Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for July 21, 2021

Wow indeed, Nil.

She’s not only out of control, Nil…she’s out of her mind! Cut your losses.

It would behoove Bernice to think and talk less.

Channeling Regis Philbin: “I’m outta control!”

And we think BETS is controlling?

Forget that “Get a room.”

Hey Nil, “Grab a mic.”

You are a great comic straight man.

" Get a stage."

Watch out Nil, Bernice is a dominatrix. You’ll be whipped in no time flat.

As I opined yesterday, Bernice’s comment related to her feeling that their meeting behavior is juvenile.

It’s going to be interesting to hear what she thinks non-juvie snogging looks like.

Nil continues with his crossed responses. Neither one is listening.

Right, about now, Nil must be thinking:

1) “What the heck have I got myself into??”

Or

2) “I saved myself for _this???”_

Either that or the poor guy must really enjoy pain and suffering. :)

An “outta control” Bernice?

Even Monstro could not stand to be with her. He was intentionally dying just to get away from her. Until Luann called Jack, The Fish Whisperer, and got Monstro to change his mind.

She’s a hot mess. Run Nil!! Well, he’s a little odd too. Is Toni the only cool chick in the whole town? Well, besides Nancy!

Aha! “Clandestine Meetings” plural! So much for the idea that they’ve only had three dates.

Bernice admits to frequent slutting around? And she looks down on Luann. Talk about the pot called the kettle black.

College students being secretive about making out is terribly contrived, but it would be hilarious if it was secretive because Bernice were The Other Woman. Nil’s wife could be named Lil.

Bernice doesn’t have control. Only anxiety I’m afraid :/

Don’t push it, Bernice, or you will kill the budding intimacy. It is okay to be honest about disliking the clandestine meetings but demanding an agenda? What? This is not a meeting or a course. This is life which is something you sometimes can’t control because life does not do agendas.

For Heaven’s sake! And she was afraid she was going to be like Ms. Phelps? She’s going to turn out even worse than her. At least Margo wasn’t afraid to go for the things she wanted, including romance.

Also Bernice, you’re picking an imaginary fight. IF you truly wanted to be formal and introduce Nil to your friends, you just BLEW an opportunity!

I don’t think she’s embarrassed about her attraction or kissing in public. I think she’s embarrassed by Nil.

Why is Bernice so got damn concerned about what Luann thinks.

That is holding them back.

If there was ever an argument to lower the drinking age to 18…

The results of many years of self suppression by Bernice.

Hmmmm and what part of making out in a public setting is in any way “secretive?” especially given Luann caught you two. You know she’s gonna blab. Secretly making out would be in Bernice’s room or Nil’s room. These two are making out in public because it’s all they have considering who they respectively live with.

it seems like it is out in the open and therefore not secret. the only person Bern is hiding from is Luann.

Why is it that every teen romance in this strip just turns out wrong?

I like these two together. Their neurosis mesh well.

Step it up with the inveigling words, Nil.

Bernice is emotionally constipated.

Really liking Nil’s replies…Bernice, not so much. Sometimes it’s fun to jus5 have fun and see what happens. Feels like if you stuck a piece of coal into Bernice’s attitude you could pull out a diamond…

Clandestine gave it a risky edge—if artificial at that.

Oh, you you did public making out so that you wouldn’t lose control.

It’s called micro managing….

Bernice out of CONTROL ??

Could she be following agent 99??

Hope she doesn’t join KAOS!!

Until Nil, Bernice was the very picture of control.

Bernice needs a therapist, not a boyfriend

And there’s the problem. Bernice has to control everything — or at least feel like she is.

On a bench in a public park is not “clandestine”.

Clandestine is in a parking garage late at night, when you’ve checked to make sure you weren’t followed.

I guess what Bernice is trying to say, is that, she was lying to Luann, is vacuous. (For those confused, Bernice told Luann, she went to the library, to study)

Bernice wants to control everything in her life, even love and passion… This is much worse than I thought! Yes, having secret meetings is silly and is right to wants more stability. But, in comparison, Nil seems much more mature. He enjoys these secret meetings and he just waits to see how the situation will evolve without pressure, Bernice wants answers now. I really hope Nil can make become Bernice more reasonable and chill.

Please show us Bern. out of control we would all love it and it might be fun.

Control freak (n.) – A person who feels an obsessive need to exercise control over themselves and others and to take command of any situation. (Source: Bing Dictionary)

If this definition was in a physical dictionary, Bernice’s picture would be next to it.

“YES. I meant to YES do everything I have YES!! done so far.”

Guess what, Bernice? It’s ending now, because you’re showing Nil that you’re a repressed control freak.

Bernice is over-complicating this to the point that the relationship will be over by Saturday. Though I really hope she gives thing a chance.

Nil, get used to it. It’s called being a female.

Funny… she wasn’t nearly as self-conscious or neurotic with Zane over ten years ago… perhaps because he was older and someone she could respect

The psychologist needs some serious therapy.

I agree with what Bernice is saying.

Meeting_s_!! Hubba hubba!

Run it through all the gears, neutral slam it, drive the hell out of it, and then leave it in front of Section 8 housing, dripping fluid. Leave the keys on the seat, and walk away.

There’s the advice, Nil. Will you heed it?

I’ll second that ‘wow’, and raise you everything I have.

Nil? This is what’s called a ’red flag. A big, honking, waving red flag!

I’d like to see Bern really out of control! Everything thing she does is overthought and over dramatic. Just let go, girl! I’m sure Nils would appreciate it!

Both of them are supposed to be 20 years old… and it’s not like they are running around on other people… So why all the secrecy?

Clearly, Alchohol is needed here!

Bernice, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Making out is fun, but it’s not meant to be taken for granted. This is how a special bond is established. Someday, we’ll have that discussion. But for now, just continue doing what you’re doing.

Bernice is acting like a 16-18 year old, very immature about sexual desires. But, it’s great that she can verbalize her frustrations. She just needs a little time to decide what she wants from this relationship with Nil.

In a car, or in a bar! So they can find out where they are. Drink a beer, or have some rum, you must relax and have some fun!

That girl’s wrapped tighter than King Tut’s mommy.

Isn’t she a psych major or something along those lines? If so, she should probably have some insight into people who are self-sabotaging.

This will not end well.

Reee-lax

Somebody get Borenice a chill pill – fast! :D

Nil, you may consider installing seatbelts on the park bench, otherwise you might get blown away.

It’s the thing she fears most — being “out of control.”

I love this strip, but ugh, these relationships are all so painful to watch. Can we just go back to Tony and Brad! Anything more normal!

So what is Bernice saying – she has to be engaged with a wedding date announced in order to continue seeing Nil? Because that is the natural progression of where “this will all end”. That is so stupid. I mean, a whole new level of really stupid. On the bright side, it gives Nil a chance to escape a long cartoon relationship with a character the writer has made into an psychotic lunatic. They have turned Bernice into a person that would make anyone very fearful. At first her psychosis was just kind of quirky weird, but now….who knows what she might do? Go ahead and propose Nil, maybe it will get you laid.

Yea dude. You may not know this yet; however, Bern is deeply neurotic and insecure and vindictive. She is the total package

Bern needs to learn how to relax

Bernice; Live a little. Not everything has to be tightly planed. Know your limits at any time, then go with the moment, and, be prepared to abandon those limits when you feel the time is right. Nil MAY want more, but he seems willing to but the time in, if you are.

Ah Bernice, to be young and in love (or even just “like”) , just go with the flow…

Bern!

Well, they say opposites attract and these two are definitely opposites.

Time to say goodbye Nil

How secret can it be if they are in a public park?

Run for it Nil. But get her pregnant first so Greg has some material for a few story arcs.

Maybe Bernice should write scripts for their meetings. That would put her in control.

Remember when “teen angst” was limited to teens. This is what happens when we mass produce psychology majors.

Vacuous – stupid, inane, lacking content….. I think you are wrong Bernice. You and Nil are definitely vacuous.

They are all annoying actually.

Better book that motel room, Nil! ;)

Argh! This is painful!

When she was good, she was very, very good and when she was bad, she was FABULOUS! ;o)

Ugh… For someone who likes to toss around fancy words, Bernice doesnt seem to know the meaning of them. In no way can making out on a park bench be considered clandestine.

Run, Nil, run. Run fast and far.

How to handle her passion as an strategic plan; Nil seems fascinated by the level of passion suggested by Bern while at the same time being intrigued by it. She is right though—every time she is shown to get involved with someone she loses perspective in different ways, all because she gets too excited to act or think normally. She really likes him and wants to canoodle and more. So this hump day, what comes next?

Actually being IN control, Bernice, would be much more fun to watch. Just sayin’.

So far the meetings we have been privy to are in keeping with the cartoon characters of both Bernice and Nil. Apparently GnK want to explore how these two diametrically opposed personalities would interact then the love bug bites them.

It is interesting that Bernice says “clandestine meetings,” plural. Bernice may be inferring that several of these clandestine make-out sessions have occurred and wants to know where the relationship is going from here. (A standard plot device.)

After all, the Luann Quill relationship featured an interest in theater and song writing, relationship building activities beyond Snogging in the Park.

Nil is being his obtuse self in response to Bern’s concrete personal reflection.

Nil might be the antidote to her overthinking love.

Self-Delusion. To thine own self be true….

This is what Las Vegas is for Bern…you and Nil pitch in your money and get some tickets!!!

Limits in a relationship, especially at the beginning phases, are fine. But what kind of “clear agenda” does she think they should set? What =could= they set? This isn’t a prearranged marriage, ffs. Well…when you get into a relationship, you either stay in it or you break up. She could choose one now and skip all the inbetweening.

Dang, that girl is wound tight. At least her legs aren’t clamped tight anymore.

She’s going to kill this relationship.

It all ends the same way for everyone. We stop breathing, we die. Might as well enjoy the life we have now and not worry about how it will all end.

It is hard to believe any male would find this bitter, critical woman attractive. I guess Nil does enjoy suffering.

What is Nil supposed to be actually. It must be warm there, Bern is in a light top while Nil is wearing a jacket and a hat. Is he supposed to be a goth kid?

“I’m wound as tight as a guitar A-string, and I revel in it and fully intend to stay that way!” Time to get out of Dodge, Nil.

My hit upon reading today’s strip is that Greg doesn’t really know how to depict a relationship without some (in this case IMO contrived) conflict. I honestly don’t care about their argument. I’d rather see them enjoying each other’s company and doing something fun together (not just making out on a bench and then feeling guilty about it). What things do they have in common? What drew them together? Maybe we could find out more about Nil’s life and friends, and Bernice could expand her world away from Luann’s for a while.

Totally off the subject but – What kind of weather are they having? Bernice is a little sleeveless tank top – Nil in a shirt, coat, and cap? Is Bernice freezing or is Nil sweating?

Is Nil one of these quiet types that seems smarter then he actually is.

It’s scary, but I understand what she’s saying in the first two panels. If their feelings for each other are true, they should not be hiding it. Neither one is married or tied to someone else. She lost me in the last panel. Many kids learn what’s right and wrong, morally acceptable, limits, etc. from parents, grands, teachers ( especially in parochial schools). Sometimes the hormones and heart rules the mind and actions. This seems scary to Bernice. (?)

Bottom line, Bernice needs to get laid.

Over-thinking ruins romance.

i prefer Joy Divisions “She’s Lost Control”

….you all know…this is a comic strip, right? made up?

Nil is an emo hipster guy who wears what he wants regardless of the weather. He burned his mouth on coffee, because he drank it before it was cool.

either both of them are relatively new at making out, or we have been missing out on some interesting panels.

The snarker gets snarked. Your move, Bernice.

So whose idea was it to meet secretly? Hmmm. Feels like she’s contradicting herself…again!

Wow, Bernice is going to be the creepy old lonely lady with a bunch of cats

Just how much of the Bern will Nil be feeling?

It’s not often people see twenty year olds making out on a park bench, or anyone for that matter. We saw it in the seventies when it was all about free love and expressing yourselves gone overboard but not today.

Wow! I can see THIS not lasting long!

Oh, these secret, mindless meetings! So stop saying you are going to the library. Say you are going to see Nil, do some laundry at the laundromat together, then go to Walmart to buy some shampoo and mouthwash and whatever Nil needs, go have pizza, and then hang out at Nil’s place/room. Tomorrow go for that walk in the park and end up at the river. Get ice cream, and then hang out in Nil’s room. Next day stroll the streets in a nearby town. Stop for a burger. Hang out in Bernice’s room. Discover Luann eves dropping.

I’m liking Nil more and more.

Nil, you may be in way too deep…..

There is something deeply wrong with that girl. She needs pro therapy to go along with her academic studies and she needs it yesterday!

Maybe someone else caught it, but listen to what GnK have Nil saying, “This is you in control? Wow!” The next line would have to be, “I’d hate to see you out of control!”

Bernice and Nil should double date with Gunther and Luann. Hilarity would ensue, especially if they shared a banana pie.

Nil is truly interesting. The general population of “Luann” is amiably cartoonish, which is OK (it is, after all, a cartoon—though you might not think so, reading the comment thread). Nil is quirky and unusual and really rather sweet, unexpected in someone who is generally represented as moody and sullen and too “ironic” for polite company.

There’s no there there? I never knew this strip was set in Oakland…

I like Bernice, but I don’t even understand what she’s talking about here. Makes me wonder, are they doing anything else? Going for walks, art shows, movies, coffee, just talking? That might balance things out a bit. But knowing what’s “there?” Huh?

Get a Room, kids !!

And Bernice is getting cold feet and freaking out. Fight and conquer it, girl!

Let’s stop dancing around the edges here.

She needs to get laid, well and often.

the original question was why does Bern care if Luann knows what they are doing which has segued into Bern’s feelings about making out in secret which has moved into a much deeper issue of why Bern likes order, structure and a clear agenda (in her life) and it is that she fears being out of control. She must have had some experience of it to know that she has to rein everything in very tight and rigid to avoid the chaos she knows she is capable of.

So, here’s the thing. I think this whole thing has only been “clandestine” on Bernice’s part. Not so sure about Nil. But I have a feeling she is just about to talk her way out of a relationship. And no, Bern is NOT in control. Never has been, really. She only pretends to be because she’s a solid hot mess inside.

Sometimes I wonder what the artists have against mature, loving relationships. They must really hate romance, or people getting along.

Bernice needs therapy. LOTS of therapy.

I like them together, and some of you are WAY TOO hard on Bernice. If you don’t understand her, you obviously haven’t been in her shoes. I have… and somewhat still am. Also I’ve been married for several years now, and my husband’s supportive of my neuroses (as some would view them).And to the guy who said she’d be dead with her cats… Eff off. Maybe do something better with your life than pay money to a comic website and judge a fictional character.

I have seen too much of Bern: the Ben arc, the Tara arc, the Jack arc, and now the Nil arc. Enough. Bern is an uptight snark. Run, Nil!

Yep Nil, Bernice is a mental case. Run now!

Oh for chrissakes. Just kiss him.

A hussy and a latter day hippie. A perfect combination.

Oh, boo hoo. You’ve got limits already, princess. Your appeal to the opposite sex is limited. Nil is a gift you shouldn’t reject just because your artificial defensive agenda is not met to the letter. I’d feel sorry for you if you weren’t so gratingly unlikeable….

Complex creature, isn’t she?

Slowly but surely, Nil begins to get a glimmer of enlightenment about Bernice.

She has too many mental self-restraints binding her to lose control.

I’m surprised at how little I care about this, but not as surprised at seeing that there are 448 comments posted before I made this. Man, Luann really attracts attention.

SLIGHTLY neurotic?