Strangers In Paradise: It's A Good Life

Rating:
Summary: The volume nicely wrapped up
Review: After all the events and revelations that took place in "I dream of You" this book is a little more at ease and is really wrapping the volume up. No new big events come into play but instead things that emerged in "I Dream of You" are being worked out between the characters (Moore doing a very good job at that I think). Terry Moore does some of his best 'dialogue-writing' yet in here. He's making it funny, he's making it dramatic and most of all, he makes it all logical. These characters aren't your everyday comicbook-characters. They act like REAL people would (slightly exaggerated and funnier now and then, but in essence they do).

About the story: Former events have really made a big impact on all three of our main players (Katchoo, Francine and David) and now all three of them are trying to sort their feelings, and where to go from here, out. Be it through arguments, be it through conversations, be it through acting on impulses. David is trying to convince Katchoo that despite everything that happened he never lied about his feelings for her. Meanwhile both Katchoo and Francine aren't really sure anymore which gender they love, let alone who in specific. And to make things worse Francine's former boyfriend Freddy tries to become a part of her life again.

For people who've read "I dream of You" this book will be a very welcome continuation (and ending) of the volume. You've seen how the adventure ends, now see how it all affected Katchoo, Francine and especially David (who turned out to be something more than expected at first in the previous volume). The quality you've seen in "I dream of You" stays at the same good level here, only there's a lot more room to expand on the relationships between the characters (meaning that as a positive thing). For people who haven't read "I dream of You" (collecting #1-9) I would suggest to either get "I dream of You" and read that first (which would be a smart thing to do in my opinion because I really think this is one of the best non-superhero books out there), or don't bother at all. Without knowledge of the events that took part in the previous volume this book (which collects #10-13, the last four issues of the volume) won't make sense at all.

Rating:
Summary: The volume nicely wrapped up
Review: After all the events and revelations that took place in "I dream of You" this book is a little more at ease and is really wrapping the volume up. No new big events come into play but instead things that emerged in "I Dream of You" are being worked out between the characters (Moore doing a very good job at that I think). Terry Moore does some of his best 'dialogue-writing' yet in here. He's making it funny, he's making it dramatic and most of all, he makes it all logical. These characters aren't your everyday comicbook-characters. They act like REAL people would (slightly exaggerated and funnier now and then, but in essence they do).

About the story: Former events have really made a big impact on all three of our main players (Katchoo, Francine and David) and now all three of them are trying to sort their feelings, and where to go from here, out. Be it through arguments, be it through conversations, be it through acting on impulses. David is trying to convince Katchoo that despite everything that happened he never lied about his feelings for her. Meanwhile both Katchoo and Francine aren't really sure anymore which gender they love, let alone who in specific. And to make things worse Francine's former boyfriend Freddy tries to become a part of her life again.

For people who've read "I dream of You" this book will be a very welcome continuation (and ending) of the volume. You've seen how the adventure ends, now see how it all affected Katchoo, Francine and especially David (who turned out to be something more than expected at first in the previous volume). The quality you've seen in "I dream of You" stays at the same good level here, only there's a lot more room to expand on the relationships between the characters (meaning that as a positive thing). For people who haven't read "I dream of You" (collecting #1-9) I would suggest to either get "I dream of You" and read that first (which would be a smart thing to do in my opinion because I really think this is one of the best non-superhero books out there), or don't bother at all. Without knowledge of the events that took part in the previous volume this book (which collects #10-13, the last four issues of the volume) won't make sense at all.

Rating:
Summary: SIP : Excellent
Review: I know I'm new to Strangers in Paradise, but of the few issues I've read, these have been the best. Buy if you're a fan. Buy if you're not a fan. You'll still like it.

Rating:
Summary: Defining relationships and setting boundaries.
Review: This is the third Strangers in Paradise trade paperback, and compiles the following issues into one volume: Volume 2, Issue 10: The Homecoming; Volume 2, Issue 11: Queen of Hearts; Volume 2, Issue 12: Goodbye; Volume 2, Issue 12: It's a Good Life. If you have not read the previous two volumes (Volume One and I Dream of You), I recommend you do so before reading this volume, otherwise you will be missing vital backstory.

This collection continues with the stories of Katchoo (the tempestuous blonde with a heck of a past), Francine (the neurotic brunette with self-confidence problems), and David (the keeper of the torch for Katchoo). All three are in need of some peace and quiet and recovery time from their adventures in I Dream of You, but the world isn't content to let them get it.

Above all else, this issue is about defining relationships. Where do Francine and Katchoo stand? How about David and Katchoo? Can Katchoo forgive him for the role he played in her betrayal and injury? What about Freddie, who's decided that he can't live without Francine? Does Casey even figure into all of this? And what is it with these people's fascination with Hawaii, anyway?

If you're reading Volume Three because you enjoyed Volume One, you'll probably be pretty pleased with the story. If you're looking for more of the over-the-top intrigue and violence and mystery of Volume Two, this book is significantly more calm (at least, in that sense) from the previous volume. All in all, however, it's a great continuation of an interesting story.