Graduation A Time For Change: A For Better or For Worse Collection

Another Great book to visit the Patterson's with. "For Better / For Worse" has to be one of the best comic strips of all time. It really makes you think, "They are just like my family", and if you do not have kids, read the books so you know what to prepare for.

I have just about all the For Better or For Worse books. I haven't read a bad one yet.

Ever since I picked up the For Better or For Worse 20th Anniversary collection last year, I've been spending a lot of time searching out the older books, reading stories that anthology touched on but didn't cover completely and learning more about characters I already knew and loved. The progression of those two decades really is remarkable. Now, amidst all the nostalgia I (and, I suspect, many other FBoFW fans) got caught up in, comes a reminder that our favorite strip is still better than ever today.From a strictly artistic point of view, Lynn Johnston's drawings have grown steadily sharper and more detailed over the years. But the real star of the show remains Johnston's knack for engaging stories, which are - as always - a nice blend of laughs and serious looks at the everyday problems we've all got to overcome. Much of this collection is concerned with Michael's post-graduation blues and his efforts to establish his career and Elizabeth's struggles to adjust to college life, two things many of us have been through or will go through in real life. Anyone who knows those experiences will tell you they're not often funny, and as such Johnston doesn't try to sugarcoat them - but she does produce a knowing chuckle all the same, as usual. As for April, love her or hate her, there's plenty here as well for the fans to argue - and maybe even laugh - about as always. (Perhaps in response to frequent complaints from some fans that April is a spoiled brat, we're actually treated to John and Elly discussing that issue in this collection...nothing like a cartoonist who listens to her fans!) It's still among the most serious strips out there, but FBoFW remains good for a laugh this time around.

The continuing funny and sometimes poignant saga of the comic pages' favorite family. I look forward to each daily strip and each periodic anthology.