Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for May 18, 2023

What a soap opera

The plot thickens!

Awww. . .

Well, were sure getting some answers, but they’re coming along with a boatload of new questions. Where are Piro’s siblings now? Did the next oldest ones get to where they could shoulder some of the load before Piro burned out? Are they all scattered around in the foster care system? And just what has Piro been doing to turn his life around since Bernice inspired him (we presume) to renewed effort?

BTW, I don’t know how many aunts and uncles Piro has, but somehow I’m getting the idea that whatever ones he does have—as well as his various step-fathers—might generally make Jonah Daytona seem like Father of the Year by comparison.

OH! OH! An impassioned outpouring of emotional feelings to follow? Aimed at Bernice?

Magic 8 Ball says: “Outlook Good”

and then…

gasp

That’s a lot to put out in front of strangers.

Awww….snifff

WOW! We’re actually hearing Piro’s back story. It’s about time!

He definitely had a tough childhood. Being the oldest of 10 would be a nightmare…just the bathroom logistics alone. lol Looks like Bernice is his shining light. Will be interesting where this goes.

.

I wonder if Nil is in the audience as well?

Ugh, that outfit. Did Bernice lose a bet?

But shhhhh….. “Then, a Light!”

Geez! That’s unexpected.

Did Piro arrange for a light to shine on Bernice? Or does the light mean Bernice thinks it’s her? Could Luann be that light?

The spotlight is on Bernice who is in her “muse” costume. Very symbolic..

Also we’re getting a lot more of Piro’s story then I expected.

bye-bye Nil

It’s looking more and more obvious (not that it wasn’t before, but some readers here insisted otherwise) that it wasn’t Piro who ghosted Bernice, but the other way around.

But seriously, he deserves way better than her anyway. No accounting for taste, I suppose.

Like I always say, this strip is the model for misdirection plays, and I wondered where this might head, with the strip dropping all kinds of clues between Lu and Bern vis-a-vis Walt/Piro and his incredible life story told in a one panel piece of brilliant prose, with the punchline a serious one, Bern as a true romantic muse. I think an underlying theme is the similarities of their respectively troubled family backgrounds but we’ll see if that plays. This is interesting.

Wow – that’s heavy!

I don’t think there’ll be a dry eye in the house after Piro is done..

I have a lot more questions then answers!! and how does Bernice figure in Walt life. What age range are your 9 siblings.

Remember that old Gym Class Heroes music video when Travis McVoy was talking about the then not popular Katy Perry? This reminds me of that.

Bernice is the light though as we can see. Why I do not know.

In a real situation like that, Piro should have spoken first, then Luann. Leave the audience smiling, not teary.

Whatever happens, I hope neither B nor Luann ends up adding to Piro’s woes. He’s clearly had a bad time of it…

There! Bernice all alight for Piro. I believe we will soon see what Piro sees in Bernice – something Nil and Jack missed.

Bernice bought her outfit at Muses R Us!

Muse has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is Nil??

So when he proposes to Bernice at the end of his spiel, is Luann going to freak?

Walt indeed had a heavy story. Congrats to Team Evans for adding depth to the strip and making us rise early just to read it.

So where are all those younger siblings now? I think Piro is a psycho.

Th light is shining on Bernice, but the crowd will be thinking it was Jesus.

it’d be funnier than he!! if Bernice was thinking it was her bein the chosen one in the light an it turns out to be Luann. She’s so easy to talk to you know

Lots of fodder for Bernice to dig into, as she sets about lining him up for her first (unofficial) patient.

And I thought my family is big, being the oldest of nine.

I really want to say thanks to the colorist. That last panel with only Bernice in clear and everyone else in the shadows is really powerful, it immediately makes it clear that Piro is talking about her and how important she is for him compared to the others. I’m really happy that Piro was able to convince her to come and listen to him. His story is really sad and he says it all in just a few lines. Piro was already writing before taking Mrs. Horner’s class, which is why he signed up and not just because his therapist suggested him to go. Bernice seems to be listening feeling strong emotion, exactly what she wanted to avoid. I wonder how the story will continue and if Bernice will cry listening to it. This is EXTREMELY good.

I’m so proud of him.

Bernice appears to be in her muse mode.

Catharsis.

Everybody thinks that Bernice is the light,

And now, Piro’s tragic backstory – because You Asked For It!

Dang!

Being able to talk about your feelings is the first step to understanding them, learning to deal with them and then help in overcoming them.

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

When did Bernice get to the reading? And, more importantly, does she now regret not reading Piro’s note, before this emoting?

Bernice is the light of his life.

In my mind, Piro has a voice like Trent from Daria

BOOM.

“Folks” wanted to know Piro’s back story and Presto!

They get it in three panels, depressing though it may be.

Now, was that so “hard?”

Okay.

So it’s tough to be a member of the Starr “family.”

But at least many of the ladies still find Piro “intriguing,” I guess.

And after this “revelation,” Bernice and Luann might get some serious competition.

Now, how about the “backstories” on Tiff’s mom, Gunther’s and Les’ dads and especially what passes for Bet’s “dysfunctional” fam, G&K? ;-)

Questionable taste on Mrs. Horner’s part to have Piro read that essay at the Spring Festival, or is it the Spring Festival Group Therapy session? Good for Piro to be able to write it and interesting for us to be able to hear it, though.

Nooooo…not THAT light! A more Luann-ish light!

Spotlight, sun beam or a light from the holy heavens shining on Bernice?

He’s a piro maniac.

glad luann didn’t have to follow this with her comedy bit

Gotta love the illumination effect on Bernice. Tomorrow, Piro will start singing some Debbie Boone: “LU-ANNNN… You light up myyy liiiife… You give meeee hoooope… to caaaarry ooonnn..” Then Bernice either sits there in shock, or screams ands runs out.

Welp, say goodbye to BerNil.

The interesting point will be if Luann and Bernice get into a fight for Piro. Piro smirked at Luann and said it is easier for him to talk to Luann, but as Bernice hears his story will she want him now and ruin Luann’s chance?

Does anyone else think that the light is about to turn off on Bernice and cast upon an unexpecting Luann?

They’ve barely interacted. He slept on her couch once, while she hid behind a locked door and underneath five layers of clothes. They kissed once and dropped each other. If he’s that obsessed with her, there’s something wrong.

I thought Piro was a super private person. Now all the sudden he is sharing his deepest secrets with total strangers? This doesn’t make any sense at all.

So are we supposed to believe that a family of 10 children was left with no assistance whatsoever after the loss of their primary provider? Maybe it could happen, but it seems unlikely. Good dramatic effect for this, though.

Plot twist: “And that light’s name…was Tiffany!”Leaving both Luann and Bernice in complete shock.

Yesterday I offered this: *Karen (now a cited co-author) seems to be moving the strip in the direction of the oft mentioned “Romance Novel.” Even to a little bit of “bodice ripping flirting” from Tiff, directed at a potential “love triangle” re Kip. She has all the MAJOR-major characters in play right now; Luann, Bernice, Tiffany, and Gunther. Each is in some sort of relationship OR a relationship is being actively pursued OR hints are being given that one is forming.*

The Magic 8 Ball this morning predicts that Luann will find romance BUT it also predicts that Piro and Bernice will hook up. When and for how long these will occur? Will today’s strip lead to new tensions between Luann and Bernice or will Luann demure and settle for a Jack-like palship with Piro (seems like she has too many “pals”)? OR is Karen setting Luann up to be the next Mrs. Horner? OR will Luann meet a new someone at the fair? OR…

Whew! My The Magic 8 Ball is going to be busy for the next few days!

Neither Nil nor Jack appear in the crowd near Bernice. Is there a message there?

Wow. What a downer.

Ooohhh, UGH! Bernice is his ‘light’? I think I’m gonna hurl.

A few weeks ago Bernice gave him the cold shoulder, she might regret it now that he’s giving her ego a major boost that Nil didn’t (Nil’s aloof and seemed to lack appreciation for her “Mademoiselle Muse” routine). But watch how Bernice reacts when Piro begins to crush on Luann after Luann was nice to him. Something tells me Bern’s “Debbie Downer” attitude will be out in full force then.

Also I feel concerned for Piro if he gets attached that fast to someone who shows him the bare minimum of friendliness. He’s giving off vibes of a baby chick trying to find the mother hen right now and it’s really the most depressing part of his story, given Bernice was so disinterested she didn’t even meet him for coffee or think much of him after he was out of her life.

The comic suggestion is that Bernice is the light. But, it could be Luann, the one Piro’s pretending the audience is.

“I don’t want to break any confidences here, so I’ll just refer to that ‘light’ as… uhm… ‘Fernice’.”

At least no substance abuse

Yes, the art is good, but the story is ridiculous, delusional, highly unlikely, and possibly schizophrenic. It’s my diagnosis, and I’m sticking with it.

Bernice is wearing her “Muse” uniform.

I thought they were to read their stories, but this works. We could anticipate this sad story, but it’s worse than I thought. I like the light treatment in the last panel around Bernice as he mentions the “light”. She looks a bit stunned.

Wow! Getting deep! Love profession in public……

The lite is Bernice or is it?

Not a dry eye in the house

But we don’t like Piro, so therefore he’s a bum.

I’m very proud of him for stepping up and sharing his story. However, one thing I don’t understand. If his mom had a severe stroke and he became the caregiver of the family how on earth is he even in college???? He would have no time for studying in classes on a campus nor would he be able to crash at someone’s dorm room overnight because he would be needed at home. This part of his writing makes no sense. But I do feel sorry for his situation (I can relate) and I love his alliterative style. And Berniece looks transfixed. I hope his story has a powerful impact on a lot of people.

Woo hoo hoo, y’all! Surely not a flat-footed take from Greg and his daughter!

Oh hooooo….This is getting interesting. Feel bad for Piro, but sadly, his story is not an uncommon one…

I, too, came from a difficult home situation, although I was blessed to have parents who remained in good physical health for many years into my adulthood. And college was my escape. We had no money but I got in on grants, scholarships and student loans, all of which I paid back in full. My family, unfortunately, remains broken to this day. As for him sharing his story, I applaud him for that. It will help him, and others who hear it, in the long run.

Good thing Bernice found time to twirl into her muse suit before she arrived.

Hope Luann doesn’t make light of this situation.

Could this actually be the beginning of a real lasting relationship among these immature twits? (Toni and Brad are not a part of their group.)

LuAnn’s lucky she didn’t have to follow this downer!

I sure hope it DOES turn out that Bernice is the “shining light” or the “muse” for carrying on for Piro. I also like that Piro appears to be working on healing from all these hardships. His being able to read his work publicly may be rather cathartic for him. Perhaps it is helping him not feel he has to “hide” his emotions about what he experienced any longer. I like the thought that Bernice helped Piro in this way, so I hope this IS where Greg/Karen are moving with this arc. It appears so…. but then again, there is often a helluva lot of misdirection that occurs in stories at times. But, I am keeping my fingers crossed!

lol who’s messing with the spotlight in the rafters?

Piro might find about his dad via DNA testing.

OOF!“THEN I wrote THOUSANDS of guro slash-fiction with her, me and centaurs.” . . . >single, slow, confused clap.<

TMI, Piro.

“…. It was a train rushing toward me.”

A little presumptuous don’t you think Bernice?

His mom was promiscuous—the ultimate evil, in the Luannverse! And then he met Bernice, with her bizarre sexual phobias, and slept in a room next to her bedroom, which made her grab a bat to defend herself. It’s heartwarming.

Bernice can really pick out the complicated ones.

Her first crush,“Wheelchair Zane”,didn’t have a cheery backstory either.

Tomorrow’s panel should be very, very interesting.

5 husbands and many boyfriends! No wonder she had a major stroke.

Love that beautiful key light on Berniece.

Me thinks Piro has vaulted into a major character in this strips. He will evolve and bloom.

So sweet! Bernice saw the good in him, gave him hope, and didn’t treat him as a criminal. One person believing in you is all it takes. :)

Bern has her Musewear on (patent pending).

I have a response to everyone here making snarky remarks: we have no right to judge someone we don’t know very well. Dismissing someone’s stroke because of poor life decisions is insensitive. Piro’s story is the story of many people’s lives. Haven’t we all gone through experiences too painful to talk about? He is talking about it now because he feels he can be candid, especially with the people who have made this possible: Mrs. Horner, Luann, and yes, Bernice. I know she has been negatively portrayed over the years (and I’ve criticized her), but for this arc, let’s cut her some slack. Clearly, Piro sees something in her that we don’t. For him, she is the someone who made his life better.

Before I go, keep this mind: before you judge somebody, take the plank out of your own eye first.

Holy Crap… this arc just got really good…

Mrs. Horner remarked (yesterday) that Piro seemed surprisingly confident. I wonder if it is because he sees Bernice or if he’s just imagining all those “Luanns” out there.

If he sent an advice columnist his intro, the response would probably take up a whole newspaper page!

Aaaand Piro bombs out of the humorous anecdote presentation… (wink)

I was the oldest, so I got to play daddy for real to the younger ones. Not a good thing to do just that mom had no one else as she worked nights at a funeral home.

Well, my grandma is the oldest of 10 and my son’s grandma is the oldest of 12. She started changing younger siblings’ diapers starting at the age of 4! Their mother took ill and died. She had to drop out of school and literally raise 11 younger siblings! Piro’s story hits too close to home!

Piro: “Let me end with a joke” ..

“Knock Knock”

“Who’s there?”

“I wish I knew”.

:-/

luv the light

that is a tough life, Walter Starr

Sometimes sharing with strangers is easier.

Are we sure that Bernice is the light?

If none of the siblings are twins…mom got pregnant every time a baby turned 9 months (aprox). WOW

Piro bares his scarred Starr soul! But further despair looms if he thinks Bernie is going to be his “light,” I fear….