For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 28, 2023

Thus begins Gordon’s excellent rise as a successful businessman.

P2: Gordo’s driving one of those fancy hover pick-up trucks.

We never knew what Gordon went through growing up. There is a lot of good story lines coming. Those of you who were mad because we " told the future", won’t regret staying.

Does Gordon have a chin?

Maybe with all the money he’ll make, he can buy one!!

Gordon knows what matters.

Had a chance to buy a gas/repair station for cheap. Good for some guys, but not for me. Personality wasn’t right, but it worked out well in the end.

Sometimes a good comics colorist is hard to find. In panel one while driving, the boys are wearing different colored shirts of green, yellow, or gray. But, when they arrive in panel three the boys are ALL wearing the same brown colored shirts!

Good on you, Gord. My sister moved out as soon as she could, and had to endure plenty of “But they’re your FAMILY!! You CAN’T cut them off!!”. I’m the only one she keeps in touch with now. (Hopefully I’ll get out, too, soon enough…)

I’ve always liked that last line “I’d rather move out and save my mind”. To Micheal, even with just how bad he’s seen Gordon’s home life can be… he’s still comfortable enough he can’t fully fathom that Gordon’s parents are THAT bad that he needs an exit strategy. I’ve known plenty of people trying to get out of their parents house as soon as possible simply because it’s that suffocating and some of them take years after high school. (Thankfully far from the case for me)

To Gordon’s friends this is going too fast and is something he should be doing years down the line because that’s what they plan on… for Gordon it’s likely something he’s been considering for years and may of even done WHILE still in high school (he is legal age at this point after all), had he had the offer.

That was me at 18. Couldn’t wait to leave.

It was not a good environment.

This is assuming Gordo has a mind to begin with…

Gordon has got the right idea. He is going to learn a marketable skill on his own initiative. What have these kids learned anyway in the Canadian public school system? These strips hardly ever show them attending a single class.

I couldn’t wait to get out – went in the service to learn a skill – best thing I ever did. I was introduced to other cultures and mindsets – learned how to work in a diverse environment under all conditions and learned what team work really meant. Built a solid foundation for when I entered the corporate work force which helped me be successful at my job.

Live life to its fullest, the only time you fail is from outside interference

Smart move Gord, save yourself!

Poor kid. How sad that he doesn’t feel safe in his own home.

Gordon’s abusive father was referred to in several strips. I believe the Pattersons helped him.

I suppose that, sometimes, the little birds jump out of the nest before Mom has to push them. Of course, I did something similar by joining the Marines while I was in high school. Never regretted it. …well, maybe a couple of times.

Always hard when the first of friends starts to mature and grow up.

Sanity is important, Gordon.

With all the stoopid people today there should be a law that you are not allowed to vote unless you are a college graduate.

Didn’t Gordon get in trouble and end up with a black eye ,from his dad? I seem to think it had to do with a crashed car and Elly mentioned it to his mom. He didn’t want to go home but John drove him and fet bad about it. Or is that another character ?

With my mind on my money and my money on my mind.

I left the summer I turned 15. Hired an attorney at 16 (friend of my Grandpa) and had myself declared a ‘emancipated child’ by the court. One of the very best moves of my life. Back then, you could work, have a place to live, eat good, and still go to school. Gasoline was about 20-25 cents a gallon. That routine led me to graduate HS and go on to get a couple of degrees at university. So very glad I left. But times have sure changed. I would hate to attempt that today.

Gordon is the best character in this strip. :)

A mind is an important thing to save.

I moved out after my parents got divorced and my dad was impossible to live with

I can see it now… when Ray retires – ""Gordo’s Automotive Supply and Repair Shop". Ray then lives upstairs and Gordo rents a basement room in his home to Mike (who, btw, will still be in college and taking student loan debt.).

There always comes the time when young men and women need to leave the nest. I did it by way of living in my neighbor’s house until I got my first city job. Besides. My parents were unbearable to live with even while I was growing up in their house!

Looks like a dump from t he outside,but the first place always looks like a palace to the young renter

Why isn’t the couch in the back of the truck?

I’m hoping for the best for Gord, Lynn. You drew him a good head on his shoulders!

Not easy being a dependent all your life, is it?

According to past storylines, Gordon has an abusive father.

Smart move…..

I had wonderful parents but knew I needed to get out on my own after high school, so I could begin to find myself. Going off to study at a state college did the trick for me, but I was always happy to spend time with my family in the summer and on holidays. Reading some of the comments here about those who weren’t as lucky as I was makes me ever so grateful for the life I’ve had.

Gordo getting out is one of the more satisfactory parts of this strip. Actually when I think of it, this is one of the few comics that just straight up says “Yeah some parents are abusive, not the kid’s fault.” Bold move from a generation that was told they were basically their dads’ property.

That works especially if your parents drive you nuts!

I didn’t have a choice when I moved out. With a draft notice in hand, I joined the Navy.

As the great father of our country (Barack Obama) put it:

If Gordon has a business

He didn’t build that