Strangers in Paradise, High School!
Description:
Francine and Katchoo in high school! Learn how this enduring relationship began. Although they are complete opposites, Francine and Katchoo find a common bond in the one thing neither one has, friendship. Also included in this volume is a side splitting spoof of the popular Xena television show with Francine, Katchoo, and David showing up in the oddest places.
My Review:
High School.
Awkward, fun, embarrassing, cheesy, insecure, scary, harsh, daring and vulnerable.
If you have stuck around till now, then you have gone on a turbulent ride with Francine and Katchoo.
I love how this volume made a full circle to the beginnings of their friendship smack down in the middle of the 90's. Michael Bolton at Prom, Xena and Gabrielle imaginations, Bomber jackets and cigarettes, nightly visits through the windows to see your friend.
I am enjoying how the underlying issues are addressed that gave each character their personality. Their upbringings are very different and some of the gaps are now filled for the reader to paint a complete picture.
The poetry in this series is one of my favorite parts. This one, of course, by Katchoo in High School stood out to me in this issue:
"THIS MASK I WEAR, YOU GAVE TO ME ONE WINTER NIGHT BENEATH THE TREES; ITS BLACK AND BLUE ENSHROUDS MY LIFE, SURROUNDS MY EYES AND FINDS MY SIGHT.
THIS MASK I WEAR PRETENDS I'M HERE, AND HIDES ME FROM THE AWFUL FEAR, THAT YOU MIGHT FIND THE HEART OF ME AND TAKE THAT TOO, BENEATH THE TREES.
THIS MASK I WEAR TO HIDE THE PAIN. IT'S ALL I HAVE TO KEEP ME SANE. I JUST FELL DOWN, I'M TOLD TO TELL. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO STOP THIS HELL.
THIS MASK I PRAY TO GOD FOR WHY HE HATES ME SO TO WATCH ME DIE, A LITTLE MORE WITH EVERY NIGHT, THIS MAN COMES IN AND RAPES MY LIFE.
BUT LITTLE GIRLS GROW UP, MY FRIEND, AND LEARN THE WICKED WAYS OF MEN. AND THIS MASK I WEAR COMES OFF THE DAY THIS MASK I WEAR LAYS ON YOUR GRAVE"
Yes, this graphic novel goes deep sometimes and I can see why it has been so popular.
It is really good!