Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 04, 2015

It seems like a bother, when you want so bad to be able to go: “Aha!!!!!” and find some “outstanding blemish” against someone….and all you can turn up are “pocket change and lint”… – Maybe Mr. Gray is that “Wonder Bread” kind of guy, but with a “Barry White” kind of voice….maybe that’s why he hasn’t said much…he saves his voice for the ladies… -And Gunther’s no longer “the Plaid Lad”… I guess it’ll be that way, from now on…

C’mon, Gunther, can’t you at least trust your mother and well as your friends who trust your mother?

Quill the wise trying to talk sense into Gunther the wimpy idiot.

I saw Mr. Grey in a previous strip. He may be a gentleman but he’s not little. LOL

Funny that Gunther is so untrusting of someone who looks harmless. There are a lot of people who would take a look at today’s version of Gunther and automatically assume the worst of him because of the way he looks. And he would undoubtedly hate that…

I never really liked Gunther but now I close enough to hate him…

Please don’t let Mr. Gray turn out to be a villain and make Gunther a hero for rushing home from South America to rescue Mommy from him. That would be just far over the edge.

It is never easy to grow up late, but Gunther is going to have to, and that is far better than never doing it.

Um, Gunther, YOU’RE a perfectly harmless, quiet little gentleman.

He actually looks something like an adult version of Gunther; timid, quiet and unassuming…

I’m right with seismic-2 and argythree. Does that make six of us?

“See You Later, Investigator!”“Call Him Ishmael!”“Sneaking Suspicions”“Clean As A Whistle-Blower”“Private Eyes That Blink” (♫)“A Stand Up Guy Don’t Sit Well With Me”“So What’s Your Kryptonite?” (♫)“Every Breath You Take…” (♫)“Hudunnit? Not Me!” (♫)“A Stakeout And A Grilling”“Looking For Hate In All The Wrong Places” (♫)or“Gonna Wash That Gray Right Out Of Her Hair…” (♫)

I agree with seismic2, Greg. Let’s not have Mr. Gray turn out evil. Don’t go there. Let’s get back more into Luann, and her growing up.

On that note, I think I’ll turn in. ’Night, all!

…said the perfectly harmless quiet little gentleman…

“Suspicious Minds”, Elvis, FYC“Hudunnit”, Genesis“What You’re Doing”, Rush“Private Eyes”, Hall And Oates“Kryptonite”, 3 Doors Down

I don’t think Gunther has quite come to terms with the fact that Quill’s description of Mr Gray as “a perfectly harmless, quiet little gentleman” could be applied equally to Gunther!

“Ix-Nay On Gray” (a parody two short of “Timbuk3”)(♫)I’m like “nuclear science”,cos I burned some bridgesI left my lunch in Lima, where the break room fridge is…But I couldn’t wait- and so I grabbed my sweaterI was doing all right, but I ain’t got it madeNot until I dig up the dirt on Mr. Gray

Had a job and a lady, after my graduationWas waitin’ all year, for a taste of “near beer”But it didn’t rate… I know how to make it all betterSo I grabbed a flight, gonna save the dayMomma gonna see the light without all the Gray

Well, I’m smartly dressed, but worldly unwiseI’m a “green-eyed” techie givin’ him the “stink eye”If things were okay, just wait ‘till I make ’em better….I was doing alright, but if I had my wayHis “exit stage left” would “save the play”…

She’ll thank me later, but as for nowGotta set up the cameras, secure the soundMaybe catch him in the act… jaywalking, or even better….The bluest skies and the clearest dayAs soon as I chase out the Gray…Yeah, they’ll call me a hero, when I save the day…The future’s alright..but better with a lot less Gray…A lot less Gray… (2X) (♫)

Come on Gunther! Grow UP! How do you think YOU were made? Let Mom have some fun!Pouting will get you no where..

(♫) Growing Up Is Hard To Do

“Mr. Gray” reminds me of the alien in “Dreamcatcher”…

Let’s be honest, with Greg’s track record this will most likely end with Gray being evil or leaving mom because he doesn’t want to cause strife. TJ didn’t like the food truck, it blew up. Luann got sad face because Quill left? He magically returns. Toni sees Dirk has his life together? Got to marry Brad now.

We can hope to see Gunther mature and accept his mother dates, but at the same time we most likely won’t.

It could be worse, she could be dating Mr. Leahy (I bet none of you get that reference)!

come on grow up G, go on a meeting with mr Gray and settle all your doubts, who knows, he might have a daughter ;)

Is it definite that Mr. Gray isn’t Gunther’s dad?

“Still waters run deep” is the old admonition; today’s remark by Quill in panel 3 seems darkly ominous and full of foreboding. I am now concerned about the nebbish-like Mr. Gray….

Mr. Gray is too shy to even talk to anyone, and is too self-effacing to admit to having a first name. That’s husband material right there, lemme tell ya. ;)

“Perfectly Harmless, Quiet Little Gentleman,” eh Pretty Boy?Well, SO was that Adolf Kid, Until….,

ok, how long has it been since Gunther left Rosa at the remote clinic till now? He must be making a conscious effort to maintain that style of beard, otherwise it would be a full out beard by now…same with his hair

Did Gunther’s mom read 50 Shades of Gray?

Another “twist” would be: to have that Gunther really does find something, but no one chooses to believe him, and having some dismiss it as just Gunther being ‘petty, jealous, immature. etc.’ which leads to him going through a period of tension with some of his friends…

Everyone in the strip keeps saying Gunther’s changed. How is he different? We saw him be surly towards his mother while he was still in high school, so that’s not new. The only thing different is the anger that he spews, because Mommy has a suitor. If Gunther has “changed”, can we see some evidence of it really soon?

Gunther isn’t just cutting the apron strings he is going at it with a chain saw.

Ah hah! Gunthie is really growing up. Maybe time to get back to Peru with you, Gunthie. Your life was far more interesting before you had you hissie fit! Don’t you miss Rosa?

Greg, here is your chance for a spin-off strip: Gunther and Rosa in Peru!

> Something happened to Gunther on that tour with the Senor oldies where he decided he would stop shaving, stop wearing plaid, and not be able to control his anger.>That would make a lot of sense, because we saw the familiar wimpy Gunther having lunch with Luis, then after a drunken Gunther is put on the bus and spends a week with the Sun City tour, he has obvious resentment for his mother and for the superficial things that served to identify his “previous life” (the shirts and the shaving). Something happened in that week on the bus to traumatize the G-Man. I suspect it was when he discovered that the Senior(ita)s who had been mothering him (just the way his own Mommy did) were in fact a busload of transvestites. Just look at the group photo and how big these “old ladies” are, relative to Gunther!-

“it’s not like any of Gunther’s “friends” ever hang out with him one on one.” ^While it is true that some friends stop being close, even when they seemed to be at one point or another, I would say that if it were true that they weren’t such great friends, anymore, then Luann wouldn’t have reacted as she did in these two strips from "New Years’ "…and neither would anyone else… they’d be: “Oh..it’s you! Anyway,….(and then turning back to what they’re doing…)”. –

– I think that they did take Gunther for granted, but only because of the nature of his personality,the busy goings on of everyone and also because Luann is, well, “Luann”..– Quill and he agreed to being “brothers” from the strips where he got settled in, if you can recall…– I would surmise that if Quill were to be a “reluctant believer” (if the arc did indeed take that turn), he would still “suspect” that Gunther was just “being resentful”, but still went along to try and find out…

I think the Ladies on the bus actually helped Gunth grow a pair.

“I get excited to see people I haven’t seen or talked to in years. It doesn’t mean we were good friends before, or that we’ll be good friends after that, but even casual acquaintances can get a rise out of people….”

^Well, like I said , people can be close, and then not close. And also like I said they “took Gunther for granted” before. Not to mention the various “goings on” in everyone’s lives. But again, notice the way that Luann moves to grab his arm in the 2nd panel of the first strip. Even Luann won’t just grab just any guy’s arm, as “boy crazy” as she is/was… and this group of people seem to be very selective about whom they frequent with, even if it would seem to be in only “group settings”. – For me, personally, if it’s someone I haven’t seen in a long time: if I liked them, I will say: “Hey! How ya doin’?”, but if I am not particularly fond of them and haven’t seen them in a long time, even if I once enjoyed them, but aren’t “comfortable” around them now, I’ll be “cordial”, respectful and also personable, and I will let them know if they look good, and will also be glad for them doing alright, and concerned if they’re not, but I won’t “put on airs” and make the kind of gestures and such as what Luann and co are doing in the strips above. – But don’t forget, too, that they have dealt with Gunther “one on one” at various times, even recently, such as when Luann was suspicious of Tiffany at Drama Camp, and she called none other than Gunther. Gunther and Bernice have had one or two encounters together, and of course, Knute is Gunther’s best friend (or at least has been ), even Tiffany has dealt with Gunther on a personal basis, before. It’s just that now things have changed, somewhat.– It’s sort of a combination of treating him like “Oh, that’s just Gunther…” and “You’re the one we count on in a pinch!”… they have always noted him to be “loyal and dependable”. Of course, now we’re seeing some “new” things with him “bubbling up to the surface”, though. The real question would be: “What will the dynamic of the relationships be, going forward ?”

So they’re really into “childish”? I agree that they probably will admire Gunther, because that’s what Greg Evans obviously intends to make happen, but realistically neither girl would find his whiney attitude to be attractive at all.

Pretty much!!! – And from her reaction during that week, I’d say Bernice would seem to agree! – Tiffany? Hmmm… intriguing!

I think that Quill will take the place of Knute- and now, instead of being the “comic relief” along with Knute, Gunther will take on a new “role”. Quill seems to be a “moral compass” in the group, but to me, it seems he will serve as such for Gunther, in particular.– Quill doesn’t seem to spend time with people that he doesn’t take a liking to, considering the way he’s described his family relationship history. He seems glad to be in Gunther’s presence and to take on the role of being his friend…

Good question! -Seemed like that was the problem with Quill at first, and why Mr. Evans was “perplexed” as to what to do with him. He’s sort of like the “Teflon Kid”, a smooth talker who would never seem to irk any parents, and could possibly get away with a lot of stuff, because of his “looks”…. and as Brd called him, a “cardboard cutout”, not generally expressive (in terms of things like waiting so long to tell Tiffany to “back off”) and just a “centerpiece” kind of character. I guess for now he’s found a place for Quill, though…

Actually, he cleared that up in a live interview last year. He has “creative meetings” with her, and says that her input is “invaluable”, but his expressions indicated that he still “calls the shots”, more or less….the way he expressed things, it seems she’s more of “the creative consultant”…

Obviously Gunther is referring to himself, because he knows how awful he really is.

i like his new look

Gunther is loading up a backpack? When did he get re-accepted to Mooney? And still no geek cloths and scruffy looking. Don’t like him running down his mom. He left for himself and he came back for himself. She put her life on hold for 20 years while she raised him alone. And if he want’s to know about Mr. Gray he should ask her. But like an adult. Not a threatened little boy that wants to be the man of the house.

The only reason why “he is the worst kind” is because he is the type that is easy to like and he is afraid his mother will fall for him and marry him.

“Too accurate. I hope Gunther keeps wearing pants, though.” ^LOL!

Ha! Nice one!

I’d have to disagree, I think it’d be lowering Bernice’s character to have her fight over a boy.

Curious how you’d think Luann getting involved would be a hairy situation. We’ve already seen no matter what Tiffany does she is evil so all it would be is more “Evil evil Tiffany, how bad is she.” Kind of thing.

Could be!! Especially given that Bernice and Tiffany are in “close proximity” at the dorm, there could be some situations…– If it were also that Luann were to somehow get involved (whether as a bystander/interloper or a “potential interest”), look out!!!

Is Gunther still wearing his Peru tee-shirt (under that V-neck)? I do his sartorial transformation consists of more than just swapping the old plaid shirt for a souvenir tee-shirt!

Gunther is just jealous of Mr. Grey. He doesn’t realize it yet. He’s displacing jealousy with suspicion. The kid still has some growing up to do. The apron strings aren’t completely gone yet.

(“re-invent herself”/more outgoing toward men:) Also a good point!

(Quill vs. Gunther over Luann:) Well, there could be that, too!

Geez, this is even more tedious than the Peru crap. We should have just left Gunther down there to suffer in silence (from our perspective) with Rosa.

Poor Gunther is emotionally retarded.Given time, he may still develop social skills such as consideration of others.Some people obviously never do.

A lot like Gunther…..

Quill! you had dinner with the man.Did you glean no more than we did?Oh, that’s right.There was a big build-up to that meal, but we didn’t see how your hard work in the kitchen was received, and everyone apparently sat in mute silence after Gunther intoned that he was “…coming home”.:::: ominous, discordant note ::::

I thought Archie was dead

It would be funny as hell if Mr.Gray turned out to be an ex marine who can lay the smackdown if necessity.

and in the next set of panels tomorrow, Quill will say something like ‘since when is it your job to choose your mother’s friends?… Does she choose your friends for you?’ But Quill is very tactful and grown up for his age. Gunther has a very low emotional IQ and an inability to deal with other human beings. Quill will try to repair that. Interestingly Luann has a very high emotional IQ, acutely sensitive to others and their needs. I think this is what attracts Quill to her.

My new thought on the situation:+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++1) I am annoyed at Gunther’s curlish and insolent attitude. All of his change seems to be a facade. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++2) I think it would be outlandishly funny if Mr. Gray turned out to be GUNTHER’s biological father! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++My thought is perhaps Mrs. Berger could have had a falling out with Mr. Gray long, long ago during her pregnancy, left Gray, and reverted back to her maiden name (she nor Gunther have ever talked about any other relatives). People just assumed she was “Mrs.” all these years OR she suggested that her husband passed away. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++This would be a good comeuppance for Gunther…. annoying as he has been since coming back from Peru. The only problem…. the Mr. Gray character would probably become a regular…. and he seems so uninteresting…. unless of course…. maybe he is a spy, or an ex hippie or in another life he worked on one of the “Deadliest Catch” vessels. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Damn… I guess I am going a bit far afield. Gweedo….. you didn’t switch my pipe tobacco for “something” legal in your state, did you?

“Personally I’d rather Gunther meet someone new that likes him for who he is (after he stops being a jerk”*RB – Ah, of course. But who is Gunther? The shy geek, the reluctant adventurer, the jilted lover, the future dude? Maybe he ought to find THE one. On the other hand, maybe he just needs to find another girl to help him grow and BECOME the grown gunthie.

Maybe the ideal situation would be for Gunther to become an emotionally sound, mature and socially adept person under the influence of Mr. Gray, who could be the father figure that Gunther never had. I suppose the odds that the strip will go in that direction are pretty slim, though.

With all the comments and psychological analyses we have been projecting onto Gunther, I think Greg is beginning to have some frightful thoughts about us!

WHAT!? You were dating them too!?

Which would be great if it actually described Luann. Past actions suggest the description is a bit of an overkill.

LOL!!!

> Now if Gunther wants a make over he can start lifting weights to alter his physique. >I believe anyone who walks around in the public library naked must be comfortable with his own body. (He may have a few other issues, though!)

And don’t forget the “Afterlife with Archie” horror comic book, which is aimed at a definitely older audience. Jughead, Mr. Weatherbee, and many others become zombies and slaughter most of the rest of Riverdale to eat their brains. Only a small band of survivors (including Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Mr. Lodge) escape the city. And now Sabrina, the teenage witch, has become the bride of Cthulhu (from the Lovecraft mythos)! Ain’t exactly what you expect from the crowd at Pop Tate’s malt shop (which went up in flames, and he became a zomnie too).

Bernice already has.

Often before an adolescent becomes a full-fledged adult, he or she goes through a hellish metamorphosis. Maybe this is where Gunther is now. I’d cut him some slack.

Wazzat?

@Night-Gaunt49“isn’t a gender thing, it is a back bone thing.”.Need musculoskeletal entirety, of course, otherwise just fall over.Therefore, need brain to control the muscles.Therefore, need mental backbone to tell the brain motor controls neural messengers to control the muscles to keep the spine upright..Testosterone contributes to this.

> part of me thinks Evans put a beard on Gunther>(insert your own “Rosa” joke here)

Yeah, Fred Andrews and Mr. Gray need a visit to Maury…

Yankee fan, huh? LOL, now I’m beginning to understand why Gunther feels suspicious…

Basically, all middle-aged schlubs in comics look like that. Remember the boss Mr. Pinkley from the “Cathy” strip?

Gunther doesn’t want to hear how his mom and Mr.Gray are on the luncheon committee for their bosses’ retirement party.

“It certainly contributes to the idea that only guys can be forceful. “Man up” so what do women do?”.What they often do is order men to “MAN UP”.Men seldom say such hurtful things.Haven’t you noticed?

Speaking of LuAnn and Quill. Make things interesting. LuAnn and Quill get a little closer then they should and they find themselves becoming parents. Or would that be a little too much for a family comic strip?

Women grow up…

SPOILER ALERT-Now that Gunther has finished his latest tantrum about his mother, surprise! He thinks just maybe something might be missing from his life, even though he’s all set for his return to the world where he feels most comfortable. What might the missing ‘something’ be?

“Brought to you by…” – “Circles”….“If you don’t like ‘em right now, you’ll come around, eventually….”

@argythree“As I said to @N-G49, above, what women do is GROW UP.”.Up, old tomato tomahtoOn the other hand, I AM in my late youth.My father used to tell me to grow up. Even though I was only six at the time, that is still a good expression. It lets a person know his behavior is inappropriate for an adult..Some people act like idiots because they don’t know not to.Some act like idiots because they enjoy entertaining those laughing at them.(Some actually ARE idiots.)

Quiet and harmless — like YOU? So don’t forget that a father out there may be thinking the same thing about YOU and decde you’re not good enough for HIS daughter…