Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for December 24, 2021

Bets is definitely coming around.

Beautiful.

Hey! Wait a minute here. What just happened? All of a sudden this arc went from childish to a mature, rational theme.

This is very cute. Al’s strategy of waiting for them to sort it out has paid dividends… And a smart move by him. When he seemed grumpy the other day, that might have been supporting Irma and her fears. But not imposing anything after that gave the two young adults that space to make their own decisions. Yes, Gunther is serious about it… And so is Bets. Which is surprising, but a sign of her growth during the arc.

Does Al have eyeballs?

Well, it’s been a bit of a roller-coaster ride.

Could it be that G&K intend to pair Gunther off with Bets?

Permanently?

Betts has common sense and compassion for others.

And just like that, all thought of Bets shacking up with Gunther evaporate like an ice cube on a hot sidewalk in July.

But it is a smart move on Bets’ part, getting in tight with Irma.

And maybe this will lead to Bets spending Christmas as a “guest” of Al and Irma.

Good for Bets.

Not so Good for Gunther.

But there is a ray of Holiday Sunshine here.

Bets single-handedly managed to wipe the smile off of Irma’s face with a mere hug.

I’m starting to like Bets more and more each day. ;-)

Hi Mom, I’m your future daughter-in-law!

Al Gray’s new role: Family Commentator?

Irma does not look like she expected that.

Tomorrow: Holiday greetings panel featuring the Berger-Gray-Knox family Christmas dinner? (including Bets, but minus you-know-who)

And next week, do we find our where Bets does live over winter break? Or do we switch to Luann’s job hunt or the further adventures of Shannon or …?

Hugging a woman you barely know and calling her your family—but don’t forget to give Mr Gray some sugar as well!

Okay Bets haters, now what? Nice message for Christmas season, love extended. Last thing Gunther needs is to run.

Next week – Tiffany’s angst?

As I predicted, they were never going to be allowed to live together in this strip. It does look like the relationship is being taken seriously by the writer(s) though.

Bets had better step back and check out Irma. That is one gene pool disaster, and Gunther looks just like her. She is no doubt dowdy, chronic and acute.

Uh, Bets? You better go give Al a little huggy , too. See if he needs some high speed internet. Or something.

.

For a second there, it looked like She was hugging Gunther with the other Gunther watching.

Mom always said: “If you get in good with the future mother-in-law married life can be so much better.”

Gunther needs a woman that takes over. He seems genuinely lost on his own.

This is an improved Bets. I hope it sticks.

I think we’ll get a couple days of Christmas stuff – a Sunday at the DeGroot house – and a new arc Monday. Maybe Tiffany – or maybe Tara. Luann gets included more when Tara is featured.

Indeed a smart move on Bets part. Gotta get in good with the future in laws, ya know….

Irma she is sucking up to you because she knows that your approval that counts and she knows Al be happy either way.

Al approves. That’s what REALLY matters.

Betts is letting go of her family bs, and embracing, not just Irma, but kindness.

Bets here is very sweet and clever. Al Grey appreciated that, he likes her and that hug could be the way to Irma’s heart ♡. Now Gunther and Bets can return to his original plan and make the dinner for the holiday. I’m sure it will be a big success!

Sometimes you have to hug someone – to know how big of a hole to dig! ;)

Definitely liking Bets more than ever before in this particular arc. But as soon as she pulls out her phone to document it for her followers she goes back on my sh*t list.

Gunther’s family is also a mess. Hope Bets knows what she’s getting into!!

Start a family? Try for a Gunther Jr. or a little Rebecca?

Betts is playing 3D chess. I can see a new strip called Gunther starting.

Does that mean Bets and Gunther will be together permanently?

Okay, we’re overlooking someone here.

What’s going to happen with Les? Can’t see him staying on in the guest house (soon to be honeymoon cottage) like AJ is staying with Brad and Toni…

Poor Punk. ;)

A real year or a Luann year?

T W T ! ( always does ! )

Anyone noticed that the guys in this comic are committing and the girls are always the hesitant ones?

All’s well if Al’s well.

This is what happens when common sense prevails. This is what happens when we assert a little wisdom and parental guidance to help keep young people out of error.

THank you authors of Luann.

Love you Bets.

\\//_

Al would make a good side lines reporter.

Meh. Where’s Luann?

…meanwhile in Peru…. “I miss Gunther, I’ll go back to him”….

I don’t like Bets. I think she is very manipulative and I compare her to Ann Eiffel.

Gag me with a spoon!

Gunther’s mom’s mouth should be wide open in surprise at this point with the hug from Bets.

This strip seems to be heading into “Chickweed” territory…. Beautiful, aggressive women pairing up with average, dweeby guys.

Going for the toughest challenge right off the bat – Gunther’s Mom. (The expression on her face suggests it’s dawning on her that the presence of a girlfriend – perhaps more – means he’s not going to be only her Gunther for much longer.)

Well it’s a done deal. It’s Bets and Gun from here on out. Bets is well on her way to transformed into a suitable wife for Gunther. Remember when the consensus was that Bets was, as Bernice put it, “aggressive, dominant and bossy.” We all thought she was self centered on her image with her social media fans. Recently she has been portrayed as being more loving toward Gunther instead of infatuated with him. She just awhile ago had a temper fit directed at Tiffany and then Gunther. Nowhere has she referred to Gunther with the somewhat derogatory diminutive “Gun” in a long time. All we knew about her past was that she had a string of lousy dates/boyfriends. Now we’ve seen her as a summer camp girl with the universally loved and admired Dez as a best friend. She can’t be all bad if Dez is her bestie!

Just a moment ago she wanted merely to “shack up” with her beau. (Can’t we now refer to him as “her beau” and not just boyfriend?) And now, mirabile dictu, Bets suppresses her hyper-inflated ego with what she wants to take into account the feelings of Gunther’s family and how her relationship with her fiancé (it’s coming) would be affected by her selfish desires. Then engenders herself to his previous most important person, Irma, who still thinks of him as Gunthie, even though she doesn’t call him that since his return from Peru.

Yep! It’s a done deal! Soon someone will be saying “First come love, then comes marriage, then comes Bets with a baby carriage.” But it won’t be me! 8^ )

Yea, well wait until Gunthies mama starts running her life.

I don’t know. Is she sincere, or is this just an upgrade of her skillful manipulation techniques. There’s something about this kid that just isn’t trustworthy. I soooo want to be wrong about her.

Everyone who keeps wondering about Bets and her past problems with commitment – there is an amnesia syndrome (I have always believed Ann Eiffel is poisoning the drinking water) that you have to take into consideration. The references to when Bets got scared and ran off, leaving Gunther stranded at Weenie World and then both of them going through Tiffany’s Pagoda of Peace counseling – all that never happened. The new Bets character is rewritten into a confident young woman who is on her way toward a loving marriage. The only character that retains their negative personality traits is Luann. She consistently remains clueless, lazy, selfish, entitled and self-absorbed. Maybe we will see something different with her tomorrow? Don’t underestimate Christmas Magic!

Irma doesn’t look so happy about that.

Al continues with the zingers. The second panel is quite the misdirection play, though. It plays right into my lights-out-in-the-dorm forecast, but quite the turnaround, in the final panel. Greg has set up the tug-of-war for Gun’s heart in 2022. Order your popcorn now.

Is it merely a 2-way tug-of-war, though? Methinks the strip’s classic rivals will make it a foursome, in time, starting with Tiff, and ending with Luann.

After this there may be three debs that may be looking back on the one that got away. Yes, you Tiffany, Bernice and especially, Luann!

how many years till Bets greets Irma with “Hi Grandma!” ??

The Uncle is like a coin tosser…yes…no…maybe…okay!

Very nice

Al is a man of few words, but accurate.Irma almost has to accept Bets. Wonder if this will end in a family Christmas dinner.Thinking Les is anxious for an in-house techie Trekkie! ;-)

Bets has matured.

At first I thought Bets was hugging Gunther in the last panel, then realized it was his mom. Irma hugs the exact same way as Gunther; with her arms stiffly at her side.

My guess was correct: Bets would charm the parents and make everything alright.

Wait, wait, wait. Who in the he11 died and left Mr. Gray in charge?? Time to tell him to go and luck himself.

An all too familiar scenario. That cold reception from Gunther’s Mom in the final panel speaks volumes. Those who have lived through it will know how it turns out. Those who haven’t will speculate, anyway.

I gotta admit I have more respect for Gunther’s dad after the last couple of strips.

I still think Gunther’s parents can blow it out their #%%&

Obviously we’re meant to believe that the self-absorbed “me-all-the-time,” “hey-look-at-me” Bets has magically morphed into the late-teen version of Mary Worth, sensible, grown-up and considerate of others’ boundaries and feelings. Guns, his Mama, and Mr. Gray, are all buying it. But I’m not. Why, it’s as though these peoples’ lives are being controlled by unseen puppeteers who yank them around and change them up at a whim. and make us howl with indignation! I shudder to think.

I dunno—- is she sure she wants red haired kids?

Ok, but no tongues now

So, Gunther is hitching his wagon to the narcissist? Oh well.

Bets dreamed that the kids/grandkids had Gunther’s red hair.

If you always wanted a daughter, Irma, Merry Christmas.

I kind of stepped away from this strip for a while. Hated Bets with a passion. I’ve been lurking on the strip, but not the comments. I think I’ve graduated from “hating” to “strong dislike,” so I guess that’s progress. Possibly because I haven’t seen Bets with a cell phone in her hand for a while now. So, we shall see what we shall see.

The way into Gunther’s pants is through his mother. That is true for Luann, but it shows what a perverse strip Luann is.

Conversation years later: Al: I thought she’d try to cozy up to me first. Gunther: It’s the smart move for her… Bets was always the smart one.

Well, well, well!!!

Bets says her family is a mess. It would be interesting to hear more. Maybe some future strange characters.

Mr. Grey is starting to be a jerk!

Next week Bernice does something annoying. Stay tuned.

Bets the best

Irma looks thrilled …

In Japan they could just go to a Love Hotel.

One thing you do have to admit about Bets, she ain’t stupid.

At first I thought Bets hug Gunther. Lol. The mother and son are drawn so similarly especially when the body is hidden. SO they’re not gonna get an apartment either. They will just continue to do what they’ve been doing and follow the proper steps toward marriage down the road – just to please the family.

Re: “Did Irma have Gunther when he was 10?” No, I think chalkrunner was responding to a previous question about how old Irma was when she had Gunther. He’s guessing 30-35, which would make her 50-55 now, given Gunther is around 20.

Wow, who woulda thunk it?

Bets is wise beyond her years.

Maybe this is the real deal for a potential marriage in LuAnn… after Brad and Toni.

Smart young woman. Ask the mother advice on how she can be as good a wife to her son as she was a good wife to Gunther’s father and now Gunther’s stepfather.

Smart lady.

:):):):):):):):):):):)

I’d be curious to hear what Irma’s objections are. They are college sophomores, so not out of the world that they might be thinking about long-term togetherness. Surely she doesn’t think she can keep Gunther at the apron strings for life?

Mom wants a “white” Christmas…

I agree, excellent move!

Panel # 3. If the rotund Al gets any more excited, I swear he’ll wet his pants.

:)

Al, get back to drinking your heavily-spiked eggnog. That would be a smart move.

Meanwhile, Irma’s reaction to Bets’ embrace will now be key to the progress, or lack thereof, in her Little Boy’s love life….

welcome to mixed message junction.