Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for March 21, 2023

And there’s the real Bernice right on cue

well, ain’t this fun already

Somebody Peeked!

Well dang, my comment from yesterday got deleted again. I suppose in spite of the wordplay, it was a tad inappropriate . . . but then again, the direction this arc is suddenly heading into sure is stirring up a lot of titilation.

Here mind’s eye is better than her actual eyes.

It took Bernice awhile to crack a smile for Nil.

Is is possible Nil is trying to get Bernice all wound up so she’ll return to their little make out sessions?

So she opened her eyes, and there was… an object.

And there’s the “Oh my….”

Is Nils playing matchmaker?

Either Nil is far kinker than I realized or he never had any romantic feelings for Bernice…

lvlax, there is the answer to your question yesterday. Bernice opened up her eyes. Then she smiled.

I’d like a poster of the third panel!

The whole comment about Bern not being able to see much without her glasses just went under Jack’s radar there didn’t it? Also, could Nil look any more unsettling if he tried in that last panel? With that great big eyeball and upturned openmouthed smirk of his.

Also I think it’s funny how people thought Jack would be in some goofy-print undies and were acting like the commenters pointing out the boundary crossing being lewd and unethical were going to eat crow… when, it turns out Jack IS naked and this scenario is as inappropriate and creepy as it sounds. Let’s be real two dudes springing unexpected full frontal nudity on a female classmate would go horrifyingly wrong IRL. And then with yesterday Nil telling her to look right at his friend’s junk? Nope, nope, I’m getting a MeToo vibe here. If I could easily see it being akin to Harvey Weinstein’s playbook and it’s going too far.

Okay look.. do I buy Nil would do this? Suprisngly yes, he’s shown to be moody, obessed with his art and thus him not taking how his girlfriend feels about being part of his art or suddenly saying “oh hey let’s put you next to my naked best friend”. He dosen’t know she had a crush on him in the past, but he also dosen’t know if she’s comfortable with that because he didn’t ask. My issue is more it’s.. lazy. it makes it easy for Bern to dump him because he’s being a jerk instead of putting her in the hard positoin of liking 2 (possibly three) guys at once, and picking one. It gives her an easy out to go see PIro without having to actually talk with her boyfriend or consider him in any way because he was a jerk and didn’t consider HER in any way. I may not like Bernice at all, but if your going to put her int he middle of a love diamond actually do something with it, unless this brings jack back into the game. And even then I didn’t ask for a love triangle between someone whose only into piro physically, an annoying monster, and a guy who honestly needs NONE of this.

I’m not really a fan of B, but, at this point, I hope she is shown just leaving. Nil didn’t warn her or ask if she was ok with this, yeah, not the right way to go…

For some reason I started hearing Peggy Lee sing ‘Is that all there is’.

Nil really looks like he is really taking in the moment. Is this just the enlightenment and satisfaction as he sees exactly what he has imagined? Dude definitely looks like he is getting turned on by seeing Bern’s smile along with everything else he is going to paint.

Ha! Bernice smiled.

Where is Luann and Piro?

The last panel is Nil’s finest moment.

That expression on Nil’s face in the last panel is superb

Makes one wonder who Mono Lisa was looking at when she got her grin. Did Leonardo paint in the nude? ;-)

Is it just me or is it weird that Nil seems to be liking getting his old secret lover excited by looking at another man naked?

Ars Gratia Artis! Bernice retains a sense of propriety.

I think that’s the closest thing to a smile that I’ve ever seen on Nil’s face..

What a manipulator.

Awesome! We don’t see Monna Bernice’s smile, but we know it’s happening because Nil says it. On him we see the satisfied smile of the artist who has found what he was looking for and is inspired to the max. The studio is now full of positive energy and maybe Bernice will start to be more relaxed in general and love posing for her artist, this could become a turning point in her life. Jack is awesome, he was able to say the right phrase to her. Without his professionalism, Bernice would never have been allowed herself to relax and smile. This is how masterpieces are made.

Why does Mona Lisa smile? More like why is a naked man standing next to a fully clothed Mona Lisa?

Bernice is really turned on by this.

Nil has a little voyeuer in him…

Objectification of people for you own gain is morally wrong. This is sexual harrasament and Bernice should be drawn leaving and ending her relationship with NIL, the Nihilist pervert.

I understand that sly little smile. Nil now has the pose he wanted.

I’m appalled by the comments! I’m 75, have worked as an artist off and on. I’ve posed nude and have painted nude models. Jack’s right, it’s not about sex, although in this case Nil’s premise certainly implies Mona’s appreciation of David. If I were painting this I’d take photos of my models and paint from those, just to avoid the models chit chatting.

I wonder if jack will appear in the picture at all or if the whole bit was just to get the right look from Bern?

The problem with Bern is not sexual harassment, and I’m not going to do a legal argument why it’s not, but her own repressed sexuality is the problem. I think the rest is hilarity ensues. Both of these men are friend zone, and I think she feels she can trust them, but again that is not the point. What it is, in terms of story, awaits interpretation.

Nil – you could paint faster if you used both of your eyes – move your hair!

LMAO! Spheres….. Cylinder… CYLINDERS… Voids… Length…. smirk!

Nil is an artist provocateur

Bernice apparently DOES open her eyes, and, “kinda” likes what she sees.

If Bernice would “work up” her courage, and, agree, she’d have to home first, and, shave her legs, at least.

Is nil doing 2 painting at the same time?

Jest like Bernice, none of y’all are forced to be here and can leave any time. If you don’t like it, see yourself out, and don’t let the door hitchya…..

Posing and objects and painting, OH MY!

OK folks, let’s take a step back. These are cartoon characters. No young woman named Bernice has been harassed; at least not here. No young man named Jack has been objectified; at least not here. We make jokes and create humorous situations in out own minds but we can also assume that these cartoons can pick themselves up and walk out of the strip tomorrow.

WWMMD – What would Mickey Mouse do? 8^ )

Nil has solved one of the great mysteries of mankind – the Smile. He will go down in history

I can only hope that Bernice smiled because Jack is wearing a swimsuit.

Oh beHAVE, Bern…

Mona Bernice Lisa with fogged up trifocals would certainly be a new look!

To be fair when I saw a man in all his glory for the 1st time it brought a smile to my face despite being very shy. I get it Bernice.

Get a grip, Bernice.

Eyes right…….there’s the smile!

I still think this whole thing is a little creepy.

For those who thought he may be wearing something beneath the robe… no such luck.

Every now and then I come to see what all the commenting is about, just to be reminded what a cesspool it is. Just read and enjoy the comic, will ya….

So Jack is there to get Bernice to smile.

Inspiration.

Sorry but this storyline won’t get this comic cancelled.

Jack’s small.

Ew. This is going on for the entire week, apparently.

It’s disappointing that there are so many rude and hateful comments aimed at those who are expressing their opinion about today’s strip. These comments are meant to make them feel insignificant. Mentally strong people know their values and they make it a priority to live according to them — even when faced with disrespect.

I hope Greg and Karen have that mental strength. Even though it’s often noted that Bernice is based on Karen, the amount of nastiness aimed at her daily over the year, even when she’s not in the day’s strip, would be disheartening to the creators. It’s gotten to be a “thing”. Sometimes a comic is just a comic..

How long before Jack has to reject a come-on from NIL?

Funny, you all are already talking about censorship, under this current regime, and you thing DeSantis will make it worse? Sorry folks, authoritarian government is already here!

Nil: “Bernice, stop grinning like Cheshire Cat!”

That was perfect in every way, I had a real good chuckle out of it!

I appreciate how Greg really has fleshed out (no pun intended with what’s currently going on) Jack and Nil’s characters since they were introduced. I thought they were going to be throwaway background characters, but Nil actually made me smile in today’s strip.

As to Jack"s comment in panel two: Many artists and models feel that way, but it’s not completely true. About ten years ago, I took some refresher life classes. The whole class agreed that two of the models almost seemed to prevent a good drawing from anyone. A couple of others seemed to guarantee good drawings. No one could figure out why.

Invite Tara over.She can be “Diana The HUntress”

Bernice could be smiling because she finally realized what a muse is and does….inspires the artist to create art. Thanks, Jack!

And when this is complete,we shall move on to Botero….

Where is Nil’s other hand?

“Taking a peek,” is no big deal.

Now, if Bern stares transfixed?

Well……….., ;-)

I can just imagine the censors, getting together for today’s strip, drinking beer and popping off comments one at a time.

Caught you peeking Bernice.

Bernice will change her college degree to human studies?

If this is the first time Bern has seen a man naked, would her first reaction be to smile? Maybe? But this is all too creepy and has the feel of a p*@n scene.

The paint “scribbles” on the palette. Really? That’s the best rendering of paint blobs we can get? Lazy.

Objects of art are larger than they appear to be.

Does anybody know what’s become of Brdshtt? His profile shows that his last comment was 6 days ago, on the 15th. It said “It’s been real.” I don’t know if he’s decided not to post anymore. If he were banned, his comments would still show up in his profile. (At least that used to be the case on GoComics; of course it might have changed). Just wondering and hoping all is well.

Nil has been more devious and successful in eliciting his desired effect than some among us might have expected….