Q and Eh! Questions and answers about the Canadian Comic Strip For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston

Q and Eh

Since the (current) strips were first published in 1994, and have a 1994 copyright, why has the copyright been changed to 2013? As I understand it, in Canada the copyright remains in effect 50 years beyond the life of the author, in this case Lynn, so changing the copyright to 2013, doesn't really extend the 1994 copyright. Or am I wrong about that?

What is a "horseshoe sucker" as referred to in a recent Sunday comic?

Have you ever inserted any objects,props, etc into a scene that were an inside joke for a friend or family member that no one else would notice? In the movie or video game industry these are called "Easter eggs" ever done it ? If so, where?

I have recently come accross a book called the best of helpful hints - Mary-Ellen's(1979). The illustrations are so similar to Lynn Johnston's drawings. Are they actually hers?

What is spot art?

Why has FBorFW been dropped by the Phil. Inquirer? Seemed as if your story line was okay.

I was looking at the strips on the website about Mike and Dee's reunion. When Mike goes to visit Dee in the hospital, she offers her address as a way to keep in touch. Later, when Liz and Warren first meet (in the book Reality Check), he asks for a way to get in touch with her. She says, "I don't know my address yet." In the next strip, when Liz is telling Candace about the cute guy she met on the bus, she asks, "Did he ask for your address?" I'm the same age as Liz, and I have never heard of people asking each other for their addresses. I think people would ask for phone numbers, or emails, but giving out your address to a stranger (no matter how cute or nice) is dangerous, and doesn't make any sense. Is this a Canadian thing? Where does this come from?

How do you come up with the language used between April and her friends? It is spot on for people their age. Do you have a teenager on hand to help you decide where to put the word "totally"?

Hello Lynn, My name is, shockingly, Olivia Saltzman. You may recognize my name because you have created me as a character in your comic strip. I first stumbled upon Lovey, which I have also been called coincidentally, about five years ago in March when reading the Tribune Chronicle.

I just wanted to let you know how odd it is to make up a fictional character who is actually realistic about someone you've never met. I am often mistaking for being Jewish also (but I'm actually Catholic).

I also share a very signature mark of Lovey's; the huge mole in the corner of her face! It is hidious, some people do not notice mine so much but of course, in comic strips, everything must be over-exaggerated. When reading your strip, I was about fourteen, and it scared me into thinking that that is what I was going to look like when I grow older. It may sound crazy but I speak the truth!

I thought I would let you know of my experience with your comic because I know that writers are humorous people. I am a writer myself and I suppose this would be humorous to me. I have met many Olivia's, but never any Olivia Saltzman's who share characteristics with me such as the hidious mole I have grown to hate.

I have noticed that quite frequently more than one comic strip, on the same day, will feature the same "topic" or even use exactly the same wording. For example, this morning two adjacent strips both used the term "life force". It is hard to believe this phenomenon is merely a coincidence. Do you have an explanation?

I have loved, laughed and cried with you since day one, but I never remember Elly using %$#& words before. Is this a new harder edged Elly? Has she always had these little moments and I have forgotten?

Elly drives a Crevasse. Is there such a vehicle? I ask because I am curious about any differences between Canada and the USA.

Is there an actual book written by Micheal called Stone Season?

My local paper often omits the first two panels of the strip on Sunday. It's obvious because the title panel is missing. I know it's two panels because I check against the website. Is this allowed, per the paper's agreement with you?

The change in style of the artwork over the past 30 years: is this just natural development in years of drawing the comic, or is it an intentional change because the artist wishes to make a change?