In 1979, Lynn began to draw For Better or For Worse. Some of her earliest strips didn't make it to publication for a variety of reasons. We thought you'd like to see some of these rejected drawings, so we've collected them here!
Pick a Topic:
Baby Elizabeth ·
Young Michael ·
Mike's Crush on Deanna ·
Dentistry Strips ·
Elly Goes To Night School ·
Having a House Party ·
John Takes a Business Trip ·
Meeting Marta ·
Miscellaneous ·
Strips With Uncle Phil ·
Taking a Plane Trip ·
The Weight Control Group ·
Unfinished Strips
In the early days of For Better or For Worse (in 1979), Elizabeth had already joined the family and we saw her as a young baby. Here are a couple of the first FBorFW strips Lynn drew, which didn't make it into the paper. The first of these shows John and a pregnant Elly explaining to Michael that he was about to have a baby sister!
Lynn's Notes: This was drawn on a piece of card...as a sample to send to Universal Press Syndicate. I had been asked to send a series of "strips" so that the editors could see if I could produce on time, under pressure, and deliver good work. I spent a lot of time on cross-hatching and details...trying to put myself into a fantasy family and doing the best artwork possible. This is one of about 15 samples I drew and sent in 1978 — before I had even come up with a name for the strip.
Lynn's Notes: This was rejected because the topic was "off colour." Later, when FBorFW was in more papers and the audience was used to some of my irreverent style, I was able to cover some of the "realities" of life.
Lynn's Notes: This would have worked as an animated clip...it's hard to imagine "stuff and scrape" without actually seeing it in action!
Lynn's Notes: Don't know why this one was cut. I think it's ok. Maybe I should apply to become an editor!
Lynn's Notes: Guess this was too negative for the fledgling strip.
