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Strangers in Paradise Trade Paperbacks #15
Strangers in Paradise, Volume 15: Tomorrow Now
This volume marks a revival in the series, with fresh art and storyline. Katchoo has begun a new life as a painter. Francine meets indidually with her father and mother asking why they split up. It turns out Francine's mother has been hiding a secret.
114 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2004
2 people are currently reading
124 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 24, 2018
Art galleries? FBI? Vegas showgirls?
Just when you thought Strangers In Paradise was some run of the mill, straight forward, tug at your heart strings publication, the volume Tomorrow Now comes along and changes everything!
ART
After clearing up David’s Story with us in the last volume, Terry Moore has switched directions to focus on Katchoo’s budding art career and some ghosts from the past. I enjoyed how this volume featured a lot of Katchoo’s art which had a wide variety of styles. Since I assume that Moore illustrated all of Katchoo’s art (I suppose he might have brought in outside artists, but I didn’t see that in the info about the volume), it shows how versatile Moore is as an artist. Also, I think his regular depiction of the characters has changed drastically since the first issues. Not a bad thing, just interesting to see his evolution.
FBI
Another thing that Moore does in this volume is something he has done before, but I don’t think he has done it quite as extensively as he did it here. Throughout the story he changes format faster than those people who change outfits in a matter of seconds on stage (Have you seen those people before? Look them up on YouTube – pretty amazing!) On one page, it is your standard comic book format. Next, it will be a few pages of prose. Then it switches over to screenplay/stage play format. At one point there were even several pages where the art looked like it was in unedited draft format (i.e. it still had the guide likes for facial features and dialogue). He doesn’t really explain why he chose to do this to this extent for this volume (maybe he explained in the letters section, but I don’t always read through those). My guess, though, is that since Katchoo was trying to re-find herself and regain stability through many art mediums, Moore was trying to represent that symbolically with his art as well.
VEGAS SHOWGIRLS
And, while there is some serious introspection and heart string tugging, there is also still a lot of humor, too! Freddie – his usual sleazy self – and Casey – with her somewhat ditsy but truly big-hearted personality – provide some comic relief with some side journeys into where their life is now.
Oh, and there is a cliffhanger!
Funny enough, I was leaning 4 stars on this, but as I wrote this review, I talked myself into 5 stars. I was thinking 4 stars because there is only some slight plot advancement throughout a fairly long volume. Also, while the haphazardness of the progress was cool, I wasn’t sure it was my cup of tea. But, now that I have bothered write about all of it, it was much better than I originally thought!
Just when you thought Strangers In Paradise was some run of the mill, straight forward, tug at your heart strings publication, the volume Tomorrow Now comes along and changes everything!
ART
After clearing up David’s Story with us in the last volume, Terry Moore has switched directions to focus on Katchoo’s budding art career and some ghosts from the past. I enjoyed how this volume featured a lot of Katchoo’s art which had a wide variety of styles. Since I assume that Moore illustrated all of Katchoo’s art (I suppose he might have brought in outside artists, but I didn’t see that in the info about the volume), it shows how versatile Moore is as an artist. Also, I think his regular depiction of the characters has changed drastically since the first issues. Not a bad thing, just interesting to see his evolution.
FBI
Another thing that Moore does in this volume is something he has done before, but I don’t think he has done it quite as extensively as he did it here. Throughout the story he changes format faster than those people who change outfits in a matter of seconds on stage (Have you seen those people before? Look them up on YouTube – pretty amazing!) On one page, it is your standard comic book format. Next, it will be a few pages of prose. Then it switches over to screenplay/stage play format. At one point there were even several pages where the art looked like it was in unedited draft format (i.e. it still had the guide likes for facial features and dialogue). He doesn’t really explain why he chose to do this to this extent for this volume (maybe he explained in the letters section, but I don’t always read through those). My guess, though, is that since Katchoo was trying to re-find herself and regain stability through many art mediums, Moore was trying to represent that symbolically with his art as well.
VEGAS SHOWGIRLS
And, while there is some serious introspection and heart string tugging, there is also still a lot of humor, too! Freddie – his usual sleazy self – and Casey – with her somewhat ditsy but truly big-hearted personality – provide some comic relief with some side journeys into where their life is now.
Oh, and there is a cliffhanger!
Funny enough, I was leaning 4 stars on this, but as I wrote this review, I talked myself into 5 stars. I was thinking 4 stars because there is only some slight plot advancement throughout a fairly long volume. Also, while the haphazardness of the progress was cool, I wasn’t sure it was my cup of tea. But, now that I have bothered write about all of it, it was much better than I originally thought!
May 18, 2022
God, I love this series so much! Can’t believe I’m nearing the end.
February 5, 2016
http://morethansuperhumans.blogspot.c...
A year has passed since the events in volume 13, and Katchoo is in therapy to help her overcome her grief in losing Francine. Fortunately, she has her art opening to distract her, and it's a stunning success--despite a few humorous glitches. Freddie even shows up in an attempt to buy the one painting in the show that's not for sale. (Guess who the subject is?) Agent Bryan also shows back up to make life difficult for Katchoo, but Tambi proposes a deal with the FBI that just might get Katchoo and the remaining Parker girls off the hook for good. Meanwhile, Francine and her father are vacationing on Griffin Silver's yacht in the Caribbean. Francine asks her dad why he and her mom couldn't work things out, and this leads to the discovery of a shocking secret about her mother's past.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It's actually refreshing to read through an entire volume without Francine and Katchoo getting into a fight, or even talking to each other at all for that matter. And by this point Moore has started really experimenting with the comic book form by including full-page reproductions of Katchoo's paintings, pages from her sketchbook (including a sequence she drew when she was 17 and living on the streets of L.A.), and even a reproduction of her art gallery brochure. There's also a nice sequence with Casey living in Las Vegas and making a living as a showgirl. And as always, the obnoxious Freddie Femur is worth a few laughs.
A year has passed since the events in volume 13, and Katchoo is in therapy to help her overcome her grief in losing Francine. Fortunately, she has her art opening to distract her, and it's a stunning success--despite a few humorous glitches. Freddie even shows up in an attempt to buy the one painting in the show that's not for sale. (Guess who the subject is?) Agent Bryan also shows back up to make life difficult for Katchoo, but Tambi proposes a deal with the FBI that just might get Katchoo and the remaining Parker girls off the hook for good. Meanwhile, Francine and her father are vacationing on Griffin Silver's yacht in the Caribbean. Francine asks her dad why he and her mom couldn't work things out, and this leads to the discovery of a shocking secret about her mother's past.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It's actually refreshing to read through an entire volume without Francine and Katchoo getting into a fight, or even talking to each other at all for that matter. And by this point Moore has started really experimenting with the comic book form by including full-page reproductions of Katchoo's paintings, pages from her sketchbook (including a sequence she drew when she was 17 and living on the streets of L.A.), and even a reproduction of her art gallery brochure. There's also a nice sequence with Casey living in Las Vegas and making a living as a showgirl. And as always, the obnoxious Freddie Femur is worth a few laughs.
October 2, 2013
I went to the library, sat down at the table and there was a pile of books there, and this was at the top of the pile. I had read several of the collected volumes years ago, and had loved them, but hadn't had the opportunity to catch up. Reading this was, indeed, like catching up with an old friend over warm tea and fancy scones... a delicious, emotional endeavor well worth the time.
The volume is mainly about Katchoo so you don't get a whole lot of time with Francine (even though she's the one on the cover), and it is really interesting seeing them living separately, not playing off one another's strength's and weaknesses. They complement each other so much it is sometimes hard to think of them as separate at all, so here it digs into that separation.
If you like comics, Terry Moore is a terrific comic artist with a particular skill in woman's curves and especially their mouths and lips. If you're not a bit comic fan but you are a fan of stores of women just trying to get through life, this is a great read, and this particular volume, though not really a great place to start the story, will be satisfying if you've already been introduced to Katchoo and Francine.
The volume is mainly about Katchoo so you don't get a whole lot of time with Francine (even though she's the one on the cover), and it is really interesting seeing them living separately, not playing off one another's strength's and weaknesses. They complement each other so much it is sometimes hard to think of them as separate at all, so here it digs into that separation.
If you like comics, Terry Moore is a terrific comic artist with a particular skill in woman's curves and especially their mouths and lips. If you're not a bit comic fan but you are a fan of stores of women just trying to get through life, this is a great read, and this particular volume, though not really a great place to start the story, will be satisfying if you've already been introduced to Katchoo and Francine.
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.
September 15, 2022
I read all of SiP as it came out, in single issues. But I also bought each book when it came out so I guess I got this in... 2004?
Sometime in the future, I should re-read all of SiP and actually review these, but I'm afraid I won't irrationally love them as much on a re-read as I did the first time and it would kill my fond memories of this series.
Sometime in the future, I should re-read all of SiP and actually review these, but I'm afraid I won't irrationally love them as much on a re-read as I did the first time and it would kill my fond memories of this series.
September 26, 2007
I liked this one. It's been a long time since I've read it. It was actually pretty straightforward and understandable. Two thoughts though, Terry Moore really shouldn't try and write prose and he really shouldn't try and write song lyrics.
May 9, 2017
Another collection advancing the lives of the "Stranger in Paradise" characters. Another strong offering in the series. Glad I found the series, even if I came in over a decade later! That merely shows how strong the storyline is!
April 7, 2008
Good story though the drawing is different. Loved Katchoo's pictures. A good insight into the characters.
February 27, 2014
The series began a repetitive cycle midway. It's still good, but nowhere near as good as it had been.
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 23, 2020
One of the weaker TPB's in the series. While the pace is very slow, it feels as though the artist were often hitting deadlines. Full-page muddy illustrations meant to be one of the character's paintings don't work well. Some of the art isn't fully finished. The story moves at a snail's pace. Beyond these problems with this volume, Moore remains a superior illustrator.
June 21, 2019
We're nearing the endgame now, and these characters continue to be drawn closer and closer into each other's orbits. The return of a familiar face at the end of the issue is a pleasant surprise, though "reunion" seems to be the overarching theme here.
October 12, 2021
I love this series. Faults and all
June 2, 2023
Retoma la historia, pero se resuelve muy rapido lo del FBI
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews