Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for September 18, 2023

Play nice, kitties

Well… at least Luann got over her hiccups. I guess the forehead book balancing really does the trick. lol

So Tara is now trying to steal her chair in class? Does Luann have any real friends at all, besides Puddles?

I’d love to see Luann starting a new romance… but I don’t think Piro is really the right guy for her.

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I wonder if Gunther is currently driving up to Canada?

Ah yes, the old what’s old is new and what’s new is old news.

Well I’d say Luann is looking mighty cleva (clever) in this panel set, the better to look good for Tara’s mysterious hunk of a cousin. Where does this go one surmises.

New arc, old drama.

Is Walter “Piro” Starr back? Or Tara still the storyline?

I’m not sure which I like better, swapping plots that go nowhere every week or sticking with one plot that goes not where for eight weeks….

Oh, don’t be silly. Swapping plots every weeks means less time on the really pathetic ones.

Am I the only one who thinks Luann’s legs are separating unusually high?

Obvious much Luann?

Another semester of Creative Writing? What? You failed last semester, Tara and Luann? If Piro is no-show, he probably passed the class. And you did 2 years of community college and are still not done? Community college is 2-year degree program for most students before they either get AA degree or transfer to a 4-year college. Either you’re part time or poor students. I don’t see why Luann would be part time since she doesn’t work. No idea about Tara – she is largely a mystery. I hope Piro doesn’t come back and transfers back to Moony – to Bernice.

So Lu thinks Piro is a good prospect? I was hoping Tara would become Luann’s new BFF, which might lead to Lu getting around more.

Wow. this is the first time I remember a Monday strip being related to the Sunday strip. Glad to see Tara back. Another interesting character that we don’t see much,

I feel like I’m watching a juggling act. Only they’re juggling arcs! 8^ (

So is this another creative writing class taught by Mrs. Homer or the same creative writing class taught by Mrs. Homer. How many times are they allowed to take it for credit? At community college, I was allowed to take the class for credit again if I was able to fit it into my schedule, which I couldn’t. It was the literary magazine we were writing for. My story was about a little girl and her friendship with an old toad.

Luann and Walter

Luann jus lost at ‘musical chairs’ even though they’re still two empty chairs

That vest is gonna make him crazy.

This strip has more loose threads than any other. Reminds me of the TV show LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT. Of course, by the end of each episode, it’s all been tied up, and the killer is exposed—usually, not before the viewers fall asleep!!

Here, I’m not sure they’ll NEVER be tied up at all!!

How nice, yesterday it was a prologue for the return to Mrs Horner’s class! Luann really wants to know Piro better and to become someone he can feel relaxed with. It’s also sweet to see Tara’s protective side. She doesn’t seem to get in the way just to spite Luann. She seems genuinely worried about her cousin and doesn’t understand why Luann is annoyed, it’s quite possible that Piro prefers to sit next to his cousin than to others. It will be interesting to see what Piro does. If he’ll be more open with Luann and if he’ll continue to ask her about Bernice. Let’s hope there are other opportunities to see how he reacts to Jack’s presence, maybe he, Nil, Tara and Luann meet at the end of class for lunch.

Unusual to segue from Sunday into Monday. Family getting in between a possible romantic interest.

Apparently The Creators are reverting to the high school/middle school formula. At least that part of it where Luann has a serious romantic rival. Tara seems to be that new rival, supplanting Tiffany Farrell, and Walt Starr (aka Piro) is the heart throb, supplanting Aaron Hill and later, Quill.

But wait! This scenario seems to be playing out in Tiffany’s life as well. Kip Lee appears to be Tiff’s latest heart throb, supplanting that dynamic duo, Hill and Quill. And, lo and behold, she has a serious rival in Stefani Bird, supplanting Luann. Garsh!

Let’s pursue this possible theme. As the third major character in the strip, will Gunther acquire a rival for Bets’ affections? It would seem at least possible that this could be the result of Bets’ “walk about.” That certainly would bring a new dynamic to that relationship stream. It would re establish the theme that Gunther cannot hold onto a girlfriend. Luann, Rosa and even Bernice has been pursued by our favorite nerd and Bets seemed to be the one for a long time now. But things could change.

Of COURSE you meant that, Luann. (geez, what a twit!)

So, Luann has eyes for Piro? I’m quite surprised.

A new old familiar face? That’s an oxymoron, Luann.

A few weeks ago I asked for questions to bring to Greg at the Reuben Awards Sept 6-8. We got plenty of time to talk business and fun, but I never got around to those questions. Karen is the new president of the National Cartoonists Society (a great match of skills to needs) after delivering big time as National Representative. The Nat Rep is the person who ties the 21 regional U.S.-based NCS chapters together. There are Canadian and UK chapters, too. Karen’s familiarity with the organization is a huge plus in her new role. And she’s excellent at organizing online meetings and keeping everything on schedule. Writing Luann remains a team effort, it’s not the clean handoff some people suggest: KAREN WRITE. GREG DRAW. Regarding the recurring questions about repeating timelines, this kind of comic strip must offer points of entry for new readers. This seems to befuddle some people who expect real time progression.These are trying times for all cartoonists who cut their teeth on the newsprint model which is still in decline. I color almost two dozen features across three syndicates. Luann outpaces all of them in online reader engagement and that is where comic strip careers will flourish or perish. So it is laughable to call the Gunth/Bets adventure novella a scam. Financially successful online strips offer extras to their base product. Ok, back to work, deadlines await. Cheers!

Instead of repeating a class that will likely not transfer to Mooney why isn’t she taking required core classes such a chemistry, US history, foreign language? When I started college in 1970 there were 60 core units you took your first two years, including 4 semesters of state required PE-it didn’t have to be high school gym class-but archery, fencing, tennis, swimming (required in many schools)…

Anyone else here thinks Piro won’t show up?

And as usual, Luann is thinking of doing anything except being studious.

Luann needs to work on her self-esteem. I don’t think she has an “old familiar face”.

Has anyone noticed that Tffany is getting slimmer?

So Tara believes in keeping it in the family. The Count digresses… Count and Ann❤️Eiffel ❤️ers… we need to talk. The last arc with Dumpster getting dumped and ❤️ broken by Betts he Bae and then her rubbing it in with pics from a place he probably would have enjoyed, esp with her, was pretty much an all time low. You really feel for the guy, if you know what The Count is saying… Our Dearest Ann❤️Eiffel is, of course, all about taking some dupe for all he’s worth and moving on but there is no mention of gloating and rubbing the poor soul’s nose in it in “Seduction for Fun and Profit”, the International Best Seller. Kindly Ann❤️Eiffel would never do some weak sauce stunt like that. Dumpster’s treatment was down right cruel; it hurts a face to get laughed in (~Charlie Brown). Seriously… time for a strong does of Ann❤️Eiffel… The Woman You ❤️ to Hate. BTW, “You” does not include The Count and a large number of lowly unworthies… we know who you are. OK… now we’re off and running with Future ❤️Eiffelett, Tantalizing❤️Tara and angst filled, James Dean wannabe loser, Pedro, will be Gone with the Wind by week’s end.Ohhhhh… We Need a Little Annie❤️Eiffel…Right This Very Minute… Need a Little Annie❤️Eiffel…. NOWWWWW!TTFN and Outta here… (Curtain Call and bows) Thank you… Thank you and The Count ❤️s you all. Not really, lowly unworthies need not apply. Three Days until Equinox… Count OUT.

I wonder if Tara’s going to explain to Luann why she’d be bad for Piro so Luann can get it. He’s trying to self-improve, he may not have the prioritization to satisfy Luann’s needy mindset. She wanted her way without compromise when Quill’s aspirations got in the way.

I do like the idea of Piro and Luann starting off friends though. I’d like if Tara could tell Lu how to focus on being a friend to Piro without seeing him as a “Byronic hero” for her to drool over or worse as a “fixer upper.”

Piro can sit where ever he wants. He doesn’t need anyone telling him where to sit.

Not what Luann meant Tara.

Seems Sunday strip melted into Monday or the new week started Sunday?Since this is Pitts, not MU, our cast is limited. Maybe Nil or Jack decided to take the class after seeing Luann at the Spring Fair. Or Crystal and Knute make a return. Knute in this class would be hilarious. This strip reminds me of those with Luann and Tiff competing for Aaron Hill.

Jeez Tara, why not just shove your middle finger in her face while you’re at it? I mean, there was no reason to be all “good idea” in the first panel if she had no intention of honoring her wish, except to be a jerk.

Is there another strip that generates as much interest, comment, love, hate, psychoanalysis, disdain, attention, etc. as Luann? I’d be fascinated to know!

I hate it that Luann is so interested in this guy. But who knows? Maybe Tara is wrong about her cousin and things may work out in an unexpected way.

I think Tara is being protective of both of them. She doesn’t want her cousin or her friend to be hurt.

Either the problem lies with Luann, or the problem lies with the people she surrounds herself with. Either way, it seems like it’s time she makes some life changes.

Luann is just joking, she’d much rather sit by Tara.

“I can buy myself flowers” Miley Cyrus

I’ve never seen a monday that was a continuation of Sunday…

she needs to confront Tara more.

I feel like this is a repeat of the “Luann likes Ben York” storyarc.

R.I.P. Roger Whittaker , a great voice.

( sad if you’re too young to recognize who that is ) :-/

Start of Luann’s 10th year of college.(Sept. 3 2014 -1st day)

Piro is this year’s Aaron Hill.

That’s okay. Tara just admitted to being old

Tara needs to butt out. Piro can decide for himself what kind of relationship he wants to have with Luann.

Luann’s obvious mistake is assuming Piro will want to sit with them.

Now Tara…behave. You know Luann kind of likes Piro. Rather see him with Luann than Bernice ☜⁠ ⁠(⁠↼⁠_⁠↼⁠)

Oh, give it up, Luann! You never score. You’re a Big Loser, the Monty of Pitts. Let Tara sit next to her cousin and at least have some catching-up familial conversation….