In Paradise proper at around page 900.

So wow. I kind of hated this. I read Terry Moore's previous work Echo and absolutely loved it. I read Rachel Rising and liked it OK (it is a page turner for sure.) I had wanted to read this for years and finally bought the omnibus assuming it would be a new favorite book. I was wrong.

It's hard to explain why exactly, but I'll try. I found the characters incredibly annoying, frustrating, and unlikable. David especially, the third guy main character in the book. I found him very overbearing and irritating and for some bizarre reason the two other girls decide they love him, and it seems to be assumed the audience does now too. I never understood why. Half of this series is about telling you what an amazing and wonderful guy David is. I never felt that. I never liked him. And by the time the book ended, I still hated him. He exemplifies something that bothered me in the book which is that a new person enters the main character's lives and suddenly they are a family.

Other incidental characters are incredibly annoying. Freddy, who is supposed to be the asshole guy (honestly, every single guy except David is a huge scumbag in this book, and there are a lot of rants about how horrible men are), is just so much of a one-dimensional obnoxious piece of garbage that I can't understand why any other character would tolerate being in his presence for one second. I kept waiting for some other side to emerge or some reason he is in the book (because as comic relief he's incredibly unfunny.) Any scene with Freddy begins and ends with him screaming in a rage at another character. I could barely take it anymore. Moore gives Freddy a sweet, uncharacteristic moment literally at the last second, but it felt completely insane to me as it had no relation to the character as established for 2,000 pages before that.

Speaking of comic relief, I truly hated anytime the book tried to do comedy. It always fell flat. I never cracked a smile once in 2,000 pages.

The main characters, Francine and Katchoo (I never liked that name and never got used to it. Sorry to the real Katchoos out there.) Francine is sweet and I like her character. Katchoo is interesting and I kind of liked her character, also the dynamic between the two of them. But the romance between the two, the life blood of this series, is incredibly frustrating. 2,000 pages of them being indecisive. Not only that, but 1,000 pages in, an author insert basically admits this and vows to change it...and doesn't!

I didn't like the crime drama in this book at all. I simply don't think Moore is very good at it. Somebody like David Lapham or Ed Brubaker can get my heart racing in their crime stories. I was bored during this stuff and it never felt right for the story about two girls falling in love. I don't understand why so much was focused on murder and crime and politics, and EVEN THE AUTHOR INSERT 1,000 PAGES IN admits this and yet nothing changes.

The art is absolutely incredible. Terry Moore is simply an amazing artist with a skill level I rarely see in comics these days. No complaints there.

I would give this one star, as I truly did not enjoy reading it, but it's such a monumental life's work and achievement on Moore's part, it felt too unfair to do that. I also did kind of like the ending, which was sweet and a bit of a relief. If you're wondering why I read 2,000 pages of a book I disliked...I just don't like giving up on books, especially ones I bought. I also liked the art a lot.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omnibus Sale April 2017:

I did indeed but all the Omnibus' listed in Mr. Moore's Half Off-Omnibus Sale, so I will be updating my ownership and reviews for all of these. I have loved Strangers in Paradise with a whole heart unconditional, unwavering adoration since I was sixteen and my boss at the comic store, with a recent bought from a customer, first edition, red slash cover, Strangers in Paradise, Vol. 1, first edition, said, "Don't touch this."

As you can guess, I did touch it (amid an insanely slow night, where everyone else was playing a long winded Magic the Gathering game on the end of the store, and the book, and the pile of comics of the self-same title were under it) and there began my descent into one of the two greats loves of my life in the two decades I've been reading comics. My adorations for Katchoo, Francine, and everyone else in their world is unending.

Getting to own these volumes finally feels like a piece de resistance moment and getting to read it all over again in order in these books only continues to cement my endless love for these women and their long, winding, perfectly imperfect story of unwavering love.



(I totally bought that first edition off of him after a lot of hemming and hawing on his part, too.)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, I'd rate it 4.5 if I was allowed to.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Terry Moore's comics work, but this is probably my least favorite of his series. Its not nearly as focused as his other work, and while I have affection for all of the main characters, they also can get somewhat tiresome. That being said, the artwork is always lovely and it seems like Moore is really allowing himself to do so much with this series, experimenting with prose, with different kinds of artwork, with song lyrics, with poetry......and that's great to see.

[Taro Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! There is just so much going on in this story, crime syndicates, comedy, drama, and above everything else quite simply the best story about love I’ve ever read.

Essentially it’s a comic but there’s so much else, prose, art, songs, photography. The detail in the way Moore draws characters complete with all their flaws just adds so much more to the story, I’ve not really seen anyone else draw like him.

My only regret is not going for the hard cover edition but it’s just too much. The one thing I would say is make sure you read past the first story arc, that one is such a different style it doesn’t really give you a true taster for the story.

Buy it, read it, then find a copy of the XXV omnibus and get that too.

[Shayla Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a groundbreaking and award winning series when it first came out-and a right of passage for those thinking about or living sexually alternative lifestyles. I still enjoy that it doesn't put bisexuality, lesbianism, polyamory or monogamy in a box or on a pedestal. The relationships are organic and believable. The plot is a page turner and the way the artist chose to depict the women makes you notice how beautiful and touching ordinary beauty is. This year is the 25th year anniversary and Moore has not only released a follow up story, but there's a movie in the works.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

The size of this complete set made me think I could never get through it. But the strong characters and Moore's art made it fly by. The second volume doesn't have the narrative drive of the first, but this was a great graphic novel.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of cliche, outdated, and even offensive content in here, but these characters have lived in my mind since middle school. I love them a lot, even if they are exasperating and dumb. And the illustrations are beautiful.

[James Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare when many things come together in such the right way to give an atmosphere, feeling, and story that meshes so well that you truly feel you get what the author is trying to convey and what he was aiming for. From the playful artwork done so beautifully in black and white, blended with the fantastic humor and seriousness that some story arcs go through, this just checked all the right boxes for me.

The artwork, comedy, and story all come together in such a beautiful way to give SiP its signature style and absolute uniqueness that makes it so utterly memorable, it will forever be one of my favorite reads and I feel I understood what Terry Moore was trying to do.

I have never read anything like this. It was truly unique in its delivery and I loved every bit of it. The love story was fantastic and amazingly handled, with the backdrop of crime and murder. The artwork was all over the place but in a good way. There would be newspaper-style cartoon artwork on one panel and in the same issue, there will be one of the most beautifully drawn panels you will ever see. The artwork was so good when blending black and white it was as poetic as some of the verses we get throughout the series.

Francine will be forever one of my favorite all-time characters. I will never forget any of them but Francine was truly magical to me. Her aloofness, goofiness, and sexiness merge so well in the character to give an endearing, beautiful person. She really felt real to me.

Too many books and movies these days are trying to check all these boxes, to appeal to such a large audience, they feel the more boxes they check the better the thing they are creating will be. For me, this often leads to disastrous ends with story-telling and delivery. SiP was so great in its delivery and story because it really focused on just a few elements. With SiP the checked boxes were few and it was kept simple; fun, love.

Well done Terry Moore and thank you.

[Doom70 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought and read this in single issues as it came out through the 90s and into the 2000s. Reading it now all at once over the course of a couple weeks really brings home the maturity and changes the characters make, over years and relationships and disasters and challenges. You see the characters in high school, then in the early twenties, then in the early 30s, and you see how they mature and grow past traumas and into people who can truly be happy with themselves. The early volumes are a bit more over the top and dramatic with crime and suspenseful danger stories. Maybe we'll we'll be rich, maybe we'll escape this dangerous situation! But the heartfelt stuff comes when they mature past that, into relatable real life situations. Who do I marry? Should I have a child? What is it to be in an adult relationship. What is love? What is forgiveness?. The work it takes for them get what they want in the end, what they need. It's very emotional, and one of my absolute favorite comics. I was very glad to have met Terry Moore in person once, shake his hand and thank him, and have him sign one of my early issues of the series.

Just an aside...around the midpoint of the big story, one character is imagining different futures, rolling out across decades. Which path to take? There's a simple scene of her imagining herself and her love, old and wise, sweet and content, embracing each other while lying down for a nap. A dream and hope for simple happiness and contentment while she's caught in turmoil and indecision. Moore brings such tender moments to life. Amazing.

[Michael Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Volume 1, so here's the first half review. Better and worse than I remembered. Let's start with the bad: I haven't read the whole thing in one run in at least ten years, and it's just so clear that he's making it up as he goes. There wasn't really a grand plan, but you know what? It works. He's clear with that, even though he tries the retcon stuff later (with varying degrees of transparency). But I don't mind someone writing their way into a story. I'll stick with my oldest description of it: Strangers in Paradise is truly just a story about three people who love each other. It gets way too big for its britches at many times, but if you're able to accept that it is truly just a love story, you will completely enjoy it. On to the good part: the art is superb from the first issue, and it only progresses to get better and better. The simple love story relationship between Francine and Katchoo, especially, almost always works perfectly. Their various conflicts and reunions hold up. The emotional core of the story makes it resonate at all the ages I've read it. Can't wait to finish, and have even more complaints and compliments.

[Jenny Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband bought this for me for Christmas because he didn't realize I already had all of the comics but it gave me a chance to reread one of my favorite graphic novels ever. It's still as beautiful and strange, but it's interesting reading with new eyes something that I'd discovered almost 30 years ago. (THIRTY YEARS??) Some of that is a new appreciation and a nostalgia for the past that I didn't realize was passing until it was gone...for instance...no one had cell phones and so people are listening to answering machine tapes and looking for ubiquitous payphones. And some things I now see with new eyes as being questionable or even problematic that never bothered me decades ago. It's interesting to see how we change and how we remain the same as measured by the books that shaped us.

[Petrit Kabashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is 4.5 stars for me. So far loved reading other Terry Moore books and they get 5 stars from me. Strangers in Paradise almost felt like a drag a couple of times but somehow Terry Moore knew to spark my interest with some nice plot twists and awesome action. Looking forward to the second omni.

[Bookworm Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this series back in 96 when I was 11 . I just was drawn to it. And I got out of comics in my later teen years and just now got back into it. I finished the series and it's as amazing as I knew it would be. Love the love. Have a few questions tho lol

[Eleanor Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

[ivana · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/5

[LordOfDorkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me to tell you what's good about Strangers in Paradise would be like my trying to explain what's I love about my best friends I've known since elementary school.

There many reasons why its good, so reducing the 'why' to a small flood of snappy, spot on descriptions would be inaccurate, cartoonish, and just not bloody good enough. Its not enough to say Mr. Moore's writing's excellent, or characters are great. That the story is moving and that if its not being hilarious (and it often is) its at least very funny. These things don't cut it. You Can't know the characters like I do with that stuff. I can't show you how they're valuable people, so that you'll care about them like I do.

Maybe the best thing I can say, is that my life has benefited from reading about these people and their story. Their lives have been heartbreaking, heartwarming, dirty and poisonous, and they themselves are
beautiful, fallible, meaningful, and ultimately, through the countless twists and turns of the story (and there are many) they are eminently lovable. Even though they are only brush strokes on paper drawn out of some guy's head, trust me. These are people you need to know, and a story you need to hear.

Strangers in Paradise is one of the most moving pieces of fiction I have read. It is loaded with wisdom and purpose, and I love it. And for these reasons, and more than I can say, I believe I'll go on loving it and reading it for the rest of my life.

And for those people out there who won't enjoy it, I suggest you go away and read other books -there are many to choose from- and maybe later on you enjoy the special place in hell reserved for idiots.

[Maddsurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of this when it was still on the shelves, so returning to it brought back a lot of fond memories. This was, however, the first time I've ever read the entire series cover to cover. That experience makes the characters' journeys a lot more powerful, and all the tangents and diversions and circles and time jumps make a lot more sense, deepening the relationships and playing off the themes in endless variations.

This has got to be one of my all-time favorite comics, and revisiting it in this package only re-affirms that. I love that the story is essentially simple even though the places it visits are so wild and farfetched, and I love the passion and compassion with which the characters treat other. I also love Moore's style: as maudlin as the story can get he never forgets he's a cartoonist, and there are loads of sight gags, allusions and fun diversions scattered throughout SIP. I also love the way he changes the point of view or the structure of the narrative or method of presentation repeatedly, toying with the genre and keeping the readers' experience fresh. If you're looking for a large-as-life love story told with honest emotion and artistic innovation, look no further.

RIYL Love and Rockets, Bone, The Maxx, dramatic indie comics in general.

[C.S. Carrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this series highly enough to everyone I know, primarily because Terry Moore has a rare talent for creating characters who feel so real you can't help but empathize with them and learn something about yourself in the process. The main story concerns the complicated relationships between a group of friends as forces within and without threaten to tear them apart. Neil Gaiman famously said that what most people don't know about relationships could fill a book, and Strangers in Paradise is that book. I can't say it better than that. What's truly remarkable, especially if you're someone who longs to see more LGBT characters in fiction, is that Terry Moore started writing this ages ago, and his through line--that love is precious, whether it's romantic love between two women or a deeply forged friendship--remains as relevant and necessary today as when he began telling the story of Katchoo, Francine, and David.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best things I've ever read in any medium. Defies traditional notions of comic books with its incredibly human portrayals of very normal people with the same issues everyone else has. Katchoo is one of the best characters I've ever had the pleasure of encountering in print, and the startling realism of Francine as a woman created by a male(!) writer continually amazes me. Throw away your misconceptions/stereotypes about graphic novels, because this defies all of them. Worth reading for any adult, male or female, regardless of your preferred genre. This is the essence of unique, folks.

[Crystal Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a complete collection of Strangers in Paradise, with 9 trade paperbacks, and the rest in comics, because I couldn't wait for the rest of the TPB.

SiP came to me at a time when I most needed it. It is a fantastic story. I loved every single moment of it, and I cried when it was over (because it was so wonderful). If you haven't read SiP, you must. I cannot do it justice here: the story speaks for itself. These are characters I will carry with me for all my life.