For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston
- June 17, 2009
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About For Better or For Worse
Since its debut in 1979, For Better or For Worse has touched comic strip readers as few cartoons ever do. Cartoonist Lynn Johnston’s eye for detail and her uncanny sense of what real parents and children struggle with daily are a big part of her success. The world has watched the Patterson family grow up in real time, and to many readers, the Pattersons feel like family!
Parents and children alike will relate to the obstacles that the Patterson family faces. Curfews, parent date nights, babysitting, pets and distractions are all hurdles that the Pattersons must overcome in order to enjoy each other as a family. They face the same obstacles that real life families do, which is what makes them so loveable.
© 2009 Universal Press Syndicate - All Rights Reserved.
Comments (16) Jump to Comments Form
pschearer
said,
5 months ago
At first I was surprised when the Phila. Inquirer dropped FBOFW, but considering how weak and predictable the jokes have become, it is understandable.
A few more days like this one and I will be dropping it from my subscription. The world doesn’t need two Family Circuses.
ElainefromFlorida said, 5 months ago
Frankly, I’m enjoying FBOFW. I didn’t start reading it till about the time April was born, so this is all new to me. I’m also a mom, so I can really relate to comics like today’s.
Macushlalondra
said,
5 months ago
Sorry Elly but teaching the kids obedience and everything else is your job and John’s. That’s why you’re parents.
prasrinivara said, 5 months ago
However Macush, “boarding schools” (which do exist in Canada) were invented for the purpose of teaching children discipline/obedience.
princepavel said, 5 months ago
To me the fact that the Phily Inquirer dropped FBOFW says much more about the sad state of printed media than FBOFW. I’m sure the Inquirer will follow the path of many dying dailies all over the world. sigh.
summerdog said, 5 months ago
I don’t think that the kids could hear her because what she said to them is not in a neat little white balloon.
pearlandpeach said, 5 months ago
it all started when I threw my brothers train engine out the second floor window. We developed the fine art of “fighting” and resented the intervention of parents. THEN it was a united front.
jmworacle said, 5 months ago
The dog would probably easier to train. However, the parents need to have a consistent and loving hand in discipline.
bluetopazcrystal said, 5 months ago
Hey NotNormanChubsyUbsy,
I don’t read her as screaming irrationally. More like being a little overwhelmed at times. She’s portrayed as a good, understanding Mom, and we all have periods of frustration.
Calvinsmom
said,
5 months ago
I liked the original FBOFW much better. In this rendition, Elly is pissy and whiny and resentful about being a stay-at-home mom. I HAD to work when my kids were pre-school, and would have given anything to be able to stay home with them. I’m pretty much fed up with Elly’s constant self-pitying bad attitude. The original Elly had a much better sense of humor and handled life’s adversities better. This one is a case of arrested development.
Coffee-Turtle
said,
5 months ago
I wish I could compare the “original” and the “new” to see what you guys are talking about with the Elly character. Overall, I still enjoy this strip and it is still a nice trip down memory lane seeing everyone young and vibrant!
pearlandpeach said, 5 months ago
Elly is the same character, Calvinsmom and NOtnorman are just older and see things differently, whether they know, or see it, or not.
howtheduck said, 5 months ago
pearlandpeach is correct. Today’s comic strip is a reprint from the second year of the comic strip. There is no “original” vs. “new” comparison here.
Rockyhammock said, 5 months ago
Original….New!! Maybe I missed something, but I thought this was the Original FBOFW just being rerun on the public, just as Peanuts is??
Greeneyed Texan
said,
5 months ago
Lynn Johnson had stated on her comics that she was going to redo the entire series with an alternative point of view. Whether or not she has stayed consistant or not–I don’t know cause this seems like the same one I read long ago.
howtheduck said, 5 months ago
Greeneyedtxn and Rockyhammock. These are neither reprints like Peanuts, nor is this the entire series from an alternative point-of-view. Since September, 2008, Lynn Johnston has done approximately a 50% mixture of reprints from the first 2 years of her comic strip and new material close to the same art style as the reprints. Lynn Johnston calls the new material by the name “new-runs.”
If you want to compare: June 6 - today is all reprint. May 31 - June 5 is all new-run.