Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 19, 2020

guy sure has (physically) changed over the years

I had a similar experience recently, when I went to my dad’s funeral. I have a niece who I hadn’t seen in years, and suffice it to say, I could’ve walked past her on the street and never known who she was.

HOLY MOTHER OF-

So he’s become a fat hippie? An unemployed fat hippie … with children. All this since Luann first met him in High School no more than 4 years ago. So new fling with him. Does this mean he’s found a job, new apartment and Bernice can move back home? One can only hope so.

Well, Luann. He was a young man when you last saw him. Fresh out of high school or college. Now he is a mature man and a father. Just look at your dad. What do you think how an old high school girlfriend would react to seeing your dad now – pretty the same as you are now.

PTSD from being in action. My prediction as to what caused the change in Ben.

Luann is in shock to see Ben.

This is every man at my last high school reunion. Or rather, every man that still had hair. It was like they had all forgotten how to shave and get a decent hair cut.

Ben is probably pretty sure about who he is, Luann, but perhaps you’d better duck him to see if he sinks or floats…

Holy crap, I have honestly been surprised here. Looks like I’ll be tuning in all week.

Get a haircut, ya hippie! I’m kidding, of course. Anyway, I don’t see what the big deal is.

Are there still hippies?

Cynic that this strip turned me into, I see an attempt at a return to a 100 percent non controversial arc for a few months.

With an actual plotline.

Maybe Ben got medical discharge.

Somehow, I don’t think there’s gonna be a Luann-Ben “romance” as certain MIA posters have been hoping for.

For all the folks begging for G&K to bring back one of Luann’s long lost (puppy) loves, be careful what you ask for.

Not Aaron. Not Quill.

Ben?

(Why am I hearing Michael Jackson about now?)

Ben. Bernice’s bearded, beer belly brother looking for the 60’s. Too soon to judge, but I hope we’re not dealing with PTSD or substance abuse, but he has the kids so that seems unlikely. Is their mother around? You know, there is a lot of broken families in this strip.

Apparently he got tired of being a “sucker and a loser.”

I had a similar metamorphosis when I got out of the military. Although I didn’t let my hair get quite that long. (That came later.) But I did let my beard grow.

I see I’m not the only one who hasn’t been able to schedule a haircut in 2020.

Put on a little weight there Ben?

several people picked it

Has it ever occurred to the populace here that not every guy Luann encounters has to be a potential ‘hook up’? Whenever she says “Hi” to just about any male, most of you are marrying her off lol!

Also, most veterans don’t keep their ‘spit n’ polish’ appearance after fulfilling their military commitment (unless their civilian job requires it). After I discharged from the Air Force, I couldn’t wait to grow out my hair and beard.

So he’s now fat, unemployed, and has kids? Seems about right in Luann world.

Now that Luann has probably put the “What if” with Ben aside, Gunther is looking pretty good. Hopefully, this is not the lead – in to the strip’s ending. You know, where Luann and Gunther ride off into the sunset together – that was always the long range plan, right?

.

Hang in there, Greg! Most of us do not want to see that. At least not for a long, long, time.

He’s still stuck in the Beatles generation.

Let me guess … Ben and Shannon’s dad are going to start a band! Lol

Maybe a haircut and a shave will spruce him up. If Ben is Bernice’s brother, he has to be in Luann’s age group. I’m afraid I don’t know Ben’s background story.

I’m surprised how long it took for GnK to bring Ben into the picture. I would have assumed that Luann would have gone over to say “hi” long before this. And in fact Ben has come to see Luann and not the other way around. I wasn’t expecting a renewal of their brief romance, though I could see a return of Bernice’s jealousy over the possibility. But a story of how he got married, had children and lost his job would have good for a week or maybe two. Finally, after several pointless arcs we get around to him. If this proves to be as pointless as last week’s school essay I shall be very disappointed.

Hmmmmmmm….. FRESH MEAT! (for me anyway). I gather this character appeared earlier in the strip. I haven’t seen him yet either in the “LuannAgainn” series. So will this character bring? Hopefully, he won’t have her come live with him or other “family” and/or put her undergraduate degree in jeopardy. We’ll have to see.

Out of the military, let your hair down and enjoy life. I can live with that. :)

Is Greg remembering all his friends when they came home from vietnam and assuming soldiers today do the same things?

A year or so back, I walked back into my office area and passed two people who were talking. After I sat down, one came my direction – and it turned out to be a friend of mine. He’d grown a beard since I saw him last, had glasses, and a different hair style. Totally changed his look to where I did not recognize him until he spoke.

So far I have seen numerous comments on how FAT he is, and how of course his hair and beard are because of PTSD, and probably explains his divorce, etc. Lots of instantaneous conclusions, judgements, and comments based on the appearance of a person. It amazes me the rampant prejudice being voiced here. And I am not referring to race BTW.

Looks like Puddles is in mid-pee, in panel #1.

At least she didn’t say “Hi, Ben! When did you become a fat hippie?”

Wow, this is a surprise! If they mentioned Ben recently, I missed it- I think I was just starting to read the strip when he disappeared. What’s HE been up to lately?

Well, Ben returns.

“Hi. Uh…who are you?”

“Jesus.”

How long was it since we last saw him?

HOORAY! Ben is here!! And I can say that he looks much better without the uniform ♡. Luann and Puddles’ astonished reactions are fun to watch. Ben has relaxed a lot since last time and his manners are kinds as always. It’s nice to see that he’s visiting her sister and the host family. He’s a great man♡. I hope we will see his children soon.

Why are people thinking PTSD? Maybe after years of enforced regimentation and buzz cuts, he just wanted to loosen up once he didn’t have to do that anymore.

You know? I was wondering when Luann was going to run into brother Ben. And oh BOTHER. Did I just get My wish. With interest.

Okay. So he put on a few pounds and let his hair grow. Big friggin’ deal. It’s not like he’s going into combat next week. (Although if he does, I’ve reloaded tons of 5.56 ammo. Just say the word) Ben should be thankful he still has hair. Being a single parent with no job, no home of your own, and struggling to raise two kids would cause some of us guys to have our hair fall out.

That said, what does Ben want to see Bernice about? Has he found a job and a new home and is moving out? Meaning that Bernice can move back to her home, thus depriving Frank of his daily pancake breakfast and Nancy of the perfect house guest? Or has he come to apologize for having cause Bern to leave home? And being a combat veteran with a Purple Heart, is Ben benefiting from the G.I. Bill?

Stay STEWED…….., ;)

It’s the long awaited “Dad” version of Ben the war hero! Can PTSD be far away? 8^ \

Is Puddles taking a whiz? Does that ported something in GnK’s world?

When is Knute and his girl coming back?

“Are you sure you’re Ben” is such a rude response from Luann. I wish she would just think things sometimes…shown in those bubble clouds that mean thoughts are happening…oh wait, sorry, my bad.

Let himself go big time!

Times change. And, alas, so do we. Ben has…aged, Luann. It will happen to you, too….

y’all realize this is a comic strip don’t you. I’ll let you on on a secret, THEY"RE NOT REAL PEOPLE!

Let’s review the relationship bidding. In June 2007 Luann tells Bernice that Ben is “intriguing” but “there’s no romance. He’s a friend, that’s all.” (Interestingly, Bern tells Luann that she is “a sister” to her.) In January 2008 Ben returns as a recovered wounded warrior and the romance angle flares up with Luann. In February 2008 Luann plans a Valentine’s Day dinner for Ben but he begs off; reasons unknown. Nancy opines that she thinks Ben is “too old” for Luann but Luann reveals the age difference is less than that between Nancy and Frank!

Then this happens: https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2008/04/19?ct=v&cti=2146240

And now, here we are! Tah dah!

OK team! What are the odds? Ben makes a pass at Luann. Yea or Nay?

This probably wasn’t the writers’ intention but Ben now looks like a cartoonist’s typical depiction of a comic book store owner.

People change. I hope we get to hear Ben’s story. And hope SOMEONE in this strip thanks him for his service! He deserves that.

Ben?

Jerry?

It is shocking when we see someone and they have changed so much. We have a snapshot in our mind’s eye of how they looked the last time we saw them. Which is why everyone ELSE can look so old at a school reunion while WE of course, have hardly changed at all! ; )

Niedermayer has let himself go.

I figured that Ben would turn up. I don’t think he is an aging hippie. Even white people -:) (men) do creative things with their hair, and it makes sense that Ben decided to let his grow since he is not working (as far as we know, he could be doing techie stuff, where the dress or hair code is cool). The little bit of tummy makes him more middle-aged looking, but it has been pointed out that he is no older relative to Luann, that Frank is to Nancy (in Luannverse time). I don’t want to predict, but I think a real romantic connection between them may be in the offing. Personally I am one who hopes Gunther will put a ring on Bets, but there is a contrary view I know.

We JUST see the guy today, and are hearing such ‘theories’ about him!

I say, C’mon !! It’s only Monday! Maybe he’s in a slump for whatever reasons now, but it sure does not mean he’s an immediate ‘lost cause’! .. Let’s hear him out! :)

OK, well, I hope this is another wake-up call for Luann.

As a fat hippie myself, it’s nice to see someone other than Tiffany looking more realistic, weight-wise.

He looks like an overweight version of John Lennon

Surely Luann would recognize Ben’s voice. That would not change in 4 years since she last saw him.

Like Shannons dad Josh, Ben goes old hippie. But appearances are deceiving. Never judge a book by… what?

Josh is a drifter with dreams but no realistic plan. Ben had dreams, had a plan, had self discipline but something happened. My guess is PTSD, also known as shellshock.

Looks to me like he’s been on quarantine!

A few to many laced brownies?

Well, Well, Well (nod to John Lennon, and a song from John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band) So, Ben York returns to the strip, a tad worse-for-wear. I’m not gonna judge. It’s early in the week, and he just might redeem himself. Now, perhaps, a lot of questions about the “Bernice Moves in with the DeGroots” arc can be answered.

The how and the why it all happened, and how Ben feels about it. Fact is, his moving in with his biological parents (not his adoptive/legal parents) had displaced his sister from her home (not his). This caused her a whole lotta grief, and upset her greatly.

Does he know? Does he care? Is the just a “taker”, with his mind on, “Whew! Me and mine have a roof. That’s all that matters.” Or does he feel bad about his role (even if it was involuntary/circumstantial) in this and feels genuinely concerned for Bernice’s well-being (hence coming by to check on her and reassure her)?

I’m definitely staying tuned.

Clothes make the man. You are what you wear….

I must be missing something here…

Late in the day. I didn’t occur to me, but now I see it:

Looks like we’re in for a brand new round of fat shaming.

Duuuude I KNEW Ben was gonna come back

For the newcomers and as Info, the beginning of the Ben York saga:

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2007/01/22

Many of my brethren who either retired or got out, grew their hair out and almost all of them stopped shaving! Plus, if you knew how much those in the military eat (lots of physical training – PT – daily, burning those calories), when we get out, the PT kind of stops but the appetite often doesn’t. lol

“I’m here with my wife, the Japanese conceptual artist…”

Wow! What a difference 13 years makes! (>4 in Luanntime) His should be an interesting story. Is he still at Bernice’s house? Funny Bernice didn’t mention his appearance. Maybe it wasn’t important or didn’t she see him and the kids? Kind of weird.?

Sooo after looking up the history of Ben, thanks to Mordock999’s post, I can say, thank you Sgt. York and all the real Sgts who serve this county. Please vote -id-n! Heh heh ;)

So yes, Ben is looking a lot more relaxed, a lot more grey, and maybe a wee shorter. His kindness is still very much still present.

Can’t help wondering why he did not go to stay with his adoptive parents? Well, I’m glad he’s here to make things more interesting.

Also, he still wears round glasses, where as Bernices used to be a different shape. Perhaps she was influenced.

Oh joy, another “hot person has turned fat” storyline.

She thought this guy was Jesus. Oh well – at least we’ve escaped the “snoring” arc.

No one ever accused Luann of being a fast thinker.

Can someone give me some backstory on Ben.

When was the last time we saw Ben in this comic?

He would fit right in with the band America. Otherwise, if he’s living and breathing, Luann will be interested.

Well, the Glasses are the same.

He looks like that creepy Keith Raniere guy from the Nxivm cult!

Peculiar form of amnesia in which you don’t forget who you are…you remember being someone you’re not.

Is Puddles caught mid-leak with his leg up?