Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for March 29, 2018

Axel’s pucker lips seem to have been scaled back a bit. Either that, or he gave up lemons for Lent.

It looks like Jenny found her Jake.

Okay, THIS is going GREAT! Even Axel is doing Good and looking Better!

So. What’s the “CATCH???”

Well, now that Axel is becoming an actual character in Luanniverse rather than a mere cameo character, his pucker has been tweaked and he actually looks cute. Perfect for tween Fay. Well Fay did say his pucker is a deformity and I am curious about that.

No wonder Axel normally wears sunglasses all the time, he has no sclera.

Fay is coming into her own a bit. ✨

Still, I don’t imagine this mini-arc will extend past this week.

Quick repeat of post from late yesterday, and then it’s case closed (I hope):I guess it’s time to clear up the analysis and speculation about Fay’s recent chameleon impersonation. It was an error by the freelance colorist (that would be me) and the problem was addressed shortly after readers noticed it. But the busy people at GoComics are on crazy deadline all the time so uploading corrected files to the archives doesn’t always happen right away. If you look now you’ll see Fay consistently colored in past strips.There are three skin colors in the Luann color palette. TJ, Dez, Piro and Fay are the only ones using the middle tone. It’s an easy error to make because at certain angles the hues can be hard to differentiate on screen. Also, when checking my work, my focus is on making sure eyes aren’t filled in and that body parts have color and not just an unfilled area. Plus, it may be 3AM and I am scrambling to get Luann and 7 other strips in by the time GoComics people get to work. That’s it. I make mistakes from time to time and it’s often a reader comment that gets back to me, otherwise I’d never know. So thank you for your eagle eyes and helping with the Quality Control tasks.

Axel and Fay click and Fay’s mom approved, is there something wrong with this picture that i’m not seeing.

An unexpected change of heart from Mrs. Garcia!Yay faye!

Axel is looking a bit more approachable and exhibiting less sulk than in previous appearances. And a tip of the hat complete with a “Thank you Ma’am”? It’s no wonder even Mrs. Garcia likes what she sees!

The director looks interestingly normal – she looks almost like someone conjured up from a 60’s “perfect housewife” ad. I wonder if Ms. Silhouette will show up as another new character?

“Why’d you have to ruin it for me, Luann.”

People are so judgmental. Axel was being hated on as soon as he appeared, and he was rapidly being consigned to the Luannverse supposed hell of Les or TJ. I won’t do my usual argument that the layers of these characters require more than just an easy, and often unjustified scorn, and leave the strip today to be res ipsa loquitor, “the thing speaks for itself”. Axel is just a tow-headed kid, who is actually quite worth the obvious affection of Fay (I think it’s mutual actually, the make a very cute tween couple, one that is meant to endure). Moreover Fay get what she wants, probably the part, likely Axel, definitely a way to express herself confidently, and the approval (one hopes) of all of this by her mom. And guess who is the person who with her encouragement, understanding, and motivation makes all this possible? That would be one Luann De Groot.

Axel has the big lips and Luann has the big mouth. She shouldn’t have said it was Axel. Luann should have let Fay’s Mom taste the bait a little longer.

Quarreling Siblings seems like a lame script. Better to have some actual issues they are quarreling about: “Who let your friend out of day care?!” etc.

Axel lost his sunglasses and gained some manners.

Okay, we took a vote and made it unanimous: We despise her mom!

Anybody get duplicate posts today?

I seem to see a newly placed green checkmark whilst typing now.

Which way will we go? Axel & Fay hit it off & we get a cloyingly sweet arc – like early Luann/Quill. Axel & Fay have “dramatic differences” during rehearsals and we get late Luann/Quill. Axel ignores Fay causing Fay to regress back into her shell and we get Luann mentoring Fay from her vast experience with successful relationships. Most likely it’s one of the latter two. More drama that way.

But will T-Greg (Team Greg) allow Luann to learn anything from this?

They make a nice couple. I wonder if Axel will find out Fay likes him.

Perhaps Luann is the playwright who authored “Quibbling Siblings”? The “dialogue” (diatribe?) in this play reminds me of her squabbles with Brad in the old days. We still get to see much of the same in Luann Againn…

Axel is being polite? So, was all the previous snarkiness simply him getting into character? (Method Acting?)

One thing is true enough: sometimes painfully shy people transform on stage, and really open up. Harder to believe- that they have the lines memorized for the audition. Some productions may ask actors to memorize a soliloquy- and it could be from any play… but generally auditions are cold readings. And the director may want to try you in different parts, in addition to the one you prefer.

At least they’re not auditioning in costume, with a finished set built. Seen that trope too many times.

Fay had to introduce herself onstage to perform her audition. Didn’t Axel have to introduce himself onstage, too? Or at least be called to the stage by name, instead of being told to go up there as “Hey, you!”? So why does Luann have to tell Mrs. Garcia that this is Axel?

I thought Axel wasn’t into acting?

Easy to loathe a character named after the Guns n’ Roses singer.

I don’t suppose the play they’re auditioning for actually exists, because how would siblings fighting be entertaining, thoughtful or novel?

Is that a winking emoji I detect at the end of your post?

Will there be an issue since they don’t resemble real siblings physically at all?

I think Axel seems like a pretty good kid honestly. Typical teenage boy who puts on a little bit of a tough front because, what boy wants his pals to know he’s a bit of a softy and loves theatre??

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Well, Axel is being shown in a different light than his previous appearances. That is a good thing. No “attitude” like previously. Perhaps the " ’tude " will not manifest itself anymore. One can only hope. :)

Any wagers as to whether this Fay arc will continue past Saturday? I can see it going either way…. depending on how much of the play Greg wants to incorporate into the story arc.

For me, while this arc has turned out nice… I am still hoping to get to seeing Mrs. Fogarty (and hopefully especially Mr. Fogarty). I am hoping that they show up, even if only a cameo. But, this very likely is just another pipe dream. But, hope can spring eternal if you let it. :)

Coming up NEXT on ‘SPIT-TAKE Theater!’:

On today’s installment of Luann, the drama continues!:

Panel 3 (as seen):

Mrs. Garcia: “…I hope he gets the part.”

Luann: “That’s Axel.”

Panel 4:

Mrs. Garcia: “Sorry, didn’t quite hear that. I was reaching for my water.” (Takes a drink).

Luann: “I said, that’s Axel.”

Mrs. Garcia: “PTOOOEY!!” … WhhaaaAAAA?!”

I know some may think that Axel has ‘changed dramatically’ here, as in a “…Who are you, and what have you done with the REAL Axel?!” type of way.

But I don’t think so. Could just be Axel saw the Pru/Lu summer theater thing for what it was – a dud. He’s likely had some natural acting talent, as seen in this actual audition. It was Fay who needed some beginner training – and fortunately, Luann took to task with some one-on-one coaching and encouragement. Good for all, especially Fay’s own character, she’s a quick learner.

Axel saw today as a serious endeavor, and is pursuing it thus. Maybe he has basic manners (tip ‘o the hat, and a ‘thank you, ma’am’), and has a goal in mind and set!

So, I think he is showing his serious side here. And, hey now … that silhouette! … Is that FLO ZIEGFELD* out there?!

*And before someone corrects – yes, I meant Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., – a guy – and he’s been dead for quite some time now!

Axel, Axel, Axel…………..a modern day Eddie Haskell. Just watch out little Fay, you may have to rock his jaw if that left hand doesn’t re-appear soon.

The “thank-you ma’am” and the tipping of the hat is what changes Axel; he now comes across as a polite country boy. I think that wasn’t lost on Mrs. Garcia.

I didn’t think freckles tended with people of blonde hair.

Well, Mrs. Garcia, are you standing by what you just said, now that Luann has (rather smugly) revealed that this polite blond kid is the dreaded Axel? Or are you going to retreat into blind prejudice?

Could someone explain what it means to be a “GC insider”?

I don’t know what’s more awesome: That Faye’s mom is eating her humble pie very well or that we finally see Axel’s eyes. I wasn’t expecting Brad eyes; I was hoping for TJ squinty eyes. No idea why; I just did.

Maybe Luann shouldn’t have mentioned that Fay’s audition partner is Axel. Mrs. Garcia is doing well and that could dampen her positive attitude.

I know people watch the number of comments count.

But have we ever reached 100 likes?

I am confused! Isn’t this the same Axel that was hateful every single day in Luann’s drama camp? I thought he hated acting and was made to go to Luann’s drama camp.