Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 08, 2023

And so the quest for ̶M̶t̶.̶ ̶D̶o̶o̶m̶ Van of Doom began

Are you kidding me? Bets bought a van that she CAN’T drive? That is crazy!

So will they ever explain who paid for the van and how much they actually paid?

.

What’s up with the Luannfan.com ad? Are Bets and Gunny driving off into the sunset on this strip??

When did Gunther learn to drive a stick? And why wasn’t a manual trransmission a sticking point for their purchase or their journey. And are we to imagine that they are heading off on their road trip without PACKING?

I learned to drive stick 55 years ago when stick was still pretty much standard on a car. I think you would have trouble finding a manual transmission car today. Even trucks today are often automatic transmissions . And while my wife loves to drive I’m not thrilled by it. It I had to drive 6-12 hours every I’d get sick of it pretty quickly.

Finally the note to follow the world’s dumbest couple’s trip on their webpage suggests we will never see what happens next.

In short, we’ve been scammed again.

The best anti-theft device these days is a clutch.

How thoughtful : let’s spend the entire summer on a non-stop road trip, and you can do all the driving. Not much of a holiday.

Bets has to learn how to drive a stick – pronto!

Bets, learn to drive a stick, please.

we used to say, “Grimd a pound for me while you are at it” when someone was poor at manual shifting…

♬And did they ever return?

No they never returned!

And their fate is still unlearned.

They may ride forever

On deserted highways

They’re the van that never returned!♬

(With apologies to the Kingston Trio.)

Once Gunther was shuffled off to Peru for six months. Now it looks like déjà vu all over again. This time both Bets and Gun will be shuffled off to “The Journey” at LuannFan.com. Holy Repeat, Batman!

Last time, Gunther came back a (somewhat) changed man. Will something similar occur for our intrepid couple upon their return!?!?!?

When she was a pre-teen my girlfriend and her family were held at gunpoint in the family home by an intruder. He took her father’s gun from him. After collecting up the valuables and loading them in the family car he took mom along because he could not drive a stick. He was arrested the next day.

Hahaha all the Bets haters must be confounded that he went off with her in Ruby, the whole event being, zounds! Recorded on social media, Gunther being totally unable to get a stick. This is so ROMANTIC, so Goofy, a love testament. I’ll enjoy it quickly though, peace will be short-lived.

Hey Gunter.. Grind a pound or two for me

Is this journey going to be like the journey to the senior prom with Gunther and Rosa, Luann and Quill? Or how about Gunther’s trip back from Peru? I would wonder if Bets and Gunther are driving out of the strip if it wasn’t for the invite to join their journey. First stop, the Salton Sea artist community. They would fit right in. (So would Nil)

Toni, no one hopes they make it in their relationship. No one is hoping for that at this point in the audience or in the strip itself. I genuinely can’t think of a character that wants this execpt you and maybe irma, and i’m still not convinced this wasn’t all a scheme to get rid of bets.

It will come. They’re not really that hard. Most people do it without thinking.

So excited for their adventure! Sure, lots of problems will arise, but that’s what being young and spontaneous is all about. Plus, this is a comic strip, after all… I’m dismayed with some of the comments from fellow readers, who are getting stuck with practicality, finances, and how to drive a stick shift. This isn’t about your issues, just enjoy the fun of this trip!

Looks like this arc will continue on their website and not in here on GoComics?

I wonder what the new arc next week will be about. Maybe Mr, Moneybags will return to the Manse unexpectedly and find Kip and Steff in the pool. Or, better yet, in bed together!!

I taught four kids to drive standard. Most of them still prefer it. When I got to #3, she was having a hard time to catch on…her younger sister asked if she could try it, I gave her a few quick instructions, she did one lap of the parking lot and drove the car home. Took to it like a duck to water. Big sis was not amused.

This van/clunker belongs on the streets of Cuba.

It’s probably too much to hope for a “Breaking Bad” scenario to develop—although Greg and Karen are masters of misdirection, so anything is possible.

But imagine Bets and Gunther, forced into a life of crime as mules, subject to God-knows-what for every slightest infraction, carrying drugs across the desert in their VW Vanagon. Until one day—in a spasm of horrifying and gut-wrenching violence—they get away, piles of bodies in their wake, Mr. Grey among them.

There are no heroes here, no heroes—but Gunther and Bets escape.

Well, they got the Family Truckster – all that’s missing are two kids and Wally World.

Hey, alright, now they have a van … they can take it and live in it

down … by … the … river ….

That van is going to fall off the side of some mountain road.

In my experience all clutches work more or less the same but feel very different. Lets hope that clutch isn’t about to drop and his pressure plate isn’t paper thin.

Aside: we just got a new VW w manual and when I test drive, I looked at the pattern, okay cool. Then I took it out I ground the hell out of it. What I didn’t know was that 1st was here it was supposed to be (reverse was next to it, so I didn’t go hard left) and I was trying to move it in 3rd. Total rookie move. Then I realized to access R, you have to press down on the stick and then move it. That was 100% new to me as my last clutch was a 90s car…I was super embarassed, but the car was great once I relearned how to drive haha.

Huh, Bets and Gun?

Before you guys go on your ill-fated trip, you might want to get Brad and Toni to teach you how to drive stick.

Also, get them to “acquaint you with the money needed in running and maintaining a vehicle.

Money for things such as gas, oil, licenses and maintenance.

And everybody’s FAVORITE, (GAG) “property taxes.”

“And here we GNGG” it’s great! Gunther doesn’t seem terrified of having a van as some aspects of yesterday’s strip suggested. I like the idea that the journey (to the San Diego Comic Con?) can be followed on the site. Let’s hope that, after cleaning and fixing, the van will be easier to drive. In the end Bets is the winner, she has the van she wanted (she has already given it a name), she has videos with Toni and Brad and she has the illusion of having Irma’s authorization for everything she will do with Gunther. I hope all will go well, but I have a feeling that we are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Hey, Gun! Since you’re grinding gears, I’ll take a half pound of third!

It looks like Gunther can’t drive a stick, either!

Oh they’ll be fine.

This has major disaster written all over it. The van is obviously a clunker and Bets can’t even drive it.

Why didn’t Gunther tell her “If you want us to buy this thing, you WILL be learning how to drive a stick or the whole thing is off.”

Foreshadowing?

I agree with Toni.

No using a phone while driving.

Gunther is spineless and Bets is bossy and impetuous. What could go wrong?

Gun can’t drive stick either.

Ah, yes, grinding gears on a stick. I remember it well. Don’t miss it a bit.

It can take a little time to get used to a new-to-you clutch.

Yes, Bets, vlog away to your followers next to nervous Gunth while he’s driving an unfamiliar vehicle. Distracted driving is always a great recipe for success! At least they’re wearing seatbelts.

What can possibly go wrong?

They’ll learn all about how to drive a stick shift the first time they stall the engine at a stop light in rush hour traffic.

This van has the anti GenZ theft prevention devise, a manual transmission.

Next stop: Bridger–Teton National Forest

I would’ve thought the Vanagon had automatic. The earlier transporter was the model most noted for its 4 speed manual.

I like the yes answer… that yes to both or all of thee above in my house. ;)

maybe only those who sign up at Luannfan.com will be emailed their travelogue. ?

and what kind of beard with Gunthie have when he gets back?

Ok, they’re gone. What’s Luann been doing all this time?

Bets can’t drive a stick shift & apparently neither can Gunther. (In all transparency, neither can I)

“That’s not the stick!”

And they are off!! Yay! Many happy returns!!

Looks like Gunther doesn’t have much experience driving a stick shift, either. Maybe Toni, and, Brad should give him a refresher course, teach Betts. (I’m thinking that Gunther must’ve used a stick shift while driving in Peru.)

Just wondering, does Gunther have any say in this relationship? Bets strikes me as an overbearing person and he’s her minion.

Yeah, go on a journey and stay out of the daily panels for awhile.

I will not be going to luannfan.com, lol

GNGG……….

Sweet bonding experience. I wish them luck.

Gun doesn’t know how to drive a stick either. synchronized stand shift transmissions means that provided you know the standard shift pattern you should not be grinding the gears

Burning Man, here we come?

Bets and Gunther are wearing different clothes than when they talked to Irma. I wonder if this is the next day. I thought Bets had to leave the guest house that day. Did Irma let Bets spend another night there?

Hey Gun you don’t want to grind that stick.

This is the total reverse of Gunther’s escape with Rosa to Peru. Rosa wanted to help the people, Bets wants to document their sex romp across places unknown.

Ah the universal “Yes” to a binary question. I love using that one. O(∩_∩)O

So they call these two to come check out the van, and NO ONE test drove it? And they just set off on their trip with no luggage or supplies, or registration or insurance, for that matter.

I learned to drive a standard on a road trip to Florida, when my friend pulled over and said “Your turn to drive!”

Unless Irma was in fact trying to split them up (due to the inevitable tensions that arise during a road trip) it didn’t make much sense to tell Bets to buy a van rather than have the couple find a different place to live. They’re both still in college and presumably will be returning in a couple of months to resume classes. The issue of cohabitation will still be unresolved, but now they will have spent most of their living expenses money on a car and a long trip.

I was almost right! Well,…except for the sunset, and the waving goodbyes…and the cruising part….but almost!!

Tomorrow we see Tiffany walk out to the pool only to see Steffi lounging with Kip. “Surprise Shug! The yam fest ended early, this house is great! Thanks!”

Oh, and don’t worry about Gunther’s car. He doesn’t need it anymore, now that they have the van.

I have long been of the opinion that friends don’t let friends drive automatics. Manuals give you a superior driving experience … and better control.

Knowing the concept of how to drive a stick is different from actually driving a stick.

I never thought Bets and Gunther were a good fit. We’ll see. They did bond over the cosplay, though.

I had to laugh at the absurdity here. A 1990 van would be thirty-three years old, and Kelly Blue Book only gave their van a $250 value. No sane person would buy that fan, especially someone with no mechanical experience.

“Join the journey”. With the annoying pseudo-influencer? No thanks.

That last look on Gunther’s face is precious.

“Capable of driving with manual transmission” isn’t a data point; it’s a spectrum.

“… They made up their minds

And they started packing

They left before the sun came up that day

An exit to eternal summer slacking

But where were they going without ever knowing the way?

… They drank up the wine

And they got to talking

They now had more important things to say

And when the car broke down

They started walking

Where were they going without ever knowing the way?

… Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold

And it’s always summer

They’ll never get cold

They’ll never get hungry

They’ll never get old and gray

You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere

They won’t make it home

But they really don’t care

They wanted the highway

They’re happier there today, today

… Their children woke up

And they couldn’t find ’em

They left before the sun came up that day

They just drove off and left it all behind ’em

But where were they going without ever knowing the way?

… Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold

And it’s always summer

They’ll never get cold

They’ll never get hungry

They’ll never get old and gray

You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere

They won’t make it home

But they really don’t care

They wanted the highway

They’re happier there today, today

… Anyone can see the road that they walk on is paved in gold

And it’s always summer

They’ll never get cold

They’ll never get hungry

They’ll never get old and gray

You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere

They won’t make it home

But they really don’t care

They wanted the highway

They’re happier there today, today"

Oh boy – new arc on Monday. Maybe back to that blonde girl Luann?

back in the day, a friend and I hit the road in a pea green ‘78 VW Van. Both of us had background driving stick.Nonetheless, with about 13 feet of linkage between the four-on-the-floor and the rear engine, that was by far the mushiest manual transmission I’ve ever driven.

I wonder if Bet holds up her arm for a selfie while she’s asleep? ;-p

I can’t drive a stick either, and I don’t like the weird sounds they make when their drivers make the changes, it sounds like they are coming apart!

My take is that Gunther CAN drive a stick, with the problem being that the synchronizers are shot. Speaking from experience with an old bargain clunker.

Lol! Grind me a pound! Reminds me of teaching my son to drive on my CJ5 Jeep! And we’re off!

Greg says follow them this summer on Luannfan.com as they, Gunther and Bets, will be back in August.

Gunther probably learned to drive stick by watching Captain Kirk in “A Piece of the Action.”

So who actually paid for it?

Needs a lot of work AND it’s a stick. We’ll take it. Give me a break! It’s going to be its own strip.

Who buys a car – van – that they don’t know how to drive? That’s just stupid. And it’s selfish of Bets. Why should Gunther do all the driving? That’s exhausting.

Even if you can use a manual transmission, it takes regular practice. And every vehicle has a different feel to the clutch and shift points.

SUNDAY : Frank and Nancy look disheveled !

Sure, I can drive a stick! — famous first words before they are eaten.

Either Gunny isn’t really any good at the stick-shift, or Ruby’s transmission is already shot! This does not auger well, either way…

Ok, they’re gone. What’s Luann been doing all this time?

Please keep driving until you are far, far away from this strip.

I’m guessing the car is going to be at Tony and Brad’s for a while for repairs. .

Sheesh girl, learn to drive stick! It’s not that hard!

It looks like Bets and Gunther are a permanent couple now.

Black shirts are “in” this year