On Today’s “Sally Forth” Comic
Dear Readers,
I’m very sorry in not posting this earlier (due to spotty Internet service abroad) but I want to truly apologize for anyone who took offense at what proved to be an unfortunately timed “Sally Forth” strip today. Such comics are written three months in advance (and pre-published over a month in advance for Sunday supplements) and so the strip (in which Ted surprises Sally with tickets to “The Dark Knight Rises”) was in no way a direct comment on–or reaction to–the unbelievable tragedy that occurred this weekend at the “Batman” premiere (nor were the “Dark Knight” comics that appeared on this site this week, which were pre-posted this past Monday due to travel plans).
But I know such comments due nothing to alter what has happened nor may counter understandably raw feelings and for those individuals and families sadly affected by such a senseless, awful act and those who perceived the comic in poor taste due to such timing, I greatly apologize and send my very deepest condolences.
Please take care and be well.
Francesco
Medium Large 
No problem here. The connection never occurred to me. Keep up the good work.
What Roger said.
Ditto.
I think most people understand the delay in publishing comics. Please keep on being funny (or at least strange)
The connection is beyond tenuous, I really don’t see how you ever thought you needed to apologize. Lots of people went to see Dark Knight Rises this weekend, none of them were being insensitive to the victims of this tragedy. Ted didn’t say “let’s wear gas masks to the movie,” you didn’t have a strip where Batman shoots people, I honestly don’t see what made you think there was any reason for this statement.
I understand what you are saying, Zach. But I had indeed received a few emails indicating otherwise so I thought it best to address it now.
It’s never a bad idea to make a statement clarifying, but your regular readers won’t think twice about it.
I am just uncomfortable and a little offended by the resulting characterization of anyone talking about going to the theater as bad people for doing so. After Columbine, a lot of shows centered in high schools altered plots involving violence in the school setting, but they didn’t cancel them altogether. I don’t recall Greg Evans apologizing for having LuAnn strips centered in high school. Calling those strips “too soon” or “in poor taste” does pass judgment on everyone who engages in the behavior displayed in the strip, which in this case is just going to a movie theater to see a movie opening weekend. That’s way too harsh, IMO.
This week’s Foxtrot is unfortunate in light of the events in Aurora as well. The strip is not available online, but has been replaced by a note from Bill Amend saying he feels it would be inappropriate to publish it, and noting that newspapers may not have the capability of pulling the strip. I recall that several episodes from the 3rd season of Buffy got delayed because of the Colombine shootings.
Clearly, no offense was meant by any of these (which were all created long before the events in question) but it’s good of you to be sensitive to those who may have strong negative associations. Thank you for your consideration.
You are a class act, Francesco.
See, this is why I couldn’t deal with the public, because to even imply a connection between your fleeting reference and the Denver tragedy is idiotic.
I can’t agree more. Anyone who wrote you an email regarding this highly tenuous connecting is, frankly, an idiot.
[…] He writes: Such comics are written three months in advance (and pre-published over a month in advance for Sunday supplements) and so the strip (in which Ted surprises Sally with tickets to “The Dark Knight Rises”) was in no way a direct comment on–or reaction to–the unbelievable tragedy that occurred this weekend at the “Batman” premiere (nor were the “Dark Knight” comics that appeared on this site this week, which were pre-posted this past Monday due to travel plans). […]
[…] comic, which referenced a late-night screening of The Dark Knight Rises. Marciuliano notes in his post that such Sunday strips are written three months in advance; daily comics are completed at least […]
[…] showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colo., killing 12 people and injuring 59. This past Monday, Francesco Marciuliano, the writer for “Sally Forth,” apologized for a Sunday s… in which Sally and her husband, Ted, discuss going to a 2 a.m. screening of “The Dark Knight […]