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Strangers in Paradise Trade Paperbacks #7
Strangers in Paradise, Volume 7: Sanctuary
Chronicles the relationship between three friends--Katchoo, Francine, and David--and the people they fall in and out of love with, in a story of dark pasts, hopeful futures, double-crosses, and true friendship.
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 1999
6 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Terry Moore
833Ìýbooks639ÌýfollowersFollowing 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 5, 2018
I will preface this by saying that Strangers in Paradise is awesome and continues to be awesome as I am about one third of the way through the series. However, we are coming up on the place that I have stopped twice before. I always wondered why I stopped, but I think Sanctuary has given me some hints as to why � but I am not stopping this time!
There is something about this collection of issues - #17 through #24 � that just felt different, maybe a little off � from all the previous volumes. Again, it is not bad, per se - just an itch that I cannot scratch. There is a lot of time jumping. In one particular place it almost feels like too much about the future has been revealed. Maybe not, but I never read far enough to find out! Also, it feels a bit to me like Katchoo’s character is off from what I expected. While her temper comes out from time to time, she felt a bit softer, less motivated to be what I have come to love about her.
Maybe it’s partially because I am so used to her with long hair and she has short hair in this volume? Can appearance of a character in a graphic novel throw off perception?
So, while I am still very much enjoying this, maybe it was this odd feeling that made me lose interest and stop in the past? It will be interesting to see how I feel over the next few volumes as I move past my previous stopping point.
Side note: Even with Katchoo’s short hair in the story, Moore had some pretty cool covers showing her with her long hair. I noticed that frequently the cover only slightly relates to the story and is probably just a cool saved image he had on file.
There is something about this collection of issues - #17 through #24 � that just felt different, maybe a little off � from all the previous volumes. Again, it is not bad, per se - just an itch that I cannot scratch. There is a lot of time jumping. In one particular place it almost feels like too much about the future has been revealed. Maybe not, but I never read far enough to find out! Also, it feels a bit to me like Katchoo’s character is off from what I expected. While her temper comes out from time to time, she felt a bit softer, less motivated to be what I have come to love about her.
Maybe it’s partially because I am so used to her with long hair and she has short hair in this volume? Can appearance of a character in a graphic novel throw off perception?
So, while I am still very much enjoying this, maybe it was this odd feeling that made me lose interest and stop in the past? It will be interesting to see how I feel over the next few volumes as I move past my previous stopping point.
Side note: Even with Katchoo’s short hair in the story, Moore had some pretty cool covers showing her with her long hair. I noticed that frequently the cover only slightly relates to the story and is probably just a cool saved image he had on file.
October 19, 2017
“I don’t know what fabric lies beneath the life we live, but on the other side of our mortal pain is a place of sanctuary.� -Katchoo
So much great poetry in here! I love how Francine and Katchoo are reflecting on their lives in this Volume. This does not make it the least bit less interesting, rather enhances the readers appreciation for the characters. I am certainly getting lost every time I open Strangers in Paradise. And that ending!!!
“In the end, it’s not the words of our enemies we will remember, but the silence of our friends.� � Martin Luther King, Jr.
So much great poetry in here! I love how Francine and Katchoo are reflecting on their lives in this Volume. This does not make it the least bit less interesting, rather enhances the readers appreciation for the characters. I am certainly getting lost every time I open Strangers in Paradise. And that ending!!!
“In the end, it’s not the words of our enemies we will remember, but the silence of our friends.� � Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 6, 2016
Very strong volume. Hilarious and powerful.
May 20, 2017
A very powerful volume which brings us several important plot points and elements for the series.
July 15, 2021
(Zero spoiler review for the series as a whole and the score for the individual volume)
So I am writing this literally a few minutes after finishing this story, and it all feels a little bit raw and unexpected. Unexpected for the fact that I thought a had a couple of hundred pages to go. I had been powering through the second book for the last two days, and I stopped after a binge read this morning. When I came back to it just now, I read a page, turned another one, and found the story abruptly ended. A few days before, I had carefully flipped through to the last few pages to see how long it was, so I knew how much I had to read and look forward to. It seemed like there was no added content at the end, and the story went to the final page. Good I thought, and returned to my reading. To say the end of the story hit me like a tone of bricks would be an understatement. Its true the story had sort of reached a natural conclusion, although going off the little twist in the middle of the book, I kind of thought there was one more arc to come, although maybe I need to go back and read it again. I kind of feel like I was robbed of something. I read 200 pages today, and then somehow stopped two pages before the end without realising it. I settled in for another 200 pages, to find I only had 2 left. I don't really feel like reading the additional content. Most of it isn't the story itself, and I don't want to add those memories to what is something pretty close and personal right now. I think I'll sit with it and let it gestate before I delve into it, if I ever do. Let the grieving process commence.
So what's the story like? It's certainly not perfect, although I just can't imagine finding another graphic novel that will ever come close to doing what this one did. In a medium that is overflowing with easily digestible content and two bit superheroes, Strangers in Paradise stands apart as something pretty damn special. Francine and Katchoo, and the small but memorable cast of side characters will stay with me for a considerable time to come. Yes, the conspiratorial/crime aspects of the story were a little far fetched and weak at times (especially in the first half of the story where it was most prominent). Pretty much every male character played second fiddle to the female cast. Very one dimensional, with the slight exception of David, who was obviously more fleshed out, although always came across as subservient to the women around him. You can tell Terry Moore leans very much to the left, although I could have done without much of the modern day identitarianism that reared its head throughout. Whilst the females characters were flawed, they were never portrayed as the sexist Neanderthals most of the men were. It was at times, grossly stereotypical. Moore might have been going for humour, although it just soured a wonderful story somewhat. In fact, if I wasn't so invested in the story, you would be looking at lesser marks, and a much more critical review from me. Not to mention that every female character seems to be a lesbian. I guess I'm still a big softie at heart, that this rather lovely tale about love shone through, despite the flaws. Moore's artwork was near to faultless throughout. Some of his panels I just lingered on, feeling the emotions dripping off of the page. True, he occasionally over reached, like the excessive poetry and lyrics, although when he nailed it, it was pretty damn memorable. I've read Echo, which was written after this, as far as I know, and the art just didn't resonate the same way as it did here. Though Echo will never be as adored or heralded as SiP is. Even the title is one of the most poignant and evocative titles a work of fiction has ever had. I really miss that this is over. You absolutely need to read this, now! 4.75/5
OmniBen.
So I am writing this literally a few minutes after finishing this story, and it all feels a little bit raw and unexpected. Unexpected for the fact that I thought a had a couple of hundred pages to go. I had been powering through the second book for the last two days, and I stopped after a binge read this morning. When I came back to it just now, I read a page, turned another one, and found the story abruptly ended. A few days before, I had carefully flipped through to the last few pages to see how long it was, so I knew how much I had to read and look forward to. It seemed like there was no added content at the end, and the story went to the final page. Good I thought, and returned to my reading. To say the end of the story hit me like a tone of bricks would be an understatement. Its true the story had sort of reached a natural conclusion, although going off the little twist in the middle of the book, I kind of thought there was one more arc to come, although maybe I need to go back and read it again. I kind of feel like I was robbed of something. I read 200 pages today, and then somehow stopped two pages before the end without realising it. I settled in for another 200 pages, to find I only had 2 left. I don't really feel like reading the additional content. Most of it isn't the story itself, and I don't want to add those memories to what is something pretty close and personal right now. I think I'll sit with it and let it gestate before I delve into it, if I ever do. Let the grieving process commence.
So what's the story like? It's certainly not perfect, although I just can't imagine finding another graphic novel that will ever come close to doing what this one did. In a medium that is overflowing with easily digestible content and two bit superheroes, Strangers in Paradise stands apart as something pretty damn special. Francine and Katchoo, and the small but memorable cast of side characters will stay with me for a considerable time to come. Yes, the conspiratorial/crime aspects of the story were a little far fetched and weak at times (especially in the first half of the story where it was most prominent). Pretty much every male character played second fiddle to the female cast. Very one dimensional, with the slight exception of David, who was obviously more fleshed out, although always came across as subservient to the women around him. You can tell Terry Moore leans very much to the left, although I could have done without much of the modern day identitarianism that reared its head throughout. Whilst the females characters were flawed, they were never portrayed as the sexist Neanderthals most of the men were. It was at times, grossly stereotypical. Moore might have been going for humour, although it just soured a wonderful story somewhat. In fact, if I wasn't so invested in the story, you would be looking at lesser marks, and a much more critical review from me. Not to mention that every female character seems to be a lesbian. I guess I'm still a big softie at heart, that this rather lovely tale about love shone through, despite the flaws. Moore's artwork was near to faultless throughout. Some of his panels I just lingered on, feeling the emotions dripping off of the page. True, he occasionally over reached, like the excessive poetry and lyrics, although when he nailed it, it was pretty damn memorable. I've read Echo, which was written after this, as far as I know, and the art just didn't resonate the same way as it did here. Though Echo will never be as adored or heralded as SiP is. Even the title is one of the most poignant and evocative titles a work of fiction has ever had. I really miss that this is over. You absolutely need to read this, now! 4.75/5
OmniBen.
June 15, 2019
I am thoroughly committed to the ride now with "Strangers in Paradise," even though (or maybe because) every volume is going to include some tone and/or genre whiplash. Here, after the high school flashback, we return to the present, and to the future, for parallel stories of Francine and Katchoo's friendship coming apart and coming back together at two times in their life, sometimes with David involved and sometimes without. To my great surprise, Freddie's wife Casey comes to the forefront as a new featured character, and to my even greater surprise, I like her a lot.
December 28, 2020
Sure, the writing gets a little too melodramatic at times and Moore appears to be channeling his best angsty middle-school-aged kid with his poetry writing, but the characters are so much fun to spend time with and Moore's visual storytelling is so expressive and smooth that I always forgive him in the end.
August 3, 2018
Heartbreaking and hilarious. The fantastic dialogue and character dynamics keep the series interesting despite the plot crawling by.
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
February 5, 2016
Like volume 4, Sanctuary opens with the middle-aged Francine, who is trapped in a loveless marriage and who hasn't seen her best friend, Katchoo, in ten years. Then we meet the future Katchoo, who is living in Santa Fe as a successful artist. Francine's mom, worried about Francine's deep depression, calls Katchoo and asks her to put aside whatever drove them apart and to visit Francine. The result is one of the most touching scenes in the entire series. Meanwhile, back in the present, Katchoo wins a spot in a prestigious art gallery opening, but the happy news is marred by a savage fight between her and Francine. Things get worse at the gallery opening, when Francine sees that Katchoo has exhibited three nudes for which she was the subject--without her permission. As the weeks drag on Francine decides to visit her mother in Tennessee, which devastates Katchoo but also helps to strengthen her bond with David. And David is shocked to learn that he has inherited his sister's entire estate, which amounts to more than any of them could possibly have imagined.
Another strong volume with a nominally happy ending, and enough humor to get you through the rough bits.
January 27, 2014
Paste from my review of Volume 1. I've read most of the series and feel the same review overall applies to everything:
The series has beautiful black and white line art throughout. It's the main reason I ever started it. Terry Moore is a masterly graphic artist and a riveting storyteller. I suspect I'll read anything he puts out. That said, I prefer Rachel Rising (horror) and Echo (science fiction), personally. SiP (as fans tend to call it) is a work focused almost entirely on how people relate to each other.
What an odd duck. This thing is described in quite a wide variety of ways, and mostly accurately. It's resemblance to a soap opera, happily, is all in the title. For that, it's a bit too realistic, too low in character count, too well-written, too laden with mafia intrigue/action, and too often taught in college literature classes. I'm curious as to why though. I wouldn't teach it in mine. It's not *that* good. It might be particularly relevant to a fem lit class, however, which might elevate the collegiate value of the book because of what it says and how it says it from a sociocultural standpoint rather than from a literary one.
The series has beautiful black and white line art throughout. It's the main reason I ever started it. Terry Moore is a masterly graphic artist and a riveting storyteller. I suspect I'll read anything he puts out. That said, I prefer Rachel Rising (horror) and Echo (science fiction), personally. SiP (as fans tend to call it) is a work focused almost entirely on how people relate to each other.
What an odd duck. This thing is described in quite a wide variety of ways, and mostly accurately. It's resemblance to a soap opera, happily, is all in the title. For that, it's a bit too realistic, too low in character count, too well-written, too laden with mafia intrigue/action, and too often taught in college literature classes. I'm curious as to why though. I wouldn't teach it in mine. It's not *that* good. It might be particularly relevant to a fem lit class, however, which might elevate the collegiate value of the book because of what it says and how it says it from a sociocultural standpoint rather than from a literary one.
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, 2009
Terry Moore hits it out of the park yet again, and tugs on the heartstrings even more than normal. This series is just damn incredible. And Francine & Katchoo are the kind of women I wish I had in my life.
April 23, 2020
The further adventures of Katchoo, Francine and David. We jump forward in time and see Francine and Katchoo 10 years in the future. It's a little heartbreaking and still a lot of fun. Terry Moore continues to grow my favorite friends and make them seem more real. The man can do no wrong.
August 24, 2007
Good story and good drawing.
A fun read.
A fun read.
January 4, 2017
Strangers in Paradise was the first comic title I was obsessed with, not counting The Crow, which was a different thing all together. SIP was consistently astounding.
September 24, 2009
hilarious, heart-breaking, dramatic, and unpredictable as always. I miss Katchoo's long hair.
October 15, 2011
I'm getting more and more nervous about what's going to happen to David.
June 11, 2013
I could and have re read this series over and over. It has made me laugh out loud, cry and just come to understand how powerful comics can be.
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August 14, 2018...
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