600 STRANGERS IN PARADISE
Press; for eight issues of the third volume, SiP moved to Homage, an Image Comics
imprint. Th e remaining issues were self-published by Moore and his wife, Robyn, by
their own imprint, Abstract Studio. Th e birth and success of Strangers in Paradise are
connected to the self-publishing movement represented by works such as Bone and
Cerebus. In 1996, the series received the Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story for I
Dream of You; in 1997, SiP received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award
for Best Comic Book, and in 2001 the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
(GLAAD) named the series Best Comic Book.
SiP follows a love story among the three protagonists of the series: Katina
Choovanoski (aka Katchoo), Francine Peters, and David Qin (aka Yousaka Takahashi).
Katchoo is a character with sharp edges. She was sexually abused by her stepfather
and ran away from home; once on the streets, she joined a criminal organization and
became an agent, an escort, and the lover of the organization’s leader, Darcy Parker. In
contrast, Francine’s personality was defi ned by a conservative and religious family that
expected her to have a conventional life. She is a sweet and contained woman who loves
Katchoo but has diffi culties defi ning the nature of her feelings. David is a sensitive and
artistic boy who is deeply in love with Katchoo. His past is almost as complicated as
Katchoo’s; he is Darcy Parker’s brother and was part of the criminal organization run
by his family. He becomes a Christian and adopts the name David Qin after killing
a 15-year-old boy. Th e role of David in this triangle is complex, since he brings both
stability and challenges to the relationship between Francine and Katchoo. Th e sup-
porting characters are more than mere extras for this love triangle. Th ey develop very
distinctive personalities and roles during the development of the series.
Th is comic book blends together elements of diff erent genres: romance, comedy,
intrigue, and drama. Th e romance and intrigue components help to defi ne three dis-
tinctive moments in the series. Th e fi rst one corresponds with the fi rst volume, a three-
issue miniseries. Here, Moore introduces and defi nes the main characters and their
relationships. Although these issues present a balanced and self-contained story, Moore
provides some clues about the possible future of the series’ plot. Th e tone of the story
is light and comical, especially in comparison with the emotional weight of the rest of
the series.
Th e second volume runs for 14 issues and represents a shift in tone and storyline.
David and Katchoo’s pasts introduce a certain darkness and heaviness into the plot.
Th e past is represented by the character of Darcy Parker, David’s sister and leader of
a global crime organization. Katchoo has stolen a considerable amount of money from
Darcy before disappearing, and Darcy is looking for revenge. In the process, David’s
blood relationship with Darcy is revealed, and Francine becomes aware of Katchoo’s
complicated past. Th is volume also introduces some pivotal supporting characters who
help move the story and the protagonists forward. Two examples are Casey and Emma.
Casey brings a happy tone and directness to the comic book; on the other hand, Emma,
who dies of AIDS, is a character from Katchoo’s past who adds softness and fragility to
Katchoo’s usual toughness.
