Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 11, 2023

Oh what a tangled web we weave

Gunther owes Les BIGTIME!

Bets will need to trade in her car and wear a wig, if she wants to outsmart Al, in the future. lol

Hard to believe Al would come over and do that. What if they were all watching a long movie? What an A$$!

Looks like that’s a wrap on this arc. I wonder what awaits us on Monday.

Good job, Leslie.

Les should have asked “Since when did we have a curfew?”

And Leslie Knox isn’t someone you want to be beholding too! Deception upon deception. What other deceptions will be in store? This cannot end well for any of them.

How stupid to be caught so blatantly. I wonder if she left the flashers on so it would be sure to be noticed.

Where is Tiffany? Is it still too early for her return from the party?

A flop ending to the week.

Tonight, the role of “Uncle Al” will be played by 1970s Ed Asner.

Huh. Sherlock Al apparently failed to notice that Gunther’s car is still there.Or did Tiffany borrow it to go to that party…?

Okay, presumably it’s fairly late in the evening if Al is coming over to pose this question. So I have two questions:

1. Is he always in a suit and tie? Doesn’t he ever change into something more casual when he is at home?

2. How does he know which car is Bets’, presuming it’s parked on the street since she is a visitor?

Why didn’t Al notice that Gunther’s car is still there too?

And meanwhile, Tiffany still hasn’t come back from the party.

Good friend!

Sneaking and lying are not exactly the same as standing up for yourself. I sure hope this goes somewhere interesting.

We’ve wrung out this arc pretty well now and the only thing left is our imagination. Did they doot, or did they not doot?

I know irma and mr gray is gunther and les’ "landlords; but they need to stop treating them like boys in need of supervision or a chaperon.

WOW! Al & Irma are really monitoring this situation. Now I understand their snippy behavior toward Bets. I think I recall Al saying some time ago something to the effect that Les & Gunther don’t need girlfriends yet (not mature enough?). But Geez – Bets being nearly 20 years old is not out of line going after a guy – she didn’t deserve to be put down by the dinner hosts. So on one side, we could say that Al & Irma are older and wiser and their take on this should be accepted. On the other hand, babies raised in a bubble can’t handle germs when they encounter them at a later age. BTW – Bets should have thought to park in another block.

I suspect a new arc for Monday – since G & K don’t seem to want to show Gunther & Bets in the sack together.

If this arc continues into next week, I stated a few days ago that I have a feeling that Al and Irma will be back later.

I stated a few days ago that the last time Gunther grew a pair over a girl he was banished from the strip for almost a year, to Peru no less. Events this week and the potential for a rediscovery could wind up with Gunther banished from the Gulag this time.

The pot boils and the plot thickens!

I have feeling that’s the end of this story arc.Did we resolve anything here or no?Not saying we did…not saying we didn’t either….

Sigh baby steps I guess. This is Luann, where change can happen, but only at a snails pace.

This only accentuates the clear bias against Bets here, now being activated by Al. Tiffany has been there for some time, but has he ever come over to inquire about why she’s there overnight? I don’t think this is the end of this arc, one way or another the difference in treatment and respect/regard will have to dealt with, but even if it isn’t, Les’s fib opens the reality that Gun and Bets are apparently about to do the deed in the Gulag, in Gun’s room. We still don’t have Tiffany’s return as well. So, skip to another arc, or not Monday, this story is far from over. Will, and how, exactly, will hilarity ensue.

Yesterday, they were lying down in bed. Now they are sitting up. If this went on into Sunday, they would be standing by the bed.

Al needs to get a new hobby!

TIFFANY! has not return yet.

I’m not buying it, that Al would buy such an obvious lame excuse. Being the Lord of the Manor, he’d barge right into Gunther’s room (pardon me, the room that Al is generously allowing Gunther to stay in) to see for himself.

An unhappy Irma will make life miserable for Al Gray. He might kick out Leslie Knox from the backyard Apartment?

Unless Gunther drives an electric vehicle, the hood should be warm?

Les is such a good wingman and cousin. At this point I wonder if the Valentine’s Day arc will still be focused on Gunther and Bets and their first night together and not about Piro’s mystery involving Luann and Bernice.

It’s time for Gunther and Bets to elope.

Why is Bets’ car still here? Same reason Tiffany’s is, Al.

Free room and board cost way too much in this case.

I think this is funny. People are complaining about the controlling landlord. Gunther and Les choose to live there. They have other options. They are legally adults and Irma and Al are undo no legal obligation to house them. Al and Irma are well within their right to enforce a code of conduct to be able to continue living in the guest house with out any financial compensation. Again, Gunther and Les have other housing options though some are not as desirable as others.

Lying to Al is a mistake. He is not stupid and he can read people extremely well. So is the morning, when Bets does the walk of shame, Al is gonna be waiting leaning against her fully functional car. Let the drama ensue.

Did the Morality Police have a warrant?

Wasn’t Les telling Gunther to stand up to his parents just a few days ago?

Just curious but why does Uncle Al have no other clothes but that single same suit and tie? And even just before bedtime?

“How is it any of your buisness?”

Gunther seriously needs to think about getting his own place. He’s an adult, for heaven’s sake.

I am actually surprsied that Al does not have the Gulag wired for sound with some listening devices. This old wise guy seems to be one that always wants to be a step ahead of everyone else so he can “solve problems” for the “family” better. Al also reminds me a bit of Jack Byrnes from “Meet the Parents” and “Meet the Fockers” and played by Robert DeNiro. Good guess is that Al is either a wise guy or a deep cover operative for a government. Good chance he busts Gunnie and Bets if this arc continues into next week or perhaps we jump over to Brad and Toni or back to the classroom with Luann, Tara and Piro…..

“Gunth drove her home.”

“Ok, I see… Why is Gunther’s car parked in front of her car, if he car wouldn’t start?”

“Good night, Uncle Bigot. I mean Uncle Al!” – Les

That’s good. I was hoping Bets would stick around. She really keeps things spicy and fun. She’s the sorta girl that Gun needs over the long haul and to make for many fun collisions. Thanks!

I said it before, I’ll say it again: Lovin’ how Les has grown from being a selfish bully to a team-playing bachelor. Still, the jig will be up soon enough and the consequences will have to be made. Hope the boys are ready for it.

I really dislike Al and Irma. These young men need to move away ASAP.

Yeah, good luck with cutting those apron strings, Gunther. You have no control over the situation until you have enough money to get your own place.

Gunther: Mom, Al, Bets spent the night with me last night and I’ve decided that she can do that any time she wants.

Al: OK. You have two days to move out so we can give your room to Tiffany.

Dude, uncool wait till morning to let Gunther know

There’s a knock door (there’s a knock on our).

With threat that is new, (with a threat that is new).

In a place that’s hers and his and his, three’s company too.

Why didn’t Les tell Uncle Al the truth?

I’m beginning to worry about Irma being with Uncle Al. He’s creepy.

Three out of four hands clear now what is that fourth doing.

Knowing Al, he probably touched the hood of Guenther’s car and deduced that both cars were cold. Busted.

I expected Erma to go and see why there is a covering over the window. That’s why there are no curtains or shades, so that Erma and Al can go by and see what’s going on in “their” house.

So, Tiffany’s dinner plate is lost to history?

These two are awful at being sneaky. Bets should have moved the car. $ says Al’s been watching the lot all night waiting for her to leave. Les is a fast thinker but would have been better if he had added to the car story that she was mad at Gunth and ubered home.

Think fast!

Next week: Uncle AL calls AAA

Where’s Gunther’s car then?

Uncle Al – “But Gunther’s car is still here too as is yours. Want to explain?”

Well, the guest house will be available for AirBnB soon enough.

Gunther hasn’t “driven” her “home” yet from the looks of things. Their clothes are still on!

Which Gunther will repay, if and when you get a girl to be as serious about you, as Betts seems to be about Gunther.

They are going to be in sooooo much trouble.

Definitely starting a new arc on Monday.

Some cultures/religions have very strict rules about premarital relations. It makes this comic seem pretty ridiculous in modern times but to be fair, you can’t judge them by our standards.

Get a job, get your own place

And where is Gunther’s car?

Al’s last comment sounds to me he knows Les lied and is just looking for something he can tell Gunther’s mom that would stop her from storming over to boot Bets out.

OK now I am disgusted at Al and Irma. Screw those idiots.

They’ve still got their clothes on?

Sunday: Frank and Brad bet on The Big Game.

Overreach! Ditch the dope in the suit and make your own way Gunth!

It’s Uncle Al, The kiddies pal!

Just do it.

Uncle Al has always been in the know about bad people/situations. Maybe, just maybe, there is something more unpleasant to Bets than her self-centered narcissistic personality…

Hey Mordy, if you’re around (always hope you’re okay) what do you think about Les being Gun’s wingman, huh? A wingman who lied to a psuedo wiseguy at that? Who would have though?

When dishonesty meets intolerance . . . hilarity will not ensue.

When a liar means well…

Gunther decided (in his mind) that he could stand up to his mom but he didn’t figure Al into the equation.

Random thoughts: • Al and Irma have morphed from jolly and jovial into disfunctional ogre parents! What’s up with that?

• As a supposed “culmination” night set up, Panel 3 looks more like Bernice and Nil than Luann and Quill. * https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2021/05/21 * https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2015/06/02

• Why was the Tiffany character raised at the beginning of this sequence? So far, she has been used (abused?) by GnK to contrast how Al and Irma respond to both Tiffany and Bets. Was her leaving just some sort of catalyst for this sequence? Will she return and be engulfed in this dystopian Gulag community. Remember, these characters are part of the Tiffany orbit; as opposed to Luann’s orbit with her friends and family.

• GnK have created a situation fraught with tension on many levels; sexual, relational, situational. Can they pull off a satisfactory coda???

Al returns. “Why is Gunther’s car still here?”

Stepping back to before Bets challenged him, I recall that Gunther matured from his going to South America with Rosa. Between then and last week, did he regress?

I’m just noticing how many of the parental characters in this strip are malevolent or seriously neglectful or plain out of the picture (abandoners). They’d never pass adoption agency muster. The De Groots seem to be an exception. Luann lucked out. Her parents aren’t whack jobs — they care about her and are there for her. This Irma/Al combination — dark side doesn’t begin to cover it — infuriating psychos, laughing with tears in my eyes.

Will AL & Irma be on the lookout at dawn? Kids forget their elders were once young and “been there done that”. Well maybe not Gunther’s mom, she seems very straight laced, but I’m imaging old AL has been around the block.

Good old Les came through for you gunner

Does Uncle AL wear suits all the time? HA.

Owe him for what, Leslie? That lie was so bad a child could see through it. Al and Irma will know that Gunther didn’t leave since they live a mere few feet away and probably notice when a car leaves or drives out of their driveway area… also I still feel like this is a situation people would take the side of the parents on more if it was Luann or Bernice doing this after Mr and Mrs DeGroot explicitly told them “no boys in our home overnight.”

Also for all the heaps of grief readers give Tiffany for being treated like a flawless princess by Irma and Al, and “mooching” (inspire of Gunther and Leslie doing the same thing) at least if she’s partying and doing things they might not approve of she’s not doing it while under their roof lying to their face about it. She’s currently the only 19 year old in the house who followed the rules and everyone is acting like SHE ought to be kicked out by Irma and Al.

I didn’t know you could curfew young adults.

As the parent of 3 adult children, (42, 37, and 25), this is a difficult hurdle for a older parents with adult children who may still reside at home, regardless of your religious/social beliefs.

Wow! That is just wrong! Butt out Uncle Al.

I like Les.

Won’t work for the long run …

I’m surprised that there are 100 fewer comments today that the 300+ we normally see! Maybe people are already getting ready for Super Bowl Sunday. Anyway, I predict this arc will continue next week. How will Bets get out of the house without Al seeing her? I don’t think she can, which will bring Al back to ask more questions. Is Gunther ever going to confront Al and Irma about their prejudice towards Bets? I doubt it, but I hope he will. What’s going to happen when Tiffany finally shows up? Merriment and joviality or catastrophe and calamity. I’ll tune in Monday to find out even if I am still in a Super Bowl stupor.

Does Al know that phones exist? I’m not sure why he felt the need to walk back over there for this conversation.

I’m pretty sure Uncle Al only came over to inquire because Irma told him there would be no rest until he checked and made sure that strumpet had gone home.

Said “strumpet” in this case being Bets.

Bets will probably have to “pull a Luann” and climb out the window when she leaves in the morning.

Bets must dig those plaid shirts

I would have thought that they would have had LESS clothes on by that time.

I am surprised that no one mentioned why Gunther’s mother and stepfather wouldn’t like Bets. Bets is high-maintenance, manipulative, in-your-face attention seeking. Why wouldn’t a parent seek to discourage such a relationship, especially one headed in the direction it appears to be going? And, on their property where they make the rules. Just sayin’…

Why is Al dressed like he works at a steakhouse?

And what were you gonna do about it, Al? Fight her?

When Uncle “Logic and Reason” discovers the truth, they’ll all be like that classic song by the Yorkshires: Tossed Aside!

Wouldn’t Gunther’s car still be in the driveway as well.

So in the morning will they have to pretend to jump starting her car?

Hey Les – for your reward – go sleep in your own bed and let Tiffany sleep in the bean bag chair tonight.

Monday Bets go looks for her care and it’s gone All calls AAA to pick it up and drop it off at Al’s repair shop that Al uses to work on his cars.

Uncle Al must be an idiot. Not because of the car – because of his intrusive, self-righteous moralizing. Time for Gunther’s mom to “enlighten” him.

Something tells me Uncle Al will find out the truth eventually. He’s not dumb you know.

al’s to smart to fall for that

What about Gunther’s car?

Aw; it’s still pretty sweet of Les to cover for Gunth like that. Les was truly a jerk (using the nicest term possible) to him in high school, and despite his shortcomings, he really has grown with everything. To saving Gunther’s butt, to standing up against his own mother, to taking care of Tiff, it’s clear he’s trying to be better, even if the process isn’t seamless. Maybe he just remembers hiding Punk when he was too embarrassed to admit he had grown attached. He’s grown into being a softy, whether he wants to admit it or not.

Bets should go get a fake cast & sling for her arm. “Hey Mom & Al, Bets broke her arm just like Tiffany so she needs to stay here so we can take care of her.” If they say no, Gunther could put them on the spot about why was it okay for Tiffany to stay there when she was hurt but not Bets?

Might be a better idea to just make sure everyone’s using protection, Al. You can’t dictate every action taken by other adults.

My apologies if someone has already mentioned this. But while I kind of admire Les’ quick thinking up of a plausible lie, he’s putting himself at jeopardy. If Al and Irma find out that Bets really was there, they will be furious and could retaliate against Gunther. They might not have done anything to Les had he made Gunther responsible for talking to Al himself. But by now lying, Les has made himself an accessory to the “crime” and could live to regret it. I know, comics and other stories rely on people doing the “wrong” things; otherwise they wouldn’t be interesting. But Les with only have his “hold” on Gunther, and perhaps his home, if Al and Irma don’t somehow find out the truth. As always, time will tell!

Gotta admit, Leslie’s quick-thinking lie saved the day (or night) for the neckers….

Shows up late at night in a full suit and tie! That character has always been so creepy!

Al Gary remembers the “happy wife” rule?

Check out Gunther’s eyes?

Smile,darn ya,smile!