Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for January 04, 2021

was Luann ever the exercising type?

Can’t fault his enthusiasm. ✨

Luann likes to watch Jack sweat, but she doesn’t want to be sweating alongside Jack. Jack will have to do all the work for the two of them.

I love Puddles.

Puddles looks happy to see Jack.

So we’re off in the new year with Luann and Jack again. Good start. But why do they only hook up at the Dog Park? It appears the theme will continue with New Resolutions and to keep or not to keep. Or just to fool ones self.

I’m beginning to think that Tiffany has joined that vast Memory Hole in the sky along with Delta, Crystal and Knute. I was sure we would pivot to Tiffany or Gunther this week since they haven’t an arc in a while.

You know if Luann had just said that watching Jack’s workouts were exhausting to her she would not have had to say “no” to her New Year’s Resolution so early in the year. And if she had he might have guided her to some easy first-step sorts of exercises. So what happened to the idea of him becoming a vet? Looks like all he’s doing is exercising as if he were a fitness trainer. Also didn’t he tell Bernice that he had hurt his knee and wasn’t doing any running any more. Well, that first pose looks to be it puts a lot of stress on the knees. And it’s stress coming from an angle that the knees were not designed to handle…..

A dog park is not the first place that comes to mind for doing exercises since you never know what’s beed on the ground.

Luann, you can use some exercise. All I see you do is lounge around. Before you know it, you’re 30 with a small bulge in the stomach and inner thighs….by 40s, bigger bulge in the stomach, butt, hips and inner thighs….50, pregnant stomach, edema lower legs and ankles along with some health issues…a lot of women regret not exercising when they reach 50s. Make exercise part of your routine when you’re young and fit is the best. It becomes harder when you get older to fit it into your routines or lifestyle.

Betcha Luann is there to talk to Jack about Bernice.

Looks like Luann is back to her professor… counsellor… busybody matchmaker look. She’s about to unload on Jack.

Hey Luann! bok bok bok!

“Why? Are you coming apart?”

Is it my imagination, or does Jack do a lot of suggestive exercises?

Well think about it, it’s some place they’re both frequently out with their dogs so the odds are high they’ll see each other more often there. Nothing strange about it..there are casual friends I only see when I go play billiards, but because we all play quite a bit we run into each other more often.

“Luann, look up here when you are talking to me.”

Luann to Jack, “Not here, not now, Jack but let’s remember some of those positions for a future time.” Replies Jack, “Well, thank you Luann, I’d be most happy to work up a sweat with you………any time, anywhere.”

Luann doesn’t need all those contortions.

“… such as right NOW.”

Seeing Jack’s exercise is really inspiring. I now have an overwhelming urge to lie on the couch and drink beer.

I like Jacks gym. Park equipment is free, accessible, and users are good role models.

I think it would still be a public service if the pandemic got to the Luanniverse.

I don’t sweat on purpose.

Luann looks surprised in seeing Jack at the dog park. As usual, Luann is overdressed for taking Puddles to the dog park. The non-romance conversation between Luann and Jack is going to be an opportunity for Luann to probe Jack about Bernice.

I wonder if Luann will try to be Cupid and bring up the topic of Bern to Jack to gauge his response. Of course given that Luann is involved we can somehow expect it to turn awkward in many different ways, for instance Jack could be dating that other girl he met in the dog park last year. But her heart is in the right place and she obviously knows that Bern has the hots for the guy so I bet she takes a stab a that angle of conversation…

We get it! You have a crotch! Settle down, boy!

One thing to understand about comics: you have to suspend disbelief. Even Jack Palance kept his toes on the floor while doing one-arm pushups.

It’s not time to say no luann. Your body isn’t going to be healthy on it’s own.

Ahhhh, “hook up?” In what context are you using that phrase?

Something an ex taught me, that I still try to use: say yes when you can, say no when you have to.

A pity Bernice isn’t there to enjoy the beefcake.

“Oh, and to equivocate more!”

Sideways one armed push-ups while suspended? The dude is hard-core. Hoowah! Pity the character does not turn Airborne Infantry with the 82nd.

smart women.

Okay.

Clearly, Jack has exercised himself to the point where he can have a fairly profitable career wrestling and removing large alligators off exclusive, private golf courses. But what about his brain? How is he coming along in his studies to be a veterinarian? Or has he given that dream up?

And I have to ask, Will THIS be the arc that:

1) Luann makes an “end run” around Bernice and expresses her “feelings(??)” for Jack?

2) Jack, after remembering he had the hots for Lu five years ago, finally decides to make his move?

3) Jack tells Luann what a “swell person” he thinks Bernice is, and a flabbergasted Luann decides to let him find out the hard way?

4) Luann tells Jack that Bernice has a crush on him and then watches in amusement while the color drains from Jack’s cheeks?

5) OR, Lu tells Jack that Bern has the the hots for him, and the two bust out laughing?

6) Kaylie or some other attractive young woman strolls up, Jack excuses himself, and the two quickly leave, making it perfectly clear where both Luann and Bern, stand with him?

7) Or once again, Absolutely nothing is resolved in this arc in the “romance department?”

I’m betting #7 but I hope it’s #6. :)

Puddles is the most consistent character in this strip. Who says it’s tough leading a dog’s life? :D

Luann seems to not know what he’s doing, so I wonder what else she could possibly think he’s doing.

For those who are still waiting for a romance between Luann and Jack, it won’t happen. In panel two, she’s looking at his face.

I would like if Luann rethinks about it and joins Jack’s workout. But the possibility of Luann joining Jack in volunteering at the animal shelter is my main hope ♡.

Gunthers house

My New Year’s Resolution: I hereby reslove to make a New Year’s Resolution. For 2022.

Maybe.

Not starting out too well.

Luann has no goals or ambitions for this or any other year.

Exercise fanatics who resolve to exercise even more tends to be pretty common…

Sigh. Sure would be nice to meet a girl who said yes more.

I would not lie or sit on the grass at a dog park.

I like how she thinks! ….today, at least! ;-)Good ol’ Jack, does he have any other interests?

I get the feeling that the “Know when to say ‘no’” loophole is gonna get used an awful lot, meaning that no actual change to Luann’s behavior will result.

What! She doesn’t want to get in shape?,,,,,,

did he say “Hi Pud” to Luann or the dog?

Get a clue, Luann! In panel two he’s displaying his crotch to you, and in panel three he’s thrusting at you. How blind are you?

Luann, Every party needs a pooper that’s why we invited you, party pooper, party pooper!

Luann, who is terminally befuddled, doesn’t even know when someone is exercising. It makes you wonder how she gets through life – uh…? what’s a store, uh…? what’s a house, uh…?what’s a college, uh…? what’s my name. uh…?

I made one New Year’s resolution — to get up in the morning. So far, I’m keeping it.

Better to get in a fitness habit when you are young. The longer you wait the harder it is do.

My suggestion for a new year’s resolution for this strip is to see Luann actually begin a meaningful relationship with a guy. Show that she isn’t emotionally developmentally arrested at about 13.

yeah, no bernice

Jack’s practicing to become a Rockette in Panel 2! O<|];o)

Say, shouldn’t Jack be encouraging his dog to exercise? You just know (Max?) is asleep on the picnic bench.

A girl that says Yes more is a keeper. Someday I hope to find one.

Maybe Jack is aware of the girlfriend code – don’t date her friends? Maybe Luann needs to give Jack a pass?

Man, I love this guy! For a muscle bound young man, he has some good savvy going on (eg, animals, optimism, openness to new experiences & discovery of strengths) ! Listen up please, Luann! You might actually get some wisdom from …. your body ! (Egad!)

Jack is better than John Cena or maybe Dwayne Johnson?

Jack was a football jock, but due to Luann’s influence, Jack is now a veterinarian student.

How in the heck does he do those push ups depicted in the first panel? The conventional ones are hard enough!

Luann does not want to break the sweat running down her nice clothes.

BJ may have something with his “no when to say no” take. I’m going to keep that in back of my mind.

Jack’s working on his flat abdomen. Luann’s response is flat. Clearly, there is no point whatsoever to her pestering the guy. Leave him to Bernie, if she is able to engage with him….

Or to talk to him about Bernice:-)

Greg’s resolution is to retire this strip as all he ever does is play it safe and spin plates.

my motto has always been: no pain, no pain

To be able to hold a conversation while rigorously working out? Whoa. And the pose in panel 2 is quite in your face, Luann. But she kept her cool. I think Bernice would have been hyperventilating.

Where’s your dog, Jack?