Tag Archives: san diego comic con

Lynn and Greg Evans, at Comic Con

Lynn with Greg Evans, creator of Luann

Photo credit: Bruce Guthrie

Greg Evans recently sent us this great photo of him and Lynn, taken at this summer’s San Diego Comic Con. We asked Lynn about their friendship:

Greg Evans and I have known each other for almost 35 years. Since we were both doing family comic strips, we had an immediate connection — and since any rivalry was between the syndicates and not between us, we became good friends as well. I was always intrigued by Greg’s ability to see so clearly through the eyes of a teenage girl, but his close relationship with his wife Betty (whom he has known since college) is part of his amazing skill.

Luann, Greg’s signature character, remained the same age for many years, but the pending maturity of his artist daughter, Karen, might have encouraged him to allow Luann to mature a bit, too. Karen now works with Greg on the strip, which is great fun for both of them. Greg is a prolific cartoonist with many other creative skills. He has also written, produced, and directed a “Luann” musical comedy. Our recent re-connection at Comic Con was a real treat. Now that I too live on the west coast, I hope we can get together more often!

A little about Greg and Greg’s strip:

LUANN is about the trials of becoming a young adult: the hilarity and drama, triumphs and flops, friendships and rivalries. Rich in character and intriguing “what’ll happen next?!” stories, LUANN is a compelling saga of life’s most volatile stage. Greg Evans was voted Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year in 2003 by the National Cartoonists Society

Lynn’s Thoughts on 2018’s San Diego Comic Con

I have just returned from Comic Con in San Diego. I was invited to be a speaker this year, and to sit on a couple of panels. It was great to play the role of cartoonist again! Even though I continue to draw and create funny designs and patterns, I miss spending time with friends who are still doing the dailies and Sundays; still working to deadline. I miss being one of them! Having said that, I don’t wish to return to the work I did for so long. The fact that FBorFW is still remembered so fondly fills me up and makes me proud of the work I’ve done. It’s a great feeling.

The first time I went to this unconventional convention, it was a relatively small gathering of cartoonists who wanted to share their work, have their folios reviewed, buy and sell stuff, and drink beer. We all walked from table to table, enjoying new ideas, seeing how artists drew and coloured — all before the magic of computers. This was magic on its own! You could see the entire exhibition floor in less than a day and I don’t remember anyone wearing costumes.

Today, the “Con” attracts tens of thousands. There is no age limit. Everyone, from the new kid in a carrier, to granny with a cane, is there– along with hordes of twenty-somethings who line up for hours, some sleeping on sidewalks in the hopes of scoring tickets to an event, a talk, or a workshop. People are friendly. People are reunited, and new friends are made. It is a seething, bustling, colourful crush of fans and foragers. Many people come in costume, looking for headgear and hardware, buying everything from space suits to makeup — whatever it takes to become a superhero. Whatever you can dream up, you can be.

The convention hall is shaped like a massive cruise ship. Each day it took at least half an hour to work my way through the comic book stands, graphic novels, animation exhibits, and original art to wherever I needed to go. Fortunately, I had a volunteer guide who took me directly to meeting rooms and signing tables or I’d have been lost! Everywhere, I was greeted by folks who read my work as children and were now reading it to kids of their own. They would appear and then dissolve again into the dense river of people. I was grateful to sit in the National Cartoonists Society  booth with Greg Evans, Maria Schriver, Steve McGarry and crew, safe and out of the way. I also spent time behind the desk at IDW publishing, signing the new collection books. Having somewhere to be, somewhere to stand, made the massive crowd easier to manage. Moving bumper to bumper with aliens, robots, rubber chickens, and the undead, is wonderful — but in small doses.

It’s over for another year. I’m home again, looking at photos and sending messages to folks I met. It was four days of fun and freedom; of harmless fantasy in a celebration of comic art at its best. At a time when the world outside seems stark raving mad, I’m grateful for the kind of craziness that brings people together in spirit and solidarity. That’s Comic Con.

Lynn J.

Lynn’s Signing and Panel Schedule At San Diego Comic-Con

With thanks to the Library of American Comics, here’s Lynn’s schedule for San Diego Comic-Con. Lynn’s second treasury book will be available at the Con!

THURSDAY, JULY 19

11:00am-12:00pm – Room 32AB
Spotlight on Lynn Johnston
Comic-Con special guest Lynn Johnston is the Canadian creator of For Better or For Worse. This family-based comic strip has been syndicated since 1979 and was named Best Syndicated Comic Strip in 1992. At its peak, For Better or For Worse appeared in more than 2,000 newspapers in 23 countries and was translated into 8 languages for a devoted readership of more than 220 million. Expect to learn more about Johnston’s career in comics and what she’s been up to lately!

1:00-2:00pm – IDW Booth #2743
Lynn Johnston Book Signing

5:00-7:00pm – National Cartoonist Society Booth #1307
Lynn Johnston Book Signing


FRIDAY, JULY 20

10:00-11:00am – IDW Booth #2743
Lynn Johnston Book Signing

5:00-7:00pm – National Cartoonist Society Booth #1307
Lynn Johnston Book Signing


SATURDAY, JULY 21

9:30am-12:00pm – National Cartoonist Society Booth #1307
Lynn Johnston Book Signing

2:00-3:00pm – Room 29AB
Comedy in Comics
Do you like to make people laugh? How easily does that translate to the written page? Moderator Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum) leads Comic-Con special guests Lynn Johnston, Larry Marder, Lonnie Millsap, Noah Van Sciver, and Shannon Wheeler in this no-holds-barred discussion of things hilarious!

4:00-5:00pm – Mysterious Galaxy Booth #1119
Lynn Johnston Book Signing


SUNDAY, JULY 22

11:00am-12:00pm – Room 25ABC
A Life’s Work: Long Term Comics Projects
Sometimes it is hard to even get started on a project, let alone one that can span weeks, or even years! Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum) finds out what it takes to start and finish a long-term comics project. Comic-Con special guests Lynn Johnston, Jason lutes, Scott McCloud, and Terry Moore share their expertise in making it and making it work!

2:00-3:00pm – IDW Booth #2743
Lynn Johnston Book Signing