Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for September 28, 2018

Today is September 28th. It is Luann’s birthday, and no mention of it. Greg and Karen visited her on her birthday in 2014, here is the strip:

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https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2014/09/28

I think the key word, Leslie, is complicated.

I think the key phrase is : being taken advantage of

Well, Time to brew a fresh pot of COFFEE and get ready for the Deluge “Whinny, Sullen, Gunther” attacks.

I honestly don’t know what’s MORE disappointing here.

1) The fact Tiffany may not know that both guys live in the SAME Gulag.

2) Or she DOES know but absolutely doesn’t care about what the lads may think.

Yep, Tiff. Have dinner with Gunther then have him leave so you can have “desert” with Le$. And Since Le$ can’t cook, Gunther will probably forced by his Creators to ask Le$ tomorrow what he plans on serving for desert, only to have him respond with a snarky punchline.

One thing for sure. If Le$ plans on “serving” Tiff what I think he plans on “serving” Tiff then He shouldn’t bother to get dressed.

Oh Well. Luann1212? Looks like Gunther is going to LOSE here, big time. 50-50 chance of Rosa returning as a “consolation prize.”

And then He’ll “Lose” again…….., ;)

How much you want to bet that Gunther ends up making that dessert?

With Les, it is more – Here where’s the antacids, when’s the enema?

I predict a ‘meal for three’ for both mains and dessert – I deliberately didn’t use the French translations because I don’t believe that there’s going to be anything happening… but I believe neither will let the other one eat alone with Tiffany. On another note – and thinking back to some of the comments over the last few days. Who’s the person most likely NOT to be a virgin? Tiffany – She’s a tease, not a sleaze… her words from memory. And she’s been consistent. (Unless it was with Gunther, but I think they both backed off in surprise and confusion)Luann – Came close a few times, but from the context – it didn’t happen.. If Luann had gone to NY, then that’s probably when it would.Les – We’ve had no indication that Les has even had a girlfriend? He had a crush on Pru, and previously hassled both Tiffany and Rosa. Gunther- probably gets the prize – spent months in Peru with Rosa – as a couple. Although off-screen, there was certainly no overt denying of it. IMO, Gunther’s the least likely to be a virgin.

Tiff this want end well.

As the Prez might say, “Let’s wait and see.”

The key word here is Gunther’s “Why?” Les may assume too much.

Tiffany will be so busy talking about her daddy situation that she probably won’t notice the guys fighting over her…

Someone needs to tell Gunther that his anger is not attractive.

Because she is Tiffany

Les is one skinny, greasy dude. Not exactly a looker.

Clearly Les wants to have sex with Tiff

Maybe Tiffany simply didn’t want to say no to either one. Tiff is not too gifted on the radar.

Les seems to think tonight is the night. Somehow I don’t think he’s in line for so much good luck.

So Friday night we have all ordered popcorn…

More like the keyword is, Operation: Overthrow Ann Eiffel Once and For All

The main course seems to be trouble and confusion.

I looked at an earlier comment and deleted it. I am up at a ridiculous time because I took night nyquil (Walgreen version) with a nap, and of course I sleep for 4 hours instead on one. My comment reflected that dummy stuff. I looked at the panels again, and however, and whatever Tiffany was thinking, and if she knew they both were in the same place, the reactions of the young dudes is telling. Gunther being more intelligent and cerebral is trying to figure out why she would do that, while Les is focused on her doing it because she had more romantic or even prurient thoughts about him. This is a comic done by mind map in a way. The central idea are three damaged kids, where two of the damaged kids are focused on the female kid, and while she may like both of them, she might not be focused on them for the reasons they are focused on her. It can go any number of ways, non-linear. I still pine for Rosa, and as for Les? I am kind of conflicted with him. Think mind map though, not linear. I like this comment better.

Annnnd, the drama begins… Finally! Can’t wait to see Tiffany explanation.

This comic has hit a new low: Les actually making the joke that he is dessert!

You guys have been making that joke for a couple days now. And that’s okay. That’s what we, as commentators, do.

I hope there’s no reason to think this comic is moving from PG to PG-13…

Well, aren’t we full of ourselves…

Well, one scenario runs through my brain at this point… and it ain’t a good one… for either. That is, that Tiff deliberately scheduled the evening for both Gunther and Les and will be there to tell both of them that she’s found someone else… thereby dumping both. Honestly, I don’t care how it affects Les, but I do care how it may affect Gunther…. They deserve each other, even if they don’t realize it just yet. But we’ll see. I foresee this strip going into next week.

Courage, Gunth!

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!

I like Les in the 3rd panel, so hopeful. Even though Tiff is going to the same address for both, I doubt she has made the connection that they live together. Tiff is not a deep thinker.

There is an appetite killer if ever I’ve seen one.

Les, you fool! There is one thing you and your mother have in common: you both get a thought in your head, then run away with it. I know Pru told you to make a move, but do you really think Tiffany wants to get with someone who isn’t already showering her with attention, or isn’t already doing something that causes her to want to chase you? You take a big gamble in presuming that she has ever been “goo-goo” over you. And ya gots no cake!

“On A Desserted Island”

“Creme Fooleé”

“Puddin’, On An Act”

“Sweet Nothings "

“What’s The Value Of Pie?”

“You’ll Catch More Fly Honeys, Without Vinegar!”

“Jim Dandy, Please Report To The Disater!” (♪)

“Someone’s Cake Is Out In The Rain” (♪)

“Am I Half-Baked? Maybe I’ll Ask Her!”

“Fostering A Bananas Perspective”

or

“The Forecast For Sundae: A Rocky Road, Full Of Nuts”

Maybe Tiff has decided that she needs to make it clear to both of them that this isn’t a romance, and wants to talk to each of them alone.

Not likely, maybe, but it seems to answer the questions.

Tiffany friendzones both. Problem solved.

Prediction: Panel 3 is a prequel to how these two will be depicted far into the Luannverse future. A defeated Gunther Berger (in his own mind and/or in reality) and a victorious (in his own mind and/or in reality) Leslie Knox. As I’ve mentioned before, Greg seems hell bent to keep his character’s personalities locked and unchanging (in a primal or fundamental sense). They may swerve a bit and appear to “grow/blossom” here and there but, eventually, they revert to norm.

Gunther will always be the angst-filled loser. Les will always be his bullying antagonist. Tiffany will always be reduced to the role of Poison Ivy between the two:

She’s pretty as a daisy

But look out man she’s crazy

She’ll really do you in

If you let her get under your skin

Sorry Mordy.

Boohoohoo

Since April of 2018 the vast majority of these strips have been about Gunther and Les, one of the least favorite Luann characters. Who knows why? Les was an unpopular character in High School. He has been stealing from Luann’s parents business. Luann is reduced to a side line character. All of the interesting characters like Knute and Crystal are history.

Whoever it was that mentioned popcorn, leave some for me!

6

A few interesting and good developments today:

1. I am quite pleased that Gunther has dropped the “petulant, temper-tantrum” look for today. It suggests to me that he will not be overly extreme in his reactions. Today, he looks a bit aggravated and a bit frustrated…. but, to me… that is a logical, legitimate, and real response by his character.

2. The humor in the punchline where Les has enough hubris to presume he is worthy of being considered a date of “dessert” quality for Tiffany…. was quite good. I laughed out loud at his character’s easy adoption of that idea.

Now, obviously, Les has an inflated self-ego, and I would sincerely hope that “Les as dessert” in the way he envisions is NOWHERE in Tiffany’s thought process. She deserves better. Is Gunther the “better” of which I speak? Well…I would say he is better than Les… but with his significant level of current emotional baggage…. I still think he is not a great choice for Tiffany. I think there needs to be a new character added… that can slowly become Tiffany’s romantic interest. But, that is unlikely to occur.

Gunther’s statement the “Why?” of Tiffany booking dinner with him and dessert with Les…. suggests strongly to me that Tiffany may have (hopefully HAS) decided that both Les and Gunther are best in her life as good friends, and not potential romantic interests. If this friendship notion is what Tiffany is thinking… then the timing issues fall into a logically understandable (in a Tiffany-esque sense) sort of pattern.

Usually you save the sweet things for last, not first. Gunther gets two hours. Leslie????

(All depending, two hours might be aplenty.)

A friend on that “Other” forum just made a GOOD point. if Pru hadn’t stuck her cute little nose in, meddled in this situation and encouraged Le$ to invite Tiffany to the Gulag, then it would have been just Gunther and Tiffany having dinner tonight. Pru is a friend to Le$ and wants to help him.

But Consider this:

Uncle Al told Le$ how to take down Ann.

Pru encouraged Le$ to invite Tiffany.

But “Who” does Gunther turn to for help?

1) Irma? She’s off in her own Deluded World.

2) Knute? The Guy is a MORON and ‘Monument’ of BAD ideas.

3) Luann? They hardly talk any more and Luann places Gunther three steps BELOW Puddles in the “friend” department.

4) Al? He yet to utter a single word to Gunther.

5) Bernice? Heck, she NEEDS some good advice herself.

Gunther’s got NOBODY to turn to for help.

Except maybe a certain formerly Evil, Old COFFEE drinker.

But getting back to the dinner date. I think Tiffany agreed to have dinner with Gunther at the Gulag. Then Le$ called (Thanks to Pru’s Meddling) with another invite. Tiffany is now between a rock and a hard place. She likes both guys and values their friendship. But she’s got both on the phone and she needs to think FAST. So in typical Tiff logic, she makes a date with both guys at the same location, but at different times. Each guy will get equal time with her, but not at the same time. It just didn’t occur to Tiff that one guy would find out about the other guy’s date.

Gee “Thanks,” Pru……., :(

Where does Gunther get his money? At least Les works, but I haven’t seen any part time job for Gunter, unless I missed it somehwhere. Someone please advise.

Patience is needed now…

Like I said yesterday, Gunther is the Beta Orbiter (he is cooking dinner for her, like a good beta). Les is talking about dessert, and I don’t think he’s talking about something you’d find on the menu at a restaurant

And who’s penciled in for 10 p.m.? Jack?

Tiffany won’t pass up a free meal. She won’t lose the extra weight anytime soon like this.

Tiffany is Tiffany is…..Don’t be surprised if a dog bites you; that is what dogs do.

This is NOT gonna end well

Tiffany doesn’t see either one of these guys as a match. Just as friends. Tiffany is going after Jack.

@lonesomepoint: It’s almost 4:30 pm Eastern (Daylight)ST, and just doing a quick skim of the major posts (and none of the responses to them), only 1 of 45 was about the birthday of the character that this ‘toon is named for. Every other post is a reaction to the two guys ’discovering’ that they are scheduled to for a ‘half date’ with Tiffany. Where are you reading comments that you are seeing them about Luann’s birthday, other than the very first post?

@stez2003: Maybe Tiffany might want to spend some time with Jack, maybe not, but the only way he was of interest to her before was that he played football. In high school, she was real interested in the guys on the team, and at one point in college, where Gunther was comforting her and telling her he’d stick with her even if she wasn’t surrounded by guys anymore, she asked him if he’d go out for football. Meanwhile, Jack is now saying that he’s gonna leave sports behind, because it’s not getting him anywhere toward a secure future, and now he’s gonna try to be a veterinarian (or maybe, more realistically at a State College, a vet tech.) Either way, he doesn’t seem like the type who Tiffany would be interested in…

Sharpening my pencil, er keyboard, for next week.

The plot sickens!

Meanwhile, back on the range, that sauce pan that Gunther left on the stove suddenly starts smoking, and a loud alarm sounds. Just as Tiffany arrives, a fire engine pull up. Brad and another fire fighter run into the thick smoke to rescue the two guys, who are coughing and choking, but still arguing about which one of them Tiffany really wants to spend time with. Tiffany sees the other fire fighter with Brad, and asks him when he will have some time off…

These guys look like they are in the back of some greasy spoon restaurant. Wake up, Tiffany, you don’t belong in the back of some greasy spoon, you’ll end up smelling like Les looks.

I think Les is getting a bit of a Swelled Head.

Looks like each lad will “foul the other’s nest.” That is, neither will dine or dessert with Tiffany alone. At the end of the evening—which I think will come rather early—, Tiffany will leave and neither Leslie nor Gunther will be particularly satisfied or happy. And the rivalry at the Gulag will become yet more heated….

Remembering a legend:

Marty Balin, founding member of The Jefferson Airplane (now Jefferson Starship) has passed away at the age of 76.

R. I. P.

Does Tiffany even know that Gunther and Les are living together?

As We Wait with bated breath for tomorrow, which SHOULD arrive in about 2 hours, EST, a couple of other possible scenarios came to mind for this so called dinner date(s):

1) After Tiffany talked to Le$ and Gunther the other day, she also got a call from Jack, asking her out on a date because his band was playing that same night. She Eagerly accepts, and figures she can make it up to the guys later with some LAME excuse. Tiff stands the lads up.

2) Piro Shows up at Tiff’s door desperate for a place to stay and someone to talk to as He’s experiencing a personal "crisis. Tiff stays to comfort and stands the guys up.

3) Tiff doesn’t show up at 6pm. Gunther fumes, Le$ gloats. Tiff doesn’t show at 8, Le$ fumes, Gunther is concerned. 9, 10, 11, 12AM. Nothing. Then Le$ gets a call from Tiffany. He initial triumphant look soon fades. After he hangs up, he’s silent for a moment. Then he tell Gunther, the call was Tiffany. She just heard from her dad. Seems that Tiff’s dad and Le$’ mom just got married. Gunther is STUNNED.

There is a precedence for scenario #1. Tiffany once stood up Gunther on date after he got her ticket to see the “Q-T Boys.” She bowed out with Gunther (feigning “sickness”) so she could go out with Aaron Hill. Story is Here:

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2002/11/06

Whatever really DOES happen, I got a feeling it’s not gonna bode for one of BOTH of the lads.

Dessert? That’s the last thing ol’ Thunder Thighs Tiffany needs.

Sigh Les is such an insensitive jerk it makes me want to change my name. There have been two people named Les in comics. One was a geeky kid who got bullied in Funky Winkerbean, and this Les who is the epitome of toxic masculinity wannabe