SALLY: DEAD OR ALIVE
In early September 1996, Sonic comic writer and artist Ken
Penders broke
the news on the Net: the "Endgame" story arc which would run from
issues
#47-50 would feature, in issue 47, the death of Princess
Sally!
Many list members reacted with shock and anger to the news. At
the
offices of Archie Comics, Princess Sally was
observed reading the fine print of her contract as Ken prepared
to
make an artistic statement.
Drawing of Princess Sally by Art Mawhinney, Copyright (c)
1995 by
Archie Comic Publications
On March
11, 1997, Sonic #47 shipped from the publisher. The story,
"Taking The
Fall," indeed showed Princess Sally falling to her death.
Artwork by Art Mawhinney (c) 1997 by Archie Comic
Publications
What Sally fans had
been buzzing about for months had tragically come to pass.
Artwork by Art Mawhinney (c) 1997 by Archie Comic
Publications
OR HAD IT???
When Sonic #50 came out with "The Big Goodbye" (the fourth and
final
installment of the Endgame story arc), my cynicism was confirmed:
Sally
had managed to cheat death thanks to a stupid plot
twist.
In the interim, I had established The Princess Sally Memorial
Cybershrine. It was a place for Sally's fans to express the
grief
and loss they felt. I was both surprised and gratified at the
response.
The depth of their feelings for Sally came through in the poems,
lyrics,
and thoughts expressed. While I am no longer including fan
messages I
am leaving the Cybershrine in place as a monument to Sally's
popularity.
This way
to the
Princess Sally Memorial Cybershrine.
And what's the lesson we can take from all this? In the words of
Chumbawamba:
I GET KNOCKED DOWN...
Artwork by Art Mawhinney copyright 1997 by Archie Comic
Publications
BUT I GET UP AGAIN...
Artwork by Art Mawhinney copyright 1997 by Archie Comic
Publications
THEY'RE NEVER GONNA KEEP ME DOWN!
Artwork by Art Mawhinney copyright 1996 by Archie Comic
Publications