Lynn Johnston is a renowned Canadian cartoonist from Ontario, best known for creating the long-running comic strip "For Better or For Worse" from 1979 to 2008. The strip featured a diverse cast of characters who aged significantly over its nearly three-decade run. In 1985, Johnston made history by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year, a feat she achieved at the age of 38, making her the youngest recipient of the award at the time.
Born in 1947 in Collingwood, Ontario, Johnston spent her early years in North Vancouver, British Columbia, where she developed a passion for art. She attended the Vancouver School of Art and later worked as a cel colorist in the animation industry. After marrying her first husband, Doug Franks, in 1969, she moved back to Ontario and worked as a medical artist for McMaster University, often depicting routine hospital scenes in her drawings.
During her pregnancy, Johnston's obstetrician, Dr. Murray Enkin, asked her to create single-panel cartoons for the ceiling of his office to entertain his patients. These drawings were later published in a book titled "David, We're Pregnant!" (1973),which became a bestseller and launched Johnston's career as a cartoonist.
Johnston's career was marked by several milestones, including the publication of her second book, "Hi Mom! Hi Dad!" (1975),and her marriage to dental student Rod Johnston. In 1978, she moved to Lynn Lake, Manitoba, and was approached by Universal Press Syndicate to create a comic strip. She developed the characters for "For Better or For Worse" and was surprised when the syndicate offered her a twenty-year contract.
The comic strip became one of the most successful of its era, published in over 2000 newspapers and 20 countries. Johnston was praised for her willingness to tackle controversial subjects, including the coming out of a long-running character. The strip received several television adaptations and was widely acclaimed.
In 2007, Johnston announced her divorce from Rod Johnston after 30 years of marriage and planned to end the comic strip. "For Better or For Worse" ended on August 31, 2008, and later went into reruns of its early years. Johnston has since retired and remains one of the most celebrated Canadian cartoonists. A collection of her artwork is available at the Library and Archives Canada.
