Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 20, 2013

“Geek To Chic”“Then…And How!”or“Just In Case You Didn’t Get The Memo…”

Wonder what happened to Luann’s freckles? :-)

They grow up so quickly!

I guess that since she is in her senior year, Greg decided to give Luann a form to fill out…. – Or from Gunther’s side, if it were “time lapse” photography, Gunther’s transformation from Urkel to Urquel was complete and a success….

17.5 Cereal….“Preferred over ‘Greasy Kids’ Stuff’ flakes, in nationwide surveys”…. – and by Time and Changes…..

A lot sure has changed in about four years.

YOW! Looks like our Little Luann has changed from an “Ugly Duckling” into a “Beautiful Swan”.

And Luann thought she looked ugly. No way!

It’s so neat to see the evolution of his art style! :)

Wow—what a transformation-,Luannis changing….into a beautiful lady. And Quill—is so handsome…what a sharp lookingcouple they make. Don’t you knowQuill’s parents & Frank and Nancy are proud. They did a fine job.

I’m glad she grew a fifth finger. Now, about that upturned snout…

left side – cartoon style 2d character to 24 years later right side surreal character 3d

Quill needs some darn SLEEP Before he gets into any of that hanky panky ;)

Since it’s Homecoming, I think we can forgive Luann for keeping Quill up for the special occasion. Though he would have been smarter to skip the socializing for a nap before the dance.

You’ve come a long way, baby…

And only temporarily sidetracked with that whole Aaron Hill business….

Not so much the maturing of the characters as it is the maturing of the skills of the artist.

Was she ever in color when she looked like that?

What an upgrade!

You’re being mean.

Wow! Pretty stark transformation! The high school years can do that to a guy or a gal….

I’m reminded of the “Blossoming” observed at Searle’s St. Trinian’s. The way the “little monsters” suddenly became “Disturbingly Intrigueing” in but a brief span of years.

To all those of you are not fathers to a daughter: it’s like telling us the world is round……

The extra finger, the need to hide freckles and use too much make up, the desire to uncover yourself.Go from comfortable with yourself to show off. (LOVE that extra finger!)

Just gotta say this… Luann is much better looking without all the makeup. She has a natural beauty that does not need to be enhanced.

Luann looks like Tiffany now…..let’s get back to Brad and Toni…tired of the Aussie angle…..BORING!!!!!!

So, the Morale of Today’s Strip IS: That when it Comes to Clothes, Ninth Graders Have ABSOLUTELY NO TASTE???

Greg Evans, YOU Sir are going to be Getting some ANGRY, Grammatically Incorrect E-Mails….,

Note how much Luann’s face looks like her mom’s in that second frame.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the strip, that Greg was handing Quill a Snickers, as he’s not going anywhere, for a while… and I guess that they’re making them this strip’s “Zack and Kelly” from SBTB, where they’ll be like Teflon, almost able to get away with everything, and be the ‘most popular’, and be presented as “the perfect couple”… Guess Lu is also not going to go through any “Rocky breakup” arcs with him, the way these two have been presented so far…..

Lie I said before, theres a body under that dress

YUP. Looking more like her mom all the time.

somewhere along the line Greg learned to draw hands

I wonder if the strip is gonna continue after they graduate

Very touching in very few words, Mr Evans.

Okay, how about “As Time Goes By”, by Herman Hupfeld, made famous by Sam in “Casablanca” for starters?

For anyone who has followed the strip for a long time, today’s offering is iconic. The physical transformations we see stand in place of all the angst, drama, Sturm und Drang, joy, growth, resolution and fulfillment that is part of growing up. I’d love to have the original of this one on my wall.

A lot can happen in 12 years…

Seriously, boys go through the same transformation. When I was in high school, I remember two of my guy friends growing about six inches over one summer!

“Time”, Pink Floyd “Time”, Alan Parsons Project “Fly Like An Eagle”, Steve Miller Band (for the “time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’, into the future” part) “Only Time Will Tell” by Saga “Too Much Time On My Hands”, by Styx“Time Stand Still” by Rush “Time Is On My Side” by The Rolling Stones “No Time” by The Guess Who “This Time” by Bryan Adams “The Longest Time” by Billy Joel “Time In A Bottle” by Jim Croce

“Photograph” by Nickelback“Pieces Of A Heart”, Carl Andersonetc…

Gregg needs to go to a high school and see what 9th graders look like. He drew the kids in the first panel like 5th graders, not 9th graders.

also an apparent positive transformation in Greg’s cartoon drawing skills……

That’s what I’ve been thinking, reading both this strip and the “Luann Again” reprints – How all of the characters have really blossomed!

Yup, same geeky plaid shirt, day after day after day… He’s HOT!

I notice the artist grew up too.

Catchy songs, the lot, there! – There were problems this morning in the new comics coming out at the KC office….. and I see that certain “JPEG” and other images are having problems loading at times, today…

Looks like you slipped up there, Greg! ^That was something I gave thought to, as well, the not having Gunther on there in the second panel, since he has also changed, as have Bern and Delta… – I guess it’s like a personal message for everybody to “take notice” of Luann and how her physical appearance, as well as tastes and opportunities have changed, from having to go out with a “B-type” date, to now getting to go out with an “A-lister” (“A” and “B” only in the context of the standards of some people’s perceptions of such things, but not all), and I guess that’s where Greg was going with this week, as well…..

There’s also 16, 16.5, 15, 17, and for those who need more… “mature”… type vitamins, the next step in line, product 18 … and they’re not backwards compatible, Lol! Imagine the shock and horror at a senior eating the same things as a freshman would… (gasp!) (XD)

Where Tiff failed, is like you’ve said.. she signaled her moves a mile away…. gave him a chance to build up defenses.. Crystal’s (or maybe someone else with the guile and mental presence to do it) approach would be more subtle, sending in a “Trojan horse” past his defenses, just as you are describing… yes, it would seem to work well… the simple, subtle strike is not as impactful as the frontal punch, at first, but in the end is just as powerful and effective…

Panel 2 looks like Quill is dating Nancy. Congratulations, Q!

Especially Tull’s “Living In the Past!”

Actually, he just got better at drawing… :)

true

I haven’t checked ol’ Brewster’s comments section in a while…. Wow! Apart from yourself, there’s Bruno, Veteran, Ryan, Cappndunzi, Nabby, Phatts,and a bunch of others!..

Lu changed her shoes at the dance?

Also coming to mind now, too, how they all of a sudden used “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House for shows in the 90s with all of the “Oh, no! HS will soon be over!” kind of deal for different shows and all….

She looks more like Tiffany than Luann…

I take this strip to mean that Quill is here to stay, and his stay will be with Luann. The artist is showing us what a lovely couple they are and how Luann is so lucky to have moved past Gunther to get Quill.^^What a horrid thought… fortunately, HS couples rarely last

The artist Evans is bored with Quill. That would be Karen…^^Agreed

I prefer the couple on the left, they may not look as good, but, Luann was with a guy with real substance, rather than this empty-headed surfer boy, whose only real “plus” is his looks

What Crystal have you been watching? Why would she even notice Quill? He is the blandly pleasant pretty-boy type that Luann and Tiffany have a history of preferring. Crystal wants someone who sticks out in a crowd. Playing damsel in distress is definitely not her style. The two times we’ve seen her trying to get a guy’s attention were entirely different from each other. With Zane she used her injured brother to try to get his attention away from Bernice. With Knute she teased and tormented him like a second grader. Never did she, nor would she, act like she needs any man, least of all to rescue her.

Luann’s escorts today range from Dweeb to Vapid. Let’s hope she does better next year, after she meets the students at Pitt Community College.

Graduation will be disruptive to the traditional cast. Clearly, Bernice and Rosa and probably Delta will be going away to Ivy League-type schools, and Gunther should too (except that he would have to leave his Mom’s house, so he won’t). Tiffany may go to LA and try to find work in Hollywood rather than attend college. Knute will flunk out in his first semester. Luann will therefore meet a whole new group of people at Pitt Community College, and possibly she will find a boyfriend who is more interesting (to the readers, if not to Luann) than Quill is.-If Karen did indeed bring Quill back from Oz to show that Luann has matured and is ready for a committed relationship, then Quill would have served his purpose merely by being Luann’s boyfriend all through senior year. Then he can return to Australia (family crisis of some sort), or win a scholarship to some real drama school, or maybe even land a movie or TV role (“customer in grocery store”, as he will be billed in the credits). There is no need for him to continue to be Luann’s romantic interest past high school graduation.

I still entirely reject your depiction of what wiles she might use. The idea of her tolerating a man seeing her as helpless, or worse, being attracted because he thought she was helpless, would have as much appeal to her as eating slugs. And you still have not brought up any reason in the world she would want Quill. I do not doubt that she could attract him, but why?

I just thought the artist got better at drawing.

Hey, Brd:Thought you might enjoy this: – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152028588606159&set=a.10150156605326159.338715.207873066158&type=1&theater

very pretty transformation

I really disliked the “old” version of Luann. I mean it sucked. I thought the style change was due to a change of artists but apparently not. The “new” version is outstanding.

I prefer to see it as “From Awkward Phase to Young Adulthood”. A lot can happen in 4 years, comic strip time.

when exactly did they evolve from cabbage-patch muppets into humans?

“Yesterday, When I Was Young,” by Glen Campbell (?)

Great song! The version I’m familiar with (and I think the first version) was by Roy Clark. Though Glen Campbell might have covered the song also when I wasn’t aware of it.

Beginning to look like your mom Luann!

Really. What (real) girl in her right mind would prefer a smart, good-looking, talented and resourceful guy who came half-way around the planet because he loves her… over, say, the allegedly brainy but socially disastrous Gunther…. what kind of girl would do that!??

*

You’re absolutely right. If this were real life, and the girl was not totally dysfunctional, Quill is a lovely catch. I’d have liked to be his friend if I’d met him in HS, and so would a lot of commenters here. Unfortunately, as anyone who’s tried to write knows, what is desirable in real life doesn’t always make the best fiction.

Luann herself selected Quill’s outfit

Wow…

Luann is For Sure no longer Daddy’s Little Girl… ;)

“The artist is showing us what a lovely couple they are and how Luann is so lucky to have moved past Gunther to get Quill.” I guess I am having trouble figuring out exactly what the meaning behind your post is… IS Luann lucky to have Quill in her life? Or, are you saying Gunther should still be her #1 stud? Well, no matter, I think she IS lucky to have Quill in her life… Gunther is part of her Freshman past, and now I think, rightly so, that Quill is going to be part of her Senior present…and future? ;)

That’s a good question…

I would say so, for the simple fact that he has stated that his characters come from him… even though Luann is based on Karen, he has said that the characters he draws come from aspects of his personality….– I think that with anything, when you do it often enough, you cant help but improve on something… I think that this, combined with his “changing with the times” in some ways (mostly through consultations with Karen and his observation of others, as he said he does at times) has contributed to his developing Lu and having the strip to change in style from solely gags, to having more “realistic” story/gag combos and more “fleshed out” characters… – Ziggy and Peanuts have a style that works for their physical shape.. I think that Luann’s physical changes and changing to more story-based material has made this strip work…

I think so…just as she morphed from Freshman to Senior, so has she morphed into a beautiful young woman, leaving her drab days far beyond… ;)

Looks like her mom now. Easier to draw the same face, just change the hair.

BTW, I just thought that L & Q’s “photo” could be used as a “portrait picture” for picture frames (think Tiffany)…I can just hear the explosion from here when Tiff finds out she’s not the only one of the Pitts HS crowd who has made a “name” for themselves… ;)

“Assuming she doesn’t just go straight into the workplace.” Think WW? =-O

Not to mention, they all grew an extra finger ;)

I am amused by all the people that think that Quill is Gunther….

That was Gunther? What ever happened to Aaron Hill?

And so they grow up.

I have a twelve year old daughter. Welcome to my definition of “nightmare”. Sigh…

Not only a few short years….but the cartoonist learned to draw better, too.

GEEZZ Greg….Luann’s transformation all occurred in your mind….wow, she looks great!

What about the transformation with Brad as well.It’s been really great to watch all the characters grow up.

Where does the time go??

Really a great transformation!

So, how long ago did she actually do the ninth grade dance? If it was ever done in the comic. I’m still working through the archive, I cannot be bothered to try and look for it.