In German we also use the term bookworm/Bücherwurm which is male in German. The female version is ‘Leseratte’ i.e. reading rat. Why any term for someone who reads a lot should be so degoratory is beyond me.
I like the moment of awkward silence in the second panel. Luann and Bernice liked each other, but then realize they have nothing in common. This was probably an important moment of growth for both of them. Let’s see how the tragedy will continue. Will they meet again at the park or see each other at school? Will Bernice become friends with Luann’s friend Delta, so to start the trio of inseparable friends, or will the two team up to go against Tiffany? I sincerely hope that a 6 year old Delta appears in this story.
Luann’s response is full of ‘I don’t like’; negative. She doesn’t have to like the same things; she could have just listed some things she did like (back then).
They should have left their relationship right there. Maybe Luann would have grown up to be more assertive without Bernice’s constant negativity slowly wearing her down.
Let’s see…this is when they’re six (budding reader Bernice proudly declareds herself a ‘bookworm’)…that’s seven years BLC (Before Luann’s Comic), which sets this 1978/9.
@The_Old_Wolf from from yesterday - “Is not a cartoon artist entitled to do exactly what his or her muse dictates? Webcomics are free. You don’t complain about things that are free!” -- Complaining about things are free is the hallmark of this forum. The strip suffers from writer’s block, out-of-touch scripting, Boomer vision, unrealistic arcs, lazy writing, money-grabbing novella making, too timid to tackle sex, not funny enough, repressed hatred for Tiffany/Luann/Bernice [you name someone … ANYone], disrespectful to loyal readers, deaf to expert suggestions, etc. I encourage you to add to this list.
Not every student who’s top of the class loves school. I know one in our family who hated school, but got straight A’s and was on the honor role. She was driven by a fear of failure, a need to succeed. But she never loved it one little bit.
Today is what people can point to when they say that Luann is a boring character with no interests or passions, who doesn’t really do much of anything. Just look at her describe herself: she defined herself by not liking things and then sat in awkward silence until Bernice left. No wonder they gave her Puddles just to have her interact with something.
When you see how Luann just drifts through life with no defining attributes (other than Sundays when she’s a collection of negative stereotypes about teenagers) it’s surprising the strip has lasted as long as it has.
It is no surprise to me that Bernice was a bookworm at six (not eight :) ). When I was that age it was the biggest event of the month to me when one of my parents would take me to the “big” city library and I could check out a “zillion” books (they usually limited me to a maximum of 15) in the Children’s Library section.
I think this arc is meant to show us that friends do not have to be “identical twins” to be friends. Bernice and Luann’s many differences complement each other.
Opposites attract and are a major theme of this strip. Unless this is an alternative reality, we know these two opposites are fated to be life long friends; it might lead to that.
lvlax 7 months ago
So Luann hated books but now wants to be a writer?
It’s nice to see how they met but it kind of makes you scratch your head as to why they became best friends. They don’t have much in common.
.
How can Bernice be a bookworm, when you’re still learning to read at 6 yrs old? It’s like G+K forgot what age they’re supposed to be.
Rhetorical_Question 7 months ago
Friends ❤️ forever!!!
Rhetorical_Question 7 months ago
Luann is an average kid? And opposites attraction?
Tyge 7 months ago
End of round one!
alasko 7 months ago
Smell ya later.
Joe1962 Premium Member 7 months ago
Luann likes everything simple, so with aged and wisdom, she wants to become a writer. Why would you become friends, when you have zero in common.
mdeatherage Premium Member 7 months ago
I’ve been asking for about two years if Luann and Bernice actually like each other. The answer now appears clear – they do not.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member 7 months ago
Aww, the start of a beautiful friendship,.
J. Scarbrough 7 months ago
I used to work at our local PBS when I was a teenager for a couple of years. A fun experience to say the least.
Ms.fish 7 months ago
Should have stayed away from Bernice, Luann! Could have saved yourself some major irritation.
Caldonia 7 months ago
Uh….
snsurone76 7 months ago
I like books, but agree with Luann on the rest.
nightflight 7 months ago
Okay. Nice artwork, cute, inoffensive humor for young kids. Better hold on showing Tiffany for awhile.
c001 7 months ago
I like PBS. Read it every day. My favorites are Zebra and the crocs.
French Persons Premium Member 7 months ago
Bye (for now)
Mordock999 Premium Member 7 months ago
Okay.
Now THAT’S more like it.
And Bernice is wearing the “dead bear trophy head” again. ;-)
Wilkins068 7 months ago
From th sound of it Bernice an Delta should be relly relly good friends
Baba27 7 months ago
In German we also use the term bookworm/Bücherwurm which is male in German. The female version is ‘Leseratte’ i.e. reading rat. Why any term for someone who reads a lot should be so degoratory is beyond me.
French Persons Premium Member 7 months ago
Yet somehow, Bernice parks her butt into Luann’s hellscape bedroom and never leaves.
TSR1964 7 months ago
Opposites attract
tremaine53 7 months ago
If ONLY it had ended there! (heavy sigh).
tremaine53 7 months ago
Maybe this explains why their friendship seems so awful to most of us— They are really ill-suited to each other.
Aladar30 Premium Member 7 months ago
I like the moment of awkward silence in the second panel. Luann and Bernice liked each other, but then realize they have nothing in common. This was probably an important moment of growth for both of them. Let’s see how the tragedy will continue. Will they meet again at the park or see each other at school? Will Bernice become friends with Luann’s friend Delta, so to start the trio of inseparable friends, or will the two team up to go against Tiffany? I sincerely hope that a 6 year old Delta appears in this story.
Lord Flatulence Premium Member 7 months ago
And the friendship ended before it began.
RSH 7 months ago
Luann’s response is full of ‘I don’t like’; negative. She doesn’t have to like the same things; she could have just listed some things she did like (back then).
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member 7 months ago
Aren’t they sitting in the same place where Luann definitely didn’t pee?
chris_o42 7 months ago
They should have left their relationship right there. Maybe Luann would have grown up to be more assertive without Bernice’s constant negativity slowly wearing her down.
ctolson 7 months ago
Hey, opposites attract. The proof is in their long lasting friendship.
Ellis97 7 months ago
So how did they become friends of their first meeting ended badly?
Don Bagert Premium Member 7 months ago
…and they never spoke again! j/k
herdocow 7 months ago
That is an AI version of Luann.
DaBump Premium Member 7 months ago
I think I would have moved farther away from where she was so recently taking a whiz.
BJShipley1 7 months ago
If only that had been the end of it.
Solomon J. Behala Premium Member 7 months ago
Let’s see…this is when they’re six (budding reader Bernice proudly declareds herself a ‘bookworm’)…that’s seven years BLC (Before Luann’s Comic), which sets this 1978/9.
Sheriff Mordecai Premium Member 7 months ago
@The_Old_Wolf from from yesterday - “Is not a cartoon artist entitled to do exactly what his or her muse dictates? Webcomics are free. You don’t complain about things that are free!” -- Complaining about things are free is the hallmark of this forum. The strip suffers from writer’s block, out-of-touch scripting, Boomer vision, unrealistic arcs, lazy writing, money-grabbing novella making, too timid to tackle sex, not funny enough, repressed hatred for Tiffany/Luann/Bernice [you name someone … ANYone], disrespectful to loyal readers, deaf to expert suggestions, etc. I encourage you to add to this list.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator 7 months ago
Not every student who’s top of the class loves school. I know one in our family who hated school, but got straight A’s and was on the honor role. She was driven by a fear of failure, a need to succeed. But she never loved it one little bit.
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom 7 months ago
SIGH If only they would have left it at “Bye”. No more Bernice. Ahhh, wouldn’t it be nice?
Shanana 7 months ago
They did forget. Bernice and Luann are totally out of character.
Shanana 7 months ago
Yeah, Bernice, take your weeaboo hat and go find your character and personality, which are lost, just like Luann’s.
Shanana 7 months ago
Yeah, Bernice, take your weeaboo hat and go find your personality, which is lost, along with Luann’s.
preacherman Premium Member 7 months ago
I’m all for certain reruns. Star Trek, JAG, Seaquest DSV, Dr.Quinn Medicine Woman even, but this Luann, the little girl years, is leaving me cold.
Krokodil 7 months ago
Is Luann sitting in the same spot she just peed on?
BJShipley1 7 months ago
Today is what people can point to when they say that Luann is a boring character with no interests or passions, who doesn’t really do much of anything. Just look at her describe herself: she defined herself by not liking things and then sat in awkward silence until Bernice left. No wonder they gave her Puddles just to have her interact with something.
When you see how Luann just drifts through life with no defining attributes (other than Sundays when she’s a collection of negative stereotypes about teenagers) it’s surprising the strip has lasted as long as it has.
RSH 7 months ago
What do you like Luann? Just tell us that.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs 7 months ago
Well they certainly have a lot in common.
Moon57Shine 7 months ago
So…how did they become friends if they have totally opposite interests, and have nothing in common?
forestkat2015 7 months ago
the Bernices of this world begin to read early.
Caldonia 7 months ago
Why are they sitting so close to the wet spot?
The Quiet One 7 months ago
Too bad Bernice didn’t stay gone.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 7 months ago
They’re still in the same school class. Who will get caught passing notes first?
Kenezg 7 months ago
I wonder is LuAnn creative writing and this isn’t how her and Bernice actually met?
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member 7 months ago
It is no surprise to me that Bernice was a bookworm at six (not eight :) ). When I was that age it was the biggest event of the month to me when one of my parents would take me to the “big” city library and I could check out a “zillion” books (they usually limited me to a maximum of 15) in the Children’s Library section.
I think this arc is meant to show us that friends do not have to be “identical twins” to be friends. Bernice and Luann’s many differences complement each other.
French Persons Premium Member 7 months ago
They’re in the same class, so…
Susan123 7 months ago
Looks like a few dates I’ve been on
Scoutmaster77 7 months ago
Opposites attract?
luann1212 7 months ago
Opposites attract and are a major theme of this strip. Unless this is an alternative reality, we know these two opposites are fated to be life long friends; it might lead to that.
BlitzMcD 7 months ago
Hopefully “bye” is also indicative of this story arc. Kid flashbacks have VERY limited appeal.
sueb1863 7 months ago
Luann stops writing and looks up.
“Yeah – why AM I friends with Bernice?”