SS7 182 The End
skyangel on Feb. 6, 2023
Dear Readers,
At some point in my life, not too far from this point in theirs, I made the decision to finally complete the comic which I started when I first met Sarah and Janey. We did have many wonderful years together and I shall always cherish the time we shared but it's now time for me to move on.
But before I go, it wouldn't be right to end this without saying a huge thank you to all you readers, as well as those at the Duck, who have valued us and shown so much support over the last fifteen years.
This unique little world of mine which Sarah so kindly allowed and enabled me to live again through her has been made all the more real for me especially, by sharing it with you.
And lastly, we cannot of course forget Emma and Becky, for all the hours they donated in colouring the artwork for me for so long! I have been truly fortunate to have the benefit of their talents.
Nikki
skyangel at 11:50PM, Feb. 24, 2023
Thank you :)
DarkVisor at 7:52AM, Feb. 13, 2023
For me, this is a sad end: Simply Sarah has been a regular read for years (that page with the toy womble was the reason for making a real account here, and not a fake one like in other webic sites), not sure what am going to do now...
skyangel at 3:38PM, Feb. 13, 2023
DV: I know exactly the page you mean! It was that day they went Christmas shopping together and I took the opportunity to add in a few nostalgic details! :) I underestimated the power of the wombles!
gagroovy at 10:43AM, Feb. 12, 2023
This whole story is a beautiful masterpiece! It ended perfectly. I am very happy for you. This is a big accomplishment. Congratulations! I will miss this story so much. Its has been a constant in my life since before Sarah and Janey were a couple. Saying goodbye hurts too much so I'll say see you later instead. Thank you so much! Alan
skyangel at 3:28PM, Feb. 13, 2023
Gagroovy: Thank you Alan. I feel really pleased that so many people have enjoyed it on the whole. It's covered so many complex emotions and weaknesses in human nature that at times I've felt the characters wouldn't last the course, and it's only with all the support we've had that we finally got here.
MidnightBaelfire at 9:29PM, Feb. 11, 2023
I wasn't expecting to feel this sad when the story ended. I've been enjoying reading it, even when storylines didn't quite travel the way I thought they should/would lol. It's been so much fun to watch everyone grow and evolve, and you write it so well. I was going to ask about Kim, as much wasn't said about her, and I'm sorry to hear about the breakdown of hour relationship. I have two transgender friends myself and I want nothing but love and happiness for them, and you. Thank you (and Sarah and Janey) for this glimpse into your lives. Midnight Baelfire
skyangel at 1:07AM, Feb. 12, 2023
MidnightBaelfire: Gender Dysphoria is a curious condition and I wouldn't wish it on anyone as acceptance of something few can really get their head around is understandably hard. But I dealt with it in a Marwencol sort of way except in comic book form and by introducing myself into the story I started a very affectionate relationship between myself and the characters that has been very therapeutic over the years. I wish both your friends well over their own journeys and of course for you yourself too whatever direction that may take. x
Jason Moon at 6:38PM, Feb. 11, 2023
Sad to see the story end, kind of feels like watching a show on netflix that you enjoyed and it ends, leaving an empty anxiety in my stomach as you remember all the material you witnessed over the years. This last page was done so beautifully with the scenery and colors. I hope you continue to create in the future skyangel!!
skyangel at 12:52AM, Feb. 12, 2023
Jason: So many have expressed feelings like yours it's quite overwhelming to read them. It's always been so hard for me to judge my own writing because the ideas flow out in different directions and have their own cause and effect on different characters. After deciding on one path I would then read the comments and think 'maybe that was a mistake!' but I'm delighted so many of you reached the end with us. :)
egbtmagus at 5:52PM, Feb. 11, 2023
Never posted on your comic Nikki but I have been reading it from the start and I want to thank you for such an amazing story. Wish you the best.
skyangel at 12:43AM, Feb. 12, 2023
egbtmagus: Thank you! When I see an avatar like yours I always wonder where it came from and if it's your own work. I'm always curious about our readers though and it's lovely to meet so many of you at last, even just this small glimpse.
Ozoneocean at 12:20AM, Feb. 11, 2023
Wow! The end of a huge era!
skyangel at 11:17AM, Feb. 11, 2023
Ozone: It rather feels like it!! XD
PBandJ at 11:55AM, Feb. 10, 2023
Even though I knew this day was coming, it's still hard to come to terms with. Sarah and friends have been there waiting for me to read for years and now it's time has come; and a lovely send off for these wonderful characters. Your talents (and those of Emma and Becky) have shined through on each page leaving us always wanting more. Thank you so much for sharing Sarah's life with us and showing me that even though "I don't like slice-of-life", if the characters and stories are well written it can be as engaging as any other type of story. I wish I could reach across the Atlantic to give you a massive hug, but I will just have to content myself with sending you my love and best wishes for the future.
skyangel at 11:16AM, Feb. 11, 2023
PBandJ: I feel it, You've reached me!:) I cant think of any better way this comic could have ended than it has here, with so many heartfelt comments left on the final page. It truly sums up what a wonderfully live and supportive community spirit there has always been here on the Duck. I shall miss all your comments!
Dark Pascual at 5:51AM, Feb. 9, 2023
Congratulations on ending this! Despite me being retired from The Duck, this is probably the only comic that I still followed up. Good luck in any future projects.
skyangel at 5:58AM, Feb. 10, 2023
Dark Pascual: Thank you! As I've mentioned further down I am looking forward to reading other peoples comics too now which is something I've had so little time to do for so long because of my out put on this.
Mikey1404 at 10:45PM, Feb. 8, 2023
Thank you. Thank you for making this wonderful story. I found this about 6 years ago when I was in a very bad place mentally. Although I have nothing at all in common with any of the characters the story has been so entertaining and well-crafted that I have visited every week to get the latest update. I won't say your comic saved my life, it didn't. Medication, counselling and the love of my partner saved it but reading this did help me clear my mind of outside thoughts for a few minutes and let me focus on something good. Congratulations on making the best comic I have ever read and I really hope you decide to do something new in the future when you are ready.
skyangel at 5:55AM, Feb. 10, 2023
Mikey: I remember you first left a lovely comment a few pages back (who forgets a visit from the police!) It's comments like this that have always made SS feel so special and maybe more than just a comic. It's also the reason why I felt a Slice-of-life story was my thing because I too wanted an escape from real life and yet I wanted it to be real enough emotionally too. In a Freudian way, making this comic has helped me enormously too which is why I wanted a happy ending as well.
bumbles at 7:56PM, Feb. 8, 2023
Sorry, ran out of room! If you do decide to do a spin-off, I would happily read it, no matter who it’s about—would love to see Nikki get a happily ever after and maybe see more of the other characters too. (I always loved Leo!)
skyangel at 5:47AM, Feb. 10, 2023
Bumbles: I think it will be hard for me to stop thinking about these characters altogether and if nice ideas come to mind I might well string them together but for the moment I feel that the comic has had such a good run already that maybe it's time to end on a high and think about other things. I feel a bit burnt out at the moment so just doing nothing feels really nice! XD
bumbles at 7:53PM, Feb. 8, 2023
I’ve been reading this comic since chapter 2. I’m not big on commenting so I haven’t said anything before, but I figure now is a good time for the first one! I had to make an account for the first time. I wanted to Congratulate you on finishing SS! It’s been great to see your artistic skill grow over the years and I think the last few pages are a lovely demonstration of how great your art has become. I will miss these characters, and although I have been looking forward to seeing their happy ending, I can’t help but wonder what comes next! I sorta figured the early part of the comic was autobiographical and that you had based Sarah on yourself, I never considered that you might be Nikki! I guess those bits with her comic was a pretty big hint. My heart always went out to her, I guess it’s no wonder her story was so emotionally resonant. I am sorry it didn’t work out with Kim, I was so excited when Nikki finally found a girl who accepted her exactly for who she was.
skyangel at 5:43AM, Feb. 10, 2023
Bumbles: There is a lot of me and my own experiences in this but my own life has been way too boring to have stretched this far on paper so I just blended my own story along with other peoples experiences and drifted into fantasy for fun and also to help make the story more interesting. In real life I've been in a good relationship for a long while now but in my fantasy world I'm also back up there with Sarah and Janey. - In Chapter 7 page 135 I put in a nod to Marwencol because I resonated with the guy the movie was based on except I was fortunate to come from a happier direction. :)
KidCthulhu at 12:38PM, Feb. 8, 2023
What a long trip it's been, eh? I still remember stumbling across Simply Sarah on SmackJeeves. And even though you told us in 2020 that this comic was eventually coming to end, I still can't believe it's here. This was a beautiful ending and you should be very proud of your epic. I guess now is as good as any a time for this: https://tangentville.thecomicseries.com/files/bonus/simplygoodbye.jpg Thank you so much for being a story teller and a friend, Sky. Kid Cthulhu has spoken.
skyangel at 3:21PM, Feb. 8, 2023
Kid Cthulhu: Awww Thank you! That is so typical of you! XD I'm always in awe of the speed with which you turn out so many pages in a week compared to my one! How could Sarah not know who you are! XD