Strangers in Paradise

“What most people don’t know about love, sex, and relations with other human beings would fill a book. Strangers In Paradise is that book.”

— Neil Gaiman

STRANGERS IN PARADISE VOLUME 1

Published by Abstract Studio

Written & Illustrated by: Terry Moore
ISBN: 9781949518245
Price: $19.99 USD, $26.50 CAD, £17.99 GBP
Ages: 16 and up
Genre(s): Comics & Graphic Novels / LGBTQ+ / Romance / Anthologies
Page Count: 144 pages
Format: Paperback 

On Sale June 20, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

Katchoo is a beautiful young woman living in the spare bedroom of her high school friend, Francine. Brash and outspoken, Katchoo makes no secret of her love for Francine but that’s not an option for the shy, insecure woman who looks for Prince Charming in a series of bad boyfriends.

Enter David, a gentle but persistent artist who seems determined to win Katchoo’s heart. The resulting triangle is a touching comedy of romantic errors that takes the trio down a complicated road of murder, mayhem, and love featuring an array of characters including crime bosses, psychopaths, and well-meaning friends.

Strangers in Paradise is a funny, yet complicated multi-genre graphic novel with a compelling love story of three unlikely friends who find themselves bound together by their pasts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Indy powerhouse, TERRY MOORE, began his career in comics with the critically acclaimed epic series, Strangers in Paradise, the compelling love story between three unlikely friends who find themselves bound together by their pasts. The long running series garnered many awards including the coveted Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story and the National Cartoonists Society Comic Book Division Reuben Award. Strangers in Paradise has been translated into twenty one languages and is as popular today as when it was first published in 1993. In 2022 Terry launched his new series, PARKER GIRLS, a spinoff of the Darcy Parker story arc in Strangers In Paradise. Hold on to your seats!

Moore has created many award-winning series including Motor Girl, Rachel Rising, ECHO, and Five Years.

In addition to publishing work under his own label, Abstract Studio, Moore has worked for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Boom! and other major publishers throughout his twenty-nine-year career. Terry lives in Houston, Texas.

KEY SELLING POINTS

QUEER REPRESENTATION: Strangers in Paradise was one of the first ongoing comic book series to depict a same-sex relationship between two women. The friendship, and eventual romantic relationship, between Katchoo and Francine is a central part of the series in all it’s incarnations. The series also includes supporting characters of various sexual orientations and gender identities.
RESONANT THEMES: As a “slice-of-life dramedy,” the series focused more on the internal struggles of it’s main characters than anything else. Katchoo is coming to terms with her sexuality and feelings for Francine, Francine struggles with her self-image, and David works to overcome the sins of his family.
BODY-POSITIVE REPRESENTATION: At a time when comic books were flooded with female superheroes depicted with supermodel figures, Francine was designed as a plus-size character who had to work hard to love herself just as she is and accept the love of others in turn.
INSPIRING THEMES: A fair amount of the storytelling has to do with the main characters fighting for second chances. Katchoo is a former sex worker who seeks to turn her life around by focusing on her talent as an artist and overcoming her violent past. David comes from a family known for their connections to a local crime syndicate, but he becomes a born-again Christian after a personal tragedy.
DEDICATED FANBASE: The nuanced, award-winning storytelling and artwork that Terry Moore used to bring the characters of Stranger in Paradise to life created such an imprint on the LGBTQ community that the series still has a thriving fanbase 30 years after it’s debut.
AWARD-WINNING: Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story in 1996. GLAAD Media Award for Best Comic Book in 2001. National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for Best Comic Book in 2003.

ADVANCED PRAISE

“Moore’s attention to detail in characterization makes Katchoo and the gang jump off the page. A sophisticated must-read.” — Booklist
“We need Real Girls – civilians – as readers, and we need Real Girls – humans – to read about. Enter Francine Peters and Katina Choovanski.” —Diana Schutz
“SIP is beautifully drawn, with a compelling storyline and characters that feel so real that emotions virtually leap off the page.” — Michigan Daily
“No superheroes, no magic, no fantasy, no elves, no science fiction, no ultraviolence – just very believable characters, a compelling, captivating storyline and incredible artwork from Terry Moore!” — Comic Shop News
“Strangers In Paradise tells some of the best-written, most interesting stories in comics, with fantastically realized characters.” — WIZARD The Comics Magazine