Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for May 21, 2021

Should I go, “awww” or “uhhh” when it comes to the kiss?

Like no one saw this coming.

Yes!

9-9

Well, that was straightforward. ✨

Now that line was artistry!

No more Jack, it’s Nil!

Yippee!

♫ Close your eye, and I’ll kiss you… ♪ ♬

Whoa! Bernice takes the lead! You go, girl!

YES!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently flattery will get you somewhere with Bernice Nil. There is certainly a potential spark there…

Schwing!!!!!

So can we now, at last, stop reading posts about how poor B was tricked into a “date” she had no interest in at all? I guess I already know the answer to that…

We all saw this coming but good for her

Nil, you need to get out more often

If this strip was a long running sitcom, the fourth panel of this strip would be where the laugh track or the live studio audience would go “WOOOOOOOOOH” followed by clapping.

Nil was saving up all his words for something really special. Looks like it worked.

He said the unsaid,

I WAS WRONG!!! Looks like @Schrodinger’s Dog wins the wager about Bernice kissing and/or initiating physical contact (well technically I had thought the wager was based on the Bernice/Jack interaction at her place, but honestly I’m so surprised that today’s event happened that I have no interest in nitpicking and gladly concede defeat.)

The bragging rights are yours, S.Dog!

Hurrah for Jack! He’s off the hook for Bernice. At least until Bernice sees Jack’s tight buttocks in his skimpy shorts.

Ugh

It’s happening!

Wonder what happened to the goldfish…

Look what happens when you stop overthinking

Now he can mock her kissing!

Show a woman a good time, take her somewhere that sparks her interest. Don’t try to use cheesy pick-up lines as that’s a MASSIVE turn off. Women can sense them from a mile away. Just be yourself and let her know you had a great time just being with her — any action will take care of itself.

Featured comment: People answering their own posts.

OH MY!

Ha! Did not see that coming (^,^)

Finally someone sees Bernice’s beauty, admiring her for who she is, not seeing her as a dull, repressed shadow of her hot, shallow friends.

<3 <3 <3 (know the keyboard shortcut for hearts, anyone?)

I’ll repeat something I said before. Run Nil! Run!

Did Nil not have any FUN in High School? It’s sweet but kinda sad if this “date” was the best night of his life.

I can’t tell if Nil is enjoying it or not.

And what woman wouldn’t fall for that line?

Bernice is living in her friend’s house because her own family has prioritized her brother’s kids over her. And spare me how this was Bernice’s choice. In my family, children always have a space and grand kids room with their parents. I would never even propose the option to a child to move out so their sibling could sleep apart from the sibling’s children.

Even given Bernice’s current situation, who could not feel favorably disposed toward a compliment like that? Has anyone, let alone a guy her age, ever said anything like that to Bernice? I mean, given what Nil has said, and how he sincerely feels, common courtesy dictates that he gets a kiss.

And knowing women in general and Bernice in particular, I’m sure she is certain that she can change Nil into something more her style.

Assuming Nil has a left eye under that mop of hair, I think a good start would be to explain barber shops to him, lose the bangs, trim the rest and teach him about hair care products and combs.

Who knows? Nil might clean up good!

Geez – That was the best night of Nil’s life – even before the kiss? I thought Nil had been kinda bonding with Tara – but I guess Tara didn’t want to light his fire.

Welly, Welly, WELL.

Looks like the “Not Date” just turned into a Date, Locake. ;)

Nil did everything right, sealed the deal with a glowing compliment, and is apparently going to live to tell the tale.

So can We officially consider Nil as Bernice’s boyfriend #3? (There’s a school of thought that Bern’s first Derek, wasn’t a “real boyfriend,” which IMO, is nonsense)

To early to tell, I guess.

A couple of things seem certain, however:

1) The Jack/Luann shippers are jumping for joy at this point.

2) The writing team is perfectly capable of showing a relationship blooming, (Mishap free) where two people with little in common, can bond by meeting each other halfway.

Hopefully, that is a “trend.”

Best Saturday cliffhanger ending:

Nil kisses back, with a only a single word said in the last panel. With a question mark.

“Stay?”

or

“Continue?”

or

“Unsaid?”

Nil matches Bernice more than Jack ever will. I’m happy for both of them!

But Bernice, What About Jack?!?

poor Nil—his life must have been a bummer up to now, with no dating as well, if this is the best night of his life

The girl sees love all around her. Wonders where it is for her. There is a boy. The one not noticed. Certainly not the one she has her eye on (hint… Jack ). But there he is. Sort of odd. Sort of sweet. Talking about things not thought of. Seeming to quietly stepped inside her frame of mind. And there he is. There she is. The kiss says it all.

So…. Who first noticed Bernice’s left hand turned blue in the last panel?

That was a nice! And she didn’t even need a scarf to make him like her. LOL!

See Bernice, somebody actually likes you for yourself.

Geez, Bernice, hammer a nail in, why doncha?

To me this neither a surprise nor is some kind of realization that Bernice didn’t deserve. So many here project hate upon her. None of it is justified, and given that Nil had a whole show he wanted her to see, I thought he was very taken with Bernice. No because of what he says Bernice is entering on a new chapter. Cheers!! She deserves it.

I went, “whoa…interesting.”

Nil FTW.

Yes! Perfect! This is pleasant and cute. Bernice and Nil don’t waste time, he adores her and knows what to say. I wonder if this kiss took him by surprise or not, but let’s hope this is the beginning of a beautiful, heartwarming and fun relationship ♡.

Nil seems to be secure, calm and intense, a great combination. If he turns out to be honest, too, Bernice hit the jackpot.

Well, time for Nil to disappear, like the rest of the guys Bern liked, Dereck, Piro, etc.

Kinda reminds me of the scene in “The Last Crusade”…“I don’t like fast women’…”And I don’t like arrogant men"…..well, kinda does anyway.

Nil: Wow, she likes me!

Bernice: Well, I can’t have Jack, so I might as well horse around with his friend until Jack recongnizes my charms.

He loves her as much as she loves herself! A match made—- somewhere.

This is probably a bad idea. And I am here for it.

Holy Crapp!!

I didn’t see this coming. Funny that Bernice was pining for Jack but ends up kissing Nil. It was nice.

Nil is perfect for Bern. She will try to nag him to death and he will just do what he does and ignore the yapping!

Artists need someone to challenge them…to hone their artistic skills; not to show their talent; but to apply it to their thoughts. I for one am applauding.

Nil has cast his line out and has got a bite.

May God have mercy upon his soul.

Lordy Lordy…

Got to feel sorry for him if being ridiculed by Bern counts as the best night of his life.

The nights still young!

Oh, just an emotional feeling for the moment? Or cliff-hanging Saturday for something longer term later?

The miracle here is not the kiss, but the fact that Bernice actually admitted that she mocked Nil’s art.

This is now officially one of my all-time favorite arcs.

UH-OH!

Oh My!

Is it possible? Has Bernice finally found love and happiness?

And later that night: buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Watch out for one eyed Jacks.

Nil is exactly what Bernice needs. He stated clearly how he felt. And Bernice, who has difficulty reading people, is probably “on the spectrum, can know what he thinks and not get all worked up trying to guess. ❤️

Was this Bernice’s first “real” kiss?

Try “wow!”

Bernice might stick with someone who both adores her and whom she can openly mock lol

I didn’t see that coming. Way to be upfront about your feelings, Nil!

For Nil, an unexpected outcome but a welcome one. I did not expect that.

Nil: Gotta go now. Something’s suddenly come up.

Is this Bern’s first? I’ve only been here maybe 14 years or so.

So she doesn’t dare to kiss Jack. but Nil she jumps at? I’m so confused about this whole thing.

Two long-range possibilities, both fascinating: (1) Nil becomes a more rounded character, including visually, which means eventually we’ll see him with his hat off. Will he turn out to be a dream — or a dud? Will the reveal be the result of his blossoming, or of a forced makeover? (Makeover by Bernice? by Luann?) (2) We don’t KNOW that Nil is heterosexual, do we? For all we know, he appreciates a smart, interesting girl but doesn’t want to kiss them.

Poor dude…. He knows very little about Bern and being mocked should not count as the greatest experience of your life. This is way to scary (if it were a real life experience)

Is this the kiss heard round the world?

\\//_

My jaw hit the floor

What if Nil says in response “I need space”????

Nil’s life with Bern is about to get as “interesting” as he can handle …

Well done Bern! And great compliment Nil.

Nil is one of a few which shows an actual eye, even in just one.

Well Bernice has certainly gotten over her shyness!

Tomorrow -we see 3 panels of the green car with foggy windows and no talking. Yeah right, that will never happen.

my head explodes!

in panel 2…can you just SEE the emotion pouring from Nil?!!

10

Delightful!

Both Nil and Bernice have found a modicum of happiness.

With Saturday being a potential cliffhanger…. will Greg….. let it stay happy, or will there be some sort of ambiguous foreshadowing?

The Unsid became the Said. Good job Nil, you probably never verbalized so many word before. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bernice gets you to put more substance into your painting

Well, we all suspected something was up, so there it is.

So the whole schtick about Jack and Monstro and The Noisy Dream was GnK just trying to signal that Bernice was ready for a romantic interlude. Not with some dynamic character, like Jack, but a dullard with a smooth line. Anyone that would think Nil is a hot date would be satisfied with a Karesansui; a garden of sand.

Tomorrow’s date debrief with Luann should tell us which way this love fest is going to go.

Hope this helps both Bern and Nil. It could be interesting.

YAY!

WOAH!

Wow!

Wow!

“You were only waiting for this moment to arise…”

She has succumbed to the dubious “appeal” of a pretentious pseudo-intellectual. She was right about his “talent”. But she heard what she needed most- actual appreciation. Maybe that’s enough. Jack is not her type, nor is he susceptible to her “unique” appeal.

Wow! That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard Nil make. Great ending to the date.

It just got better

Saw this coming a mile away. Hoped I was wrong.

Bernice finally being a little impulsive! Nil, saying more in one panel than in whole other strips! Full of surprises today!

Didn’t see that coming!

Doesn’t look like Nil is responding. Doesn’t the word ‘Nil’ mean NOTHING? Maybe he feels nothing in that Kiss.

Here we go……

Didn’t see that coming

WHOA! I didn’t see that coming.

The last person Bernice kissed wound up vanishing, never to be seen again in the strip. We’ll see what fate has in store for Mr. Nil.

Oooooo wouldn’t luann be jealous!!!!

sha-ZAAAAM! he knows the right thing to say to her to get her to pukker up! Sweet! Bernice was left speechless for a whole panel!

She kissed you, yeah, yeah, yeah. She kissed you, yeah, yeah, yeah. She kissed you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You know she kissed you. And you know that can’t be bad. Yes, she kissed you. And you know you should be glad.

Apologies to the Beatles

Give me a kiss to build on and my Imagination will thrive upon that kiss. Sweetheart I ask no more than this, a kiss to build a dream on Give me a kiss before you leave me and my Imagination will feed my hungry heart. Leave me one thing before we part, a kiss to build a dream on When I’m alone with my fancies, I’ll be with you. Weaving romances, making believe they’re true. Give me your lips for just a moment and my Imagination will make that moment live. Give me what you alone can give, a kiss to build a dream on.

Apologies to Louis Armstrong

HELP! I’m posting lyrics and I can’t stop!

Is there a repeat of the Bowling double date coming in the future??? 8^ )

Cute couple, but I thought she had the hots for Jack. Good for her. Of all the characters in this strip, I find her the most attractive. She’s the type of person I’ve always dated, smart and interesting.

Being a psych major, this may be an enlightening relationship.

A kiss is just a kiss…..it is a start of something??

No romance. Was this just a sympathy kiss?

EEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is just so so adorable :)

Well I’ll be #@*&! Greg, I am proud of you, I was beginning to think you just didn’t have that in ya! I am going to send you some Brooke McEldowney books.Let the romance begin!

Happy Snoopy dance!

wow?

An the roller coaster ride BEGINS!

Mark this day on your calendar!!!!!

Next he will ask if he can paint her left ear.

Ya like apples? How’bout dem apples!

my knee jerk reaction was to think…wow …flattery gets you everywhere…; but Nil is a man of few and measured words and I think he means what he says and Bern is a little shell shocked. These two could have some things in common.

That was something of a surprise. Maybe to both of them, too.

I am are outraged. How dare Bernice cheat on Luann.

Way to go Bernice!

Bernice is ready.

I hope Nil means this was the best night of his life because of his art exhibit. Not because of his pathetic interactions with boring Bernice. He really needs to open his other eye and see the world. I just feel sorry for Nil at this point.

You go Bernice!

and it just got better…..

Bernice may like Nil’s intellect, but she still has a physical attraction to Jack. Let’s see what happens next time Jack is around Bernice.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND Bernice used her right arm to pull Nil close. Which possibly means the story arc will now change. And, as usual, we will be left hanging.

gasp!

I had a friend like Nil in college. Then he got his first girlfriend and he changed. He even smiled sometimes. I wouldn’t mind them becoming a couple and seeing what impact they had on each other.

Wow! Bernice kissed Nil.Wonder the reasoning, if it had anything to do with Nil’s comment.

Nil doesn’t even show emotion when he is happy and kissing Bernice!

Meh.

Not too surprising, it looks like Nil is out of practice. But that was such a sweet thing to say. Still waters run deep.

Way to go Bernice! This should lead to an interesting story line! (HINT HINT!)

Bernice’s new song:

There’ll be a change in the weather and a change in the sea

From now on there’ll be a change in me;

My walk will be different, my talk and my name —

Nothin’ about me gonna be the same

I’m gonna change my way of livin’ and if that ain’t enough

I’m gonna change the way I strut my stuff

Nobody wants you when you’re old and gray —

There’ll be some changes made today

There’ll be some changes made

Awww…..

Wow! I didn’t expect that! Wonder if there will be “buyer’s remorse” after this, or is this friendship going somewhere serious? Hmmmmm. ;-) Thinking it pays to be honest. They both seem to have put themselves and their “unsaid” thoughts into words and action. Nice.

For those wondering how it could be the best night of Nil’s life: for a creative person, criticism isn’t the worst thing, apathy is. Nil had a show, a big plus in the first place. Bernice may have criticized and even been a bit snarky, but she participated in a deep, frank discussion about his work. Must have been very satisfying for him. And she showed up. Maybe he didn’t think she would.

If Nil is the serious artist that I hope he is then he realizes criticism is a good thing, and he will take the comments and incorporate them into future work. Bern made him think about the purpose of his work and what it could mean to the viewer, which is more useful than when someone says nothing or just reacts positively to everything.

Didn’t see that coming!!

Jack who?

Wait, really? O_o

Let’s surprise Luann and have Bernice tell her she’s going on a second date with Nil.

Let’s shock Luann when she says she is going to go full boy scout.

Well, that was easy. Nil told the truth and got a kiss. But now he’s going to have to deal with the consequences.

As a woman with opinions… grab a partner who not only enjoys your contrary ways but encourages the arguments and all the rest of you. If you look at his art and personality it makes a lot of sense to balance hers… if she actually is attracted to him and not just pushing something to make herself feel better from Jacks implied rejection.

~ I’ve been really tryin’, babyTryin’ to hold back this feeling for so longAnd if you feel like I feel, babyThen, c’mon, oh, c’mon, whoa…~

Holy moley. I did not see that coming. I reserve judgment. Maybe these two really are a match after all.

Bernice reminds me of our oldest daughter. Thankfully, she went for a robotics engineer instead of an artist.

Well, I didn’t see this coming.

No One Expects ( a kiss at) the Nil Exhibition !

YAAAAAA ! finally…..

So saying she is smart is all that it takes to win her over.

Plot twist.

cue the dark ambient music with discordant overtones

Hey, here’s an idea. This weekend, here in the Pittsburgh area, there’s a ComicCon along the Mon River in Homestead (an area that was once steel mills and now has a huge outdoor shopping area) There are still parts of the steel mill left standing, including the ‘stacks’ that used to pump the air full of thick smoke from coal and such. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Bets decided to visit this particular ComicCon…

Interestingly, Bernice’s outfit is stylishly conservative and appropriate to the venue for this Nils “date.” You could also say that for their double date at The Big Bowl:

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/05/13

Finally

What ever happened to Pyro anyway??

And that is all it took.

Well….that was unexpected.

Bye bye Jack.

!

Wow, something actually happened in Luann!

Is her coat a bit tighter??

Love this surprise.

She didn’t say anything. It was unsaid.

Bernice’s kiss today is drawing comment numbers rivalling those of Evil Annie. We will have to see where the number ends up at this day’s closing in about 4 1/2 hours…

Now, what happens if B thinks to herself after kissing Nil “I felt nothing”. ????

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.

Eeww! We’ve been exposed to the Mushy Stuff!

Could Bernie possibly being softening toward Nil Monophthalmos?

Works for me. I am interested in seeing where this goes. Though, the strip should be renamed Bern…the focus has been on her for months now.

All right! Love the kiss! That said—big red flag that he’s attracted to someone who mocks his work. Um.

And, she is the First girl he ever dated who did not run away screaming.

Isn’t that the most words Nil has ever spoken? For sure it’s the most he’s said in one panel. He finally got past ‘unsaying’ something. This time is was best SAID. They are meant for each other.

So are we getting a follow-up strip or are we going straight to the shot of Nil’s dorm room and Bernice doing the Slink of Shame away from it?

It doesn’t take much to impress Nil. Fifty years ago today I began a friendship with a boy I grew to love. It was my birthday, and I playfully called him my birthday present. He broke my heart, but 13 months later I met the one who would love me and still loves me today.

Wow! I did NOT expect that at all!

@squarekitty: if the number of arcs about a particular character is used to decide the name of the ’toon, this one should be renamed Anne Awful…

That’s unexpected.

There is a decent likelihood that GnK will play this out as Bernice being greatly conflicted between Jack and Nil. We know she has feelings for Jack (dream sequence, blatant behavior when Jack brushed her off). If the panel 2 reaction to the Nil kiss is “sparks” and her reaction is semi-stunned then an internal conflict may occur. We know Bernice’s character internalizes everything. So we may see a couple days of self reflection when this arc starts up again. OR we may see a discussion with Luann, girl-to-girl. But Luann often teases Bern about her passions, so that is less likely, OR, as someone has suggested, Bern may have her internalized discussion with Monstro. That would ne an interesting dream sequence with Monstro talking back.

So the scene is set! Let the games begin!

If Nil had said “the smartest, most interesting woman …”, I think she would have used both arms.

Oh, I love what Nil said. That’s beautiful.

aww I see something with them

Huh, Nils’s into negging. There’s worse kinks, I guess.

I…just…I like the development of Nil. I thought he was a character with a low-key purpose. Now I discover it’s a ≈ synonym for his Art. cool