For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 14, 2022

The delusion starts young

the man of her dreams could be walking by and sitting near her all this time

She told me that after the first time that her mother met me, her mother pulled her aside and gave her a warning: “You watch out for that boy! He’s in love with you!”

We were best friends. She was my best friend, but I knew that I had fallen in love with her. I was her best friend, so I just kept that inside of me.

And then one day, from out of the blue, she kissed me. She took me completely by surprise. It was a long, sweet, passionate kiss. I was stunned. I don’t even remember how I got out of the room. I think that I was in shock.

A couple of days later, we were sitting across from each other in a restaurant having lunch. I told her what I knew in my heart to be true: “You’re in love with me.”

She tried to scowl, and said, “Nuh uh!” like a little girl denying that she has cooties. I said calmly, “Yeah, I think that you are.”

And then, the most beautiful woman in the world and I were madly in love.

Today we have the first appearance of Anthony Caine, a character who was in 2007 described by no less than the Washington Post newspaper as the most hated character in newspaper comic strips. Today we will begin the long journey following master storyteller Lynn Johnston in creating and developing him to earn that notoriety. I can hardly wait.

If the boy doesn’t want you to notice him noticing you…he’ll probably be successful.

I saved the final strip from the original run, dated 8-31-08. It was really special because Lynn went the extra mile to tell her readers what happened in the future for all the main characters. I still read it every so often, and get misty all over again.

She doesn’t think of Anthony as a “guy”. He’s just “Anthony” and has been her entire life.

But things can change over time. ;-)

Mike did it ever occur to you that by telling your sister that, you’re setting her up for failure early? :/

No, you’re not.

Love on a one-way street

And there’s the creator’s pet everybody!

Can’t help but wonder if Elly will become a June Cleaver-like “helicopter parent” when she learns Liz has a BF.

This day will be long remembered…the beginning of the gooey, pasty, creepy, whiney, manipulative hellscape which is Anthony…

Oh Liz! If you could only look forward in time and see the guy of your dreams right there with you.

I was told on the last day of school that somebody had a crush on me all year. I had no clue, as that person never talked to me. It happens.

Ah yes the budding yearnings for a romantic relationship with another person, when your brain turns to mush.

We all like to think so, but we are usually so busy “hanging around our crush” we don’t see our crusher hanging around us. People are strange.

Elizabeth is on the lookout for someone acting like Pepe Le Pew. A simple “Hi Liz” is not going to get her attention.

Take a good look, Liz!

Anthony wasn’t hated. He was just boring and became an accountant. Everybody turned out OK when it all ended in 2008. https://www.gocomics.com/forbetterorforworse/2008/08/31?ct=v&cti=1814436

Isn’t that the class nerd???

There’s one, Liz! We know he likes you, or will!

Love doesn’t always strike like lightning.Sometimes it moves like a turtle,as ANthony&Liz proved beyond doubt.

… And so, it begins.

Elizabeth, if you need help with boys, go to your parents, or a trusted adult like Miss Edwards. Do not take Michael’s advice, he spells sex 9-7-6!