Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for May 10, 2021

I tell ya, Cellophane, Miss Cellophane shoulda been my name…

Poor Bern…

Bernice is CRUSHED! =-/

Attention…. right.

Ouch. ✨

Now what?

She looks like she’s about to cry in the last panel….

Bernice and Nil!?!? Sorry! I just can’t see it, Greg.

Bernice, your not dumb, Jack is a great guy, he is just not romantically interested. Go to the art show and have a good time.

Someone show Bernice a bit of mercy. Poor thing, 8^ (

Bernice couldn’t be more uncomfortable.

If the arc continues through to the art show, then time also has passed for whenever we get back to Gunther or back to Bets.

I still want to see her website down. Now. ASAP.

This is beginning to remind me of the long and torturous episode that Tiffany underwent not long ago. Boy, I hope we don’t go that route again!

First time I really felt sorry for her.

Well, this put to rest any misconceptions about this being a group date. And for all those feeling sorry for Bernice, let’s just remember that this all could be avoided if she would just ask Jack out herself (or at least tell him how she feels so he can then ask her out, for those with more old-fashioned views of gender roles). Why should we feel bad for someone who refuses to act on their own behalf and instead expects happiness to be handed to her?

Still, plenty of time left for Bernice to get things back on track. All she needs is to grow a spine for a quick second.

I must say Jack set that up cleverly, and on the wing, too, since he couldn’t have expected Monstro to sicken. But while Bernice might have missed all of the puppy-eyes Nil gave her, I’m sure Jack didn’t.

Here is a thought Bernice, ask him out for coffee…

What would be cool is if the art show they go to is an exhibition of Knute’s welded metal phantasms.

Aw, Jack the Cupid. Betcha he really doesn’t have other plans – just wants to play the matchmaker. Does he know Bernice has a crush on him and is passing her on to Nil? I still wonder why he gave her Monstro.

Oh Bern he is walking out the door never to be seen again so wipe those tears away. My girl, Jack was never interested in you.

Somebody already called it.

The show will be on the art of the nude.

Drawings of Jack will be there, as well as Nil’s drawings of Tara’s elbow.

The suffering fish, which was barely able to stay afloat a minute ago, just needed some attention? Like all it needed was to have its picture taken? Remind me to never ask Jack to look after my cat, ever.

Bernice estará muy desanimada cuando tenga que realizar los tres exámenes que tiene en la semana

Now that I’ve thought about it, Nil is a good candidate for Bernice. Both love to snark and Nil is intelligent. Not sure why he hangs with Jack who is a jock and not much upstairs which makes him the Luann to Bernice as Bernice is to Nil. If I recall, Bernice and Nil had a nice time briefly before Jack dropped the bowling ball on Luann’s foot and hell broke loose. Perhaps Jack wants to bring that back to them by setting up the matchmaking.

A pattern? A few weeks ago, Ox went to Tiffany’s house to help her during the power failure. Lights came back on and Tiff left Ox alone and disappointed on the porch. Then, Bets feeling offended, left Gunther stranded in the Fuse parking lot. Now, Bernice gets left alone with her fish. Poor Bernie was ready to take off that scarf, but Jack just took off.

Greg Evans is portraying the women as desiring sex and romance but the men & boys as having no desire for either.

Bernice got the actual truth! Too bad.

Maybe this whole arc is about the responsibility of caring for a pet. If you can’t take care of one, you shouldn’t have one.

Quick, who’s NIL?

Bernice?

Just say to yourself: “Jack has NO romantic interest in me what-so-ever” a thousand time. You’ll soon be “cured,” and can move on.

Then call Nil and tell him that you can’t go to that art show with him because you have go to the police station to pick Tara’s cousin Stella out of a line-up, or something.

Then get back to hitting the books.

Sheesh.

At the rate these kids are NOT studying these days, Mooney U’s Summer Classes are gonna be booked solid this year. ;)

So what’s next?

Wheres a facepalm emoji when you need it?

Poor thing. Interpret that as you will.

I find it interesting how stiff the characters appear to be when standing still throughout the story!

All Monstro needed was attention? the other day, Jack used a test strip and he said the chemistry was off. The magic wand strikes again…

.

Oh, and Bernie – when you are out with Nil, behave yourself. He might be skittish after that first date.

Well at least she’s not explicitly going on a date with nil.

I suspect Bernice is doomed. Jack is her crush, but he shows zero interest in her. Given how Jack treats both as his sisters, perhaps the big upcoming reveal will be Greg showing us Jack’s new — boyfriend.

“fill in” sounds like it was going to be a job to do. Usually if you agree to do something with someone and then you can’t, you just tell them something came up; you don’t send someone else in your place. Maybe Bern can get Luann to “fill in” since Luann is more into art than Bern.

who is Nil? are they male or female? It could make a difference.

Well Bern, go and change that water tank. ‘Do it now’. It will take your mind off of what just happened…. but we know nothing will take your mind off that one.

A real downer. Bernice reduced to a fill-in. Everybody needs company here. Monstro, Nil, Bernice. Maybe if the characters do enough shuffling around, they end up with the right company.

Awww. Monstro looks fine now ♡. Bernice, on the other hand, is heartbroken. It’s so sad to see her like that. Reality slapped her in the face. Jack seems to have no interest in her. I highly doubt she can study for the three exams now and this can become a really bad situation. Now I want to see her “date” with Nil. What kind of art show will it be? Could this make Bernice a little happier? But most important. What will Luann do?

Does Jack know that Nil and Bernice already tried connecting and it didn’t work out?

I was starting to wonder if we’d ever see Nil again since he hasn’t shown up in many months. I thought he’d joined the cast of college characters like Sun, Viper, Hair and all the others who seem to have dropped off the face of the comic earth.

Bernice didnt even want Luann to call Jack in the first place so why feel sorry for her She doesnt seem to want to get to know him either since it took Luann to do some prodding just to get him to come over.

Geez, either Jack is really not interested in Bernice, or (like me) he’s so clueless that he’s not going to catch on until Bernice puts out landing lights.

Jack can’t go Because there are antimony drawing’s/painting of Him . And although …… and he is embarrassed .

I’m beginning to think Jack doesn’t want Bernice.

Hey Bernice! Your fish might not die. Wanna be happy about it? No? Very cool.

“Worse case…Bernice”. There is a little word called “no”. It’s quite good when used correctly and timely. Why waste time on someone who was not your interest just out of desperation to never to say “no” to Jack for anything at any price.

I don’t think Jack is the type to play matchmaker, nor would he use subterfuge if, say, Nil had asked him for help getting a date with Bernice. So I take Jack at his word. He and Nil bought tickets to attend an art show together.

Now, I stayed out of the whole “Jack’s tight clothing means he’s gay” debate on Saturday. But today we have two men attending an art show together. Just saying, I find that rather “stereotypical”.

Jack’s not interested in romance. He has no desire for that type of companionship. I’ve known a few people like him. I’ve always suspected it to be a form of high functioning Aspergers.

A courteous way of telling her that not only is he not the least bit interested, but she can’t even take care of the fish he was so kind to get for her. Double whammy. But it’ll be a learning experience for Bern, as kicks to the heart always are.

She will go with Nil, and Nil will nonchalantly tell Bernice that Jack is not on the market

Ok, This is getting irritating, He is either gay, or an idiot.

You’re usually so full of advice, Bernice. Haven’t you got any for yourself?

Bernice: watches Jack leave sad and sadReaders: well you know hun you could go ask him out on a dateWriters: nah that’s too forward thinking…let’s have her be sad he didn’t show her what she thought she wanted and didn’t oggle and cat call her like people do in real lifeReaders: who are these writers evenBernice: guess I’ll study then

This could be a good thing. Bernice can tell Nil of her feelings for Jack and how she felt upon learning he was just looking for a “fill in”. Then Nil can tell Jack what an oblivious a**hole he is. And why does Nil need a fill in escort anyway? Cant he go to an art show by himself? Is he not allowed in public alone? Obviously, it’s just a rude ploy by Jack to set them up on a date. In the meantime maybe Bernice can focus on taking better care of her goldfish.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Luv (and clueless males)

So having Jack come stare at Monstro magically healed the fish? What sort of Disney Princess IS he? :)

Where are GnK going with this!?!?

1) They set up a pleasant meeting between the two at the dog park. They share some rapport via Luann’s manic behavior (possibly a set up on her part). Jack shows interest? empathy? what? over Bernice’s lack of a childhood pet. Jack presents Bernice with a pet fish which she associates with Jack (possibly forever) and the name Monstro comes to be. (Let’s see: Monstro; large. Jack; large. Coincidence?) Bernice has a wet dream (literally) about “Jacques” that very night. Luann takes note of the thru-the-wall dream antics.

2) Suddenly Monstro needs attention. Luann suggests (you guessed it) an appearance by Jack. Bernice, though stressed over Monstro and the appearance by her new heartthrob, does a hasty but effective appearance make over.

3) So here’s the big setup!!! AND JACK BLOWS HER OFF! No-wheres-ville! Friend Zoned! Leaves her with the comment about her fish needing attention. Attention! What a lunkhead!! And then. He hands her off to creepy, haunting, cyclopian Nil. Adding insult to injury.

4) Why? Why invest all the time and ink in Bernice infatuation just to blow it off. Why place a reminder of Jack permanently in her very own room, only to blow this off? If Nil doesn’t now pan out, he will have been dumped upon in the relationship game by GnK almost as many times as Bernice.

5) I repeat Bernice is the new waif. Assuming the crown from Tiffany.

=End Screed=

Ooooooooooooooooooof

Has Bernice ever actually asked Jack out?

Maybe Jack is not into Jills. The only gay character we know of for sure went back to New York.

Maybe Jack’s absence will be NILLified at the art show when Bern finds out there are other flowers in Monet"s Garden.

Actually good art. G&K managed to show the disappointment of the character.

It was clear to me on Saturday that Jack was not going to the art show and that is why he asked Bernice to go with Nil. I wonder if Bernice will somehow get out of going to the show with Nil.

tomorrow:

Bern and Nil

Go up the Hill

to view a snobby arts place

Nil does his best

But Bern’s ona Quest

To snag Jack in an embrace !

Time and time again Jack has shown that he can’t be seduced or flirted with. Piro was like that; they make a move when they want to. Like a cat, you can’t go to them; they will come to you when they feel like it. Jack has his goals in life. He will be a good friend but you can’t make it go any farther than that. I think Luann instinctively knows this. Tiff learned the lesson previously; Bernice has just learned it now.

RSH’s point about how Jack wants to be the one to make the moves and isn’t interested in women making moves on him is very important, because it is also the case with Gunther.

I could actually see Bernice and Nil as a couple before I could see Bernice and Jack together.

Gads Evans! Really? Again? So, the only folks in this strip allowed to have a relationship are Luann’s parents and Brad and Toni? This strip has gone to the realm of daytime soap operas of old. Wait, is “Days of our Lives” still on ? Maybe this is where the author gets his inspiration.

He’s not the only one! Jack seems not only not interested, but clueless. :-/ Bern might enjoy Nil’s more? Right now he’s more interesting…..

Once again, Bernice spends some time with Jack. And one again, Jack has failed to fall madly, hopelessly, passionately in love with her.

I don’t know how she’ll manage it, but I’m sure Bernice will find some way to blame Luann for this.

Maybe Jack would have shown more interest in Bern if she was just herself. Ditch the scarf, put on normal Bern clothes and ditch the façade.

It would be fun if, after dreading this date, Berniece has a wonderful time. Nil isn’t that bad—-he’s just shy and has a lot of guards up that masquerade as “attitude”.

7

I feel quite sad for Bernice today. Her tear-brimming lower lids in panel 2 feel very harsh and are sad to see.

+ + +

I really think Jack should have easily been able to pick up on the idea that Bernice answered “Yes” before Jack concluded his statement last time with “with Nil”….. and by picking up on that idea, he should have easily recognized that Bernice was presuming the date offer was with him (Jack). Unfortunately, Jack’s mind was/is elsewhere at the moment.

+ + +

I tend to think either Jack or Nil could be really fun dates for Bernice…. in vastly different ways. And, while unfortunately the first pairing a while back between Nil and Bernice did not end well… there is no reason to say this next time couldn’t be far better for both of them.

+ + +

The poignancy of the last panel deserves special mention. Jack’s statement at the end about Nil…. is obviously felt in a very similar way by Bernice. She feels hurt and dejected. I am hoping this resolves in some sort of positive way for Bernice…. a) either she will begin to like Nil more romantically, b) some various Nil/Bernice “hilarity” will ensue for a while, but Jack will eventually have his eyes become more open to the charms of Bernice, or c) Bernice eventually has someone even nicer in-store to meet in the near future.

+ + +

The water change has done wonders for Monstro. He was never the real issue, only the events to bring Jack and Bernice together. Sadly, at the moment, they have not yet “stuck” together in that way.

Okayyyyyyy….I misjudged Jack – there IS a lot of muscle where the brain should normally be…

I’m sorry for Bernice but I don’t really ship her with Jack

At show? This is going to be nude modeling, Jack, isn’t it?

To all the people who think Jack is thick-headed or stupid, or even just clueless…..

I know I’ve remarked a couple of time myself that Jack may be clueless, but maybe not. Maybe he’s deliberately ignoring Bernice’s “signals” because he’s not romantically interested in her, and he’s hoping if he doesn’t respond she’ll eventually give up.

After all, Miss Psychology Major Bernice should know that you can’t make people fall in love with you. There’s an old song with the lyrics “I can’t make you love me if you don’t….I can’t make your heart feel something it won’t”…….Maybe Bernice should listen to that.

Her heartbreak is just beginning

Looks like I was right when I wagered that there would be no kissing, hugging or other mutual physical affection between Bernice and Jack during this arc.

I realize that there is no logic to explain why one person becomes infatuated with another person (my own history bears that out), but those who have attracted B’s attention in the past, and now, seem so very radically different that it’s doubly hard to understand. I could understand Zane; he seemed both kind and very intelligent. But I never got the drug dealer guy at all, except that he kept complimenting her (at least, that’s what I remember). I understood the Mystery Man thing about Piro (still hoping we can learn something about the mystery), but he didn’t seem to be her intellectual equal. And I don’t remember her being interested in Gunther, who is also booksmart. But I don’t remember her ever being attracted to a muscle guy in past, so I’m not sure where this obsession with Jack is coming from…

At least Jack isnt taking his own date to the art show.

@BJShipley: If you look at a lot of the comments posted here, you’ll see that many of those posting are catching B’s signals and ‘come-ons’, and calling Jack ‘clueless’. That’s because B is NOT using the physical ‘moves’ approach. She’s using, if you will, a ‘psychological’ approach, the ‘fancier clothes just for you’, gazing intently into his eyes, repeating what he says or agreeing with whatever he says . In this case, it doesn’t work.

Maybe she and Nil will hit it off. If she goes at all.

Ironic.

C’mon, Bernice! If you’re gonna dress like Aunt Peg, act like her and make your move!

Jack is a genius for not being interested in Bernice. Getting involved with this mess of a woman would be a bad idea for any man.

Bern misread everything from day one. Sadly, Luann encouraged Bern’s crush with no evidence that Jack was feeling the same. Maybe she and Nil might have a good time together. Unexpected, but I like it.

Bernice and Nil have gone on a date before. It didn’t end well…

Oh Bern, Jack is NOT interested in you. You’ve always been in the friend zone. Sorry, kid. It’s been a while since you and Nil went out. Maybe you’ve both grown up some. Or not.

Monstro’s okay! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feel pity for Bernie? —Not a bit! She got just what she deserved; maybe someday she’ll learn her lesson and loosen up the other 99% of the time….

Scarves were a popular accessory during the 1969-1970 school year among teenagers. I had a white one that I wore with a gold shirt with a green vest and green skirt on color day. Our school colors were green and gold.

“I would like some attention too.”

Be more direct, Bernice. He won’t be offfended, and he will understand. Where it goes from there is up to you two together.