Starting Again - For Better or For Worse

[Fozzie Bear]

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T GO BACK?

Apparently, Lynn Johnston can, and will.

It seems many readers of her fantastic strip (that's my opinion), For Better Or For Worse, are upset that the comic has reached an ending to the saga and…she’s starting over from the beginning.

Here is the strip where this has been announced:
http://www.fborfw.com/strip_fix/archives/003336.php

What are your thoughts about beginning again?

You know, I think I read once that Charles Schulz told her that aging her characters was a bad idea, and he may have been right since he didn't ever have to do a re-do. One friend I spoke to said she's just run out of ideas and wants to start over and just redraw what she has already drawn. Another one of my friends had no clue what I was talking about...but then again, he's a goldfish.

Personally, I was terribly sad when the dog died and other real-life events that were going on in the strip were joyful and sad. I felt like I knew these people.

Now, it feels like they're moving away and I'll never see them again; but, new neighbors are moving in and they appear similar to the old folks. I dunno.

Share your opinion.

 

[Baby Gonzo]

I say sure, why not? It's her creation and she can do what she wants. I think I personally like the art from the old comic though. That's not to say I won't read the new comic.

I think that aging the characters was an interesting idea and while it was not the first time characters in a comic strip were aged, it felt more personal somehow. As though you were watching these people grow and develop. Truthfully, I didn't really begin to notice the comic until about three years ago when I picked up some of the printed versions from the library.

I think that it may be true that she was running out of ideas... or maybe it was just too painful with personal things that were going on in her life. Who knows?

I just think this will be an interesting to follow the comic from the "beginning" now. It will be nice to see Farley again when he comes back to the comic.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Hmm, I'm going to wait and see. Sometimes creators do make mistakes with their products. But it could still turn out OK.

 

[MrsPepper]

I think it's a fantastic idea! She's not doing a "do-over"... she's taking the chance to revisit these old familiar characters and put them in different situations, expanding the universe even more than before. It's quite obvious that she knows and loves her characters very well, so I have no doubt that these new strips will be great. Stylistically and comedically she's returning to her old style, but since hindsight is 20/20, she will know exactly what direction to work towards, and with that kind of insight this is sure to be a success.

Can you tell I'm a big fan?

 

[Ilikemuppets]

I think it's a great Idea personally. It's like an artist thing to recreate your work somtimes or every so often. I welcome the change!

 

[CensoredAlso]

As long as it's not like when they re did the old Star Wars films.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

As long as it's not like when they re did the old Star Wars films.

Haha! I agree that the original ones are better, but I like both versions, heh! *ducks flying rubber chickens ahead*

 

[wwfpooh]

Each side has a valid point, but if the characters are going to last, they either need to be engrained into one's subconcious (like Shultz' Peanuts) or they need to change up a bit to fit in with how things are.

 

[CensoredAlso]

but if the characters are going to last, they either need to be engrained into one's subconcious (like Shultz' Peanuts) or they need to change up a bit to fit in with how things are.

Preferably the former for me, hehe.

 

[D'Snowth]

You know, I think I read once that Charles Schulz told her that aging her characters was a bad idea

Everyone else I know seems to contradict that.

Heck, Sonia Manzano even comments that she feels why some many people still watch Sesame Street after so many years is because the (human) characters were allowed to age with the show (like how Maria came on a teenager, later found work as a construction worker, later falling in love with Luis, getting married, having a baby, etc).

Danny Antonucci (creator of Ed, Edd n Eddy) gave advice to other cartoonist and animators saying never be afraid of character evolution, and don't even begin to try to keep characters exactly the same from beginning to end.