Reinaldo Joseph

Strangers in Paradise Vol. 3, Issue 4 Feb 1997
Story and Art by Terry Moore

            This story begins with Francine Peters being chosen as the new condoms spokesperson.  She is wearing what would be considered to be a “tacky, slutty” outfit.  The director chooses her because “no woman will ever feel threatened by her looks!  When she tries to protest, her boss, Mrs. Feinstein tells her that her job is on the line.  Switch scenes to Katehoo arguing with David, who reveals that she was raped at fifteen (on her birthday, by her stepfather at that).  The conflict is that he knows so much about her, yet she knows little to nothing about him.  His mysterious nature leads her to kick him out.  Francine comes home to a Drunken Katehoo, who tells her Francine that she looks like a  “hooker in a school crossing.”  Katehoo flirts with Francine and they seem to almost kiss.  Switch scene to Chuck and Rachel having sex.  He thinks it is “earth shattering,” while she is not even slightly enthusiastic.  She starts eating ice cream, then tells Chuck about Francine being a spokeswoman for condoms.  Chuck gets mad and says he doesn’t want to talk about Francine.  Rachel tells him she doesn’t care what they do, “as long as it’s not…boring!”  Scene switches back to Katehoo in a towel, trying to talk Francine out of the closet.  Francine is embarrassed that she almost kissed Katehoo (who is a lesbian).  She is afraid of playing with Katehoo’s emotions.

            This comic book deals with so many real life issues.  It is an example of real women.  Francine is attractive; but she is proportioned more realistically.  She has a “beerbelly” and is larger than a size four – a rarity in comics.  Her looks make her a little insecure, especially about taking pictures in a skimpy outfit.  This leads to another point made in the issue:  the things women must do to survive in the business world.  Francine is not a model, yet because she is a woman, she is automatically assumed to be qualified to be a model – to use her sexuality to sell a product.  A man most likely would not be threatened to lose his job for not posing provocatively.  It shows that the “glass ceiling” for woman is still very much up there.

            This issue also shows the consequences of rape.  Katehoo was a normal girl until her stepfather took advantage of her.  Then she became a Beverly Hills prostitute (looking for that lost love through physical expression with unknown men).  Even though she has gotten her life together (quit prostitution), she is in an unhealthy relationship with David.  Shows that sexual abuse can have long-lasting effects.  These effects are explored without preachiness or hoakyness.

            Finally, casual love is represented here.  Chuck does not care enough about Rachel to truly satisfy her (he still has feelings for Francine).  Rachel does not care if he wants her or not, she just wants his attention.  It is another example of how love is often being replaced by sex.  Sex was once shared between people who loved one another.  Now, love is not necessary for people to have in a sexual relationship.  Moore is not condemning, but merely exploring it, and bringing it to our attention.