Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 06, 2013

It’s just a comic, folks. Chill.

Young Love, Sweet Love, Filled With True Devotion!

Very cool strip this week, Greg!!

11 years later I can hardly believe it myself!

ET following them ?

Yay!!

All week, I was thinking they would tell Nancy & Frank on Sat….. Will it be Sun now , or Monday? (Or will Greg make us wait a couple weeks for that?)

Brad’s parents are going to be grandparents. Interesting.

Think back to the 80s & 90s, NO ONE would have seen this coming, not only is Brad a good person and a hero, but’ is also engaged to a VERY lovely lady….. After all, he started as jerk and he literally stalked his first crush (Diane) (He was kind of a fat Dirk, without the muscles)

No, it’s a couple of characters standing behind the car laughing like crazy. Brad and Toni were so caught up in the moment, they still haven’t noticed the car is up on blocks as the tires and wheels are gone…^^Who would steal the wheels off a mostly stock ’78 Chevy Nova?

Tomorrow or Monday… Brad and Toni announce their engagement to the rest of the Degroots: Luanne grabs Toni’s hands and they do a combination, hug & dance and jump up and down together, yelling and screeching…. Nancy , Totally stunned falls into her chair and stares blankly at the ceiling for several minutes … Frank, looking like it’s no big deal says “Congrats Brad” in a monotone and Brad shakes his hand casually and answers in the same monotone “thanks Dad”

I am happy for them. Hope everything goes well. Looking forward to the wedding.

Toni seems more like a mother to him than a wife…….the maturity level gap between the two of them on top of the “looks” gap makes this a rather comical pairing……and thus indeed “only a comic”. Let’s have Luann top it by being pursued by Hollywood’s three top single male actors…..and Gunther by the entire Dallas Cowboys cheerleader team…..

We’ll build a world of our own that no one else can share.All our sorrows we’ll leave far behind us there.And I know you will find there’ll be peace of mindwhen we live in a world of our own.-A World of Our OwnThe Seekers

I expect Luann will expect to be a bridesmaid, and will be TOTALLY obsessed with what she will wear, and getting Quill here for the wedding. Wait for it :-)

Lev – Stop it you’re depressing me. I know this is a family strip – however maybe we can think what we don’t see is a little better than that.

Brad:Glory to god in the highest, sing glory to god…Toni:Save it for the wedding.

In the first frame Toni is looking wistfully out the window. She doesn’t seem totally sold yet. I don’t think Greg will put us through a long engagement. If Toni doesn’t do an about face – I think they will get married fairly soon.

“…and the horror is about to begin?”.Well that WAS your 4th post…

The strip continues Monday as they come up on an accident where they try to help and then… tragedy strikes.

What? Too 1970’s soap opera???

Donny, get help right away.

I remember that feeling…and it was over twenty years ago. It was very similar for a while afterward too, where you keep looking at each other and saying, “We’re married!”. Good times.

You better not get them in a wreck now, Greg. Pleasedo not ruin this now with tragedy. We have waitedtoo long for this,.it has been like years. Can we pleaseenjoy this? Thank you so much.P.S.Can they get rings? Can we see it? Yeah~a wedding! Thank

you! :-)

At that age, first come wheels, then comes marriage…^^Well, the few times they ever showed the side of the car, the wheels were stock with standard hubcaps… I think Brad made a few mods in the engine, but, the car is as I said, pretty much stock

It’s a wonderful time before anyone else knows.

Vision #1. Brad’s parents will be visualizing Brad & Toni in Paris holding hands walking toward the Eiffel Tower. Vision #2: Luann will be visualizing Bead & Toni in Hawaii holding hands rushing toward a big wave.The Reality: Brad & Toni both bent over looking into the hood of a car – butt cracks showing….

I realize that I’m carryin’ this over to today, but I wanted to show my response….. Ihad just posted this on yesterday’s (just got up,,,,yawn).

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y463/ertepix/rickguitar_zps3f4e4e2d.jpg

yes!!! that’s it!! I think next to his checkerboard Gibson Explorer, this one is my favorite of his. He and Bo Diddley have unique guitars…. Trick is not my all time fav, but they are up there when it comes to performing and songcraft……my wife will get a kick out of this! Thanks…..

Doonesbury carried off a great cartoon wedding between Alex and Toggle starting June 11th 2012.

Today’s strip keeps reminding me of Joey Scarbury’s song: “look at what’s happened to me, I can’t believe it, myself, suddenly I’m on top of the world… believe it or not, IIIIIIII’m walking on air, I never thought it could feel so free…. flying away, on a wing and a prayer…. believe it or not, it’s just meeee…..”

I liked this week also, Greg. I hope this line continues.

If I was gonna pick a song for ’em…

Train’s ‘Marry Me’ is to the point.

This Night took 6 days, No wonder 11 years in our time.

Maybe if Brad or Toni could make a wedding cd for themselves to play at their wedding, or just to keep as a wedding memento for themselves, they could take the songs we’ve all listed, and put them on there. So far, we’ve got:

1.“Knights In White Satin” (Moody Blues)2. “Marry Me” (Train)3. “A World of Our Own” (The Seekers)4. “The Flame”(Cheap Trick)5. “Stuck on You” (Lionel Ritchie)Uh, what else?

Let’s see how it goes when they move in together. I don’t think brad has seen the true Toni, and when he does . . . . run Brad run . . . . don’t do it.

don’t get too excited until that ink is laid down – he can still shift the story line

Toni and Brad are having their moment of pre-wedded bliss, and Sunday might (or might not) be a gathering of the family and announcement to them. Will the other shoe drop next week?

So, once they’re married, how long do you think it’ll be before Toni’s brother takes off for good and they have to adopt Shannon?

This week has been the best ever. And I’ve been readingit a long time, many many years, now. Absolutely thebest. Thank you, Greg.

Today’s strip just confirms my belief that we are in for a short engagement.

I just want to stay in that feeling they are sharing in the car. That’s when you think it will go on forever… Enjoy it, young lovers, keep it, for as long as you can. Thanks Greg for bringing back that magical feeling and magical times.

Awwww, Brad’s on autopilot. Keep your eyes of the road, Brad.

Who is Karen that several people have referenced over the past week?

love the happy looks in all the panels. This is how young love should be, almost like a dream. They are old enough to know what they are doing and I believe they will make a good couple. I also believe they will adopt the niece((can’t remember her name)) and finally that little girl will have a safe, secure, loving and stable homelife.

Brad, you’re getting married!

Usually the Sunday Strip has nothing to do with the daily story arc. I wonder if Greg Evans will make an exception tomorrow.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he did. This IS pretty momentous. It will affect the Sunday strip sooner or later, so he might as well have it about their engagement, as well.

Boy, I can’t wait to see what Greg does with the honeymoon. Will there be a ‘subscriber-only’ series of strips that will cover that little post-wedding tradition? (18 and over only, please)

I especially like what Toni said, and what she didn’t say. She didn’t say, “We’re engaged!” No, she says,“We’re getting married”.

She isn’t focused on the wedding. She is focused on the marriage. There is a big difference.

The one is all excitement, ceremony and celebration. The other is about commitment, about life together, about being with someone for the rest of their lives through trials and triumphs.

The lady has her head on straight.

Mawwage! Twu Wuv!

11 years? Do you think it will hit Luannn she was a Senior 11 years ago yet she still is? But kids love their schools so much more these days.

Awww!

Somehow I have to agree that something will happen to delay the wedding like an accident nut I am confident they will get married but later than it appears. Plus we have to deal with how can they be married and keep their jobs?

Good to have a nice storyline once and a while..Will they have a big argument which almost stops the wedding? Or will Brad just go with the flow all the way through. .They’re getting hitched, hooray!

Hmmmm. Every frame has significance in this story-telling business….how significant is the “I don’t believe it” line…prophetic?

Can’t wait for TJ’s reaction,, Brad and Toni getting Married means he has to look for a new crib.^^My guess is that he will take over the lease at Toni’s apartment

Jeeze, Leviticus – has anyone ever said to you “Hey, I’m up here!” ;-)

The simply beautiful art work this week has been wonderful.The story line has been just great. Thanks again Mr. Evans, this has been a high point that you captured perfectly. It made me feel really good.

i bet somewhere there’s an x-rated version of Luann comics.

“let’s not read too much into things …Greg seems to follow Occam’s Razor : i.e.: the simplest explanation is probably the right one.”

Yes, I’ve noticed that. He isn’t one to needlessly complicate the plots.

I learned my lesson in the final TJ vs. Ann Eiffel arc. I has caught up in predicting all sorts of complications and plot twists, but in the end all TJ did was show her the door.

Since then, I’ve stayed with the simplest, most straight-forward predictions and have nearly always been right.

Mr. Evans must be doing a great job. So many comments here are treating this storyline as if were real. I just enjoy he strip and I find it entertaining and amusing. I’d love for him to bring back Anne trying to get revenge on TJ.

Good job Evans.

OK, so no ring today. I guess them going ring shopping can be another plot line for a week or so.

“Somebody please explain that one to me. I can’t say about his work on the job I never see it at all.”

@Donny: IIRC, it was Brad that saved Zane’s life. Regular posters here, feel free to confirm or deny (as if I could stop you :) ). Then we saw ample work hours of his at WW.

Brad? Toni?

Have You two Love-Monkeys given any THOUGHT as to what You’d name Your first child if its a boy?

May I Humbly Suggest “Donald”? Donald.Donald DeGroot.Donny DeGroot.Got a NICE Ring, Don’t it?

I’d Thought first about “Clyde DeGroot” but that sounded a little too “Hayseed” for the Neo-Hipsters on THIS Forum.

“Donny DeGroot”, Okay Greg and Karen?

Because I do so Love OUTRAGE and INDIGNATION with My COFFEE….,

I am predicting we are not yet done with Dirk the Jerk…

still happy for this imaginary coupleno dampers allowed

i remember this feeling

i have a funny feeling about the lights in the car or cars behind them.

wait till they tell the families.thing is, Brad most likely will not believe it till Toni is in her wedding gown walking up to him. THEN it seems to become real to the guys.even if they were the ones who proposed.

Neither do we Brad, Neither do we…

I’m afraid there’s going to be some complication with the Fire Department, some rule that will make one of them have to quit!

Who are the two people with glowing eyes in the back seat? This arc would be great if it added alien abduction.

Brad, didn’t anyone ever tell you that marriage has three rings: the engagement ring; the wedding ring; and the suffering ?

If THIS is causing excitement, just wait ‘till Kaaa-nooooot (he of the backwards hat and baggy pants) and HIS GF (mit der spikey hair and black makeup) get attached fer good. That’ll be riotous. Or at least effervescent as all get out……

Of course Luann will have the whole wedding planned out 2 seconds after it’s announced.

Happy days!

We have enough problems in this world, lets have a happy ending to this situation. Just for info, is this Brad’s first love?

This is such a fun strip. I have been reading it since the early days with Aaron Hill and all that. Good for Brad and Toni.

The shower scenes will definitely go downhill from here on out.

Good thing this is a funny comic, other wise a car wreck could be coming.

Heeeey…. it does! Iwas goin through the melodies in my head, and it didn’t take long…. the slide part in Eric’s song vs. the guitar part that makes up the hook in Lionel’s… that’s a krazy kowinkydink!

and we’ll add Wonderful Tonight to the list… that DOES fit in well, considering Eric’s inspiration for it, and the lyrics as well…

Shannon’s getting cousins!

Out of pure curiosity, once they get married, will you allow them a wedding night? Like, even if it’s not specifically alluded to, will you assume that they will have a wedding night as is customary, even for people who have previously abstained?

They’re on their way to Vegas… THEY’RE ELOPING!!!

I wonder if the moderator is awake to take care of trolls like you..Flagged and Buh-BYE !

I envision Nancy’s response as a frosty hug to her DIL to be. Toni, knowing Nancy “holds her emotions for a long time” has been aware since the Cinnabon talk that her MIL’s pet name will be ‘Frigidaire’..I think Toni will not let her wedding plans be hijacked by the DeGroot women. In the ladylike way, Toni will make it quite clear that if there’s too much pressure on her wedding she’d rather they elope, and no one doubts her promise. If everybody can make a wedding happen, I envision the Captain giving the bride away..I don’t share the notion that B&T will have to adopt Shannon. Toni has always assumed Jonah’s parenting responsibilities because she cared about Shannon’s upbringing. I think the little snot’s behaviors will be gently reigned in by stability. Brad already loves her anyway and she knows it..I know that bad things (accidents, injuries, perilous drama and the like) are bound to happen, but I don’t wan’t to think about that now – nothing’s going to spoil my celebration!

.“Hey – I’m up here”, guilty but she was really tall.

“I envision Nancy’s response as a frosty hug to her DIL to be. Toni, knowing Nancy “holds her emotions for a long time” has been aware since the Cinnabon talk that her MIL’s pet name will be ‘Frigidaire’.”

Good one! I coulda used this one for some people I know…-———————————————————————————————“I know that bad things (accidents, injuries, perilous drama and the like) are bound to happen, but I don’t wan’t to think about that now…”

My sentiments, exactly! Today’s strip is showing something else right now, and we’ll just have to wait until after miidnight or next week, to find out what happens next…. right now is not a sad moment… today’s strip is showing a happy one… and we can’t get to tomorrow until we’re finished with today….

“Like discovering that Brad has a wife in West Virginia? And another one in Afghanistan? And a young son in Alaska? Etc, Etc”

Wooooowwww…..That’s more of a Jerry or Maury kinda thing…. IDK about all of that, but who knows… well, Mr. Evans and his daughter do…… lol! But I mean, Maybe the people we think are gonna flip are seemingly more calm, (maybe like Nancy going catatonic)… maybe the usually steady ones (relatively speaking, of course)… I don’t know, but as long as in the end, there’s a new DeGroot expansion, and they can somehow get along, I’m happy….

Evans you better not screw this up, I have been waiting too long for this.

“Ripple” (Grateful Dead)“Mandolin Wind” (Bob Seeger)“Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (Domenico Modugno)“in My Life”, “When I’m 64” (The Beatles)

Yeaaahhhh….. we are DEFINITELY gonna need a multi-disc box set, when we’re through… Ha ha! you got 4 good ones… That’ll be something, too… Brad and Toni with “…64”… good one!

Well, this happens to be up on Facebook, that they’re getting hitched!

“Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu”

I have the “Volare” cover version on 45 from good ol’ Dean…. I would like to listen to the Italian version, though

SO happy to read this today! I love this strip and this story line!

@alananda

yeah, just Youtubed it…" Nel Blu" makes me wish that I had that one instead…. Wow, his voice is stronger and the melody arrangement is better, to me, anyway…. knew it was a good one, but wow, I wished I had my own copy….

This has so made my week. About time the geeky guy got the girl! Awesome!

I’ve been trying to keep track of the “Wedding Soundtrack”:

1.“Nights In White Satin” (Moody Blues)2. “Marry Me” (Train)3. “A World of Our Own” (The Seekers)4. “The Flame”(Cheap Trick)5. “Stuck on You” (Lionel Ritchie)6. “Ripple” (Grateful Dead)7. “Mandolin Wind” (Bob Seeger)8. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (Domenico Modugno)9. “in My Life”, “When I’m 64” (The Beatles)10. “Chapel of Love”, (Dixie Cups)11. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)12. “After the Loving” by Engelbert Humperdinck a13. “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia14. “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”, Jimmy Rodgers15. “Never Be Another You”, Al Martino

May I submit as 16-20: “Still Loving You” (Scorpions); Crazy Love (Poco); “This Must Be The Place” (Talking Heads); “Just Remember I Love You” (Firefall); “Hey Love” (Delfonics) I’m sure there has to be some Stax/Motown/Philly on here, as well….

If only Rush had a love song…. Juuuuust Kidding!

Note in the last frame – Toni looks like she is going to bite Brad’s neck.

If Brad had been totally prepared for Toni’s proposal he would have had this great song ready to play on the car radio: “I don’t caaaaare about your past; I just waaaaant our love to last…” (Cold Sweat – James Brown).

Or “I Got the Feelin”…

This story arc has come a long way:

http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2003/02/26

Today’s strip also keeps reminding me of Joey Scarbury’s song: “look at what’s happened to me, I can’t believe it, myself, suddenly I’m on top of the world… etc… believe it or not, IIIIIIII’m walking on air, I never thought it could feel so free…. flying away, on a wing and a prayer…. who could it beeee? Believe it or not, it’s just meeee…..”

i was like that at one point till reality hit me

who can’t wait to see the wedding other than me???…..I a romantic

Ivan reemember my aunts talking for hours about their “stories.”

Don’t know if this was already said, no time to read all the comments, but Greg I love the way you have the headlights in the first panel. Nicely done.

I think the car lights in the rear window are just to show they are on the road and not parked somewhere.

…“Wow, that’s a new level for maturity…”.Your efforts haven’t led us to suspect otherwise.

One question where exactly is Toni’s hand on the last panel?

woooow…. If I could use emoticons, it would be one of those red-cheeked ones…. reeeeeaaaaaly red….. I’m not a “blue humor” type of guy myself…. But I did recognize the way that he played on words, kinda like Kip Addotta, also from the Dr. Dimento collections, if you’re familiar with him…. I’m more of a “Star Trekkin’ across the universe…” type of guy, myself… or Weird Al… Or Napoleon the XIV…. or….

Let me guess, his parents (make that his mother) will be nothing but negative. She doesn’t like her, doesn’t trust her, and never will.

Darsan 54, what do you mean “grandparents?” They are getting married, no one said they were having a baby!

It’s good that this strip has developments in the lives of the characters. (Unlike Zits.)

@ Ken, oh I am sure it is. But I think it’s a nice touch.

Two lovers die together in a car crash! How romantic! Many songs have been written about this theme…

So now we can get to planning the wedding, All Brad needs to do is show up dressed, on time, and sober. Oh, and get TJ a ticket to Abu Dhabi

It’s funny…. I enjoy Nancy, Sibling Reverlry, For Better Or Worse, Dick Tracy, Herman, Jump Start, F Minus, One Big Happy, Speed Bump and some others, but THIS week, I’ve neglected them, pretty much…..

Me either…

You realize, don’t you, that you have more in common with T.J. than you might admit to (and keep in mind, I like T.J.) Both of you like saying things, I strongly suspect, to yank people’s chains. ;-)

Still on vacation! First chance to comment the last couple days. See the smile on Brad’s face!

First time I’ve seen Greg draw a front profile of Toni (yesterday). What a knockout! Brad feels like he hit the jackpot.

Nancy will most certainly offer congratulations. She’s accepted Toni and Brad’s choice by now.

Only a matter of time until brother goes to jail and she asks Brad to adopt Shannon… Run, Brad!

Is it safe to recap the List? This is what we have, so far….

1.“Nights In White Satin” (Moody Blues)2. “Marry Me” (Train)3. “A World of Our Own” (The Seekers)4. “The Flame”(Cheap Trick)5. “Stuck on You” (Lionel Ritchie)6. “Ripple” (Grateful Dead)7. “Mandolin Wind” (Bob Seeger)8. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (Domenico Modugno)9. “When I’m 64” (The Beatles)10. “Chapel of Love”, (Dixie Cups)11. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)12. “After the Loving” by Engelbert Humperdinck 1. “After the Loving” by Engelbert Humperdinck a14. “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia15. “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”, Jimmy Rodgers16. “Never Be Another You”, Al Martino17. “In My Life” (Beatles) 18. "Still Loving You (Scorpions)19. “Crazy Love” (Poco)20. "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) (Talking Heads)21. “Just Remember I Love You” (Firefall)22. " Hey Love " (Delfonics)23. “Sugar Lips” (Al Hirt)24. “This Guy’s in Love With You” (Herb Alpert/TJB)25. “Save Your Love” (Great White)26. “Anytime” (McAuley/Schenker Group)27. "Girl From Ipanema (Getz/Gilberto)28. "Guy From Ipanema (Nancy Wilson version)

1.“Nights In White Satin” (Moody Blues)2. “Marry Me” (Train)3. “A World of Our Own” (The Seekers)4. “The Flame”(Cheap Trick)5. “Stuck on You” (Lionel Ritchie)6. “Ripple” (Grateful Dead)7. “Mandolin Wind” (Bob Seeger)8. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (Domenico Modugno)9. “When I’m 64” (The Beatles)10. “Chapel of Love”, (Dixie Cups)11. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)12. “After the Loving” (Engelbert Humperdinck)13 “Right Down the Line (Gerry Rafferty)14. “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia15. “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”, Jimmy Rodgers16. “Never Be Another You”, Al Martino17. “In My Life” (Beatles) 18. "Still Loving You (Scorpions)19. “Crazy Love” (Poco)20. "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) (Talking Heads)21. “Just Remember I Love You” (Firefall)22. " Hey Love " (Delfonics)23. “Sugar Lips” (Al Hirt)24. “This Guy’s in Love With You” (Herb Alpert/TJB)25. “Save Your Love” (Great White)26. “Anytime” (McAuley/Schenker Group)27. "Girl From Ipanema (Getz/Gilberto)28. "Guy From Ipanema (Nancy Wilson version)29. “Colour My World”(Chicago)30. “:I Need You” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Why do people ruin a perfectly good relationship with marriage?.Good question. Not everybody does.

Well, “…maybe it’s the best thing for you; but it’s the worst that could happen to me!”From “The Worst That Could Happen”, by The Brooklyn Bridge (1968).

“Toni & Brad not having sex is not ‘truth’, it’s your opinion.”

True, but it is an “opinion” that he shares will a number of Luann fans.

Greg Evans has never been shy about depicting sensitive subjects. From Luann’s first period to her and Quill almost doing the dirty just before he left to go back to Australia, he has been very upfront about such things.

Not once during Toni and Brad’s decade long courtship has he unequivocally suggested or implied that Brad and Toni were being sexually intimate. The closest he’s come to it is having the two of them alone together in Brad’s house. That hardly qualifies as unequivocal evidence of hanky-panky going on.

So Leviticus’s “opinion” has an awful lot of fact backing it up.

was it supposed to be Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White? That’s what I got when I plugged your link into the searchbox…. if so, I’d also Pair it up with Theme from Summer Place, too…. I’ll try the link again…. like I said, it’s kinda late…. my eyes are closing up shop, heh heh….

Also, I’’d put it with Pink Panther theme. I make cassette tapes to put in my portable Walkman, and put together certain songs with a certain similar style, or nuance, and one has Pink Panther, Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom along with Theme From Summer Place. I also have Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom as covered by the Harmonicats. Which also kinda reminds me of Stumblin by the Three Suns (A Famous Kids Cartoons Block Show round these parts used a sped up version for the theme….) and Just Walkin in the Rain….

“Why do people ruin a perfectly good relationship with marriage?”

Because some people appreciate the value of commitment.

Aah, what a day…. Tryin to wait for the new strip….. My eyes are tryin to procrastinate…..

Yep. Enjoy…

Thanks! I will!

I wonder if they’ll elope!

“Um. Brad & Toni disappearing together for a ‘shower’”

Do you have a reference?

Crap. Now they’re going to get broadsided…

Booty call, got to test drive before you buy, besides she’s used, remember Dirk. Just because it still looks good on the outside still got to check under the hood. Don’t buy into it yet Brad. I don’t even want to start to talk about the baggage as in Shannon.

Still, her asking him is a harbinger of doom, maintaining her control-freak nature and him coddling it. Bad. It will end badly.

And next up….somehow Toni’s brother drops out and they wind up adopting Shannon.

I hope Evans does not have them move in together until they get married … don’t care if that is too common nowadays, I’d like this to be a family-friendly relateable comic still .. nope, didn’t do it myself … only waited 6 months to get married and been together for 23+ years … I still tell her I suckered her into saying “yes” and now I won’t let her out of it … she’s holding me to the same thing, too. ;-)