Furrlough

Furrlough is an anthology comic specializing in anthropomorphic adventure, currently published by Radio Comix. It is the longest-running furry anthology comic book series and one of longest-running anthologies in the American comic industry, independent or otherwise, and maintained a monthly publication schedule from 1993 to 2008. The latest issue, Furrlough #190, was released in 2010 September.

Furrlough was originally released by Antarctic Press in November 1991 with the intent of specializing in military tales of an anthropomorphic nature. The focus slowly shifted to "military and adventure" and eventually just "adventure", as the tone of submissions to the anthology likewise shifted. Although Antarctic's founder Ben Dunn launched the title as its editor, the company's needs quickly compelled him to pass the role on to the duo of Shon Howell and Brian Sutton, both of whom were also prolific contributors. The two acted as co-editors from issues #2 - #17.

Elin Winkler took over editing with issue #18, with Furrlough running for a total of 51 issues at Antarctic Press (Why 51? At that time, Ben Dunn wanted Furrlough to last one issue longer than Critters, another anthropomorphic anthology published by Fantagraphics Books in the 1980s, because he had a personal axe to grind with Fantagraphics' editor Gary Groth). At that time, AP's success in promoting non-anthro comic titles such as Warrior Nun Areala prompted the company to reinvest its resources in an attempt to concentrate more effort behind its breakout titles. The anthro comics, which sold at a small but steady profit, were cut loose in order to make the necessary capital available.

Ms. Winkler, along with a number of other pro-anthropomorphism stalwarts, immediately founded Radio Comix which took these discarded titles, including Furrlough, under its wing. Issue #52 was published in April 1997, and new issues were released monthly until a switch to a bi-monthly schedule in mid-2008. In 2009 the publication frequency was changed to semi-annual, with changing binding and prices of printed issues due to a Diamond Comic Distributors policy change. The reliable profitability of these titles, however small it might be, allowed Radio to remain solvent and build its fortunes at a steady pace.

The first issue included
 * front cover by Stephan Peregrine
 * untitled story by Noel Tominack and Peter Stroller (reprinted in Best of Furrlough Vol. 1).
 * Panzercorps: The Prototype by Brian Sutton, Steve Blake and Matthew Dutchman (reprinted in Best of Furrlough Vol. 2)
 * Romanics: Ferae Bestiae story by Joe Rosales (reprinted in Best of Furrlough Vol. 1).
 * Stosstrupp part 1 by Ted Sheppard (reprinted in Best of Furrlough Vol. 2).
 * Chet and Valentine by Eric Gilreath and Alex Tucker
 * At the Mercy of Love by Riley
 * Additional illustrations by Ben Dunn and Davey Jones

In 2003, Dark Natasha won Best Anthropomorphic Published Illustration at the Ursa Major Awards for the cover of Furrlough #109 (January 2002).

The first square-bound issue of Furrlough (#190) arrived in comic book shops on September 9, 2010.

Furrlough #193 was in the 2013 November catalog of Diamond Comic Distributors (largest distro of comics in North America) with a release date of 2014 January 29 but solicitation was cancelled in 2014 April for "Lateness".

Popular stories
The most popular stories to appear in Furrlough (as voted by its readers ) include: