I thought the opening page, while you watch Francine's life changing, was incrediable. I'm beginning to think it takes a more mature heart to understand the storyline. SiP came out my freshman year of High School, and I've been with it ever since. Keep up the great work Terry. Forget what everyone else thinks--God or evolution may have given us large brains, but apparently intelligence wasn't part of the standard package.

hey myrt,

in a past issue's letters column, that show was brought up. Terry said that it closed after a few days, and not many people saw it.

I am ready for the next issue!!
What the hell are u waiting for Terry!!!
Its been 8 weeks already
and btw how come, that the cover of 57 looks so much worser than the one we see here?
No red feathers but blue ones, a much too mig and muscular Katchoo and a stupid Poaroid so that EVERY ONE understands the joke
Very bad

(I don't read current issues, only TPBs, so I'm still stuck at the end of Heart in Hand, but *any*way....)

Here's something that I've always wondered about. Are we supposed to ignore Katchoo's first art exhibit? The one that David set up for her when she went to Canada while Emma was dying? She was a big sensation before the exhibit of tomorrow's artists (or whatever it was called) with the Francine paintings. Is that just another one of those little plot steps that got run over as the series developed? Not that there's anything (much) wrong with that. I's juz sayin'........

it's great

This is totally irrelevant, but Tom Selleck is the perfect Mike Walsh. His moustach is an all-around asskicker.

*clears throat*

OH and Terry,...I mentioned a little theory earlier,...as to the whole "I'm making biscuits with Aunt Katchoo!" flash forward thing and the much dreaded "10 year Split". I think it's bull and you in your nefarious genius have been throwing off the readers ever since. The only way the "Future" could even be possible would be for A.) Francine to either abort , miscarry or give the current baby up for adoption. (Ashley in the flashforward is only 5,..10 years?,..hmmmmm)
B.) Casey would have to have some kind of devastating accident that causes selective Amnesia!
("You're KIDDING! Gee! I thought you two were joined at the hip or something! In fact, there even used to be a rumor that you guys were, uh,..well,you know. Oh Gosh! Listen to me! Forget I said that, I'm an idiot!") Hellooooo,..Casey is waaaay too involved with the reason for the current split to have conveniently "forgotten" about it.
and C.) Francine to also have had the same horrible accident because when she is talking to Katchoo in the backyard she asks about Katchoo marrying David. The two of them had already split up seemingly irreparably before Katchoo came back to Houston.

So in closing, I am totally skeptic about the reality of a "10 year split". I don't think it happened and I seriously doubt it will happen at all. Basically Terry,..you've done so many flashbacks, what if's, dreams and daydreams that I am almost 100% sure that Old miserable Francine and Lonely artist Katchoo are just that,..one of them's daydream after a terrible fight.
Most likely during the whole Art Show debacle. If I'm close just give me a little hint,...pleeeeease?
*bats eyelashes*

the "Bird Metaphor" is likely from Issue# 52, the issue where Katchoo meets Cherry and she is explaining how she feels about Francine. Words aren't used for several frames, but the pictures speak volumes.

Francie's twin,..don't feel bad, we're all getting a little tangled up over SOMETHING in the current plot twist.

Ignore the one just below! *Groan* Was Supposed to be posted for #56! *Mutter* How the h&!! did that happen?

I'm not really sure who to feel more sorry for- Francine or Katchoo. There's not really a *good* excuse for what Chewie did, except that Francie is taking more time to try this change of life than she would like and she's frustrated.

Francie, on the other hand, hasn't tried to *move* very quickly on this. I know it's a difficult thing to go against everything your mother has been shouting in your ear all your life, no matter how you feel about the person. I mean, let's be honest, if Chewie was a guy, she have a big house, a nice car, and ten kids by now, but....Chewie's not and that makes things a little harder for her...

Geez, enough. I sound all one-sided, but I guess that's the beauty of this kind of thing. This story makes you question things. All in all, Terry, perfect. So, tell me though, is Francie actually listening to those messages or was that just Katchoo leaving them? Personally, I don't think Francie's heard them yet. Hmmm...Ponder, ponder...

*Starting down at the sliver of shattered heart on the floor, then looking up at Terry with a sigh*
Oh, Terry, why did you do that again? Make us wish yet again that it will work out, even in a dream, only to have reality tear our hopes asunder.


Francine, please, please gain the courage to one day take that last chance, reach out that last inch and forget the fear...walk off the edge so she can catch you....

Katchoo, please, please don't get frustrated so easliy, realize that you can't have everything the moment you want it, and PLEASE don't take the easy road to oblivion.

Ten years....why does it take ten years?

Oops, sorry. I have a little Keats going on here *blush* Go about your business, go about your business. *Muttering* Geez, will I ever learn to shut up?

I do not understand the bird metaphor? Someone please help me out.

I have to be honest, I'm in the camp that didn't like it. The last thing we need is yet another metaphoric fable (that's redundant, isn't it?) delineating the relationship of Francine and Katchoo. We [I]get[/I] it, already!
My disappointment in this issue was somewhat mollified by a surprising source. I rented a movie called [I]Lost and Delirious[/I] which I have to recommend to you and your fan base. I wasn't expecting anything more than a little hot teen lesbo action (if a SiP fan is allowed to even [I]think[/I]such a thing . . .), but what I got--with the one stipulation that you have to accept David as a shy teenaged girl--was an alternate universe [I]Strangers in Paradise[/I], right down to the bird metaphor and everything! Don't miss this one.

PM,..you want volume 3, issue 27.

Patricia was a tragic victim of Veronica's desperate attempt at revenge.

"Her Name is Patricia. She will be four years old tomorrow. Her Grandmother waits for her in New York, but Patricia won't be able to attend her birthday party---Her mother is dying in the burning field behind her. After the funeral, Patricia will live with her grandmother and spend the next 10 years in psychotherapy. At 14, Patricia will check into a drug rehab for addiction to pain killers. At 15, she will be arrested for petty theft and spend ninety days in a juvenile boot camp for possession of crack cocaine. At 16, Patricia's grandmother will die, leaving her only grandchild a meager savings. Patricia will spend the money on heroin cut with detergent. She'll hitch a ride to the airport and lie down at the end of the runway, singing "Happy birthday" to herself as she shoots up and watches the planes fall one after another from the twillight sky."
Patricia will be pronounced dead at 6:32 PM, the exact time of sunset. A popular band will write a song about her entitled, "Twillight's Child". Time Magazine will write a cover article and for a few days, America will mourn the tragic life and death of Patricia..."The little girl who took 12 years to die...From the crash of flight 495."

The opening page was a neat set-up for the issue. And I thought the next four panels of Francine getting older important to understanding the story though I can't quite find the right words to say how. I'm still trying to figure out all the audiance... The Abstarct logo on the knight's armor was cool too. I've read a lot about stalling, not another dream, get on with the story already. As someone lucky enoough be a reader for all ten years, I have faith that when an issue doesnt seem to be important, wait one or two more and it'll make sense. We're seeing the 10 year split, the why Francine and Brad married, the reason Katchoo found David again (and even the posiblity of Katchoo's emotional response to Francine's mention of him, wouldn't you be emotional if your spouse willingly concieved a child with your half-sibling, under any circumstances?) Ok it was a dream, about Katchoo and Francine, metaphores for the life we've been reading about, true. But it wasn't just filler, or a summary to bring us up to date. It was KAtchoo coming to terms and making a decision. Oh and did anyone notice that the only dwarf crying at the end was Freddie?

Hey does anyone have the lyrics or remember that part in one of the anthologies I think were the plane crashes, dave is in grave condition, katchoo is on the plane with him. there's this bit with a kid and she's the lone survivor and years later she dies there drugged and boozed up.. or something along those lines.. PLEASE help.

Ok,..read everyone else's contributions. Looks like lots of folks are getting a wee bit impatient.
*arched eyebrow*
I dunno about Applegate as Katchoo, I tend to agree with the Joey Lauren Adams nomination or maybe even Miss Bridget Jones herself, Renee Zelleweger! She already has a little raspy thing in her voice. *nudge, nudge* Jennifer Connelly would be so perfect, after all mention is made of Francine's resemblance throughout the series!
Who would play Tambi? If she could act, I'd suggest Joanie Laurer of CHYNA fame from WWE. Put a blond wig on her she'd be the perfect body type.
Ok enough of my casting suggestions,..back to the commentary.

Ok,..read everyone else's contributions. Looks like lots of folks are getting a wee bit impatient.
*arched eyebrow*
I dunno about Applegate as Katchoo, I tend to agree with the Joey Lauren Adams nomination or maybe even Miss Bridget Jones herself, Renee Zelleweger! She already has a little raspy thing in her voice. *nudge, nudge* Jennifer Connelly would be so perfect, after all mention is made of Francine's resemblance throughout the series!
Who would play Tambi? If she could act, I'd suggest Joanie Laurer of CHYNA fame from WWE. Put a blond wig on her she'd be the perfect body type.
Ok enough of my casting suggestions,..back to the commentary.

Ok,..another dream sequence. Hmmmm. Nicely done though, the little dwarves and the "barefoot and pregnant" thing.
I must say, I had a few laughs. It was nice to see Katchoo having a nice morning. I was dreading something horrible happening in this issue, but apparently I must sweat it out and wait for the boom to be lowered. Please give us an update on Tambi, David and Cherry soon. Over the past few years I think we've seen enough of Francine's inner struggles and daydreams. (Which by the way is what I'm convinced that whole thing back in Volume 2 was, "You go girl!" Ms. Femur my butt, soon as Casey and Freddie got divorced that whole scenario was shown for the daydream hoax that is was!)
I'm ready to get to know the others a little more.
Oh, and thanks for including me again in this issue Terry!!

Hello,

I am in the throws of putting up a new web site devoted to the review of comics, sequential art, fanzines and related esoterica. It is an attempt to give something back to a genre I've been involved with in many ways since the early seventies. I have published (in the 70's) a zine titled POTBOILER which can be accessed at - http://www.lulureview.0catch.com/ and click on the POTBOILER link.

I will be including a "News" page on the site aimed at comics related information. Would you care to send any press releases which I could include on the page, or a link which I can put on the "News" page?

You can read my Mission Statement on the Lulu page as well.

Thanks,

Lari Davidson

First and foremost thank you! Thank you for Francine, Katchoo and the whole SIP family. Now down to business! Issue #57 was great! I loved the whole movie segment and Katchoo
waking up from the dream was amazing. The nine panels on that page spoke volumes without a single word of actual written text. However I must say that the next page made me
a little nervous. The idea of Katchoo 'getting on with her life' frightens me! I don't want Kat to
get on with anything without Francine around. I have faith in you to bring things together for me (Kat & Francine too) eventually!
One question for you, was the cover of #57 a little nod to Ozzy Osbourne or was it just a coincidence? The picture of Katchoo with the feathers in her mouth seem to closely resemble the photos taken of Ozzy right after he bit the head off of the dove at a record executives meeting in 1982. Either way the cover is another classic work of art!

Thanks for everything!!

Terry-
Me and my friend Matt have been trying to cast a SIP movie in our heads for the last few years. Christina Applegate never crossed our minds but thought perhaps a good selection. I was thinking more along the lines of Drew Barrymore. She kicked ass in Poison Ivy. But at the same time has that sometimes cute side that Katchoo can bring out. But we definitley have the perfect Darcy Parker in mind, Parker Posey! Oh evil *shrug/smile*

I loved the Snow White reference. I myself am a (working) graphic artist and at one point wanted to work for Disney. But all the copyright crap that you have to deal with wasn't worth it.

I really enjoyed the pencil drawing on the first page. Very capturing. I know you are hearing a lot about how you should "get on with the story already" But I think that you should tell all those people to shut up! Because it is your art and a big part of your life and you should do it the way you want to. Besides, you have never let us down before... (even when we might have thought in the back of our heads that you might be preoccupied with other things).
People are just antsy because they love your work so much and they can't possibly wait for anything. Patience is a virtue Mr. Moore just remember that.

Thanks for all the scary & great moments!
Jenny

For f^ck's sake, Terry. How many metaphorical dream sequences do we need? Exactly how dumb do you think we are? Do you think we don't understand Francine's hangups by now, after ten year's worth of hashing them out? Do you think we don't understand that Francine and Katchoo love each other? Did we need this entire issue of Snow White nonsense to reveal that? What exactly did we need it for? I think this is more for your entertainment than anyone else's. When digressions and entire issues worth of fantasy sequences are proving the rule rather than the exception, I just can't make excuses for you anymore. This is self-indulgent to the extreme. If you are this bored with your story that you have to CONSTANTLY step away from it you either have no respect for your audience and are stringing them along for as long as you can get away with, or you're genuinely clueless, or both. I keep coming back to this series because after buying it faithfully for so many years it's hard to let it go, but right now I just don't know why I bother. The last two pages were good, but is it worth keeping up with this book for the occassional two pages of non-dream sequence non-gimmick non-extraneous character actual story? Should I really be hanging around just hoping you throw me a bone? I don't think it's doing either of us any favors. I'm sure you don't need to hear me whine anymore. I guess I'll wait to hear about actual plot progress before I buy another issue. Hope I can be back soon.

I read the comments in the back of the issue and I would just like to say that I agree that Christina Applegate should play Katchoo if there is a movie. She has been looking a lot like the actress in recent issues, especially the cover of 53. However, I think Francine should definitely be played by Jennifer Connelly, best known from Labyrinth (if she gains a little weight) and David should be played by Will Yun Lee from the Witchblade TV series.

Anyway, those were my thoughts on the movie, so I figured I'd share.

Oh, and Terry, I love SIP more than almost anything (I think it goes, Mom, cat, pickup truck, SIP,...) but please don't waste anymore issues on artsy dream sequence flashbacks. PLEASE, I'm begging you. We all wait so long between issues and we know what just happend so we really don't need a summary, we just want to know what happens next. Ok, I'm sorry I criticised, I hope your feelings aren't hurt, you are the nicest (famous) comic book artist I've ever met, and that counts for something in my book.

Terry,

I absolutely can't get enough of the series, but I feel that the latest comic was lacking - almost as if you're stalling. I hope you don't have writer's block. I know how that goes. :) Still, the dream sequence was interesting... Perhaps a small part on how Francine was getting along at that point in time would have fleshed things out more.

Keep up the great work on this masterpiece, though! I've never been so interested in a comic series until SIP.

-Heathere, St. Peter, Mn.

heh... honestly the first page in the movie theatre with againg francine and when "sir bradly" talk snow francie into are the shining points of the issue for me. which is ok... sometimes you have to wade through crap to put paid to things. no harm, no foul. but seriously, christina applegate at katchoo? she's delightful, yes, but TALL. i say joey laurn adams. just give her lots of cigars and whiskey until she sounds like lou reed and she's perfect!

Like Neo would say, whoa! Another incredible issue. What a great idea for a dream sequence, using Francine as Snow White was superb, and the dwarves were wonderful, specially Adolf. This is why your book is the only one I read, and for the last four years has been #1 in my heart. Keep it up, and keep bringing the wonderful surprises and plot twists.
P.S. I recieved my issue today in the mail, my first one as a subscriber. I use to buy them at my comic book store but the owner is not buying the book anymore, too bad for him. Thank You for the promtness and great service.

Rolando
Carolina, Puerto Rico

The ONLY good thing about this issue was the last page. Finally, Katchoo is getting on with her life. The cutsey Disney dream sequence dragged the story to a grinding halt, again. In general, I was disappointed. But I'll eagerly wait for the next issue, of course!!

hey hey
First I just wanna say, fantastic, i'm really sick guys in tight suits. I just started reading SIP about 4 day's ago, and gues what? ive already got the whole series. I can be pritty single minded sometimes, but hey its worth it. Anyway i loved the lastest one, thoughs dwarves are hilarious.

alright im done, just my 2 cents
Jasper
(i dont care if u make fun of my name but for goodness sake, come up with something original ;)

Dear Terry,

Just got done reading issue 57. As always, it was great, loved it. This one was a nice break to what's going on right now. The first page, "this is not that story", funny stuff. Then the Snow White movie, loved Adolph and Sleezy, lol. The not pregnent but gassy Snow, your warped my man. Like I said, nice break in the action.

Which brings up something. On the last page of #56 under, My random thoughts this issue, your last question was, Who is the major SIP character on the cover?
I thought every letter this issue would be yelling, it's Sarah Bryan, of course. I read all the letters and nothing. Maybe you just didn't publish those letters, I don't know. It also said, find out in the next Action Packed issue of SIP. I guess this issue wasn't that one, since there was very little action. Can't wait till she does make her appearance. Should be a new turning point in the story. I assume she is the new client that Casey mentions at the end of the story.

Something I should mention as well. This is my first letter to a comic, although I've been reading them forever. Also I have to confess, I started reading SIP for the wrong reasons. I picked up your first Homage edition because Jim Lee did the cover, thought it was his new book. After reading it, figured it wasn't his book, but still very good. Then of course you went back to Abstract and black and white. Wasn't sure about that move, but I stuck in there. I started getting the trades, caught up on the story, and as you can tell, I was hooked and here for the long run. I rescently spent three days rereading all the issues, some of the plot still confuses me, but in a good way.

Can't wait for the next issue and hopefully I'll make it to Wizard Con this summer and get to meet you.

Your sometimes confused but happy fan.
Dale

Dear Terry,

Just got done reading issue 57. As always, it was great, loved it. This one was a nice break to what's going on right now. The first page, "this is not that story", funny stuff. Then the Snow White movie, loved Adolph and Sleezy, lol. The not pregnent but gassy Snow, your warped my man. Like I said, nice break in the action.

Which brings up something. On the last page of #56 under, My random thoughts this issue, your last question was, Who is the major SIP character on the cover?
I thought every letter this issue would be yelling, it's Sarah Bryan, of course. I read all the letters and nothing. Maybe you just didn't publish those letters, I don't know. It also said, find out in the next Action Packed issue of SIP. I guess this issue wasn't that one, since there was very little action. Can't wait till she does make her appearance. Should be a new turning point in the story. I assume she is the new client that Casey mentions at the end of the story.

Something I should mention as well. This is my first letter to a comic, although I've been reading them forever. Also I have to confess, I started reading SIP for the wrong reasons. I picked up your first Homage edition because Jim Lee did the cover, thought it was his new book. After reading it, figured it wasn't his book, but still very good. Then of course you went back to Abstract and black and white. Wasn't sure about that move, but I stuck in there. I started getting the trades, caught up on the story, and as you can tell, I was hooked and here for the long run. I rescently spent three days rereading all the issues, some of the plot still confuses me, but in a good way.

Can't wait for the next issue and hopefully I'll make it to Wizard Con this summer and get to meet you.

Your sometimes confused but happy fan.
Dale

That smile on the cover is very fitting for the Kat that ate the Canary. Katina's dreamscape was a fun ride. I loved the sly Disney references and will have to read the issue again to see how many I missed.

Page 2 was a powerful piece of art, the aging of Francine over those four panels was visually compelling. From there, it was all downhill. "Snow White" was a disappointing issue: SiP meets "Paradise Too." Those that read the latter doubtless found this Disney parody amusing, but I have never been fan of Terry's "cutesy" side. The writing felt contrived. The "silver" joke was so ham-fisted, I felt slightly insulted. Having Katchoo awake crying after such a sappy dream was just cloying.

Wow. This one made me all teary eyed because I was so sad and happy at the same time. GREAT WORK!!!

Sooner or later, some supposedly loyal fan is going to post a nastygram kvetching about how this issue was nothing but yet another pause in the storyline and would Terry please get on with progressing this arc already before they are forced to stop reading the series in disgust. While I do agree that this issue was filler and I'm chomping at the bit for this arc to get a move on, "Snow White" has to be my favorite issue since David found a pair and took off for the Far East. The humor and whimsy was handled deftly, the artwork has never been better, and the attention to detail was amazing. When Terry is firing on all cylinders, there is no one better in the business, and Terry was a frigging Porche this issue.

Fanboy I may be, but if every book was this entertaining, I wouldn't care if the storyline marched in place for the next 57 issues.

Terry has left me in tears before, but this time my heart ached. I knew the ten year split was coming, I just didn't want to watch it happen. My heart breaks again and again....

Well Terry, I have to admit that you still have the touch. When I first started reading this issue I was confused to say the least, but it all started fitting into place. The numnerous Silver references, Katchoo saving Francine (from herself? from her fears?) and what can I say about the Veronica cameo except I LOVE YOU.

Very interesting issue...and I have a feeling that our friend Katina won't be able to move on with her life as quickly as expected..."tomorrow, contact" indeed.

Good work Terry, keep it up, I'll be here rain or shine, agree or not.

Pierre