For Better or For Worse

http://www.fborfw.com/strip_fix/

For Better or For Worse was a comic that ran for 30 years.  It was based on a Canadian family named the Pattersons, and it was even made into a tv show.  The Pattersons were a family of 6, Elly and John Patterson, Michael, Elizabeth and April Patterson and of course their beloved sheepdog Farley.

This comic centered on the lives of these six characters and their walk through everyday life.  As the comic grew older so did the characters growing in real time and developing the lives of those within it.  The family is faced with difficulties, just as in real life, as they lose Farley as he heroically saves little April from drowning, or when John loses his job.  Although the Pattersons face trials in their lives they can always depend and lean on one another for support.

The artistic style that is used is actually very elegant yet simple, creating a set of unique characters that you can relate to, and altogether a happy feeling to the comic.  As the characters grew older, their looks had to change (this from my opinion was the first I had seen of a comic that “evolved” and became something more with a storyline. 

For Better or For Worse was a great family comic, which focused on life’s ups and downs.  Its name originated from the marriage service vows, …to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health..., which I believe shows that life isn’t perfect, but if you have a good supporting, loving family around you, you can make it through the worst and the best times of your life!

Matthew White