Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for March 28, 2020

No way Bets wants her social media aficionados to know she’s having an argument with the man of her life.

Well, 1212, whadya think?

Yeah she’s too fake for me

I don’t think Bets is being unreasonable. She is not asking Gunter to break off total contact with his female friends.

Oh, Bets it is YOU the reason why your exes were compelled to cheat. They wanted to escape you. Sorry, they did it the wrong way which was cheating so you would find out and break up with them. You spared them the stress of confrontation and breaking up. A lot of young guys are still immature and exercise poor judgments. And you blew it for the numerous-th time by forcing Gunther to pose and snap for your fans. Fans are YOUR priority, not Gunther. You need to take a good look at yourself.

Bets is as deep as a cat’s plate of cream.

Well, so long Bets. Us means you and Gunther, not you, Gunther and all your ego-stroking followers..

Appearances…appearances…

The exes might have lost interest in Betts after she let her fans interrupt them one too many times and then went out and found someone who would give her undivided attention.

And there you have it!

Reciprocity: the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit,

Well at least it seems she isn’t pregnant. If she wants him to refocus his attentions, she needs to reciprocate…if she’s able. She’s been hurt before, but he wasn’t the one who did.

(We’ve all hurt others and been hurt Or am I wrong?)

For Bets, when the boy friend leaves, it was all his fault, and she was blameless. That’s like when I take a poor picture, it’s a problem with the camera.

Hypocrites

So! How many exes does she have? And how many cheated? AND HOW!?!?!?

Ask her, G-man, ASK HER!

“I want us to only be about us when we’re together.” [Phone rings] OOH!!! One of my fans!!!

.

Well, Gunth – being #2 just means that you have to try harder.

.

Or, now might be a good time to check in on that “coupon girl” from the furniture sale…

First she alienate him from his friends and then break up and he has squat left.

She is too controlling. Men must flee her eventually.

Aha! “Lousy Exes” (plural). I thought Bets had been around the block a few times. I also think she might be a little older than Gunther. I even wondered if she had been married. Does Bets have some ulterior motive? Like all these posted photos to make some ex jealous. Meanwhile we have the subplot between Tiff and Stef brewing. Next week could get interesting. What a let down if the scene shifts to Shannon.

I wonder how many of her exes were accused of “cheating” when they simply spent private time with a friend.

Saved by the snapchat. Too bad.

Can you say KNIVES OUT?

I am glad I’m not at the mercy of certain Judge / Jury / Executioners.

Because, you know, backstory, growth through mistakes, not-yet-perfect, still trying. And such.

Does remind anybody of their childhood? You and your siblings did something stupid and destructive. Compelling Mom to invoke the horrors of Bell down upon you. And then the phone rings. And she immediately turns into June Cleaver. Ah, the memories.

Sensors detecting an enormous amount of emotional baggage and trust issues with bets. She’s beautiful and a HUGE flirt but she’s got issues that need to be dealt with before her and gunther get into a serious or even intimate relationship.

Enough is enough.

write a poem about me, she cried and flicked away.

Internet-codependency, the struggle could be real.

“Be a good boy, Gun. Smile for our SnapChat fans. You and I argue…? Oh, Gun you’re SO funny!” RUN, Gunther, RUN!

“I want US to be only about US … well, us and our twelve million Snapchat fans.”

Sorry, Bets. You were good for Gunther for a while, but it’s time for him to move on.

Time to punt, Gunny.

Lack of self-awareness revealed.

Hit the road, Bets.

Nooooo!

I wonder if any of her previous boyfriends dumped her for being too clingy, possessive, and, most of all, a social media addict.

Snapgram is obviously Instagram. Yet the cartoonist is allowed to use the term Snapchat without coming up with an alternate name for it? What gives?

Just for the record, for those of you arguing about the rights and wrongs of the relationship Greg is painting… I don’t think there’s been a single occasion on which Bets has been depicted as showing the slightest interest in Gunter’s opinions or feelings. It’s been about her every single time. In real life, I’d be hoping that he’d drop her like a hot potato. And frankly I rather presume that’s where this strip is going – and probably very soon.

I am pretty sure this part of this multi-arc over, for now, Bets and Gun(ther) are not breaking up, contrary to all the Bets and/or Gun(ther) haters; neither one is perfect, but they are BF/GF still. Tiffany and Bernice, that is what is intriguing still, although the next arc might not have any of the last four characters, and thr two sub-characters (well Hair is a sub-sub character) in it. Whole new set I think.

Yep, there it is. Insecure, though it’s understandable, if not necessarily justified.

I dated a guy last year who did not own a cell phone. It was refreshing.

So much social media hate, and on social media too.

Ok, Gunther’s been standing up for himself. If he says nothing about this, it would seem it doesn’t bother him as much as it bothers a lot of the commentariat.

If he does care enough to say something, then the arc will continue next week and there might be actual plot advancement.

Let’s see here.

1) This week started with Bets asking Gunny what’s wrong. And when he tells her, she tells HIM to “Shut up!”

2) Bets tells GUN what’s bothering HER. Namely HIS devotion to HIS female friends. Never Mind that one of Gunth’s female friends (Tiffany) is also Bets’ friend.

3) Yesterday Gun tried to explain his position, but again Bets shuts him down. This time with “Let’s make peace.” Yeah Bets. Now that you’ve SEIZED huge amounts of “territory” let’s break out the “peace pipe.”

4) And today, as predicted, Bets is right back on social media, because HER fans are more important than Gunther or HIS friends.

Break-up with her Gunther. Break-up with her right now. Break-up with her while she’s posting on InstaSnapChat WHATEVER, so her whole fan base can witness it.

Then be prepared to join the ranks of Bets “Chain of Fools” and take your place among the “Liars and Cheaters” she’ll complain to her next boyfriend/victim about. :(

And there it is. BPD with features of NPD. Bets lives very solidly on Cluster B Street. There is no path forward to a good outcome here.

… This is totally going to get dragged out, isn’t it?

Yes!!! I was hoping they’d go this way. Their chemistry will provide a lot fun/insanely awkward moments that’ll result in sheer hilariously fun times. This will be one fun rollercoaster ride to say the least. Everything does not have to be storybook ending perfect. Why not enjoy some pure unrestrained fun insanity where things are wonderfully crazy and fun? Bets is just that kind of girl that’ll always keeps things interesting in His very predictable world. He needs that kind strong media gal that can help him and handle insanity with ease.

Crisis averted. Gun just needs to set boundaries about when photos are taken. Aside from that, this is a great couple to watch.

I want it to only be about us when we are together, just you and me and my 50,000 Snapchat fans, who can interrupt at at any time for any reason.

OK. First, it’s just a story. Second, they’re young, still trying to figure out who they are. Gun either will or will not start to stand up for himself. Bets will or will not realize “appearance” is not more important than reality. I hope that this will run for a few more panels to see this storyline move a bit more down the road. I feel they’re both good kids, just need to work on a few things.

Bets your a terrible listener you need to find a more assertive guy

Unbelievable, but not very far from today’s reality.

Bets; when you say “all about us,” do you eman you and Gunther? Or, you , Gunther, and, all your “social media” followers?

Been saying it. She’s social media obsessed and that personality doesn’t fit in with Gunther or any of his friends.

What a random, disjointed arc this has been. First the writer tries to make it about Tiffany being the bad guy for wanting to go to a party. Then he makes it about Bernice overreacting to Gunther and Bets sitting too close together. Then he makes it about Gunther—and Bets!—helping Tiffany keep the party a secret from Bernice. Then it’s about Gunther being bitter and snippy, for some reason. And what’s the ending (I hope it ends, anyway)? It turns out Bets, the fun new character, gets to be the bad guy after all! It’s the ultimate non sequitur. I think Evans would do well to write shorter storylines, because this one was all over the place.

I think Bets would love all of the attention she’s getting here in the comments section!

RUN, Gunther, RUN NOW

Dump Bets NOW! Ugh!

seems like a double standard!

I see… There’s a very hard conflict between ideal and real in Bets. She use social media for run from a reality that can hurt her and go in a perfect world all made of appearances. I’m so sad for her. Let’s hope she will become stronger, maybe with Gunther (or Tiffany) help.

Here’s a thought: At one time, Greg may have intended Bets’ “Snapgram” addiction as something she needed to get over, a detriment to her and Gunther’s relationship that would prove problematic eventually.

BUT a monkey-wrench has been thrown into Greg’s “Master Plan” for the characters. That wrench is The Corona Virus.

As Greg works the new reality into storylines ( I don’t believe he can ignore it forever), “Social Media” takes on a new role and becomes more important in people’s interactions and relationships.

This could twist things around in previously unexpected ways.

Bets’s choo-choo may have derailed …

She is showing the ability to cheat, if she can flip the switch that quickly. Run, Gunther, run!

Another lifeline, Guns. Grab it…

When Bets says “us”, she really means " you, me and my multitude of fans." That’s a problem, and Gunth is missing his opportunity to let her know about her hypocrisy if he doesn’t speak up.

Ok gun..two words for you..run

The irony is so thick you can cut it with a wedge.

Well now that we are at the end of this arc, i wonder who will be up next? Does anybody remember the last time (other than Sundays) when we saw Luann for more than one day? You all remember her right? The one the strip is named for.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

I don’t get it. Why would anyone be interested in looking online to see what those two are doing.

Bets is phonier than a three dollar bill.

We have only just learned the tip of Bets’ personal back story: that she has been cheated on by lousy ex-boyfriends. That’s a serious issue and explains her need to control her relationship with Gunther.

We don’t know who those guys were, we don’t know where Bets is from or what her family story is, but it’s pretty clear that she is really into Gunther, and she is terrified of losing him to anything.

That makes her possessive, and posting shots of them on social media enhances her sense of control. I’m not engaging in pop psychology — I’m engaging in MFA in Creative Writing psychology, in the process of gaining that, I learned about developing characters, plotting, back stories, and story arcs. And that is what this is.

After all, both characters are fictional cartoon characters, albeit well-done characters. Gunther’s emerging from his shell, but we don’t know a lot about Bets’ back story.

In some ways, I am reminded of the Toni and Brad story. The first time Toni appeared, obviously Brad couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, and she would have nothing to do with it, and was dating the horrific Dirk. Now they’re married. In that romance, there was a lot of unraveling that had to happen before they could get married.

Despite my MFA, I won’t offer an idea on how this will turn out. From what I’ve seen reading the strip over the decades, I’ve noticed that the teenage romances turn out badly, as they usually do in life. But the major adult romance so far, Brad and Toni, worked out well.

End of essay. (as opposed to rant)

One other comment: Bets seems to be wearing a purple Star Trek shirt without the Star Trek symbol. Doesn’t mean anything, but I guess Evans is nervous about Paramount’s copyright.

Her obsession with her social media fame is going to sink them. I miss his old girlfriend, was Maria her name? The one who left to do medical work in Peru or something, don’t recall all the details

Apparently, Bets has had lousy relationships before, thus the mistrust and jealousy she has concerning Gunther’s friends. If she doesn’t get that Gunther has female friends he cares about then I foresee a breakup in the near future.

Bets showed her true colors in panel 2. Selfish and inconsiderate.

When was the last time we actually saw Luann? Oh, maybe she’s self-isolating.

The veneer cracked! Run away, Gun!

Now is Gunther’s opportunity to speak up about his concerns about social media. If he is ever going to now is his moment.

So she’s jealous, paranoid, and a hypocrite.

Get out now, Gunther.

Huh? On their first date, didn’t Gunther’s phone interruptions bother Bets?

The future. Someone snitches on the party and Bernice is fired from her RA job. As the powers think she was in on it they add the comment “untrustworthy” to her permanent record. Out of a job she drops out of college but is unable to secure employment due to her untrustworthiness. She becomes a sex surrogate by day and a hooker by night. Accidentally runs into Aaron who is back and a multi millionaire. They marry and she lives a life of ease after she places contracts on those who betrayed her. That should take us to 2040.

Gosh, I hope this ends soon. It’s been going on so long and I’m really tired of it.

I’ll bet those exes did not really cheat on Bets. They talked to another woman or had female friends and that is cheating to Bets.

“I want it to be about US when we’re together, Gunther. Unless EYE say differently, of course.”

Oh, no! I thought she was a recovered Snapchatoholic! Yep, US and the rest of our fans in our private relationship. :-p

Greg is doing a good job of sharing little tidbits of Bets controlling nature – a little at a time. It’s all familiar to me because I dated a girl like this way back in high school. The world revolved around HER, she was very demanding and controlling, and the relationship was all about her. It starts slow, and escalates rapidly the longer he stays with her and continues to tip-toe around her demands.

Gunther would be totally foolish if he broke up with Bets. None of what she is doing or saying is anything other than quirks or even personality issues they can deal with if they work at it. They are of the type who, if either keeps looking for perfection, will end up alone and bitter. Bets clearly fancies Gunther, and he feels the same way about her, and he, definitely, does not need to be alone. I don’t know what GnK have in mind for them long-term (she is listed as one of the characters in the character descriptions, although so are Crystal and Knute, and I really would like an arc involving them. Crystal is somebody who can see right through Tiffany, for example, but she might be able to really help Tiffany). I like her as much as I always have, and see no reason to jump ship.

Love her or let her go, Gunther. She has made it very clear what she wants.

Time to abandon arc due to lack of solid building material. Greg is becoming a real litterbug of experimental characters, just samples from the candy shop.

So Bets has been burn a couple of times. Walk away Gunther.

To be continued in some form someday. New arc on Monday…

And she wants to be famous!

Possessive, ain’t she?

If she wants “Us to only be about us.” why is she always posting pix to get the approval of others?

I really wanted to like this girl. Ah well.

Wow. Talk about shallow. It’s all about how things LOOK to her fans with Bets, not about really caring about Gunther. I wanted to like her when she first came into play, but now, I just wish she’d go away. Gunther deserves better.

Yes, Bets could a lot less social media (Couldn’t we all?). I still like Bets. The author of this strip has given each character his/her own personality quirks. Bets has hers. As a new character in this strip it’s taking a while to gel with the old as the readers see it.

Bets is very insecure. Gunther, RUN!

Dump.Her.

Bets has a history of being cheated on and probably used by lousy exes. She also wants to let people see her “perfect life”. She either gets a handle on her problems or this is going to blow.

So Gun and Bets relationship has reached the “first argument” milestone. AND THEY MADE IT! :) :) :) :) The resolution wasn’t perfect by any means but at least, now that they’ve made it past this, they’re more likely to last longer and then they can work through those issues that might trip them up in the future.

But till then, a toast to this mind numbingly irritating arc. May G&K move on to something better and learn from how badly this one was received.

This one has major issues.

Get rid of her Gunther. Jealousy is a poison born of a lack of trust. Without trust, there isno relationship. Run!

Well, Gunth, at least it was fun while it lasted. Just don’t be surprised when you get added to the “list”.

Oblivion, thy name is Betts.

One face onstage; another offstage

I see where this is going; pretty soon Gunther won’t have any friends, female or male, except maybe for Bet’s friends (if she has any, offline that is)

If Bets were real I would be tempted to google her internet history before I (or in this case Gunther or his friends) met her. It might be enlightening.

Well, go figure, no resolution to this when Gunth should’ve just walked.

The pot calling the kettle black?

Whatever happened to Luann?

Bets can change moods at a ringtone!

That’s a woman for you, Gunther (that was deliberate equivocation)….

Sunday: Shannon and Puddles share a secret.

At the beginning of the “argument”, when Bets asked Gunther, “Are you OK”, what she meant was, "Why aren’t you paying attention and talking to me, just saying “mm” all the time?." When he responded with what was actually bothering him, she absolutely didn’t want to hear it. I think that’s something that people who haven’t dealt with narcissists might not realize. (Not that I’m an expert, but I had an ex-fiance who was the poster boy for narcissism, and several friends who treated their SO’s appallingly). Anything he says or does after that is a fruitless endeavor. He could only have said, “Oh, I’m fine, things are always great when I’m with you!”, and even that might not have satisfied her. Any one of the things she’s done would be a deal-breaker for me. But this final panel, where she has grabbed him and faced him towards the camera, would for sure cause me to take flight immediately! Gunther’s not perfect, and could improve his interpersonal communication skills. I’ve tried to like Bets, but she shows more and more just what her only desire in life is – constant attention! Can anyone imagine being MARRIED to somebody like that?

Little hypocritical, don’t you think?

Well, now I understand why she’s insecure about Gunther worrying about the female friends in his life.

Over 1500 comments in the last three days. Is it Bets and Gunther, or is it because everyone is hiding from that nasty virus?

Gunther and phone? That is inconsiderate and annoying.Seen a lot of that in my life. Seen lot of accusing me of crap with women I just talk friendly to. Accused of flirting even though I carry on much the same with male clerks at the checkout.Interesting, some of the response to a rare time that I say anything. Is Bets that characters name? That attitude is downright destructive. Oh! It is not uncommon that sort of character is guilty of all the crap, and more, that they accuse.

Something is not right about this chick. I can’t put my finger on it.

Dude, run like the wind

No one should have to pay the price for the screwups of a previous partner…

She’s hot, but she’s not nice, Gunther. So not worth it.

I had three people tell me I needed to read all of the comments for this thread/day.

I did so, and wow, this was an adventure, but it appears that about half support breakup, half support staying together longer, and none of us will be totally happy with whatever happens.