Whenever Terry Moore comes out with a new book, there's no question that I'll read it. He's been creating top notch comics since 1993 and his art and writing never fail to impress me. With his long running series, Strangers in Paradise, Moore won the Eisner Award for "Best Serialized Story" in 1996 and two awards from GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.) His sci-fi/superhero comic, Echo came out in 2008 and ran for 30 issues. It was the highest selling book he'd ever self-published, selling out within 24 hours of shipping.So what makes Terry Moore's books so great? Personality and style in both the story and art. When Moore draws his characters, they have all the flaws and beautiful imperfections that real people have. He draws the women that guys fall for, not the super airbrushed fantasies seen in the pages of most mainstream comics, and the men he draws are the same way. This is why we relate to Moore's creations. They're drawn to resemble the people we know. In the case of the art on Rachel Rising, Moore executes that same familiar art style, but he adds a little creep factor to it. Rachel herself is young and pretty, but she walks around with a rope scar around her neck and severely bloodshot eyes. For me, those are just more of the little flaws and beautiful imperfections I love.
The writing on Rachel Rising is incredible. The story is like nothing I've ever read. Right away, Moore tricks us into thinking things are different than they are. We follow a woman through lush trees and beautiful flora and are lulled into a false sense of security. That's when she looks down into a dried up river bed and watches the title's main character dig herself from a shallow grave. Rachel Rising is full of those eerie little moments. Just like a late night horror movie, when all the lights are off in the house, you have to hide behind a blanket on the couch. You will literally find yourself being startled by the things that take place in the pages of this book.Terry Moore has created a great cast of characters that we either relate to and want to end up ok, or we relate to them and are terrified of what they really are.
I'm recommending that you read Rachel Rising. It's the story of a girl who stares death right in the face while looking for clues to her own murder. You'll love it, and it will creep you out.
Recently I spoke to Terry Moore about his independent projects. We covered everything from the “Star Trek science” of Echo, the creepy underside of Rachel Rising's town of Manson, and the benefits of self-publishing over mainstream. In the interview, Terry also gave me hope that a Strangers in Paradise cross-over with Rachel Rising might be a possibility in the near future. Here is that interview, just for you. Terry Moore Interview For Comics Reviews Outside the Cube
And when you're done with that, you can check out Terry Moore online.
Enjoyed the interview. You and Terry talk like old friends. I fell in love with all the girls in SiP when I first read the book. Fun chat.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the SiP girls. Their personality comes across, even without words. And Bob, Terry is a very personable fellow. He's the kind of guy you're sure you've met before.
ReplyDeleteI think the SiP girls are yummilicious! Mr. Moore knows a real woman when he draws one.
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