Staff Picks (September): SIP Kids - The Collected Edition TP

Having read all the adventures of Francine and Katchoo—friends, frenemies, and acquaintances—you had to wonder what they were like growing up (or at least when they were younger; I don’t think Freddie ever grew up).

Terry Moore, after too long an absence, returns to these characters we’ve growth to love, hate, and, in some cases, reluctantly abide. In SIP Kids: The Collected Edition we are treated to a unique view of those characters that allows Terry to bring out the comic strip cartoonist/humorist we haven’t seen since the days of Paradise Too.

This trade collects the stories from the four issue mini-series that focused on different seasons of the year. With the superb coloring of Steve Hamaker, primarily known for his work on the Bone color editions, we are treated to stories told in a world befitting Charles Schulz and Crockett Johnson.

From Francine & Katchoo in "The Case of the Missing PB&J Sandwich," to that of the mysterious kissing bandit, to Casey’s attack on David's “No girls” treehouse ( He-Man Women Haters Club?), to Francine and Freddie trying to sneak Katchoo into her family get-together—they can’t help but get in trouble even at the age of six.

SIP Kids: The Collected Edition is my favorite all-ages comic and now trade, particularly since Jimmy Gownley has stepped away from Amelia Rules! If Terry should ever decide to take a break from Rachel Rising and decide to do this on a regular basis, I’d be fine with it, though I’d want some pages featuring Kixie as well.

Hard to believe this all started with Antarctic Press giving a series like Strangers in Paradise a try, and now Abstract Studio and Robyn and Terry Moore still show us how indie comics are supposed to be done. 

—Steve Leaf

Publisher: Abstract Studios Item Code: SEP150895 Release Date: 11/25/15 SRP: $14.95