Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 30, 2023

OMG! BETS IS BACK!! This Halloween party is about to get interesting! ;)

So is Luann supposed to be Dolly Parton?

See Mordock? I Told you it’d be the Doll-o-Ween party arc. Nobody cares what Bernice thought. LOL

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I think that’s TJ and Ox in the background.. but who is dressed as Raggedy Ann?

It looks like everyone called it but me. The worm returns and will catch Gumther being happy kissing Luann.

As for their costumes Gunther’s costume is awful. It’s not a doll and so esoteric that I wonder how many people would get it. if it weren’t for @ Arbitrary I wouldn’t have know. And if Luann is supposed to Dolly Parton the hair’s the wrong color and there is not enough bling on her.

I was hoping Bets had been held up by Canadian customs because she entered Canada without her passport.

Fireworks!!!

I thought that We hadn’t seen the last of Bets.

Although, We may see the last of her by the time this arc is over.

And say, Luann looks pretty HOT.

So does Tiff.

Now I wonder if Tiff planned this whole thing, in order to get a JEALOUS Bets, back?

Who’s Tiffany supposed to be, Lingerie Barbie?

This will be interesting but not good—for Bets.

Gunther lost faith in Bets, and now will pay the price. Now Gun will lose his Holster.

That not Dez by TJ AND Ox in back of them

OHHHH NOOOOOOOO. Bets is back. BARF. BOO, go back to your van life. I am praying she has a flat and misses the party. Some pretty boy stops and helps her and they end up going on a date and Bets forgets all about Gunther.

It sure is going to be nice only having to stay up until midnight instead of 1am to see the new comics for the rest of the week, because I went ahead and set my clocks back an hour last night. I always hated DST, and for 16 years, I have outright refused to conform to G.W. Bush’s extended DST because there was no good reason to do it, especially since most other developed countries have either done away with DST altogether, or still fall back in October (and spring forward in April). So the rest of you mindless sheep who conform to an antiquated concept that most medical experts say is detrimental and damaging to our mental health anyway, enjoy spending another week an hour ahead of yourselves.

I hate to say I called it! But I CALLED IT!!! 8^ )

more trouble is coming!

That’s it Tiff. When you got it, flaunt it. And, Luann: a touch of makeup, a wig, and a blank stare and Wow, we’ve got ourselves a real live bimbo.

Im still not ready to see Luann do a permanent pair-up with Gunther. Like out of the DeGroot nest and into the library. I want to see Lu get around a bit.

Has Tiffany been taking sabotage lessons from Irma? Her expression is very “cat-that ate the canary”

I see Stefani Bird silhouette in the background?

Gunther is wearing an apron that depicts The Big Friendly Giant (BFG)?

They’re holding hands. Does this mean that they are more than just friends now? And best of all, does this mean that Bets head will explode?

Holding hands?!?!

Fireworks on Halloween? I was so hoping Bets would take the wrong turn somewhere in the Yukon and be permanently lost.

Tiff does look HOT as “curvy barbie” but she best not bend at the hip or she’s gonna give the boys a show.

DUM, DE.DUM, DUM! The evidence of Bets hate is hot and steeping, like hit, bitter tea. Bets is very proprietary (jealous) and Lu is tougher than she is usually portrayed. .Poor Gunnie! He might have tomake.a sudden choice. This was inevitable

TJ and Ox are standing by the stairway with Raggedy Ann?

Who is Gunther supposed to be?

Where is Kip Lee?

Cant wait to see th look on Bet’s face never mind Gunters..

I’m disappointed with Gunther’s book cover. Doesn’t look like he made LuAnn’s either.

Bets and Gunther are not a couple? They already broke up.

Why is Gunther in such a feeble costume? A billboard is more the sort of thing someone does who is in a mad rush and can’t think of anything. Or am I missing some subtle point?

Wait, BFG is a children’s book by the British author, Roald Dahl! He also wrote Matilda, also made into a movie, as well as James and the Giant Peach. Credit for the author, please.

I hope Tiff does tell Gunther.

TJ is wearing a Woody costume.

Haven’t seen C around for awhile now. Hope he’s doing ok.

So glad but sad to see Bets again! The reason why I’m a little sad because this could be the very last time we get to see her like all the rest of the characters we never saw again

I thought Gunter would make himself a better costume than that.

Wow. Apparently Bets still has feelings for the G-Man and it seems that Gunther and Luann are on a date as a bonafide couple. Tiff definitely played the matchmaker and in about an hour sparks will really be flying. Gunther will likely have to make a choice, even if he is not really dating Luann but does he make the break up with Bets permanent? Has Luann finally helped him realize that he can make other people and himself happy at the same time with someone like Luann but that he was not really happy while he was doing things to make Rosa and Bets happy? I really hope Gunther makes a stand and does not simply dump Luann and run to Bets. Time to man up G-man.

I’m going to keep my eyes peeled Tuesday coming home from pub trivia. I want to see just one kid who decided to dress as Robert Oppenheimer.

Tiffany the Ringmaster. I like!

How appropriate for Halloween, the monster is returning

Gunther will definitely be surprised

See that, if Gun still had the Betts Ap, he might have had some clue of her whereabouts. It’s all TJs fault.

Definitely there’s a resemblance between Luann and her mom.

What is Gunther supposed to be again?

Ruby got a new paint job.

Not as surprised as Bets is going to be

This won’t end well. Bets has always been quick to jump to conclusions and seeing them like this won’t make it any better.

Looking at the first panel agaIn I noticed that Bets was pumping gas into the front passenger door of the Vanagon. Is that really where the gas cap is located. I’m not sure I’d want to be riding with 15 gallons of gasoline under my chair.

Well, this is an interesting start to the week. Are we about to see the last manipulations … the phase out … the departure of “Miss It’s ALLL About MEEEE ….” when she starts to see that is isn’t actually the center of the universe?

Will this arc mean Anything to people who didn’t buy the lame book?

So Tiffany’s plan wasn’t to send Bets photos of Luann and Gunther at her party to make her jealous and come back, but instead it seems that the whole Doll-o-ween party is an opportunity for reunite Gunther with Bets, and Tiffany didn’t think that he and Luann could actually become a couple? Tiffany is truly a Cupid! I hope Gunther and Luann are just there as friends. The holding hands could be something related to the explanation of what their costumes means, because I just can’t figure out what the BFG has to do with I have no idea what doll Luann is supposed to be. This Halloween is already really exciting! Go drama!

What is Gunther supposed to be? What is ‘The BFG?’

It’s the look on Luann’s face…I was afraid something like this would happen…

So wait, I am a wee bit confused.

Did Tiff call Betts or did Betts call Tiff? And WHY would Tiff call Betts and do that to Gunther. Or Luann, even?

I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this!

Hilarious. This is gonna fun. “bbbut Luann is just a friend.” Tiffany must have made up Luann.

I don’t remember there being a Big Friendly Giant doll, so not sure about Gunther’s costume.

They told us she’d be back. There was never the slightest doubt Bets was still a major character, and that she still loved Gunther. Whether they work out as a couple remains to be seen, and it’s so rare on this strip for any relationship to work out—pretty much the only time was Brad and Toni. Who still don’t have a kid of their own. There’s only so much room in the strip’s ‘ecosystem’ for happy couples. Dysfunctional couples are funnier. Triangles have all kinds of comic potential. But Gunther and Luann are not in love. They are going as friends. Which is cool. But not for Bets. ;)

Oh please, please, please let Bets be streaming live when she sees Gunther with Luann.

This is the Tiff we know, do any kind of damage to Luann. Going to be interest with the fallout.

Jeepers, Luann looks gorgeous, Tiff in getting a tad huge

What’s the BFG?

‘The BFG’?!?

I wish the writers hadn’t done this. Usually there is a moral arc, a “karma”, in their stories. I don’t see that here. This plot twist will just cause everyone pain.

That’s the right kind of clown back there.

“It’s her party and Bets will cry if she wants to, cry if she wants to, you would cry too if if happened to you.” Apologies to Leslie Gore.

Absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it becomes an abscess.

But didn’t Bets dumped Gunther?!

This is going to get interesting this week!!

Bets is back and once she sees Gunther holding Luann’s hand, it’ll cause trouble at the party and lead to yet another highly dramatic, dragged out and controversial, love dodecahedron arc.

Be interesting to see Bet’s reaction. See can’t be jealous because she was gone and Gunth and LuAnn have been friends since childhood.

Boooooooooo! Hisssssssssss! Go home, Bets!

Oh you just gotta stir the pot, don’t you Tiff? This should be interesting anyway.

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like Bets. I don’t like how the writers treated her character. Also, it’s not consistent. She was shown to be doing quite well with her business studies. There is no way a person with a > 3.5 GPA is going to blow off Fall semester just to tour comic book conventions. Look at the TV ratings for Science Fiction shows and Comic book sales; they are written for women in the post 2016 era and the sales have collapsed. Generally, good looking 18 – 30 year old women don’t go to comic book shops or science fiction conventions. Why? They are generally too cool for that.

what is Gunth dressed as ?

I wonder if Gunther and Luann will be holding hands when Bets walks in :)

how is a sandwich board declaring Gunther to be the ‘big friendly Giant’ a doll themed costume?

Dahl!! I love it!

Wow, so much extreme hate for a character who hasn’t murdered anyone. I said right away that Luann and Gunther had a connection that could blossom, but I was told NNNOOOoooo, there wasn’t anything there. Ha ha ha, who’s had the last laugh now? And I have a feeling that there’s not going to be such a big blow-up as everyone seems to think. Sure is a big set-up for one, though. Don’t know why I think it will turn out to be more of a surprise twist.

Oh, duh, I was wondering how Dolly Parton would fit the theme when there wasn’t a doll… of DOLLy Parton… (facepalm).

cue the dark ambient music with discordant overtones which, although broadly tonal, is inflected with chromatic and polytonal passages representing the archetypal example of a florid, melodramatic style without being interpreted as an overly heavy-handed metaphor within the context of the thematic material a bit on the frenetic and frantic side with interesting rhythmic devices which seem to counterpoint the surrealism of the underlying metaphor utilizing a novel imaging technique known as positron emission tomography

The old Tiffany is back!

OMG! Is Tiff pregnant? And why does she AND the girlfriend have the same lips?

Luann’s boobs grew quite a bit to impersonate Dolly Parton.

AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

So Bets expects Gunther to put his life on hold and wait around for her. She gives him no warning that she is coming back and will probably be mad to find him with another woman. No one deserves to get treated the way Bets treats Gunther. I hope she does see Gunther and Luann kiss.

Or course she’ll be back around the time of this party. This is Karen’s writing we’re talking about

Looks like Stephany planed this one.

Unfortunately, Bets never makes it to the party because – A. she runs out of gas because she pumped the gas into the passenger compartment, or B – the gas under the floor boards ignites and Ruby goes up in flames.

These are some really odd, unfortunate costume selections. Tiffany looks like a chubby-wubby little girl headed for beddy-by, Gunther has won the Ultimate Nerd award (again), and Luann looks like a wax museum escapee.

I’m sure that G&K will find some way to make this arc a fizzling milquetoast of disappointment.

I want to see Bernice’s costume.

Knowing Greg’s pace of writing it will take two weeks for her to eventually reach the party.. the bus will break down or something like that, and by the time she gets there Günter and Luann will have left…

Dolly Parton has a program called Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library that sends free books to kids from birth until they start school. I’m guessing that’s their costume connection.

Oh geez…… What have you done, Tiff? You’ve set Luann and Gunther up to reconnect and then set Gunther and Bets up for a surprise reunion on top of that….. Well, this should make for an interesting week!

Tiff looks a bit chunky.

As We watch helplessly (Some Gleefully) as the large cruise ship careens pell-mell toward that large menacing iceberg, those so inclined might want to mosey on over to Luannfann.com. This installment addresses Gunny’s departure from Rosa, and the unfortunately all too brief flirtation with Tiffany back in 2015.

As for Me? Just My humble opinion, but NOT following up on that was a BIG mistake, G&K.

Sure, the “relationship” would have gone up faster than the Hindenburg but oh, what a trip!

OK. I don’t keep up with dolls/toys much. So who are Gunther and Luann supposed to be?

It says “BFG” on Gunther’s sign——-I would say that stood for “Big Fat Geek,” only Gunther isn’t fat. And is Luann just supposed to be some fashion model doll, a friend of Barbie’s maybe?

Sorry, but aside from Raggedy Ann & Andy, about the only dolls I recognize are Chucky, Annabell, and Brahms. And maybe Talky Tina.

No fireworks. Gun and Luann just holding hands as friends. Apparently, in the booklet about the trip Gun and Bets promised to get together again. You wouldn’t expect such a loser outfit from Gunther! A sign that says BFG??? Is G&K getting a kickback from Disney for promoting Big Friendly Giant? I hope this means Bets is back. She’s annoying, but interesting.

Luann and Gunther holding hands, with Bets about to make a surprise appearance? Looks like Luann1212’s oft-made prediction about hilarity ensuing might actually come true for once.

Oh, and I almost hate to say it (since it took me way too long to get it) but Gunther’s costume is actually pretty amusing.

This arc is feeble. And since there’s nothing fun about it, I instead noticed how Bets, in the obligitory selfish/self-centered/ignorant way, is using her cellphone while pumping gas. Which is a small but real explosion risk, as demonstrated by the warnings banning it that are pasted all over EVERY GAS PUMP IN THE COUNTRY.

And here comes the love triangle explosion!

And there it is.

Gunther’s mom

It took me a minute (okay, MORE than a minute) to figure out how Gun’s costume fit the party theme.

Figured Bets would make an appearance, but glad we see Tiff inviting her. And I do like that Luann and Gunther seem so happy. Will Bets get the party theme message? Or show up in something else? She may not appreciate Dolly with Gunther.

Let me guess….Bets’ viewership is down because all her viewers cared about were the costumes Gunther made. She wants to get hold of him to make more outfits so she can get more likes. BUT….wait….him and Luann have reconnected and maybe found what they were missing. And Gunther making costumes isn’t what Luann is focused on….she’s realizing how much she enjoyed Gunther’s company….and Gunther is realizing the same. But…will Gunther forget all that when Bets shows up?

Her fans should find it interesting.

New member here, thought I’d attempt an answer on the connection issue. between Dolly and the Big Friendly Giant library man (AKA Gunther). Dolly has her own library. See Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. Her foundation (library) has literately given away over 200 million books, has a book club for kids and so forth. Amazing woman. So as he loves books, sharing them with kids, and she loves kids, and helping them learn (to read @@ ) Vnuff said

Tiffany, you schemer. Always trying to ruin Luann’s life.

When a little child sees and runs to Army daddy across field at start of baseball game, the surprise is good.

As adults, all other surprises are bad, bad, bad.

I like it when writers answers questions you may have in their manuscripts (or comic) without you having to ask. We could accept that Gunther did not come as Woody since TJ? wanted to and being Gunther he moved out of the way. One of those happenings in the comix world we were not privy to. Or so I conjecture.

I’m disappointed. No mentions of Greg’s imminent retirement. Yet. I’d like the date of that event so I can line up another gig.

I also think people are rather harsh in their comments/thought on Bets. If at least part of her returning is due to the viewership being down without Gunter’s involvement,I think it is subconscious. I say this, not being a real fan of her rather advanced case of narcissism for one so young. Or is that something most of us start with and grow (somewhat) out of?

Tiff said she was going to be Curvy Barbie and she looks great!

That’s as good a costume as Gunther could make? Seems like very low effort on his part.

Tiff makes a better Lizzo than Barbie

Oh wow! This should be good. D@mn near didn’t recognize, Luann. Lol!

As far as the holding hands thing. ever see an awards show? When co-presenters walk out to speak they often walk out holding hands together. This could just be them making an ‘entrance’.

Oh no!! Stay gone!

I recognize Tiffany as Curvy Barbie, Raggedy Ann as Dez and TJ as Woody. I know who Gunther is now but I’m disappointed he didn’t make more of an effort considering his sewing skills. But the costume choices sort of indicate he and Luann still consider themselves only friends. Friends holding hands???? Hmmmm….. Not sure about THAT one. Can anyone clue me in as to who Luann and Ox are supposed to be? Luann sure isn’t Jessie from Toy Story!!!!!

Perfect lead in to get Betz gone. She was a nothing burger….all self promotion and no legit feelings for Gunth to be found. Time to point the Vanagon toward the dead end office for characters past.

Not getting which doll Ox is supposed to be, unless as Tenax mentioned, it is Ollie Hardy. Presumably, then, Duh-Ollie Hardy, to make it conform.

He’s not the only one that’s going to be surprised.

It’s gonna get weird!

TJ is going as a midnight cowboy.

And hilarity ensues!

I don’t think it is a coincidence that both Luann and Bets are looking fine today!

So what’s happened with Tara and Pirro and skydiving? Are they going to jump into the party?

Tiffany should have gone as “Chatty Cathy”.

The party will end with a massive pumpkin pie fight.

Tomorrow’s chapter should be very interesting. What does “BFG” stand for?

Gunther and Luann – a romance years in the making!!

Uh oh…

Hi Raijin31 Thought I’d attempt an answer on the connection issue. between Dolly and the Big Friendly Giant library man (AKA Gunther). Dolly has her own library. See Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. Her foundation (library) has literately given away over 200 million books, has a book club for kids and so forth. Amazing woman. So as he loves books, sharing them with kids, and she loves kids, and helping them learn (to read ).

Who is Tiffany supposed to be? Who is Luann supposed to be? Is that Dez as Raggedy Ann? Who is Ox supposed to be?

So glad this arc continued! And Luann is finally dressed in something almost suggestive! She looks great! A trashy great, but following the unwritten “rules” that females always have to be the slutty version of something for Halloween. Show off your figure while you got it, Lu!

Gunther looks like Surburban Dad Doll ready to BBQ, but I know the Rondal Dahl book/movie.

Really like Tiff’s hair that way.

This won’t end well. I hope Tiff has Gunther’s back and warns him….

I don’t know if Bets has seen or met Luann; regardless, the visuals will not be good (from Bets’ perspective), i.e. Gunther holding hands with some big haired blond with major boobs.

The plot thickens (or, is it sickens?) And, whoare Gunther, and, Luann supposed to be?

Well, that escalated quickly.

Uh-oh

And they’re holding hands. Interesting.

Good drawing of Tiffany in the second frame. Although Tiff frequently makes bad choices, these days a lot of us love her.

When was the last time comments were in the 600s? Evanses, take note!

The funniest thing about today’s strip is that all Luann had to do was put on lipstick and a blond(er) wig, and suddenly she’s a carbon copy of Tiffany. Really hammers home my point that the real reason Luann hates Tiffany is because deep down she knows how alike they really are, despite all her posturing. Luann is just as shallow as Tiffany and just as self-centered. She’s just lacking in Tiffany’s self-confidence and drive.

Someone is gonna get tricked, not treated. Stay tuned.

I wonder if TJ catered the event? :-/

Oy! Tiff is looking more zaftig than ever before in her short “Barbie” costume! Gunny and “Dolly” Luann (so much makeup!) look cozy-comfy holding hands. In the background are, I think, Oxford, TJ, and Dez (?).

But the Big Deal today is the unexpected devious phoning up of Bets by the Tiffster, and Bets’ imminent arrival in an hour. Halloween fireworks and pranks, for sure!

Over 650 comments! Finally an arc with some interest.

I’m more worried about Bets using a cellphone while filling up her van at the gas station. Has anyone noticed the warning signs on all the pumps at gas stations?

The Music playing>>> Somebody’s gonna hurt ❤ someone Before the night is through….gonna❤❤ come undone….There’s gonna be a heartache tonight ❤❤❤!

Here’s yet another chance for Gunth to be a man. Proclaim who you want, dude. But choose already!

Is Bernice at the party? I wonder what she might come as….