Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 14, 2013

This has been 15 Panels of Brad and Toni. Order now and you also get the box set of Luann’s Boyfriend of the Month. Call now!

I’m happy there finally getting around to making it official.

WONDERFULL!!!!!!!!!!!

I might buy this one framed. A terrific retrospective and current event panel!

“You need a montage!”

Awww!!! Love this strip! I remember all of those too.

not including the shower?

Why wouldn’t Brad look dumbfounded? His dream girl just agreed to marry him. He’s going to be <3 <3 <3 for a damn long time. As it should be.

HEY, what GIVES?

Brad’s Life Flash Flashin’ BEFORE His Eyes/

He just have a near death experience or somethin’???

Oh WAIT, He’s Buying the DIAMOND Engagement Ring. Same THING.

Nevermind….,

Brad still looks “over the moon”. Good on him.

Awesome. Absolutely awesome. Even shows the original head shape from a decade ago. And the weekly story has flowed into Sunday. Brad DeGroot: Zero to Hero. Awesome.

Hooray!!

I still remember when Toni was introduced, as it was around the time I started following this comic. Can’t believe it’s been over ten years already.

Fantastic!

Yes.

Thank you, Greg. <3

Toni’s officially got the bling now. But I wonder if the artists will remember to keep drawing it when they show her hand?

It’s been 10 years?!!! Wow I’m getting old…

Okay, someone help me out here. I remember Toni crying, but not what led up to it. Somebody must have a date for that one.

Wonderful strip today… im clicking the little star! As for why Toni is crying; If I remember correctly, she was feeling guilty over Brad being hurt while saving her life… I think….. Lev??

I think I love this.

What would be interesting: Brad suggests setting the date for September – as they both get vacation. Then Toni replies – Uh – Brad – it needs to be sooner…

Amazing how true love has diminished that pointy growth on top of Brads head.Or was it that fireman hat?

Wrong hand Toni.

Of course it had to be on the right hand to make the scene perspective work out – I’m confident it’ll be moved straightaway.

Wow! Heavy stuff…

Dumbfounded myself, ten years? I been here since late90’s….awesome.Yup,.I’m not gettin old, I AM old. Enjoyin and lovin this

at last,.it is official. Toni and Brad. Yeah, I remember allthese scenes. And it is a beautiful lead in to where theyreally belong. This is such a beautiful panel. Thank you,Mr. Evans. :-)

Why is she wearing the ring on her right hand? Can’t be a mirror image because the signs are not backwards.

interesting. There does not seem to be any shower scene.^^ That’s cause Toni found the spycam TJ had installed in the bathroom and covered it with a towel, before the water sports began

You know it momentous when the Sunday strip continues the weekday story line, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that.

And since we have a whole wedding cd put together for them, that we all suggested songs for, we can just pop it in, and choose whichever one we prefer, to play over today’s strip-montage……. so if you have your mp3, cd, vinyl or cassette ready, just press play, or drop the tone arm…….

Really awesome…. I have enjoyed this story line. Keep Up the GREAT work

They need a Book of their own!!!!!

Perv & I agree. LOL

Maybe after the Wedding????

Notice how much better looking Brad has gotten over the time he’s been with Toni.

about time

What we REALLY NEED (once they get married) is a graphic novel of the complete Brad and Toni story. I have been following this story line from the beginning and I would love to re-read the whole thing in book form. PLEASE???!!!

So they still haven’t told their families?

This is kind of the anti Funky Winkerbeam, always positive and forward moving, with humor, life lessons without dark depression.

Best “How I Met Your Mother” story ever. :)

One small quibble (so far):

Panel #13 and panel #15 happened within minutes of each other, and Toni is wearing the same clothes in each.

(Source of panel #13):

(Source of panel #15):

Yet panel #13 shows her wearing a light top and panel #15 shows her wearing a dark top.

AWWW, thanks Greg! They look so happy and how handsome Brad has become!

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you, Greg!

Has everyone forgotten Brad would never have met Toni if it weren’t for one of T.J.’s schemes?

Brad, please don’t forget about the prenuptial agreement!

Dear Mr. Evans, well done. Thank you!

Have to say as boring as Luann has been lately, that this one is beautiful. Nice artwork.

Very nice. Very nice indeed.

I find it interesting that in the last few years Brad has become better looking and today has actually developed a chin!

Congrats to Brad and Toni! :D

Very, very nice.

By the way, rings does not make it official. That’s just materialistic things. It is what is in the heart and the promise to each that makes an engagement official.

Definitely a major step for those two and this strip..Ten years, where did the time go.

I started reading Luann less than 10 years ago, but it’s become one of my favorite continued strips that I seek out daily. I identify with Brad, as he’s sort of the dorky Every Guy, that finally gets the girl! Way to go, Greg Evans! Whoo Hoo!!!

Mr. Evans, you hooked me with this story line, and I’ve enjoyed many years of Luann. Thank you for all the pleasure!

S

Simply delightful. :)

I’ve enjoyed following this story over the years. Now a new story begins…

I remember when Toni came into Brad’s life, and I’ve decided, girls ain’t worth the trouble! — Carl Segan

Giving us the wonderful perspective and making us believe we’re actually looking through a pane of glass showcases Greg’s top notch illustration skills. Using flashbacks was a stellar idea and helpful for our Sunday-only readers too..Kudos Team Evans.

Things are going so well. I sense a character kill-off.

Wrong. T.J. talked Brad into taking firefighting class in order to meet girls. Without T.J.’s scheme to meet girls Brad would never have taken the class and would never have met Toni.

Tears? Why I got tears?I’m a manly man.Manly men don’t cry.

Must have gotten something in my eye while reading.

Yeah, that’s what it is.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I should have said, 1/19/2002 was Ton’s first “definite” appearance. As you can see in the strip immediately preceding it, we catch a glimpse of a girl with long blonde hair walking into the class, but we do not see her face. It might have been Toni. It might not have been.

But her first definite appearance was in the 1/19/2002 strip.

Is she really going to wear that ring on her right hand? I give my congrats to both. Can’t really believe how long its been. I also thought is was just a few years but 10? Wow!

This makes me tear up. I love that they are finally engaged.

I love the flash back of the growth of the love Toni & Brad…maybe a flash back of Luann’s loves might be nice ( it is her strip).

Aw this is a nice one <3

Love this! Now I really hope the engagement and wedding don’t take another ten years…

I have a feeling this isn’t going to end well.

Well it took me a bit, but I tracked them all down. Enjoy! :-)

(10/06/2003)

(10/13/2003)

(6/12/2004)

(9/17/2004)

(2/26/2005)

(1/26/2006)

(6/04/2008)

(8/25/2008)

(10/09/2008)

(4/30/2009)

(5/04/2009)

(7/16/2009)

(7/21/2009)

(11/05/2011)

(4/26/2012)

Wonders if maybe Brad and Toni should get their own strip now?

What’s the name of this strip again????

Love it!

Thought the ring went on the left hand? Recap of their times together was a great idea.

Yes, you are

Fabulous! I love it!!

This is why Luann has become my favorite comic strip. Can’t wait to see Shannon as the flower girl.

Wow, a lot of comments! Great strip today, Greg!

A happy strip today and good comments bringing back all those times that developed their relationship. And they stuck it out. Marriage is one kind of growth step, but there are many more afterward. It seems to me that Greg’s strip is different than a “for better or worse” cause he has more whimsical and goofy kind of adventure – like what TJ is famous for. Keeps us from wallowing in to much moralizing and heavy life lessons. Anyway, i love a happy ending like this today.

How significant is it that Greg chose two panels with Shannon in it; one of which depicts when Brad went out in the pouring rain to hunt for her?

maybe spin off series….brad and toni

TJ was not the cause of that problem, he was the catalyst that brought it to a head. Without his (I agree, totally inappropriate, it was not his business) interfering, Brad would have stewed in that hole for weeks. Toni would probably have walked away because a broken Brad is not something she could have dealt with at the time.

Not that color rendering conventions and continuity have ever been a huge priority with this strip. Why should her shirt stay the same color when the writing on Miss Phelps’ desk plate and certificates alters from panel to panel?

since when was dirk in a car accident…i don’t remember that!

such a romantic collage, though

Today’s strip is another example of why Luann is one of the best of the real-life comics. Greg could only have improved on it by renaming it ‘Brad & Toni’ for the day. Haven’t been reading it as long as some of you so thanks very much to those who included the old strips in your posts. I am currently reading Luann Againn so will be able to discuss the strip’s history with you in about 20 years. Talk to you then!

It is interesting to see what panels Greg (and we can assume Nancy) chose for their montage. While I was looking through the last ten years of Brad-and-Toni searching for the panels he chose, I find several that I think represented major milestones that he didn’t include.

First there was this strip from 9/11/2002.Brad had rescued Bernice’s boyfriend, Zane. TJ organized a “Brad is a Hero” parade and invited the gang. He also invited Toni. Toni showed up.

Up to this point, Toni had treated Brad like she would have treated any other guy who was hitting on her. (You have to assume she’s an expert at that.) This is the first time the Toni treated Brad better than just another brushoff.

Then there were these two strips starting 2/27/2003:This is the first time Toni lets down the wall. The next strip has them trading rude jokes together.

And here is a major, major milestone. Brad had just washed out of the Fire Academy because he couldn’t pass the physical test. (Toni could). He’s feeling depressed.

Remember when Toni said last month that the right woman could work wonders with a man? Well, here’s proof positive that she did with Brad. It is highly doubtful that Brad would have perservered to become a firefighter if it hadn’t been Toni and her influence.

“btw, to set to rest the whole ring hand question …. Greg’s response is “I goofed”.”

Do you have a link, Dave?

A VERY happy occasion and milestone! A toast! Well done!

@sara“That “I’m not ready to talk to you” was really good. I loved it at the time, in context, but it’s even better in retrospect. That was the moment she realized Brad was not a sure thing, that he would walk away if he had to. Also the moment she realized she was not OK with him walking.”

You may be on to something. Later on in this arc, we have this strip:Would she have come to that realization without the, “I’m not ready to talk to you”, panel? I have my doubts.

Thanks, Dave.

S I G H !!

This is now my desktop background.

Glad to see Brad (and Luann — almost) are finally able to connect with someone in a positive relationship.

So, when Brad and Toni finally say “I do” will that be the end of the strip?

good lord, I hope not! There is still so much more to be said

Thanks, guys, for the kudos. I appreciate them.:-)

I can’t let this strip pass without expressing my appreciation for all these moments. What a helluva long arc and payoff!BTW, I was not aware that Brad had saved Dirk’s life. That’s about three by my reckoning.Yep, I agree, what a hero!

I think he can do better. Still not sure they will ever walk down the aisle.

I think Toni uses Botox those lips are verluptious. Got my vote

This great strip prompts me to write what’s been on my mind anyway. I read your strip daily and enjoy it. I read lots of strips and save off ones I like, doing a “best of” toon email to a number of people weekly. Many strips I enjoy here and there, but your I enjoy consistently. Nevertheless, I rarely save them. The continuity, I guess, makes it all or nothing. But the sequence in today’s strip represents the exception. I have often saved out the “romance” strips. I have enjoyed this theme particularly, and she is a toon easy on the eyes (my wife didn’t like it when I saved Jessica Rabbit toons, but Toni is OK). From that preface to my point. You do book reprints, which I do appreciate, but they are usually annuals complete. The build up of this romance and relationship has been interspersed with unrelated themes and gags, which has diluted the storyline. I wish you would consider, at some point, putting out a reprint book with solely this story. I’d buy multiple copies and give them out. Thanks for what you do.

My birthday! :D

My favorite couple in this comic :)

AWESOME!!!