Lynn Johnston, Creator of For Better or For Worse, Part Two

Careful crafting of the For Better or For Worse plot keeps millions of loyal comic strip fans engaged in the lives of the Patterson family. The characters mature and get older along with the rest of us, giving Lynn new and interesting story opportunities with each age group.

Elly and John started as young parents but now are middle-aged. A lot of time has been spent on their adjustment to their ages and changes. Their son Michael and his girlfriend Deanna have married and are going to be parents themselves. Elizabeth is in university and getting more than a scholastic education. She is suffering heartaches and experiencing life on her own.

For Better or For Worse debuted in newspapers on September 9, 1979 through Universal Press Syndicate. It now appears in over 2,300 newspapers in 25 countries world-wide. It is translated into eight languages. In 1998, Lynn changed syndicates, moving For Better or For Worse to United Features Syndicate.

How is this complex comic strip drawn? Lynn comes up with story lines and gags herself. Like Charles Schulz, she refuses suggestions from others. She does the penciling and final inking and has assistants who complete the background colouring and lettering. Lynn uses 2-ply Strathmore Bond paper. She makes use of Windsor- Newton Ink, C-6 Speedball nib pens and Rapidograph drafting pens. Colours are done by computer.

The cartoonist and her staff work in a small building on the edge of a lake, near her home. She employs a web site designer, two assistants, a graphic designer and a manager in her booming business of cartooning.

Lynn Johnston has received numerous awards for For Better or For Worse:

1986 - Reuben Award for the Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the NCS She was the first female, the first Canadian and the youngest cartoonist to receive the prestigious award.

1987 – Gemini Award (a Canadian honour similar to the Emmy) for the television special, “The Bestest Present.”

1992 – Reuben Award for Best Syndicated Strip from the NCS.

1993 – Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

1995 - Elected President of the National Cartoonists Society.

1999 – Doctorate of Laws, honoris causa from the University of Western Ontario in “acknowledgment for her distinctive comedic talent.”

2001 - Media Human Rights Special Award from the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith.

2002 – Nominated in Best Comic Strip category. Awards will be announced in late May. Lynn was honoured for her work by the Government of Canada in 1992. She was awarded the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour bestowed on Canadians.

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