Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 28, 2016

Nice timing, how the import/sense of Brad and Toni’s conversation also match the import of the verses (even if in a new and different sense) in the song, line for line, in all three panels!-Even if “it’s a small world” for Brad, he seems to have the people in that world to make it a nice one to live in!

Bwad, be vewy vewy quiet. shhhhh.

Toni’s got you there, Brad.

Shannon information:Lindy’s cousin is a different child who would now be about 11 years old in Luanntime. So, just a look-alike and all explanations making her the same child as Shannon should go the the volcano. Remember that she was about Shannon’s current age when Luann was 13.Before they dated seriously Brad thought that Shannon was Toni’s cousin. See the near last strips of the 93 given at Cartoonist Group. Pages 4 and 5 are most useful so just go tohttp://www.cartoonistgroup.com/subject/The-Shannon-Comics-and-Cartoons-by-Luann.php/4and navigate around in those two pages, using the noted captions to guide you.The party was referred to, as was their background, with Toni and Jonah being raised by an aunt after their parents’ car accident deaths, when they moved to Pitts and how they were wild then (especially him), how his girlfriend was even wilder and abandoned Shannon and Jonah, how Jonah is a father but not a dad, etc. It is all there, so enjoy! Now people can get it straight and be on the same page with reasonable accuracy.Those who want the work already done can see my last several posts in yesterday’s comments section. Yep, you have two options instead of just one way. There! I spoiled you! :-)

She’s going to do something for him later on.

Wow, B-Wad, you borrowed a guitar and stood there for a minute! What a hero! Your Nobel prize is in the mail, surely!

Toni is right. and someday Shannon will prove it to her

“How much we did”. We, Brad? Toni took Shannon home, fed, bathed, and dressed her and got her ready for her performance. You – held a guitar for a few seconds and agreed to do something, that never happened. Now you feel slighted, and you choose to complain about that instead of actually watch Shannon in her moment of glory? You are not making yourself look at all good to anyone, Brad.

Brad was a little too quick to anger.

Suki, dear, could you please post that on page 2 so it doesn’t take up most of the first page?

Geez, Jonah can’t win. He’d have caught hell from everyone if he didn’t show up (and rightly so), and Brad’s all teed off because he did show up and didn’t get into the social niceties at the very moment he and Shannon had to go on stage. At least Jonah was concentrating totally on the kid! That was pretty cool. I mean, we’ve never seen it before. And Brad =didn’t= have to go on, which he didn’t want to do in the first place. That said, I understand why Brad’s kvetching. What he says is true. But the guy showed up, and we see how much Shannon loves him. Let’s see if Jonah is a total d*ck after the show.

“Thanks?” You’re Concerned because You weren’t THANKED Brad-o?

Well did You THANK that Guy When You Returned HIS Guitar???

“Brad To The Bone” (♬)“Wreck-Concilliation”

“All The Prose And Consolations”“Behind The Curtain, For Certain”“Oz Never Did Give Nothing To The Tin Man…” (♪)“Sing, And Unsung”

“Up, Up And Allay”“You Can Count On What Really Counts”“No Good Deed…..”“Say Uncle!”

“Come On, Tally, You!”“The Grate-ful And The Clue-less”“He’s Got My Tension”“We Didn’t Start The Ire” (♬)“All That Matters”or“Mind Your Peace And Cues”

Still waiting for the other shoe to drop. The one where Shannon decides that Aunt Toni lied to her about her father not showing up and made her cry. That’s going to leave some emotional marks.

Thanks again, for your thoughtful posting of this nice and handy information!

Shannon explaining that she’s 4 yrs old. which would make her 9, had she aged at the same rate as Lu

free picture upload

The age might not match perfectly, but, it’s the same character

Bwad did SUCH a lot. Enough to make that lipless smirk. Your (hahaha) HERO, Trufans and Gentlemen!

Give the guy a break, Brad. He’s a self-absorbed jerk, but at least he made it. A lot of fathers never show up at all. The crown was his way of telling his daughter he was sorry. If you’re still hacked off, talk to him after the show when the kid isn’t around. I remember a couple of times my dad arrived at the last minute. I didn’t care. He was my dad.

@IamJayBluE

Actually, what he said was that Shannon Lewis never existed, seeing as Lewis was the married name of her MATERNAL Aunt, thus, she was never named Shannon Lewis.

And that’s what counts!

Bwad mad.

I missed the strip where the gun was held to Brads head and he was forced to do things for this child.

Hmm. While Brad rants and most commenters rant in return, I wonder who is seated directly behind Toni, between Mrs. Berger and Mrs. DeGroot? Could it be the mysterious Mr. Gray?Meanwhile, I detect in Toni’s whispers a hint of near-term future satisfaction for Brad (wink wink nudge nudge)….

If you do things to only get THANKS, then don’t bother doing them.

Toni just turned on Brad and he went immediately to Fantasy Island.

Brad and Toni have done a TON more for Shannon than her dad has ever been seen to have done for her. I can completely understand Brad’s point of view. It’s (very roughly, but you get the idea) akin to putting in hours, weeks, years of sweat and overtime on a project at work, only to have the boss take all of the credit for it and give none to you. Or to be pulled off the project in another direction in the 99%-finished final stages, and have a coworker come in and do the final 1% and get all of the credit for the work. If you’ve ever had something like that happen to you, or have ever been involved with a largely deadbeat dad, you’ll understand Brad’s ire. He’s not just complaining about this particular scene, and he’s NOT making himself look bad by doing the complaining either. It’s a lot of built-up frustration from over the years, and it’s completely justified. OK, so yes, maybe save some of that ire for after the show and just sit back and enjoy Shannon’s performance now — but Toni effectively brought him back into that place quite well in the final panel.

“I’m looking at “how much we did” as to mean since Shannon was first introduced in the strip, not just this story arc.”He knows that. He’s just trying to be a negative pain again.

Vent after the performance Uncle Brad. And you’re right— Jonah has no clue what was done in preparation for Shannon’s performance— he thinks it “just happened”. As someone who has kept the supply closet stocked, gotten permits, arranged for the sound system, etc… I know what it’s like to be an unthanked prep person. But that’s ok. We know.

I’m sure Toni will give Brad a reward later tonight. Maybe even two.

Toni also deserves an award— but I’m thinking of treating everyone involved (Pru, Toni, Lu, Brad, Guitarman) to post-performance pizza.

I’m looking at “how much we did” as to mean since Shannon was first introduced in the strip, not just this story arc.^^Yup, I made the same point, last night… GMTA! :D

Potential fun, but a LOT there, so take your time, as i will:http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicStrip/Luannhttp://cartoonistgroup.com/properties/template_about.php?id=177Which needs updating at some point has some fun background on the creators, including mention of when the Evanes lived in Australia when teaching, and the strips wide syndication.

LOL! Glad you enjoyed it, Brd! (I hope your neighbor does not mind about my name being accidentally used.)

Is this way too long episode nearly over, please?

Brd writes:Shannon knows that she has a good ‘ground crew’.Shannon certainly knows from long experience that in general she can count on Toni and Brad.

“Luann is a teenager…”.Herculean reference file, Sukie. Just one objection. It really bothers me when anyone over 18 is referred to as a teenager. Eighteen year olds are adults. Just because eighteen has TEEN in the word is no matter. It is condescending to call adults teenagers. (It has been many decades since I was that age myself, so there is nothing personal about my peeve.)

Jay and Puzz, you really, really had me chuckling today with those chapter titles! I do not know how you do it. Wow…

Brad is doing a lot of emotional work for Shannon and Toni. Willing to look like a fool for Shannon’s sake, and expressing the anger at Jonah that Toni won’t allow herself to. The lot of the step dad.

6While Brad’s ire is justified…. I am unfortunately disappointed that he is griping about it (perhaps loudly enough for others nearby in the audience to hear, since Brad’s Mom is looking at him and he receives a “shushing” in panel three) during Shannon’s performance. He should have bitten his tongue until AFTER the performance and OUT OF EARSHOT of Shannon as well.To me, Toni today seems oddly non-plussed. It is of course a good thing that she is able to quiet Brad’s anger. But in my manner of reading her expressions, she seems a little too “dreamy” and “unfocused” during the earlier parts of today’s panels. I suspect my interpretation of the facial expressions of Toni are just due to the drawing style and can be interpreted in other ways as well. I am just saying how her expressions are reading to me.

So, now…. prognostication time…. Will Brad, or Brad and Toni together end up confronting Jonah or will they simply let it go? With my read of the last panel, and the “contented” expression of both Brad and Toni both are exhibiting, I suspect they may end up “letting it slide”, meaning they will just chalk it up as another example of “Jonah being Jonah” in their eyes…. and will just “let it go”.

My point was it was his decision, if he has problems with Jonah he should either be man enough to take it up with Jonah or else keep quiet, not whine to Toni.

“The Brad Whisperer”^Ha, Ha!

I wonder if Brad and Toni will adopt Shannon when they are married?

Doing the bare minimum required and expecting to be praised? What a bad role model for Shannon. And then you got Jonah…

WHY OH WHY do people insist on the B-Wad nonsense. It is BRAD. Seriously.

Look how many people there are! And many stayed for the last act. So they didn’t come just to see their friend/relative perform, they actually see the Fuse as a venue for entertainment. Mom & Day & Mr. Gray should be proud.

Shannon will remember your deeds a lot more than her own dad…especially as she gets older. She’ll realize who are the ones who really care for her…

They are missing Shannon’s short performance. Watch her dance, then complain later.

OT, but to lighten the mood:People who enjoy math, physics, or different and interesting ways to get concepts across will love this musical approach to the history of Wm Rowan Hamiltonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZXHoWwBcDc

To seismic-2: Brad has done so much more in that child’s life than to just show up and hold a guitar for a few seconds! We already know, from past strips, that Brad is not a speedy speaker. If anything he Overthinks situations a lot. If this strip were reality, Brad would be the guy who lies awake far into the night, worrying and sometime crying about the unfairness being heaped onto the shoulders of that tiny, little girl. His love and concern for her is everything a TRUE Father feels for his child. He wasn’t bitching for himself; he was bitching for Shannon due to her idiotic dad.

Unfortunately, Shannon at six is probably only going to remember the performance with her “Dad” and think he is wonderful. It will take many years before she realizes who the people were that really cared for her. I think Brad was mad because, deep down, he really loves Shannon now and wanted to be her hero.

It is kind of like parents who adopt a child when they are young, raise them through all of life’s tough times and give them unconditional love, then the child announces he/she wants to meet their “birth” parent. Then they have to stand by and watch the child they raised – sometimes – become friends with their “real” parent. I know it is the supreme sacrifice to give up a child for a better life, but my heart also breaks for the adoptive parents who gave years of love.

Now that I have reduced myself to tears, I love this cartoon, it is the first thing I sign onto in the morning when I check my computer.

Sorry, I’m with Brad here. Jonah knows exactly how to do the minimum for Shannon to keep her happy but then leaves all the real work for everyone else. I can understand why Brad is angry – both he and Toni have done much more for that little girl that her wannabe star father. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them reach a limit with Jonah and move for custody after they are married. And I think Jonah would be thrilled with that – that way he can ignore Shannon aside from doing what he did here, namely showing up once in a while to be the “star” daddy without the responsibility for the tough stuff in real life.

fret not those who neither know nor carerejoice that those who count they are aware

Not married yet, and already in-law tensions. How well I know that strain of cancer. But, Toni and Brad will eventually recognize it………….not at the same time, and probably too late. Remember, Brad, you’re only as good as your next favor.

Trilogy, reply stopped working. I agree that during the performance is not the place to do this. I prefer taking action to just being mad. Jay has pointed out that Brad HAS confronted Jonah before, so I stand corrected.

“However he wasn’t one to go on stage so it was a big deal for him to decide to help Shannon.”.As JFK said,“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills,”

Just for fun, I’m wondering how things might have been different if, instead of just stepping aside for Jonah, Brad had said ’let’s be a trio’, and had joined Jonah and Shannon on the stage?

Just wondering…

Since Luann is often about teens who are inclined toward the arts and it can be quirky i thought this little news piece about a 17 year old who has her first off-Broadway musical (part of a festival) might be fun. She wrote the play and explains why her best ideas come to her when she is half asleep.http://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/pingry-student-playwright-premieres-musical-broadway

Ahhh the sweet calming dulcet whispers of Bwad’s babe fiance. This will not be the end though. Events will unfold on this whole situation. I hope that some sort of compromise happens so that Shannon gets the best of both men while they get along (they really don’t like each other) and Toni is happy as well. One can only hope.

Dear Team Evans: If you want us to actually like your protagonists, don’t let us see them whining like this ever again. Especially not loud enough that someone has to “shush” them durng the performance of THE VERY CHILD they meant to help!

I want to pick up on something Sukie said earlier. Shannon and Bwad have a solid connection already. In many ways, he fills the reliable, trustworthy father-figure role in Shannon’s life, while Fishbait appears to be more the distracted, elusive, glamorous figure who isn’t quite real, but who’s more intriguing for exactly that reason.

For that matter, we don’t really have a clear picture of F & S’ home life. How many hours in a typical week is Shannon home with her Dad? How many hours is she farmed out to some other friend or caregiver? At six, in California, she’s probably in school, no?

The clues we’ve been given do suggest that Fishbait isn’t really much of a father. To me, Shannon’s disappointment and tears were because she thought for sure he’d show up to go on stage with her — which, in fact, he did.

On the other hand, I’m not yet convinced that Fishbait is a complete flake. I realize the guy has maturity issues, of course. But assuming he chose a career as an actor before Shannon was born (and has refused to consider a career change), that profession would be a challenge to even the most pathologically responsible single parent.

I know the story about the Hallowe’en party flies in the face of this interpretation, but I think it’s about the only thing that doesn’t fit. Even there, “always” may actually mean “more than once” to a six-year old who probably only remembers two or three Hallowe’ens in her life, anyway.

And the story we’re being told isn’t his story, anyway. It’s Brad’s, Toni’s and (of course) Shannon’s. Even if she stays with her Dad legally, B & T are providing her with a much-needed upbringing, for which she will one day thank them.

Notice something strange about the talent show? Nobody was actually shown performing. (Hearing the song during Shannon’s act doesn’t count – they’re not showing the act.) The strip did the same thing when the school did West Side Story; a lot of buildup, but no show.

Just like the Christmas show at The Fuse. Considering the quality of some of these “acts” (chin puppetry???), we should consider ourselves fortunate.

Wait, did we see Tiffany as Gunther’s assistant? I must have missed that…

>>>>>>.could you please post that on page 2 so it doesn’t take up so much damn space.I didn’t say that. Texan At Heart did. You quoted from my response. You want me to play nice by your rules, you need to be more careful on attributions.

The only posts I read are mine and yours. I read yours to see if you are attacking someone who doesn’t meet your standardsI think you are becoming too obsessed with my behavior. You’re so eager to post about my posts that you’re not even checking to see whose post you’re responding to!You responded to pointspread but were talking to me.And “the only posts I read are mine and yours”? That’s creepy.

Sukie has handed off the FAQ to me. I will make a few edits to it along the lines of suggestions made here, as well as add HTML to make external links clickable.After reading the comments and discussing it offline with Sukie, we think it will be best if I post it on Sunday night, as soon after Monday’s strip is posted as possible, and then any of the regulars can refer newbies, etc. back to the immediate preceding Monday.I see the FAQ as a “living document” which will have additions, deletions, and edits as time goes along. I hope you all share that vision and that I can do Sukie’s work further justice.

Brad should have been relieved that Jonah showed up………….. frankly………IMHO…….I don’t know what he thought he was going to do. He is not musically inclined, to my knowledge, and would not have been doing Shannon (who is just 6) a favor. In fact he would have caused her embarrassment, which she would only realize afterwards.

" That was me last week …"^Wow! You got to be Ray Stevens?

“Let’s Get Ready To GRUMMMMMMBLLLLE…!”^Ha Ha Ha!

(Kind of shush:) Also great!

If asked to describe her family members as characters in stories she knows, which characters would Shannon select? I am thinking maybe Peter Pan for her dad, and Tigress from the Kung Fu Panda series for Toni. I think Brad would be someone comfy, huggable, and reliable, but who?

SPOILER

After words…

Brad is sad ‘cause he’s not the Dad.

While no one watches Mr. Bad…

Spoiler 3: lots of smiles, one w surprise, one sad frown, and two SMIRKS that echo each other wonderfully.

Winnie might do just fine.If she were older i would guess Chewbackah.

Ohhhhhhh, i like Baloo for Brad very much!

I changed that sentence to say that they are in their late teens and at other spots there are the explanations that she is 18. Is this better, Jim?.Better, Sukie.

Ha, Ha, Ha!

Your claim of Luann&Co just finishing their freshman year of college ignores the full semester Gunther spent in Peru (he left right after graduation and returned on New Years Eve). You’re better off just admitting what the rest of us already know: the timeline makes no logical sense whatsoever based on the character ages being given to us. After all, Shannon is stated here to be 6 years old when she was stated to be 5 in a 2008 strip.

So you’re better off just admitting that there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Comic Book Time" is a necessary evil in this medium; stop trying to make sense of or justify it, and drawing attention to it just makes it worse. After all, do you see people wasting time trying to explain how Peter Parker was a teenager in 1963 but still in his 20’s nowadays?