Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for May 13, 2016

good talk, you two ex-love birds

Okay Quill, you can go back to Oz now.

Thank you so much!

She’s young and full of hope for her future. That’ll be the first thing to go.

It seems like a great conversation but I can’t help thinking that they’re both acting.

If saying Goodbye doesn’t hurt, then you’ve lost nothing of value.

there’s bye and then there’s bye

I was hoping the strip would drop that boy-crazy flake and start following him. He’s far more interesting.

This is a relief to some of us. Others will continue to believe that there will be a reconciliation.

And I’m waiting for the first poster to pipe up about Luann now being available for Gunther.

I’m still hoping that Luann will sign up for a new class that will inspire her, and she’ll discover a career path. Not just another boyfriend…

He is now becoming aware of what he lost….too late.

No great loss. He’s better off without that nutcase. MUCH better off.

Now, this is how a character should be retired.Who remembers Greg’s first attempt to remove Quill from the cast?

It’s obvious that Luann is now completely at peace over her breakup with Quill, and is even feeling elation and freedom over it. And Quill has sensed and accepted fully that it’s final. Their next romances will be with others – not with each other. In my opinion, Luann did not break up with Quill because he did not spend enough time with her. That was just an excuse. The real reason was something coming up through her subconscious that made her feel restricted or uncomfortable with their relationship. Part of her wanted a really different direction. And now she’s completely free to go for it.

Quill said, “almost all.” He didn’t have everything he wanted. And Luann is it. Previously, he said they have good conversation since they broke up, which means there is a connection. And as Luann leaves him in her dust, He looks sad.What Angrythree doesn’t realize is that a girl needs a beau, and a beau needs a young lady like Luann. I am not interested in the weirdos that pass for this generation. Quill was an anchor in timeless, old-fashioned values and attachments.

Quill is what keeps me coming back at midnight eager to see if he’s still in the crowd of Luann’s friends.

Quill has now fulfilled his mission in the strip. He can now join a touring company of “Brigadoon”, or he can join a permanent theater in Brigadoon. G’day, Q-man, and give our best regards to Aaron Hill!

Sad strip today, it really feels like Quill is saying his final goodbye. But it is all right, they will be fine and maybe one day their days together will become happy memories.

So Luann’s fair game now? Anybody but Les. I like surprises – but that one would stink.

…and he was never seen again.

Quill is such a great character that I suspect he will continue to appear in the strip. If he and/or Luann begin dating someone else, it will make good strip material, partly to see how the opposite ex reacts emotionally.

Maybe the tide has turned and now it is time for Luann to be pursued rather than be the pursuer. Will Quill start stalking her like Luann has done so many times in the past?

We’ve got one more strip to go on this arc, so there’s still a chance for the Evanses to throw us a zinger, but I think the Q&L ‘shippers need to sit down now. My take on Quill is that he’s regretful because he still has feelings for Luann, but realizes the time isn’t right for the two of them. As others have pointed out, he may well be a year or two older than she. He’s making plans for his future, and devoting himself to carrying them out. It’s called “maturity”.

Luann is still pretty shallow, in many ways. A few days ago, we heard that he was on his way to work on a libretto, while she was meeting Bernice to gossip. We’ve seen that Luann has skills and gifts (indeed, Greg has shown her to be a bit of a Mary Sue), but she’s not mentally ready to think seriously about her future.

She’ll get there, but it’s not likely to be with Quill just now. Unless, as I said above, the Evanses decide to throw us a curve ball tomorrow.

I’d be surprised if it’s Gunther. He seems to be involved in his own romantic rhombus right now (Yes, that is the term I want. Look it up).

I’ll make a wild guess that as Luann strides confidently away from Quill, tomorrow’s strip will have her colliding with a Mysterious, Handsome Stranger, probably spilling his drink and scattering his books so she can help him pick them all up again…

OK, anyone else see the two reconnecting after a post breakup cry, drama, whatever?

Personally, dunno why, but I like the two together

Once she figures it out. Ha, funniest line today.

Let’s cut the chase! These two are most likely getting back together, just wait and see.

So this is the “official” good bye from him then?

Let me predict that tomorrow, Miss Inner Beauty will burst out melting-faced crying as soon as she’s out of the Feather’s sight. Melting faced crying Luann, the only way I like to see her.

Quill’s tenure in this strip now appears to be approaching finality. Next arc is to show Quill packing.

Good Bye Quill!

I PREDICT: they are going to each walk a few feet than turn and run into each others arms And Kiss like crazy

To paraphrase Sir Walter Scott: “Bring back Quill? Little doubt of that. The bad shilling is sure enough to come back again.”.(For those who don’t like the character, that is.)

And a chapter in life comes to a close.

Bye to the most normal and good guy who really liked Luann.

Though today’s strip indicates this is Quill’s farewell, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.

Keep walkin’ Luann! There are many better fish in the sea!!!

I see some passive-aggressive jabs from Quill as usual, however I think Luann is still riding high from her successful “first ‘adult’ trip” vibe. Or perhaps she’s learned not to chase men who are clearly going a different direction from her.

she’s moved on! but he hasnt or now he realizes what he lost!

And as far as we know, Q is still rooming with Gunther, right? So, I’ll bet there’ll be some introspective conversations there (Guther’s unknowing sageness).

Wow. Two pinch points in the last panel. Bad composition, Greg.

Ouch!

Now that almost made me cry

Good-BYE, Pretty Boy!

Fare Thee Well, Old Sod!

Bon Voyagey, My Young Hard Working, Career-Minded, (POSITIVE Traits that are Seen as ‘NEGATIVES’ Among Many Here) Thespian!

We’ll Stand on the docks, waving our hankies, and shedding a characteristic, single cartoon tear as the S.S. Melbourne Sails off into History!

“Foooooooooor, HE’S an Ozy-Good FEL-LOW!”“For HE’S an Ozy-Good FEL-LOW!”“For HE’S an Ozy-Good FEl-LOOOOOOOOOW,”“…,That Luann HAS DENIED!!!”“That Luann HAS DE….,”

Oh Come On You “Nightingales!”

SING!!!!

Karen Evans wanted to bring Quill back into the strip (after Greg had written him out) to show that boy-crazy Luann was capable of maintaining a lengthy relationship. Karen can now declare, “Mission accomplished.” Now it’s time to show that Luann is capable of going through a lengthy period without being boy-crazy at all. She’s spent a year of Community College without being any closer to deciding what to do with her life. It’s time for her to concentrate on that, rather than on dating.

They are both too young to be tied down There is too much to explore. There is nothing wrong being on your own, have a couple of “casual” relationships to find out what you really want.

Wow, misogyny and blame well past the fact is really appearing a lot in the comments today, isn’t it? Too much of some personal pain that was not healed constructively (yet) in some people’s personal lives being carried in, i suspect. I wonder if they see it? That is a possible first step toward instead being constructive and trying to heal.

“This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but with a whimper.”

I had some steadies in high school, then dated casually for seven years till i was 24. At that point i had two long term relationships and 3 short term ones till i met my hubby (together now for 37 years last Feb with our 36th wedding anniversary fast approaching).Having years of casual dating gave me a freedom i needed during those seven years. For me it was a strong win, and certainly others have said similar things here.

I predict that Luanne’s next beau will be leslie. She will melt his heart and civilize him!

I’m glad there’s closure, but Luann seems very smug for not knowing where she’s going. She still loves him.

This is a piece of fiction. The characters have resolved their situation and parted (short or long term) amicably, while finding they can be friends. So, why do some readers months later still hold angrily to blaming one or the other for what was a mutual situation (usually but not always the title character)? It can not be the story because that conflict is resolved – despite some of the same people saying nothing resolves in the story. Holding so tightly to anger and blame prevents healing and communication and spirals things in destructive directions. Luckily, these two characters have grown beyond doing further harm by assigning blame. That makes this conversation a very good juxtaposition to Les’ take on high school and Ox.

OMG WHY!!!!!!! Q need to suck an egg. so disappointed. I hope the other frame will show being down and out a little.

9Wow…. I am sure hoping today’s comic can be taken at face value…. and that Quill and Luann remain separate and not a couple!!!!!!As other have suggested, there is a possibility for a last minute change of heart tomorrow…. but I am fervently hoping that does not not occur… and that these two just continue on their separate ways!!!What is interesting is that since Quill and Luann broke up, Quill has been a more interesting character. During the lion’s share of the time he was with Luann, I always thought of him as “Bland Quill” because during that period, he seemed to have no personality of his own, and simply reflected the personalities of those around him. But, since the breakup, he has been fleshed out a bit more and seems more fully a character. Some folks here suggest that Quill may be “volcano-bound” at the moment and will fully exit the comic as a character. I see that as a possibility, but now that Quill is more of a full character in his own right, I would be ok with him staying on in some capacity in the comic as well. When Luann alludes to her “life direction” being “this way”, it seems that she is perhaps still pointing to her gossip session with Bernie? I doubt that is what she means…. but who knows…. perhaps she suddenly has aspirations of being the next Walter Winchell? Or perhaps on a more “advicey” slant…. the next Ann Landers? Hah!

I’ll miss Quill. The school year is at an end. Maybe tomorrow Quill will say goodbye to Gunther.

“and there she’s acting happy inside her handsome home. And me, I’m flying in my taxi, taking tips and getting stoned”

I remember the first girl I dated outside of high school. Never saw her again. She ended up marrying some guy she was seeing before me.

She’s really grown up.

He came all the way from down under to be with her. The fling she thought he was having, he wasn’t. The career thing could’ve been worked out…. she should’ve given him another chance.

High school romances often don’t end up going to the next level so to speak. I’m sure we’ll see a new boyfriend soon enough.

Can’t she have a life for a while that is centered around something other than finding a boyfriend, people? Why are so many fans so insistent on pairing her up with someone?

This isn’t the end of this story…

Those who feel disappointed that Luann and Quill have parted, have yet to give any reasons why they should stay together.

Wha?!? Quill pulls a (Aaron) Hill? That seems an awfully fast breakup for a couple that had a fair dose of history. Is this all just for show, perhaps?

Time for Quill to bid Bye-bye, Miss American Pie!

This reminds me of “For Better or Worse”, when boy Mike lost his little girlfriend, Deanne(?). Their bodies separated, but the pull reasserted itself a decade or two later when she was in a car wreck and he covered it for a newspaper. I predict a smilar chance mtg will occur decades fro now for these two.

Liz and Andy in For Better or For Worst

I hope the story of Luann and Quill will go in a similar way, although maybe not a marriage to someone else in-between.

Luann’s lack of direction in life is becoming such an issue. An 18 yr old college student doesn’t have to know exactly what career or job description they want in life. That said, how can a person, after 18 years on the planet (not counting when you are an infant), not have at least some interests that one likes to do more than others…..e.g.. art, music, math, science, a sport…. whatever?? Usually by the time you hit 20, something defines you. This is what bothers me… not so much that she doesn’t have a specific career in mind.

I dreamed the first line this morning, so decided to give it a relevant story:I, Wistar, set out one day with a band of not quite friendseach young and pliable, each with his own life’s bendsfolding back upon ourselves with memories and trends.Yet reaching out with questing limbs to find our new footholdsWe stretched ourselves and we explored while thinking ourselves bold.At times we balanced on a brink, while others jumped and rolled.Bent back again, protecting core, while finding new ways to explore.To those outside it seems a danceWith motions perhaps gleaned from chanceBut growth arrives from each new glanceFrom each perspective changing our future’s rearranging.

Bye, Bye loveBye, Bye sweet caressBye, Bye happinessI think I’m a gonna cry-eyeBye, Bye, my love, Bye, Bye.

(Eberly Brothers)

As I read some of the wistful comments today, I kept thinking of Thomas Wolfe’s most famous (and posthumous) book.Wolfe took the title from the writer Ella Winter, who once told Wolfe, Don’t you know you can’t go home again?. We all have to keep learning that.

We may see him with Gunther tomorrow..Yes, that ALMOST means he is missing something..But he blew it.

Of course, I meant the EVerly Brothers. (Just try typing “B” ten times and then “V”). For you youn’uns who didn’t know them, check out this website: http://www.everlybrothers.net/history/.

This was much colder than Rosa’s goodbye kiss for Gunther. I still don’t understand that break up. Rosa was a great character. Now we got Dez and Viper and Pru. It looks like the Evans’ team has a real problem handling happiness. Holy crap, guys, at least let Tiffany and Gunther fill the emptiness in each other’s life.

It is not at all unusual for a college student these days to graduate and still have no idea of a preferred direction in life. But if one isn’t found within the next few years (say, by age 24 or 25), the directionless graduate is likely to end up metaphorically or really bagging groceries for the rest of his or her life.An interesting possible plot twist here (consistent with soap opera standards) would be for Bernice to suddenly find herself attracted to the now unattached Quill, much to Luann’s dismay! (I know, Bernie has her thing with Piro, but that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.)

Make that “Bye forever”, MPQ and don’t come back!!!

Quill feels the void but he is not there yet. Saying that he has “almost” all suggests that his career is ~ nine tenths of his life and a relationship (with a woman) is the remaining one tenth (or maybe 0.8 and 0.2). He needs to get to half and half before he is ready to have an ‘other half ’ in his life. Quill will do his thing with acting and theater (I don’t think he’ll go back to Australia or leave the strip as others want or believe) but he will eventually feel the loneliness (at the top or where ever) at which point the void and the longing will become much more intense; he has no family in the US. I believe he and Luann will get back together at some later time.

Perhaps Quill will be like Dirk, and the next time he meets Luann he will be in the company of his wife and young child.

“My way is in a direction away from you.”.“I know. It hurts, but I wish you well and goodbye forever.”

I liked Luann and Quill together. I’m not saying they should have been picking out rings together, but the relationship could have went longer. This was much different than Aaron Hill. Quill wanted to be with Luann. He moved to another country in part to be with her. Don’t know why Quill had to become a big theater talent without a social life. Makes no sense to me.

Bye quill, you had a good run but now it is time to return down under.

I hate this. I really liked Quill. They could have made it work they just didn’t try hard enough but then, they are young. I suppose you should play the field and not take the first hunky Aussie that comes along.

Soo sad.

Luann you will miss Quill for the next 4 years.