Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 17, 2018

now they’re just testing one another

Rhut-Roh …

Combustion Imminent.” ✨

Food fight, it is. See you next week.

Hey, where’s my Three Stooges DVD?

OMG aren’t these two too old for a friggin’ food fight? That pasta is going to be a pain to clean up…and it sound delicious. What a waste.

Time to grow up fellahs.

The flick that fired the fight fought fiercely with fine food.

Soooo – Les flicks a small piece of mushroom or something at Gunther. Gunther will reciprocate by flicking a tiny piece of icing back at Les.

.

History’s first miniature food fight.

.

One of them will say, “Flick you, man…!”

This is so 7th grade.

Yesterday I say that the arc should end with the boys eating the pasta together. Emphasis on SHOULD because I knew it was too good to be true.

SHOTS FIRED !

Hmmm i’m glad tiffany left. These boys are regressing in maturity in monumental strides. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before they’re trading “i know you are but what am i.” But i have the feeling Tiffany is standing at a window watching these boys fight over her(i’m sure she heard them screaming.)

Yawn. One of the most boring strip ever. Come on, GnK. You can do do better than that/

Gunther, free rent ain’t worth it; your living arrangement is so wrong on so many levels. Pack up and get outta there.

I think Les is trying to goad Gunther into throwing the cake at him – giving Les an excuse to pound Gunther. Gunther needs to be saved by the bell (doorbell).

The staging is interesting here. The action is occurring in the downstage hand, which makes Gunther appears to be left-handed. You can tell Evans is thinking very theatrically.

They went there, just as predicted. Sigh. Hey, where’s Luann? (She’s been disappearing like Perry the Platypus—maybe she has a secret identity that pops up in another comic strip!)

Food fight are so yesteryear and Gunther in that white dress shirt want stay clean.

If high school taught anything, it’s the guy who throws the SECOND punch that usually gets punished. Gunther’s going to be the “bad guy” now.

OMG, this is so cornball.

As immature as it would be, I’d love to see Gunther prove Les wrong by smashing the cake in Les’ face.

Whaddya gonna do now, Gunth?

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Probably tell Tiffy that Les stained his shirt.

Can we please move on from these two?

Okay, Gunth—-double-whammy time! Right fist up and knock the pasta into Les’ chin while the left hand does a slam-dunk with the cake on Les’ head. Then run like hell.

Food fight!! Hey guys, if you don’t want it, maybe share some of that fresh food with others? I mean, I would 100% eat that meal.

Do it Gunther!

The odd couple at work. He’s not worth it Gunth! Turn around and walk away. Get some milk and eat the cake. You are an idiot and it still is your fault, but just walk away.

“THIS, sir, means WAR!” – Bugs Bunny

Okay. Les “fired” the first shot. Note that the lads have reversed positions from yesterday. Quite revealing IMHO. Note also that Les quite calm and collected.

Now, if anybody thinks that Les is still going to be standing upright tomorrow, ready to receive Gunther’s “fire,” then guess again. He gonna DUCK, folks and that cake is either going to spatter against the wall or in the face of anyone that just happens to walk through the front door. I’m guessing that person may be Tiffany who has returned to apologize for starting this whole thing with her “Two dates on the same night” fiasco, or Al, come to see what all the commotion is about, or even Irma.

If it’s Tiffany, then that pretty much ends any chance of Gunther has of even remaining “friends” with her. Les Wins.

If it’s Al, then it’ll prove My theory that the first Al is ever depicted communicating with Gunther on Strip, He yelling at him. Les Wins.

If it’s Irma, she’ll Boo Hoo Hoo, “GUNTHIE! How could you DO this to Me?!!?” Les Wins. But that’s okay. It would be a refreshing change of pace to see something that would wipe the smile off her face.

I wonder what’s going on over at Arlo & Janis ….

Go for it, Gunther.

It would be nice to just see a day with Luann in the comic. Its almost like he has run out of ideas for her

I just wish this wasn’t so drawn out. It’s nice to have some “conflict” or dilemma, but it can be summed up in a week or less. This seems to be going on for over two. (Just like the other recent issues have)

So, who will walk in and get hit by flying food at the height of this idiotic story arc? Tiffany, or Al and Irma? I wish the characters in this strip would be allowed to grow up.

Evans ‘retired’ when Luann left high school and his daughter took over and have made a mess of things since. old characters dropped story lines never completed. etc etc

So, Gunther admits he is a wimp. It’s also up to Tiffany to define “too far” not him. I’m afraid you’ve lost this round Gunther. Cut your losses. Go off to culinary school that has a minor in fashion design. Find yourself man!

Two semesters into college doesn’t make one an adult. Some of us are forty years into adulthood and still get drawn into bickering about nothing. Just like the two boys in today’s strip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3daMvR0NeG8

The escalation continues. Shouting to threats to assault and now assault and battery.GnK are teasing us with the Gunther character. Is this a defining moment for Gunther. Have all the disruptions in his life put him in a crisis situation? Which way will he go.

The way things have worked over the years with Greg is that Gunther will continue the escalation and perhaps a very brief fight will break out, typically just one blow. Then, long term, Gunther will revert to norm.

“you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”

( not apropos of anything , just since we seem to be stuck on food related discourse ).

I am Luannfan A# 1 I have been told, and I usually enter a positive spin on any particular arc, or the strip itself as a whole, but I have to say that Greg and maybe Karen have drawn themselves into a stalemate here. We are spending nearly two weeks of after Tiffany fiasco time between Les and Gunther, without any idea of a comedic, character resolving, or arc ending resolution. It just goes on and on and on, and Saturday is still three days in the distance. They are not going to physically fight each other, food fight might, might, be on the menu, but what then? This rag has been wrung as far as it can, no more soap and water of any consequence is left in it. Even I would like this wrapped up so we loyal Luann fans can move on.

THAT’S ENOUGH! I’m sorry for the waste of good food. But GO GUNTHER! FOOD FIGHT!!!

food fight!

Wish there was a “dislike” button.

Yep, I see a food fight coming. And after its all done, Leslie and Gunth are going to be friends.

like Obi-Wan Kenobi Throw the cake, Gunth…..

DO IT!

Do it NOW

“And that was the moment, your honor, when I socked him with the cake real hard”

I think Gunther should smash the whole cake in Les’s smug face and then dump that mushroom bowl on top of it.

I think Gunther’s about to let him have it with the cake. Once the bully has been stood up to, the whole dynamic changes. This may be the start of a beautiful relationship.

You guys should write your own comic strip. Then you can try to get it syndicated, write a new segment every day, and watch people complain about every situation you create.

Told ya. The Odd Couple. Remember the linguini scene?

How to prevail against Les:

1) Quickly spot the plate of Pate on table.

2) Repeat step 1….but this time it’s a butterknife you’ll spot.

3) Rapidly begin to fashion Pate into a shape.

4) If done to the proper specifications, shape should resemble a backpack.

5) Put on backpack.

6) Now swing it.

7) If intended target should remain standing, quickly find another malleable food item, then repeat steps 1-7. Do it twice, not for good measure, but just because.

8) If subject should remain standing, but also laughing at you, refer to manual 3G, and proceed to don elevator shoes, clothing with extra weight inserts and comb hair into a style that would resemble an Ox.

9) If none of these are available, as a last resort, you must now transform into the creature you know as: “The Incredible Sulk”™®©.

10) Optional: Add one teaspoon of salt, bring to boil, and allow tempest to stew in teapot, for 4 hrs.

Tomorrow’s prediction:

After Gunther does not retaliate:

That is the difference between you and me. You have no balls. Tiffany would have NEVER scheduled a date after me. To her, you are just another girlfriend.

Ooh. It’s on now!!!!

The authors need to change the name of the strip, or go back to showcasing Luann, her parents, Brad and Tony (who I’d LOVE to see more of), bring Delta back, etc.

It’s official. This strip has nothing to do with Luann anymore.

“Having A Fling”

“State Of The Onion Redress”

“Don’t Shoot, ’Till You See The Egg Whites In Their Eyes!”

“Those who Fail To Learn From The Pasta, Are Doomed To Reheat It”

“Dinner’s On You, Tonight!’

“Beat You To The Punch”

“Just Nacho Day, Is It?”

“There’ll Be Gravy Consequences”

“I’ll See Your High Stakes, And Braise You A Few More!”

“Lettuce Put This To Bed!”

“You Butter Watch Out!”

or

“Guess Chicken Can Fly!”

2

Ugh. “Food Fight” foolery continues.

I am so very sadly finding this week even more annoying than last week’s “Pre-Fight” panels. I am so not finding this up to usual “Luann” quality. I think this arc thus far has to be a foolish red herring of some sort by Greg and we are going to get some amazing end result… or at least a shocking cliff hanger in the end. I am hoping this is the case. And, if Sheriff’s context to his “clues” for us were legitimate… something good will happen.

But, who the hell knows at this point? Other thoughts:

1. Les’ flicking a tiny piece of food at Gunther….. is it enough of a provocation to goad Gunther into retalitating? And, if so, will this goad Gunther into a huge return fire that will make him seem more the “bad guy” or the “agressor”? Or will Gunther not take the bait and retain some of his common sense?

2. I find it interesting that Les does not seem actually angry at this point. He seems more just trying to push Gunther’s buttons. I wonder if this is an intentional emotional change we should note… or if it is just a momentary gap before his anger returns?

3. Gunther’s face with the whites of his eye showing is a little disturbing. I do recognize that it is done to show him looking downward at the crumb of food Les flicked at him, but it does look odd. I guess I am glad Gunther does not get eyes drawn like Luann. :)

Obviously in the above, the word should be retaliating. Not the mish-mash of letters I typed.

(*John Belushi yells, “FOOD FIGHT!!!”)

The characer’s motivations don’t make sense. They are drawn to be liked and understood… but the writing has become downright bizzare.

I WANT to like this comic again…. I thought I liked the characters… but I have no way to relate to such odd stuff…. I hope the author is okay…..

Maybe a stroke, or a bout of depression could explain this storyline.

Now Les gets the cake. And Tiffany comes back for her date with Les.

KICK HIM IN THE JIMMIES!!!!

actually some college aged folk and people in their 30’s act like kids.

Do boys really grow up, come on!

Remember that it was Animal House that started the big food fight craze back in the day. Just watched a special about it.

Dropping the T-word. Racist much?

I can see what’s coming next …

Boys, boys, boys. Calm down! Gunther, yes Les can be a real creep, but his relationship with Tiffany is none of your business. Les, yes Gunther can be a real jerk, but Tiffany won’t blame you for that. Now, you two just open up a six-pack of Peruvian beer, sit back in the beanbag chairs, and chill.

Next, Gunther will return ‘flit’ for ‘flat’.

This. Is. Boring. Leave home, or kill each other, I just honestly do not care any more.

I HATE today’s comic. It contains two of my least favorite things – - Wasting food Making a mess! I hope Gunther does not throw the cake.

Look at this as foreplay. The two men are moving into a personal, romantic relationship. Nice.

I don’t think that mushroom pasta dish should be an orangey color.

Cake facial, on it’s way!

Ooooh guess its time to figh… um… er… hug it out. :)

Have your cake and wear it, too.

I just love the “mature” way Gunther and Les are handling this. The next thing you know Les will be wearing the cake and Gunther will be wearing the mushroom pasta. Let the throwing commence.

Delta needs to make a return visit and straighten everybody out!

Les looks remarkably calm for a guy who was angry enough to take a swing a few days ago (only a minute ago in-strip) and who has received nothing but more provocation since that moment. I see the characters’ emotional states are not gonna be driven organically but rather by the needs of the punchline at any particular moment. It’s a shame that this strip keeps dropping the ball like this; it’d be nice to actually see the characters pushed to their limit for once instead of always going for the cop-out ending where nothing is at stake and all the character dynamics either stay the same or get reset back to what they were before.

Final verdict: Boys in this comic strip are boring, let’s get back to the girls.

bundt cake it stiff and firm. the only way use it in food fight would be to grab a chunk, squeeze it into shreds and shower Les with them.

I see Gunther firmly pie-planting the cake in Les’s face with an upward push, then pouring his wild mushroom pasta down Les’s shirt.

Uh Oh. Now he’s done it.

That was a Brand New Shirt.

Oh yay…oooohh…. foodfight !!! foodfight!!!!

good thing Tiff will probably never know what happened to her dinner and dessert!

Really? This is just silly now.

Does Greg have a son involved in the strip?If anyone took over from the family, seems like it would be his daughter, Karen.

In North America, women are 50.5% of the population.Thanks to stress, more heart disease (maybe where fat accumulates) and war, men die off, on average, before women.There are indeed lesbians who are not interested in dating or being in relationships with men. To balance that out, statistically, there are gay men not interested in relationships with women.

HOWEVER, more to your point, the trend on US College campuses has reversed from 20 years ago: last year 56% of college students were female.So, like the lady in Hunger Games might say to Gunther and Les, “May the odds be ever in your favor, ya dumbasses!”-——(relevant article: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/08/why-men-are-the-new-college-minority/536103/ )

Leslie “the Crusher” instinctively knows how to violate OCD Gunther’s limits! This is going to become very messy, and neither boy (emphasis on boy) will fare well with Farrell….

You don’t have to be young to get into a food fight. My ex’s aunt and uncle were in their 70s. The uncle grabbed a can of spray whipped cream and coated the aunt with it. She grabbed the other can and did the same to him! She then made him go to the store and get more whipped cream for the family dinner.

It’s unfortunate that Les and Gunther just can’t be friends and shrug off this episode of animosity and rivalry. Les has no accepted ‘mother figure’ in his life and Gunther has no real ‘father figure’…..they both seem to be truly missing the advice their original parents would have given them.

They need a counsellor and big hugs! Shake hands and go ‘back to your corners’ guys!

Aw geezus guys. Just kiss and make up already.