Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for June 20, 2011

Mom, Mom, Mom — you blew it!

Way to GO, Nancy-Unit. “Business is Business”, eh? What a way to BOOST your son’s flagging morale. Lets just HOPE that Frank doesn’t LOSE His job! But not to worry, Brad. I seemed to recall a certain lovely blonde firefighter who once offered to let you stay with Her. NOW would be a REALLY good time to take her up on THAT offer.

“Poor Brad is dead….” Well, not really, but so far down in the dumps that “up” is in China. And although Luann corrected herself quickly, Nancy seems more oblivious to her son’s woe. C’mon, Mom, offer some encouragement!

Why do people talk about the characters in this comic like they’re real people?

Sue — Some of us have read Luann for 25 years — longer than we’ve known many of the real people in our lives. We’ve watched Brad and Luann grow……um….OK, not UP, but three years older. :)

For at least a few minutes every day, we look in on them, and their family and friends, and we care what happens. Nothing wrong with that — maybe you feel that way about some soap opera characters.

Sue 1… the fact that some react to these characters as if they are real people is a sign that Greg Evans knew what he is/was doing when he created the cartoon. I like the fact that he is placing a challenge here in this story… I don’t like the fact that Brad has lost his job but he seems to have a level head about himself now and hopefully will keep that composure…

And sorry that Greg doesn’t portray some people’s desired fantasy world, but it’s ridiculous (and rude!) to call it a lack of creative ability. It takes talent to bring reality to a comic strip in ways that make people sympathise.Those who don’t want to see it can always flee to safety in Garfield or Ziggy,

This is not the first time this strip has delved into “real life.”

And he should get some severance benefits. He’s in a union, right?

I actually like this, as long as some kind of deux es machina isn’t used to solve the problem. Dirk’s return also started well, but he inexplicably became a quasi-hero and then departed the scene exactly (you know where Evans got his inspiration for that from) like the Lone Ranger. If Brad isn’t somehow rescued by some knight/lady in shining armour, we might have the only tolerable storyline since the Great Big Washington Trip Snorefest three years ago. Certainly, it makes an excellent change from Luann, the Feather, their so-called music, and Toni’s continual carping about her brother’s shortcomings. Well, that’s my troll-point view.

Do they let you keep your uniform if you’re sacked from the fire department?

Oh Nancy, thy don’t practice what thy preach….

This may be an opportunity to take the strip in another direction. Many paths could be taken. Toni may offer to step down to take care of her niece leaving a position for Brad. Brad may return to being a paramedic. He could take this opportunity to join the service as either a medic or firefighter. He could always go back to Weinie-World.

Uh, Nancy is Brad’s mom. The dark-haired woman up above, who’s worried about her son paying the rent.

…Brad has done some growing up..he’ll land on his feet…

Like mother, like daughter. He’d be better off talking to TJ

Luann! It’s only okay if Mom does it!

It would be nice if Brad took Toni up on her offer but what if she gets cut also?

I regularly drive past a house that has a large sign in the front yard stating “no to taxes.” Maybe when all the firefighters and police are laid off then that person will understand what taxes support. Don’t want your house to burn down? Want someone to come when there is a robbery? Pay taxes. My guess is that Brad is not only a victim of a poor economy but also the “no to taxes” mentality.

With Brad laid off, I am quite taken aback by Nancy’s statement… so I am wondering what I may not realize from the back story….. in my understanding, Brad and TJ are paying rent in some other house, correct? I am presuming that he has some sort of lease and so is in a contract to live there for a while at least. Brad should get unemployment for a while so his living conditions need not change immediately unless he wishes them to. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Maybe I am too old-school, but the idea of charging one of my kids rent to live at home if they are LAID OFF from their job is rather rude in my opinion. Have a kid pay rent IF they are employed, or purposefully NOT working or attending school (in other words, slacking) is a different situation, but hell, if a kid is laid off, the parents should be happy to have a good kid come back home until he/she can get back on their feet. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Luann’s comment, while not particularly kind, is typical for a kid sibling, so that one sits “ok” with me.

Watch your language, please. Anyway, I’ve been unemployed before and it isn’t fun.

TJ and Brad are renting the extra house of Brad’s Parents. As for paying rent if they are living at home. I expect mine to help pay the monthly bills if they can. T hey are 29 and 30. I have 2 grandkids also. Son is long haul trucker but he helps when he can. My daughter the younger is going for her nursing degree. So it is me and my son. We all pull together . I watch her 2 (my grandbabies) in morning and go to work pm shift

When did I become Pro???

What I don’t understand is, why does his mother ask if he can still pay her his rent? Isn’t he living somewhere else, with TJ?

What will Brad do about the company logo tattoo on his arm? Must be hard to look at that reminder every day.

Dave is right as so often here, it is"Greg’s attempt at juxtaposition humor" — just as the last two Sundays were.

People are programmed to go for self first, it’s a survival thing, not evil! — Luann did, then Nancy did. This does not mean empathy is dead.

Brad has become a role model. Please don’t let him revert to the fool he was as a teenage. We know that people are unemployed and have a terrible, hard time. Let Brad go to work for a private ambulance service or a fire equipment salesman. Let him be a positive role model that adversity can be overcome with planning and perserverance.

EstherM > Not at all.Telling Luann it’s not about her DOESN’T mean it’s about Brad !

Brad will have his uniform and serve for a terminal period, during which there could be a great fire.

Doesn’t he also have a roommate to feed?

Brad is taking it like a man. All will work out eventually.

OMG – Can’t believe Brad REALLY lost his job. This can’t be happening!!!

Wow, Mom. That was harsh!!!!And unfeeling..Man..Hang in there, Brad…

No, no! Not Weinie World! Please that would be terri… uh, er…Oh, you mean the Mall hot dog stand, not Anthony Weiner…

Is this our Baron Otto in Atenveldt?

I can not beleave this. The family does not care. Poor Brad.

Our family has a saying-“See you in the funny pages”-Humor helps us get through the tough times!! Don’t take yourself so seriously!

I read reality in the paperEvery day. I read the comics to get away from reality. I am so upset with Greg Evans. I have so many around me losing their jobs. why do I have to see it in my comic strip too? Luann is off my list of morning rituals with my coffee. Will find another wimsical to start my day. Before the real world starts again

Luann’s neck turned yellow in the second panel!

Ha! It’s funny because Brad’s family doesn’t actually love him!

We need that money to balance the budget and cut rich peoples taxes. And yes: This IS political!

Moms so f**ked up

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