With today’s October 19, 2024 comic strip (above) the daily Fort Knox has come to an end.
Paul Jon Boscacci and Fort Knox celebrated 15 years of syndication at the beginning of this month.
According to The Hammond (Louisiana) Daily Star the Sundays will continue until November 10, 2024:
Since
2005[2009], “Fort Knox” – the cartoon tale of a military family’s escapades, told from the military brat’s point of view – has been published in newspapers across the country.We’re writing to share the news that the strip will publish its final installments. The last daily strip will run today, Oct. 19, and the last Sunday strip will run the weekend of Nov. 9-10.
The paper relayed messages from the strip’s creator cartoonist Paul Jon Boscacci and editor Amy Lago.
“’Fort Knox’ began while the U.S. was at war in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” said the strip’s longtime editor, Amy Lago. “Paul Jon always brought sensitivity and respect to his strip, highlighting the home lives of our country’s service personnel – the trials and tribulations special to military families – while providing much-needed laughs.”
“Ever since I was 5 years old, I dreamed of being a comic strip artist,” said artist Paul Jon Boscacci, himself a military brat who works as a brand creative director for companies in California. “The past 15 years have been absolute bliss, living my childhood dream and connecting with people all over the country. I can’t thank the newspapers and fans enough for their support and for reading ‘Fort Knox.’ I am forever grateful.”
Paul Jon was kind enough to reply to a Daily Cartoonist inquiry:
Today is the last daily strip and the final Sunday’s strip will be November 10th.
I was offered a new contract from another syndicate, but, after much thought, turned it down. I did appreciate the offer though. Considering how crazy the comic strip market is, it seemed to make sense to stop at a solid 15 years while still pulling in a good monthly check.
I definitely will miss working on “Fort Knox“. It has been a part of my life for 20 years. I actually started working on it in 2004 with Amy Lago at the Washington Post Writers Group under a development contract. She was and is a wonderful person to work with. The best, actually.
That said, I’m onto new things. Stay tuned (!) and appreciate you reaching out.
Paul Jon added:
And to all my fans, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate their support over all these years. it has been a wonderful journey, and I was able to achieve my childhood dreams. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Oh, and I have a special collaboration with Marvel/Pixar/Disney artist, Norman Felchle, on the upcoming November 3rd Sunday comic. Get ready!
It has been a long time until we had a newspaper comic strip coming to an end in 2024.
Did Fort Knox ever run for a time in the Washington Post since the Washington Post Writers Group distributed/owned the strip?
Hi Darryl, It did run in their online comics daily and I took Doonesbury’s spot while Garry Trudeau went on sabbatical. Thanks for asking.
It never ran in the paper though. They ran far more online that never was in print.
I have long thought that PJB should do books for kids. His hidden images are wonderfully fun and could teach kids from preschool up how to be observant while not being pushy about it. It is an essential skill which too often is neglected and he is a master in a way to address that need pleasurably.
Sukie! What a kind thing to say. You know, you may have just guessed my next direction. At least one of them. 🙂 Thank you for making my day!!
I know exactly which kids I will be buying copies for, too. Steve and I even have a just born grandniece by our youngest niece, so I will not even rush you!