Strangers In Paradise, Pocket Book 5

Strangers in Paradise Pocket Books #5

by Terry Moore

While David finds solace with Katchoo, Francine can think of nothing but her past relationship with her former best friend and brings home a tattoo to prove it. It seems that Katchoo is destined to move on without Francine into the world of glitz, glamour, and art showings with her stunning display of 100 nudes. As Katchoo becomes the toast of the town, Francine finds herself looking for peace in the Caribbean. Our unlikely friends seem to be drifting apart until they are set on a collision course back to Houston!

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

376 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2005

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

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

The neo-lesbian masterpiece thriller / romance / crime drama continues apace. Katchoo and David? Francine pining over Katchoo, seeking peace in the West Indies. Even writing very brief summaries of each Pocket Book is kind of pointless. The depth of character and plot development is what this book does so well, just know that! I read the comic books collected in this Pocket Book. 8 out of 12, Four Stars.. I feel that I really need to read these again to give more enlightening feedback on a series I really enjoy.

2014 read

[Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series does not fail to entertain.

Starting this pocket book 5, Volume III, issues #61-#72, #74-#76 of with David's past was great. I still had so many questions about his character and involvement in the menage a trois! A good bit was spent on him and I have come to like him very much.

Again, there is nothing to be missed in this graphic novel. From Showgirls, to art galleries, low-lifes' and Vegas weddings....it's all in here!

There is only ONE MORE Pocket book left in the series. I will miss these characters so much.....

[Alsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection really saw a drop in quality and pacing for me. It focused primarily on David and I didn't need his backstory fleshed out. Storylines jumped very abruptly from one to another and in general the progression felt quite fragmented. Not that there wasn't good stuff in here, but it was nested between great swathes of what felt very much like filler. And sorry, Katchoo, I love you dearly, but even you can't pull off breaking the fourth wall without making me roll my eyes.

As I understand it, the original collections had the "Molly & Poo" sections scattered amongst the main story. This pocket book collects them at the end to read as a whole. I'm not sure which format works better, but I did enjoy the story a lot and it kept me riveted past my bedtime... until it took a turn at the ending that reminded me heavily of why I was disappointed by the end to Sarah Water's Affinity, which it resembles.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this volume. The main storyline finally turned a little more towards happiness for our characters and at least some of the angst was lessened. However, this volume also included the seemingly unrelated "Molly and Poo" story, which may have been the darkest thing in SIP so far. I'm not really sure how, when, or if this story ties into SIP directly, but it was very interesting on its own.

Also, one thing I haven't mentioned yet in previous reviews is just how creative Terry Moore is in telling his stories. It's not just told in comic form, he uses prose, song lyrics, and in some cases even sheet music to move the story along. For that reason alone this comic series stands out. It's also pretty evident this series was a labor of love for the author and he was truly interested in telling the stories of these characters.

On to the last volume, I have no idea how hes going to wrap things up.

[Stephen the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pocket Book 5 of Strangers In Paradise explores David's past and present as he finds solace with Katina ("Katchoo") in Las Vegas of all places. Casey, Katina's former roommate, is now a Vegas showgirl and Freddie, Francine's ex-boyfriend, has fallen for the local medical examiner. Meanwhile, Francine, is plagued with memories of her past with "Katchoo" and brings home the tattoo to prove it, much to her husband's dismay. "Katchoo", who has seemingly moved on without Francine, finds herself immersed in the glamorous art world wherein her stunning nude paintings are selling faster than her agents can manage. "Katchoo" is unsure of how to handle her new-found fame.

Just as with the previous books, I expectedly found Book 5 a pleasurable read. That being said, though, Book 5 is probably the weakest installment. While it carries the emotional saga of Katina, Francine, and David forward in an interesting and logical manner, the separation between Katina and Francine seemed a little too long-winded. Save for a brief phone conversation, the two really don't have any other interactions throughout Book 5. Essentially, this volume serves as an exploration of the characters' lives as they exist separate from one another. Not having read Book 6 yet, it's quite possible that Moore is setting the stage for a much-anticipated reunion that will make this prolonged wedge in their relationship seem worthwhile.

The last portion of the book delves into the life of Molly Lane, a tortured writer who murders her husband Fleming with a butcher knife, who has only a tenuous connection to the rest of the central cast (she dated Francine's brother Benjamin in high school). The finale of Book 5 comprises a series of (primarily textual) stories titled under "Molly and Poo", that share vaguely similar romantic elements to Francine and Katina, but otherwise no real connection to rest of the SiP story-arc. While dark and highly entertaining, this departure felt contextually out of place.

Although Book 5 felt to me like a slight bump in the road with a bit too much man-hating for my tastes (there was practically a brooding rapist at every corner), I'm nevertheless eager to jump into the final book in the series. Don't get me wrong, this book is an enjoyable read for fans of the series, with enough twists and turns to hold one's attention until the final page.

[Rumi Bossche · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my least favorite of the entire series, but still a nice one. 3.5 stars.

[Alena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one dragged a bit. Continued Catchoo/Francine drama, but also lots of David (booh!), Parker organization, etc.

Especially the background on David bored me to tears.

Sometimes the non-linearity is confusing the heck out of me. I'm not very good at picking up the visual clues. This one also had a non-related story at the end. Not sure what that was.

I liked parts of it, but compared to volume 4, it was really disappointing.

[Printable Tire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. More artless posturing and male-hating, with copious amounts of reflective smugness and a bevy of cuckolded doctor-husbands, and enough dumb post 9/11 comments to remind one that despite all proof to the contrary, this shit wasn't written in the late 90's.

This collection also contains a short story collection that is quizzical and asinine (but not quizzically asinine) concerning the exploits of blah blah blah who gives a shit.

[Frank Taranto · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worst of the 5 I've read. Too much prose that doesn't take the story anywhere. I will have to get the sixth to see if it goes back to the original storyline

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of boring. I completely skipped the Molly and Poo section as it was pretty much unreadable!

[Hal Incandenza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perdersi tra le pagine di SiP è veramente come tornare a Casa. Ogni volta, indipendentemente da quanto tempo è passato dall’ultima lettura.

Quinto volume stupendo.
Come al solito gli ingredienti spaziano tra i generi, dalla comedy al romance passando per l’action a base di intrigo internazionale con tanto di FBI.

Chiude il volume un romanzo d’appendice, Molly & Poo, che è la riprova di quanto Terry Moore sia un autore eclettico e versatile, capace di farti sciogliere tra le lacrime di una love story impossibile così come di lanciarti addosso secchiate di orrore, ansia e angoscia che nemmeno il miglior Hitchcock.

[maya🪷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would not recommend this series to just anyone. You have to be a very specific kind of person to enjoy this. I only brought this edition on vacation with me but I wish I could have looked back into the other books while I read this one or after. Sooo much lore drop and worldbuilding and twists in this one. Probably my favorite in the series, though I read the first years ago. I want to get a tattoo of my favorite panel, but I have to read the last one so I can see all of it first. I really think Katchoo should have never gotten together with David in the first place, but during her pilgrimage scene internally i was screaming: YES!!!!!! I hope Francine and Katchoo get their happy ending. 400 page graphic novel series i love you...

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, though I have to say, I skipped the unrelated Molly and Poo bit at the end (hope it really was unrelated!)

This series is getting a little repetitive and preachy, so I daresay the next installment will be a library job as well.

[Mary Shyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I straight up did not read the non-sequitur ending.

[Barbikat60 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freddie Femur sucks!

[Billy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume finally reveals David's backstory, and it's a very tragic story. His story is very surprising , given how kind David is. Next, the first time David met Katchoo is revealed, before the story picks up when they reunite, leading to an interesting week in Las Vegas, where Katchoo's friend Casey is a showgirl. There are minor plotlines of two of Casey's fellow showgirls, one whose husband mysteriously disappeared, and the other who is a divorcee with a young son to support and finds herself the victim of a stalker. Meanwhile Katchoo's art career is skyrocketing, and Francine has a surprising development in her family. The volume ends with a separate story of unrelated characters titled Molly And Poo. It begins as a romantic story that develops into a mystery with a big twist. It highlights Terry Moore's storytelling ability.

[Carlo Bugni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalmente si sfaccetta un po’ di più il personaggio di David, che resta comunque il più noioso, ma almeno non totalmente monodimensionale.
Per il resto, questo volume ha molti personaggi secondari interessanti e scene veramente divertenti, nonostante la cupezza di fondo.
Mi piace molto lo sperimentare con diverse forme narrative, e le ultime pagine mischiano bene il fumetto con il romanzo. Il rischio è un netto rallentamento del ritmo, ma il risultato finale è decisamente apprezzabile.

[Sam Volante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot happened in this vol, and there was very little Francine content. I thought David's backstory at the beginning was intriguing. The Molly and Poo story at the end was gripping, if very dark.

[Centli Garcés Buendia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este tomo tiene uno de los desenlaces más inesperados de los que he sido testigo, en verdad Terry Moore es un maestro de la narrativa visual.

[Bookworm Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Faults and all

[Coco Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katchoo has moved on as a celebrated artist and Francie is starting to miss her former best friend as she tries to find her self in her marriage. While the distance grows, Katchoo, Francie and David seem drawn back to the same town.

This instalment had a lot of David and his past. While he makes an excellent third wheel, I just wanted to get back to Francie and Katchoo’s doomed love.

[Genevra Littlejohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is really compelling. What starts out as a (fairly)run-of-the-mill coming-of-age tale takes an abrupt and sinister turn with the entrance of a crime syndicate. Forbidden love, surviving and beating one's past, finding that ultimate ability to overcome and become able to simply see yourself as a person, and atonement are all themes that reoccur, but what really makes it for me is the fact that it's told in a series of jumps-forward and back, so you can never be entirely sure which story is true and which is going to end in a book or two as a might-be--but every time, the characters grow a little more, reach a little further, so that when they're picked up again in the next might-be, they're even more beautiful to behold. Highly recommended.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favourite Strangers in Paradise book yet, even with some of the story being repeated. It was so interesting to finally get the rest of David's backstory.

What kept it from being five stars was the addition of the Molly and Poo story at the end. I so desperately wanted to read more SiP that it took me until the end of chapter one of Molly and Poo before I got hooked enough to really want to keep reading (instead of reading because I started it and I was darn well going to finish it). But even by the end, I still didn't care much for it - the twists and turns were interesting, but it was just a bit too dark for my tastes. I can't wait to pick up the SiP storyline in Volume 6.

[Offbalance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another installment of the ongoing comic soap. We get a bit more of David's backstory, and what's been going on with Casey, Katchoo, Francine, and David since the last Pocket Book. I could have lived without the Molly and Poo digression, personally, but I mostly enjoyed this, and can't wait for the final chapter (whenever that appears).

[Sam Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me, this series was derailed by the storyline at the end of the book. Up until that point I had been chugging along, reading the first four and one half pocket books in record time. Hopefully the 6th pocket book will avoid such uninteresting detours.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've made it this far, I'll assume you love the characters by now. This volume offers some more background, growth and surprises. One caveat, the side stories can be a bit different and may or may not be your thing.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read: 01/08
06/10

[Kevin Connery · Rating 4 out of 5]

71-76 of the series.

[Fa'izah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series of graphic novels that I have read.

[Jaclyn Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't get why Molly & Poo was thrown in there?