Strangers in Paradise XXV #1

Strangers in Paradise XXV #1
Story and Art: Terry Moore
Cover Color: Steve Hamaker
Publisher: Robyn Moore
Comics Publisher: Abstract Comics

A Review by Robert Coffil

This week’s slate of comic book releases featured the return of Strangers In Paradise. I discovered Strangers In Paradise via a podcast/video show about comics that I used to listen to and I am glad I did because it introduced me to the works of Terry More, whom I have been a fan of since. I started out reading the oversized pocketbook collections but very quickly moved on to the omnibus when it became available.

Terry Moore is a creator that I am a huge fan of. He is a creator that I feel should be uttered of in the same sentences as Stan Saki, The Hernandez Brothers, Mike Mignola. However, whenever Indie Books are brought up I feel that Terry Moore is often not mentioned, and it is a shame. He is a master of the craft.

Strangers in Paradise XXV #1 happens after the events of the first volume Strangers in Paradise and Echo, however, not having read those titles will not put in a position where the story doesn’t make sense. Honestly, it has been years since I have read Strangers in Paradise and Echo and I was able to follow along with no problems.

Strangers in Paradise XXV #1 is not what I was expecting; it is a thriller. I was expecting Strangers in Paradise part two, but that wasn’t what this issue delivers. It builds on the shared world continuity of other “Terryverse” books and hits the ground running. To elaborate more on the plot, would ruin the surprise twists and turns, suffice to say- read the book and discover the plot for yourself.

When it comes to quality of art Strangers in Paradise XXV #1 demonstrates that Terry Moore is aging like fine wine and doing some of his best work. The book opens with a man, surprising given the female focus of the series, and I was able to immediately tell he was ex-military. Moore draws him with a close-cropped haircut, stress lines on his jaw and cheekbones, and posture that radiated someone with a military background. That is the type of character work he can instill on a page with no dialogue.

The storytelling on that first page is exquisite as well. This same guy has his phone stolen. In a portion of the panel you can see the thief eying the man, and then in the next three panels, the thief is gone. In that last panel, the man realizes his phone has been stolen and the thief is on the escalator making his escape. The smooth storytelling is on the first page of the book and continues throughout. In a world where comics are filled with double page spreads focusing on fights, it is a pleasure to see the storytelling craft of Terry Moore and the acting that he is able to illustrate on the page.

Verdict:
Buy!!! Strangers in Paradise XXV #1 is a book that deserves to be on your pull list. The story is compelling and as soon as I was done, I immediately wanted the next issue. The art and storytelling some typical top-notch Terry Moore illustrations. Do your self a favor and buy this issue.