Lynn Johnston (Born in 1947) is the Canadian creator of the comic strip, For Better or For Worse®. This family-based series has been syndicated since 1979 and was named Best Syndicated Comic Strip in 1992. At its peak, For Better or For Worse® appeared in more than 2,000 newspapers in 23 countries, and was translated into 8 languages for a devoted readership of more than 220 million.
Johnston was born in Collingwood, Ontario, and grew up in British Columbia. After living in Manitoba and Ontario for many years, she now calls North Vancouver, BC home once again. Johnston was the first woman to receive a Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonist Society in 1986. She has also received the Order of Canada and claims a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. In 2008, Johnston retired from For Better or For Worse®, at which time the comic strip was republished from the beginning and is now in its 16th year of reruns.
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Which ‘hood are you in?
I live on the Vancouver North Shore on the same street where I grew up. I continue to work in my studio here and am producing new material all the time.
What do you do?
I have been a cartoonist ever since I was three (according to relatives) and have made my living working in animation, as a medical artist, a graphic artist and as a comic strip creator. For nearly 30 years, I created the syndicated comic strip, “For Better or For Worse.” I retired from the comic strip in 2008, but have continued to create fabric patterns, paint and work on new projects.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a new series of illustrated children’s books. Written in rhyme, the stories are about a robot family, featuring their young son, Tim and his dog, Rusty. These books are for ages 3-8 and are accompanied by a new website that features free games for kids. The first three books have just been published; three more are in the works! I continue to paint, to write and to illustrate. At 76, being creative keeps me alive and happy!
Where can we find your work?
You can find the Alottabotz children’s book series on our website or your local Indigo and book retailers. If you are reading my new children’s book series, please let me know what you think of them!
