Lynda Barry

Lynda Barry, born January 2, 1956, is an American cartoonist, author, and teacher. She is best known for her comic strip "Ernie Pook's Comeek," which ran for nearly three decades from 1979 to 2008. Barry's graphic novel "What It Is," published in 2008, won the Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work, showcasing her unique blend of autobiography and imaginative storytelling. In 2019, she received a MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as a "genius grant," which recognized her innovative contributions to literature and education. Barry teaches interdisciplinary creativity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she continues to inspire new generations of artists and writers.