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Craig MacIntosh Sally Forth

Adieu to a Sally Forth Easter Tradition

Title

“As Jim Keefe and I prepare to enter “Phase Two” of the “Sally Forth Comic Strip Universe” this September (or “Phase 147,” depending on how many times you think I’ve altered/ruined the strip in my 22 years of writing it), we begin to say farewell to a few of the hallmark stories that made “Sally Forth”—in the words of one critical rave—”Available in print and online.”

First up is “Sally Forth Eats the Ears off Her Own Child’s Chocolate Easter Bunny Every Year,” a long-ago inherited running gag that began what I assume as a touching tribute to poor boundary issues and in the last two decades has evolved into a loving tale of parental mind games and ensuing childhood mental breakdowns.”

– Francesco Marcuiliano
Easter 2019


So without further ado, presenting a nostalgic chocolate bunny-eared look back at a Sally Forth Easter tradition!

Side note and further ado…
Sally Forth first premiered in 1982 written and drawn by Greg Howard. The bunny ear storyline retrospective shown here only goes back to 1999 due to the digital files that were available.

For those keeping track: The writing credit switch from Greg Howard to Francesco Marciuliano can be found on the top of the strip in the credit line.

For art credit: The strips start off in 1999 with Craig Macintosh handling the drawing chores, then in 2011 Craig hired Jim Keefe to assist with inking and coloring the Sunday pages. The March 31, 2013 Sunday page was where Jim was in charge of the whole package – pencils, inks, lettering and coloring.

– Click on images to see larger –

1999


2000


2001

Infamous non-bunny ear themed strip.

 


2002


2003


2004

2004.04.11


2005

2005.03.27


2006

2006.04.09

2006.04.16


2007

2007.04.01

2007.04.08


2008

2008.03.23


2009

2009.04.12


2010

2010.03.28

2010.04.04


2011

2011.04.24


2012

2012.04.08


2013

2013.03.24

2013.03.31


2014

2014.04.13

2014.04.20


2015

2015.03.29

2015.04.05


2016

2016.03.20


2017


2018


2019


2020


2021

 


2022

The 2022 Sally Forth Sunday pays homage to Brian Bolland’s art in the iconic “Killing Joke” Batman story.

 


Special Added Bonus!
Here’s two links to the Sunday Comics Department blog’s spotlight on chocolate bunny ears past – Greg Howard edition!
Chew Your Ears Off

Getting a Leg Up

And now an unabashed plug…

If Sally Forth isn’t in your local paper you can check it out online at…

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A yearlong subscription to all of King Features’ comics (new and vintage) plus ten years worth of archives for every single strip is a pittance at $19.99 a year!

By Jim Keefe

Jim Keefe is the current artist of the Sally Forth comic strip. From 1996-2003 he was the writer and artist of the Flash Gordon comic strip. A graduate of the Joe Kubert School, Keefe likewise teaches Comic Art. Teaching and speaking engagements include SVA in Manhattan, Hofstra’s UCCE Youth Programs, and most recently the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

5 replies on “Adieu to a Sally Forth Easter Tradition”

Sad to think the tradition is coming to an end. Is there a link to where the print copy can be purchased? Is there any place the older ones can be found?

Thank you for all the years of this saga and for posting all the entries. Best wishes on the next phase of Sally Forth

Thank you so much for putting all of these together. Hilary is going to be in therapy for decades and will be able to trace the start of her problems back to her inability to ever taste chocolate rabbit ears on Easter. Thanks again.

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