Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 28, 2023

Irma wants Gunther and Bets to live in a camper van?? Will they park it down by the river?? LOL

I don’t see them being happy living in a van. It’s nice to watch Irma treating Bets kindly and smelling the flowers.

.

How is Irma expecting them to pay for the van??

Do this.. or else

Road trip coming?

Who wears the pants in that family? It’s a good thing Momther doesn’t, cuz she’d look too much more like…

Very smooth Irma and also unexpected.

Irma shouldn’t have done that.

I told you guys a couple of days ago that she was going to be cool with it. I called it.

“Live in a van down by the river”.

Al hates Bets and Irma merely enabled his bigotry during the dinner? Or have the writers forgotten their own back story. I tend to believe the latter. Now Irma wants them to live together in a camper van, in a camping van camp site, With toilets and Showers in a out building. Even fancy camper vans need a sewerage hook up, electric hook up and maybe even a water hook up. This must be Irma’s passive*aggressive way of breaking them up.

Irma is totally out of character as established at the dinner where Bets decided to stay in the Gulag without permission. At that dinner Irma was rude, dismissive and talked over Bets as if Bets wasn’t there. Why was there a change? Does this strip have a coherent storyline anymore. Nothing makes sense.

Well, this puts a whole new spin on it! Bets and Gun are moving into a camper? To go on a summer road trip or set up permanent housekeeping? If permanent, who will take her place in the quad dorm? And what about Les? Will he be content to remain in the Gulag with only Punk as a companion? How will he cope with no one to harass or complain about?

Fasten your seat belts. There is a lot of week remaining for this conversation. Any more revelations???

Manse looking better than rocking a camper van.

If my camper is rockin’, don’t come knockin’! As they say. 8^ )

Camper van? Maybe a road trip?

Very sweet and unexpected. I guess Irma does care about her son and his happiness too.

It seems to me that Irma ought to be having this conversation with Gunther, rather than with Bets.

It also might help if the strip tried to explain why Al is fine with Tiffany “staying there,” but not with Bets “living there.”

I thought Al and Irma were married. Now it’s his guesthouse? And she doesn’t get a say in how it’s used? Not much of a marriage.

Irma has an idea…

I"m VERY suprised irma is actually being cool about this. Also Irma… he’s your husband. You could talk to him like an adult espeically since this is your son.. but frankly this is the most intresting luann has been in a few weeks, so i’m willing to sacrifice realisim for the fun of this technicality.

Didn’t expect that, glad Irma is such a good egg. That was sweet. See what Betts thinks about it in tomorrow’s episode (⁠◔⁠‿⁠◔⁠).

I think Irma might be working a angle I just don’t what it is.

If Wuss and Nosy are “mature” enough to have a relationship, they should do it without help from Mommie. And Mommie should realize if she “helps them along”, she will have to take full responsibility for all bad thing that happen between them. Is that entire family really that stupid? Do any of them have common sense?

Oh. Wow.

Next on Luann? Van Life with Bets and Gunny.

Gee, Irma, you are A-OK. Believe me, being like Pat Boone just doesn’t work anymore. I remember when he said that if he found out one of his daughters lost her innocence before marriage that he would forbid her to see the boy again.

I didn’t realize Gunther’s parentals are the Ropers.

Though refresh my memory: Are Irma and Mr. Gray married ATM? Because if not… Mr. Gray’s opposition to Gunth and Bets’ living arrangements come across as capital-H-Hypocritical.

God forbid Bets should have her own idea how to handle this.

Just possibly, maybe Mama Irma’s subtextual intent to Bets is that she just nicely ‘move along.’

So Al and Irma do not have joint ownership in the marital home? Why did she go along with that??? What will she do if Al kicks the bucket before she does?

Really, Irma. Camper Van? So transient and unsafe. I am surprised at you. AND just how long did you KNOW Bets was living there? How LONG did you keep that from your hubby??

Irma will actually allow Gunther to live with Bets?? Maybe she’s more open-minded away from her husband.

She wants BETS to live in the van but Gunth to continue to live near mommy in the guest house along with Les.

Bets and Gunther have the summer off, take a trip to California?

Bets can stay with Tiffany or live in the Dorm or rent a beach house in Hawaii?

Irma is not poor, she sold her house and moved to Al Gray’s house.

If Gunther and Bets had the money for a camper van I think they would have had enough money to rent an apartment as well.

Somethin’s weird with the coloration of Bet’s face in the last picture. It’s darker except one space between th notches in her bangs. The second notch frm our left

If anyone from this strip seems like the camper van type, it’d be Tara. (Or Knute, but I’m not sure he’s even in this strip any more.)

Just seemed to be floating in the air.

Irma is trying to help them be together but keep Gunther close as well but stay within Mr. Gray’s rules. PLUS, if Bets puts on her creative thinking cap, a camper van is a great way to go on adventureswith Gunth to Comic/Cos Play events. Content jackpot for her feed and they can get out of that apartment AND she can still visit AND if it’s a nice camper van, it’ll be so much better than a dorm.

Wait.

Irma “loves” Bets now?

She didn’t seem to “love” Bets so much last fall at dinner.

ENOUGH.

Bets? Since you’re on your way out, you might as well have taken the golden opportunity in panel two and given Irma a well deserved, good swift kick in the Aster.

PS: And please tell Me again why Gunther wasn’t included on this “conversation?” Could it be that Irma wants it to appear thar Bets’ moving out is all “Bets’ idea?

‘My son loves you, Bets, and so, I do, too’

Interesting wording. Comes off as she loves Bets mainly because Gunter does.

Could have been, ‘My son loves you and so do I’

Will it play Camper Van Beethoven ?

I quite like our Irma. She has a good and honest heart :-)

Here’s a hint, Bets: you and Gunther should just take off for a while, without telling Mommy where you’re going. No phone calls, no postcards, no contact of any type. Maybe go to the Mansion, maybe hide out in the dorms, maybe find a cheap motel off the highway. Inside a week Mommy will be so desperate to get the apron strings tied back on her boy, she’ll agree to just about anything — and maybe during that time, we’ll get a better idea of just how connected Al is.

Irma is putting the onus all on Bets to get her out of Al and Irma’s sights. Bets will no doubt present this option to Gunther, who will then face the choice of remaining in the Gulag without Bets or somewhere else with her.

I think I shall unfollow this strip after years of following it. It has degenerated too far into bad sexual morals. It might not be as bad if it weren’t a comic strip that would attract the attention of young readers.

C’mon, it’s too early to get that serious anyways. Dating is way more fun for them. Just promise not to sneak again and keep on dating. :) Especially since she’s on Irma’s good side now. Time for just a nice family like hug and make nice.

A camper van could be a solution. Maybe Gunther and Bets could afford it thanks to how much they’ve earned as influencers. They could even decorate it in a way that will make them instantly recognizable at conventions and do big travels easily. But it certainly would also have some unpleasant aspects, such as parking, the price of maintenance and a general unsafety. To be honest, I still hope Al will have a talk with Gunther and suggests an even better solution than this.

I WILL say this: I was not expecting Gunther’s mom to pull a move where she helps Bets get her own place. I take back everything I said about her being a helicopter mom. Dunno how this will work out, but at least she’s trying to compromise!

“Oh! Look at my lovely asters!” Sorry Irma. Apparently, they are AL’S asters. And you are living in AL’S house. Parents, teach your children (girls especially) to never allow themselves to be dependent, financially or emotionally, on anyone other than themselves.

So she is kicking Bets out and telling her to go live in a camper van for the summer. With no bathroom, shower or toilet. Nice,

I’m happy to see Irma’s dress has pockets, and that she isn’t opposed to Gunther and Bets living together on general principle – I initially thought she was opposed to them living together if they weren’t married.

Ah hah!! All the Bets haters must be terribly disappointed and surprised but I’m not, at all. I know I and others raised a valid, but uncomfortable issue, on which was a bit of a brave decision, even in this so-called enlightened age, having a main character in an interracial relationship. I was loath to predict, considering the unpredictability of this strip, but I became convinced rhat GnK would come up wirh a solurion that was practical, based on love, and is consistent in covering any remaining issues, hilariously. Bravo, Greg and Karen. It will be wacky going forward but that’s the point.

Irma has been watching YouTube and seeing how popular vanlife videos are.

She needs to butt out.

“Look at my lovely asters!”!!!!! I’d rather not, Irma! What? Oh. Never mind!

This has taken a rather bizarre turn. I would’ve never thought of this option being given.

not sure if shes helping, or just wants to get Gunther out of the guest house.

so it sounds like irma is not the problem but al

Hmm. A cross country summer camper van road trip for 2 would make good content….

“I love you, Bets, but you’re trailer trash..” Heart warming.

Actually, Gunther should grow the h€££ up and provide his own lodging.

That there is an RV Clark!

Ahhhhhh – Responsibility !

You’re offering Bets and Gunther their very own RV to live in?

Well now isn’t that special?

Irma’s response is nicer than I expected.

If the van is a-rockin’ don’t come a-knockin’

Welcome to the family Betts

Don’t hurt yourself bending over Mom! You don’t want to take any *.

A real pain in the aster…

Interesting. I had wondered where this was going to go.

Living in Van Down By The River next to Matt Foley!!! LOL!!

The plot thickens.

Bless her heart and BLESS HER HEART!

Betts and Gunther misjudged Irma. Are the misjudging Al?

While I don’t think that Erma is too thrilled about teenage cohabitation, I don’t think she has a problem with Bets. I’ve always believed the issue was Al and that Erma was supporting her husband. I don’t know what Al’s issues with Bet are, but – at least to me – I think he’s just as shady as his sister and his nephew (even though Les has softened somewhat).

Uh…..van living is actually a much worse idea, Irma. I’m pretty disappointed in you.

Here we have two fully able, fully employable people who think they’re entitled to live together in somebody else’s house. They want to be sexually adult and financially infantile. That’s not good.

Cute.

Crazy, unbelievable, far reaching. Irma is, and always will be controlling and inappropriate.

Another solution is for Bets and Gunther to get married. Can Al kick them out then?

Buying a camper van is a terrible idea, Irma. College starts again in 6 weeks and Bets can move back into the dorm. Whoever was paying for Bets housing can continue to pay for it. Why in the world would Bets want the expense and responsibility of a camper van for a short term housing issue? Does Irma expect Gunthie to move in with Bets? He would not do that when he has free housing at the guest house. This makes no sense at all.

so Al is the opinionated one on these matters and Irma is being sent to do the messaging You can see in the middle panel she’s almost distracting herself from saying what she would really rather not. Unless Bets is too opposed to being w/ Tiff, taking a room for free in the Manse is most economical and immediate (if the offer is still there). The place is big enough so that if she doesn’t want to interact she doesn’t have to. I think Bets needs a day job, something that takes her out of the house.

Irma is brilliant!! A road trip in a camper van solves everything! Gunther and Bets would spend time really getting to know each other, the live streaming would have great scenery (and maybe some adventures), and Les and Punk could finally have some peace and quiet! I am confused about their school schedule though, how long is a summer break? If she’s been there for over three months isn’t it time for Bets to go back to the dorm?

When was the last time they had a camping trip in the comic? Was it the one with Dez, Bernice, Luann, and the squirrel?

So, weeks of “on-the-road” hijinks for those two?

OR

another “Peru” ending???? =:-O

:-/

OK. I was not expecting that from Irma. Good on her for accepting the fact that her son is an adult and needs to have adult relationships. The camper van, though? Would have expected her to at least give Bets an apartment listing.

What does make sense is Irma taking the sneaking around, pass the binoculars fun out of the co-hab. Then life becomes the day to day it’s your turn to take out the trash, you didn’t pick up your wet towel living instead of the adrenalin rush. What’s the fun in vlogging about that?

I don’t see how this solves anything! And why the sudden change of heart and now she’s blaming EVERYTHING on AL?!!!!

Irma is putting all the blame on Al for the rules. Surely Irma could change his mind if she wanted to. But she does not want to share Gunther with another woman.

Is there an issue with Bets staying at the guesthouse?

That talk didn’t go quite as expected.

Oh man……….

Irma can suggest anything she wants, but Bets is free to say no to the camper idea. Bets is being kicked out of the guest house, but she can go live where ever is best for her. Irma cannot control where Bets goes, only that she goes.

I’m not meaning to get dark here, but is Irma into True Crime? (Or rather are the Evanses?) I feel like having Bets whole schtick be that she’s a social media influencer who has to vlog EVERYTHING… I’m gettin’ flashbacks to Gabby Petito’s murder case… Not that I think Irma thinks Gunnie get sick of Bets while having to be her insta-boyfriend, snap, and turn murderer… It’s just Irma just did a 180 with a weird insistence emphasizing how much she “loves” Bets all of a sudden.

What happened to Mr. Berger, Irma? Is he under those lovely asters you’re drawing so much attention to?! Is this dark foreshadowing?

Does anybody know the dates of that infamous Dinner?

OMG! She wants her to be Trailer Trash.

Update: Hello, again, Count Fans and Ann❤️Eiffel ❤️ers. The Taylor❤️Swift merchandises semis are in town and open for business. The Count and Lovely Countess got matching polo shirts that say “Taylor❤️Swift”. Eat your ❤️s out.

The camper van suggestion comes from a mom who wants her son nearby but to also respect the home owners boundaries. Al doesn’t have the same affinity for Gunther and Bets as Irma does. As difficult as it is to let go, I think she’s clever and brave.

Translation: “What you do in your own personal, private dwelling is your business not mine.”

THAT is a good mother-in-law! <3

I knew Irma would come through with an idea. ;-)) Some commentators are getting too technical, such as where to park, how to afford, etc. Park it next to the gulag, they don’t worry about truffles like zoning codes or how Al would react. Bets has beaucoup bucks for vlogs. Al may relent and put an addition on the gulag. Ha!

If this van’s a rockin’, don’t bother knockin

Ok – they can’t afford a new motorhome with all the bells and whistles. A camper van would only have a bed, storage areas and maybe a little hot plate, so if all they are going to do is park it in the driveway to avoid the “sleeping together” issue, are they still going to shower, cook meals and use the toilet in Al’s guest house? Kind of defeats the whole purpose, imo.

First: Bets was on the way out for some privacy. Maybe more?….Second: If she isn’t breaking up, living in a van could be a great way to beef up her influencer biz.

Unasked/Unanswered question: If Gunther moves out ( even if just for some Summer months), then WHAT ABOUT LES? All alone in The Gulag? Who’ll do the cooking and cleaning?

And what about overnight “guests” then???? =:-O

Nothing will make the commenters happy on this thread ever.

Take the camper and run!!!

Gunther’s mom continues to surprise me.

I think she wants Bets (only) to buy the van so she isn’t sleeping in Gunther’s room with him. Not sure how Al would feel about a camper van parked on his property. Also I find it odd that she’s claiming she loves Bets too, since before this she literally ignored Bets whenever she spoke.

The camper might be roomier than the guesthouse,which to me looks to be the size of a Rubik’s Cube.

And Irma will t hrow in a DVD of Lucy&Desi in THE LONG,LONG TRAILER

Nothing fosters love and togetherness like living in a camper van.

Maybe they can visit Rosa in South America?

Guess its better’n giving em a boat or a motorcycle

Gee, what happened to the super criticism she hit Betts with last time?

Take the Van Camper to Peru?

So is Irma going to foot the bill for this camper van?

Boring.

I have to admit that I’m amazed that all the comments here are going off on a tangent about the affordability of a camper van and where to park it, and ignoring the real issue: Gunther’s mom is essentially kicking her son and GF to the curb. Irma and Al have both exposed themselves as controlling, arrogant bigots who are in real danger of losing their son forever. If this were a Dear Abby letter, she would advise them that they are both adults, and to get out of that abusive parental situation for good – and don’t look back. Parent’s loss, son’s gain.

Sweetly sneaky. Sometimes, maybe even frequently, mom knows best.

Several commenters are suggesting that Gun&Bets should shack up at the McManse with Tiffany… and now Kip.

That’s an interesting avenue to explore. Remember, Al and Irma LOVE Tiff ever since Gunther brought her to dinner! She totally charmed them: https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/06/06 and https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/06/08.

Also, Tiff is aware of that positive relationship from Al&Irma’s behavior throughout the whole of her sprained wrist stay at the Gulag. A stay with no hanky-panky, BTW in accord with “the rules!”

Tiff is essentially an motherless orphan. A poor little rich girl with an absentee father. People have come out of nowhere to make her life miserable again and again, epitomized be evil Ann Eiffel. Tiff also has serious problems with male companionship, i.e., finding a boyfriend. Her theme song may well be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ew_bfFvros

Question would be: Will Tiff jeopardize that special relationship with the only folks that show her familial love??? The Bergers are to Tiffany much as the DeGroots are to Bernice. If she does allow Gun&Bets to cohabit in her home will it turn into just another painful episode in her sad, unfulfilled life? What say you Karen?

I’m thinking Bets is being gently guided to go solo in buying the camper van. Gunther isn’t being encouraged to “Shack up” with Bets (Or any other dedicated shack-up.

It must be just Bets who Irma wants to live in a camper. Ginnie can come visit.

My guess is that Irma has tried speaking on Bets’ behalf to her husband but Al is intransigent. So, she came up with this solution that allows Bets & Gunther to see each other without violating Al’s rules.

What if Al at some point interacted with Tiffany’s father? Maybe Al helped Tom break free of Anne? Maybe he heard from Tom about the influencer mess (or whatever Tom saw online)? Perhaps Al and Irma felt Betts helped cause Tiffany’s home to be broken into?

Betts does well in school and shows signs of logical thinking that Tiffany seems to lack. Betts has skills that make her likely to succeed. Tiffany less so. (As a side note: most impressive characters – Delta, Rosa, Dez, Betts). Unfair or not, they may expect more from Betts than Tiffany because Betts shows more capabilities.

Al and Irma might be privy to the videos whining about needing to sneak, as well as other videos Betts has posted.

Van Life was once a fad. Some people probably stayed with it and liked it, while others found new motivation to participate in more typical lifestyles.

Irma isn’t suggesting Betts and Gunther break up, or that Betts live in a van alone. It is an odd thing to suggest to anyone, but maybe less odd to someone who wants their whole life to be on public display, and who will broadcast other people’s homes without their permission. If Gunther is making progress towards anything beyond hanging out with Betts and making her costumes, it hasn’t been on display. Maybe Irma figures Gunther has a better shot at success as Bett’s side-kick on a social media platform broadcasting their every thought and move, than living next to Irma? Maybe Irma is once again cutting apron strings, and giving Gunther’s love interest her blessing to inspire him to leave Irma and follow the woman he wants to build an independent life with?

Respect for Irma! She is handling this situation much better than I expected. And the coy offer of the “camper van” is nicely done (after all, ya gotta stop and smell the asters, right?).

I don’t know that Bets will think much of the offer or take it up, but at least Irma is trying to provide alternative housing for the lovebirds….

Oh my! Heh heh heh.

It bothers me that her face is a different color.