Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 24, 2012

Can’t believe, no comments yet.

“Nuclear bomb” – pfft. Shannon’s clearly the fuel oil and fertilizer type.

Maybe she got lost like in that Twilight Zone episode!

Uh, Toni, if he doesn’t bring her back, then where, precisely, would it be safe to park her?

Maybe she went over to Lio’s house to get some tips.

Perhaps she went to Weenie World.

To quote another long time broadcaster, Ernie Harwell, she’s “Looooooong gone.”

Um, Brad…when you find her, just park her on a coat hook, gag her (gently), close the door, and go back to Toni and get down to business. AND don’t forget to get back to Shannon in a bit.

Leave Shannon alone to make her nuke bomb.

I gotta say I am impressed – Brad goes looking for Shannon. He is not like most guys – if the kid is not his, then he doesn’t give a damn. “The kid is the GF’s responsiblity, not mine” is the usual motto with those guys. Toni is right – you’re a good guy.

Maybe Brad could shove Shannon into a conveniently placed large wardrobe neither he nor TJ remember purchasing. Then, Shannon can become the Queen of Narnia.

Maybe she just really wanted a Deluxe Kids’ Meal. Enough to try to find her way back to WeenieWorld. For the sake of the Ann vs Shannon saga, I hope she makes it to WW before Brad finds her.

…

Then, she’ll sneak past Ann like a plucky explorer making it past a terrible monster and go up to TJ’s counter. TJ will upsell her into buying half the menu, then pay for all of it out of his own pocket, along with giving Shannon tips on how to drive Ann insane.

I think Shannon went back to Weenie World for a bite.

shannon wiill[\ [r[obaboly end up bacl a\ weeef\nie world and order something that will make her a million customer willer. Then shannon will have more involfmemft i n the shannon tstrip…..lol

My bet is she’s on the phone causing trouble for Brad.

It is bugging me that Toni couldn’t care less where Shannon is. She is not worried about Shannon breaking something of Brad’s or TJ’s, and she is not worried about her general safety. Like someone posted earlier, where is he going to put her if he doesn’t bring her back???

Brad is being a responsible adult.

Somehow I get the feeling that Brad is going to be a hero once again; the only thing faster than the speed of light is the rate at which unsupervised kids can get into trouble.

Suddenly, it makes sense why Toni’s not into the marriage idea. If she had a kid of her own, dismissing him/her the way she does Shannon wouldn’t fly at all.

How many buttons does Toni have today?Brad is pressing all of them.

If she was a good little kid, she’d be making a vodoo doll of the manger!

Duct tape / kitchen chair

When Brad finds her, he can occupy her by playing “Children of the Corn”, “Carrie” and “Chuckie.”. She’d love those movies, and I’m sure they’re on DVD.

To those of you considering that Shannon is playing hide-and-go-seek in the refirgerator.: wouldn’t this be a most excellent time to have Gahan Wilson take over as the guest artist? I checked — he’s still alive.

Shannon building a Nuclear Bomb? That’s the sort of thing Lio would do.

Moj – I think Mona’s got the smartphone jitters. Takes a while to get used to the touch keypad and you get some amazing character substitutions while learning. Not to mention inadvertent sends and replies when you don’t want them. Evolutionary pressure will see our species’ fingers develop at least one stylus-shaped pointer.

If Shannon and Lio get together, I’m moving to Pluto…..well, Mars anyway,

She left during their conversation about TJ, so something seems fishy…maybe Shannon left to go finish off Ann…

Very of him.

Where ever Shannon went, Brad…and Toni…should make sure she is still in the house and not into any mischief. She is a child who persistently tries to have things always be her way. No telling what trouble could be brewing…or already brewed.

I would hope she ran back to WW and eat the rest of Eyesore just like in the story where the crock like the pirate and wanted to eat the rest of him. Whats up with TJ and Eyesore?

Toni will decide to become a writer then develop a lot of writer friends and Brad will find himself gradually on the outside looking in. Been there, done that.

What I see here is some potential foreshadowing. Brad just showed some real maturity, caring, and paternal instinct here. Toni takes note, files it away for future reference. Time passes; they become a couple. Toni’s worthless brother goes to jail or some such. Shannon needs a home. Hmm…

I think it’s sweet in a way that Brad cares… however, Shannon would ruin their moment…. time to call for Luann’s Babysitting!

Hope she hasn’t found the “balloons” in Brad’s nightstand!

“If he Brings Shannon back, then BRADS a Moron????”

Toni, YOU are the ‘Moron’. Relative or NO Realtive Shannon is NOT YOUR responsibilty, Lady.

WHO takes care of Shannon when YOU are on call?? What, they got 24/7 Day Care in Pittsville?? Please.

Shannon IS the Responsibilty of Your Jackass bother, who THINKS he’s an actor. You need to TELL him that His daughter Comes FIRST before his NON-CAREER, and that he will NEVER, EVER be an Actor, and You Ain’t buying his “Hey I GOT the Part, but All My best scenes ended up on the Cutting Room Floor” Bullsh*t any more and (DEEP Breath) he’s just in Hollywood to Party.You need to give him 48 hours to get his deadbeat skinny ass BACK to Pittville, take CONTROL of his daughter and find a REGULAR job (May I suggest Weenie World).

……., Said Mordock, READING way, WAY too much in this strip, as usual……,

OK ALL U MORON LET HEAR IT ONLY A CARTON

Checking on Shannon is a good idea.

I wonder if Brad is smart enough to be tappin that yet? :)

Toni has issues. Forced a showdown with Ann and sic’ed rabid Shannon on her. No remorse. Not worried about where Shannon might be right now. It’s a disassociative disorder or Asperger’s.

Shannon & TJ are probably “Up to something!”

TJ trying to “make ammends” for his stupid suggestion (the “April Fools” thing – remember) is keeping her “occupied” so Brad and Toni can have some well-deserved and long-overdue “Us” time.

Shannon is pretty self sufficient. But when you don’t here any sounds, that’s the biggest distraction to a parent. Perhaps Brads paternal instincts are starting to surface.

Looks like they are about to use their fire department training…

How LITERAL are you? In future, you might actually want to read the rest of the forum posts before you join the Department of Redundancy Department.

Shannon will go missing.

You can’t leave a four or five year old alone for a long time, but at that age checking up occasionally is usually enough. They do need to become independent—which Shannon is. Then again, this is Shannon we’re talking about! One possibility: Shannon did decide to go to Weenie World by herself, but doesn’t quite remember the way and gets lost. Scary for Brad and Toni, but quite possible for a child that age.

Shannon never got that meal, so it seems she could be hungry..Yet I fear she is up to no good, and may go missing.Abducted by Ann? That seems unlikely.

Brad …you are a moron if you think Toni will say "yes " to marriage…I had high hopes for these two but Mr. Evans dragging things out for THIS long is pathetic !

After all , Brad saves her life and she STILL won’t agree to at least be engaged ?

Two single guys sharing a house, what, no video games?

Brad is a good man and she is lucky to have him.

I wonder if he left any 5 gallon buckets sitting around without lids and a very small amount of water.

Brad’s getting in a plug for marrying Toni by showing her what a good dad he’d make.

i’m a little worried about this story arc – missing young girl could turn serious any moment

Gregg — time to get Brad new hair and a more grown up look.

They aren’t uneducated hillbillies, either, but the dynamic is still the same. A romance is interesting – it’s fraught with perils, its outcome is never certain. A rival, a disapproving parent, career problems, a silly fight – all of these can threaten the outcome and due to that, there’s a heap o’ conflict and natural opportunties for comedy. Once they marry, they’re the junior version of Nancy and Frank. Zzzzzz.

Somehow, I have a feeling this is not good.

Oh no, this is about to turn dramatic T.T

He’s good “dad material”. ;-)

Ya, he’s a good guy. But, remember they’re at HIS house. I wouldn’t want that demon loose in MY place.

Hey, it’s actually Greg you’re disagreeing with, he was pretty clear in his blog why he feels that way. Since he’s the one who has to mine the strip for comedy, he must feel there are limitations to a marital state, blissful, impending or otherwise, that he doesn’t want to impose on himself. A lot of TV writers sure feel the same, because the viewers of the various shows they wrote for stopped watching after the thrill and sexual tension was gone. Look at Frank and Nancy – nothing much in the way of plot lines, all they are is reactive to the other characters.

Who wants to bet Shannon either finds T.J.’s money or drug stash?

I always got the impression Jonah was the younger Daytona (say that 3 times fast!), so Toni might also have had the experience of having a younger sibling around. But having a younger brother or sister underfoot doesn’t automatically mean you’re a natural when it comes to child care. Toni has been talking care of Shannon ever since her mother left and her father passed the job to her – so that’s at least 3 more years actual experience caring for a child than Brad has.

Someone tell me again why TONI is – allegedly – the more mature of the couple?

Uh oh. This smells like a tragedy about to happen where their skills are put to the test. Greg hasn’t done a tragedy strip in quite awhile, like back many years ago when Luann was knocked out and broke her leg. I think the end result will be heroism from Brad saving her, and being the final piece of the puzzle for Toni to say “Yes” to Brad for parenting skills. I bet I’m right! Waiting for tomorrow’s strip!

“I Love Lucy” was from the 1950s. There was a movie series produced in the 1930-40s based upon “Blondie & Dagwood.” Of course, with more birth control, there would have been fewer plot developments!

As far as the past mention of Shannon walking in front of Brad & Toni, blowing up a “balloon,” that might be such an ironic comment about the need for birth control… I wish Greg Evans could draw that!

Also, I must add a significant comment to my earlier posting. “Baby Blues” is the best argument for mandatory birth control!

All of the Brad/Luann story lines are great. Stick with that, Greg!

Bwad Better Go get Her..QUICK!!..Shannon gets Bored Quick and Gets into things.. Remember Luanns makeup drawer? Shannon Is a Pure little rascal… Makes Me Wonder if Her Mom Drank… No sober Minded Woman Would Leave their baby girl Behind Right after Giving Birth to her.

Greg tried a lot of early subjects before he realized there were no strips about a teenage girl, and decided to target that niche. Ironically, the strip’s readers weren’t adolescent girls, but an older demographic.

Toni & Brad are already like Ozzie & Harriet, no sexual tension. Luann & Quill generate more heat. Even anticipating the first explosive kiss between Rosa & Gunther is more promising…….and, so far, very frustrating. Oh well, only a little over 8 months till New Year’s Eve, maybe by then Gunther will discover puberty. I know, I know, “explosive” probably isn’t the right word to use, but one can hope.

’

And how many years was Brad the egghead (shape, not intellectual) crumb-spewing brother before that metamorphosis took place? .The fact that Frank and Nancy act as foils for Luann isn’t “self-fulfilling prophecy” – that’s been the strip’s dynamic from the outset! Greg stereotypes them more than that – Frank is inept, Nancy is capable. The fact that this dynamic is behind the successful Everybody Loves Raymond as well as countless other sitcoms should tell you that people are still just fine with it. Greg finds Luann most interesting, not her parents, Puddles or Mr. Fogarty’s third cousin once removed – sue him.. .Look, as much you think Greg’s some slacker who’s avoiding a “challenge” and missing a golden opportunity to mine all married parents out there for yuks, obviously if it doesn’t interest him, and he doesn’t feel it’s there, it’s not gonna happen.

If there was a “Reader-Meter” that measured interest in “Luann” it would’ve taken a big dip today..When “Luann” is about Brad and Toni – interest goes up. When it’s about most anything else, borrr-ring. .I created a monster when I created Toni..But I think one thing that helps make the Brad/Toni storyline compelling is the fact that it’s not THE story. It’s doled out in snippets. If it was all B/T, all the time, it would quickly run itself into the ground. .And some readers actually don’t care for the Brad/Toni saga. They prefer the joke stuff. I think there’s one such reader in Montana and another one in India. .So I’ll continue to leave Brad and Toni while I run off to check in with the rest of the “Luann” cast. Other characters have stories to tell. Are they boring? I hope not. Anyway, I kind of like Tiffany. And Knute. And Gunther. And Quill. And the strip IS called “Luann” – even though she may be (to some) the dullest title character in the comics. .So I’m afraid the meter’s just going to have to dip.

-Greg Evans, 10/25/10