Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 31, 2013

“50 Ways To Leave Your Loved Ones”“You Had Me At Go!”or “The Big Red Staples Button”

That was easy. No drama at all. WAY TO GO BRAD!

Well, the funny thing is, we were all right…Jonah did have a complete turnaround… yeah, a real 360, there… – And both feel that their goal was truly accomplished, here…….the grass is greener, as far as each one is concerned….

Get… back… together with…. Tiffany?…..there was no together to get back to , unless you were joking….

Was Shannon looking forward to spending time with her dad? Who cares? What difference does that make?

Interesting choice for wall colors for the different panels.

Oh, Toni’s going to be me mad at you, Brad.

Some father — didn’t even stay to say hello to his child.

“Sponsored” by… – Pitts Area Rapid Transit/ White And Yellow Sedan service… “Give us a minute, and P.A.R.T./W.A.Y.S. will help you get where you wanna go! As soon as we can find the schedule, we’ll get you there!…” – Plotz Device Innovations, LLC – And by..Plotz Convenience Stores… “Revolving doors, and people who will do all of the shopping for you, so that you can get in, and get out fast!”….

Subconsciously, Shannon realizes her dad doesn’t really love or care about her. His relationship is perfunctory. That’s why she is so beligerant. Brad is kind, Luann is kind. This is where Shannon feels safe and comfortable. Yeah, I see adoption in the offering. I am looking forward to the wedding.

@IamJayBluEHe physically turned 180 degree. If he had turned 360 degree, he would have had to back out of the door. ;)

And “Guilty” by Barbra Streisand/Barry Gibb, along with “What Kind Of Fool”, same…..

When was Brad ever “together” with Tiffany? I’ve followed this strip since the 1990s…

Wouldn’t be at all surprised if Brad and Toni wind up raising Shannon once they are married-the question is how it will come about. Perhaps Jonah will do a disappearing act to get his life together or get killed off-who knows? I just get the feeling that Brad will wind up being a major influence in her life-and that’s a good thing!

Uh… Jonah and Tiffany?

For all of you that complained yesterday, I was being sarcastic. My comment was galvanized by the fact that Toni was not cooperating with Brad. I realize now that Brad should dump Toni and get back together with Tiffany.^^WHEN were Brad and Tiff ever “together”, they barely know each other!

“Wow” is right! It sure didn’t take Jonah long to demonstrate how much his daughter means to him. I can see a time in the future when Brad & Toni are married, and tell Jonah that they will raise Shannon. Probably Jonah will just say, “O.K., thanks!”

Gee, Brad, that was waaayyy easy. Now, all you gotta do is say, “Ok, Jonah, why don’t you just carry on with the rest of your life – just sign here…” ^^works for me.

Brad confronted Jonah, Toni’s brother, without Toni’s presence, and without Toni’s input. Jonah is Toni’s brother, and Shannon is Jonah’s daughter and Toni’s niece. Brad never should unilaterally have made this offer, and accepted Jonah’s decision.

Jonah cares a great deal for his daughter. Almost as much as he cares about partyin^^ Jonah doesn’t care WHAT happens to Shannon, he’s a scumdad

Yeah no, Jonah just wanted to go to the party. There would have been a million different ways of diffusing the situation besides leaving and not even greeting Shannon.

Besides, Brad didn’t drive him away. He looked annoyed and offered to take Shannon for the night. Yeah, he was mad, but I doubt Jonah would have realized it wasn’t just because of his lateness.

And really, Shannon isn’t that bad. She is a little kid, and I’ve seen brattier little kids. And Brad isn’t an idiot, he wouldn’t have offered to take Shannon for the night if he didn’t think he could tolerate her.

Did Tony approve this? it’s her brother. What if Tony stepped between Lu and the Aussie.

Before Toni gets angry, someone should sit her down and tell her what can happen to a little kid left alone in a bedroom at an adult party. She’d change her tune REAL fast.

Is that where the party is? He’s got a couple of buses to wait on… no wonder he split so fast! First, he rides on the one that gets him “outta dodge” fast, then transfers onto… well… a bus that makes loud noises, emits foul air, and if you can catch one, sometimes it amazingly runs on schedule…

I wonder if Jonah recalls the full name of Shannon’s mother!

…Okay thanks! he says…

…That’s…just kinda funny.

Wow. Even for a cartoon dad, he’s the bottom of the barrel.

Thank God and Greyhound, he’s gone.And Shannon is safe. Yeah!!

Yeah. Toni will be very P.O.‘ed about what Brad did, since he shooed away Jonah without her consent. On the other hand, it’s real hard to listen to what others have to say about a relative’s negative behavior; you know, the whole “blood is thicker than water” concept. But sometimes, you need to hear the truth, no matter how unpleasant it is.

Guys, I was referring to that time that Tiffany tried to make Luann angry by hitting on Brad:

http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2007/05/09

Man even Tiffany does not deserve a guy like this one. She is a selfish and vacuous person, but she is young, and perhaps there is hope, slight though it might be. This guy would be nearly 30 in the real world, and has a needy, beautiful child, but his selfishness is much more serious. But, believe me there will be a major issue coming when Brad and Toni inevitably become more involved in taking c/o Shannon in a parental way, and guess who selfishly will do everything to stop that, and will have the temerity to be jealous of Brad to boot. Oh the cauldron boils hotter and hotter.

You are sick, but I seriously I never have seen any type of relationship between Brad and Tiffany. If you are kidding you have on basis for jokes, and dude, any good comic will tell you a joke has to have some relationship to something that is a fact of some kind. Just saying.

Just to refresh my memory, I backtracked to the strips from May of 2007. After Tiffany kissed Brad, he looked to be less excited than if one of the station’s fire dogs had licked his face!

When Toni and Brad mention they don’t have a costume Shannon will suggest they dress up as her mother and father.

Today’s strip answered some personal question’s I’ve had. #1: Would we see what the dad looked like. Now that we have it also explains his behavior. He appears to be a narccissist who will never care about anybody other than his own feelings.

Too easy! And he WILL pay!

You’re the man, Brad…no, really, YOU are the one being the resposible, adult, man in this situation.

Brad offered Jonah a night off, from parenting to party, Jonah accepted, knowing this is the same situation he’s left his kid in before with good results . . . Where would the drama be in that? If Brad’s tone of voice was matter of fact, which I suspect it would be, there is none. And the kid doesn’t get left alone in a room at a party full of drunken adults. Kind of a win-win here.

I am NOT impressed.

There is one night every year that Shannon can count on and look forward to spending Daddy/daughter time with her father, and — with no concern for or thought of the feelings of Shannon (or Toni for that matter) — Brad unilaterally steps in and denies her of that quality time with her Dad.

Brad, I submit that you are a jerk!!

Ta ta, Jonah! Enjoy your party. Shannon, Brad, and Toni will have a much better time without you, too.And maybe next time you drop by, it will be to discuss the legalities of your giving up your parental rights in favor of Toni and Brad….

Taking a kid to an adult party and making her sit in a bedroom is quality time. (?)!

I called this yesterday, almost word for word.

Jonah has no right to call himself a father. Brad, on the other hand, would make a great Daddy!

Never underestimate another person’s ability to shirk responsibility.

Amazing. I’m not sure if it is sadder than he was so uninterested or the fact that I predicted Jonah doing that.

As tragic as it is that Shannon’s dad would rather go to a party than spend time with her, I’m glad he’s not a control freak power play dad who would force her to come against her will. Maybe she’ll actually get a chance at happiness with Brad and Toni.

Would you believe fermented rutabagas and melted cabbage….

Folks – We’re not totally out of the woods yet. I’m thinking that Toni hasn’t seen what happened this morning and just might have an issue or two with what Brad has done. Maybe…

I honestly think that (for whatever reasons) Toni doesn’t want the responsibility of raising a child, at least right now. She’s needs a break. She needs some time to “regain control” of her life. Brad seems easy enough to let her do that.But with a child, any child, that’s difficult. Brad, OTOH, seems to have boundless energy for that and, specifically for Shannon. Perhaps, he gets off on the fact that Shannon bonded with him so instantly.

This will have to be one of their first “executive compromise” decisions as a couple. Whatever happens, I hope Shannon rises above it. She does seem to do a lot better when she’s with loving guardians. But I also understand Toni’s position as well. Parenting should be something you do towards the latter end of that cycle. The former part should be all about finding who you are,sewing your oats, playing the field, exploring, traveling, etc. etc.

Bottom Line: For my own “selfish” reasons, I hope they do adopt Shannon. I like Shannon, and I want to see her in the strip as a new “permanent” character.

Far out.

In panel 2, it looks like Jonah is considering squaring off with Brad, but the look on Brad’s face makes him think better of it.

Brad just stepped in it big time. What will Toni think about Brad suggesting her niece’s Dad not take her? Big trouble.

Hey, great scenario for fine (melo)drama! It has it all- – booze & drugs, car crash death, etc. I can really imagine it all happening; it is always heartwarming for newlyweds to adopt an orphan. Your idea would be greater than just having Jonah abandon Shannon to Brad & Toni, before disappearing.

Funny how his hair is just about like Toni’s as long too.

Staples button: “That Was Easy!”

Juan: Again we are going to assume that you are being sarcastic. Please do not attempt to be so tomorrow or we will assume that in addition to appearing to being stupid, you will also appear to be annoying.

Brad, check your car. You never know if Jonah is dumb enough to key it or in any other way damage it.

Lucky Shannon! It worked out well for her.

Wow! Well done! Strong work there my man! And Bravo!

All you people who are patting Brad on the back are missing something: Brad just caused Shannon to be abandoned by her dad on one of the rare nights that he was actually going to do something with her. She’s going to be CRUSHED, and Toni is going to (quite rightly) blame Brad.

who wants to bet that the party Jonah is going to has booze and drugs? That either Jonah gets lit up big time and decides to drive home,,,, Crash,, Boom,, suddenly Shannon is an orphan and Brad and Toni get married in a hurry so they can adopt her?^^Since that is how Toni & Jonah lost their parents, I can’t see Greg doing that

That’s a good description of them….

Wow, Brad! I’m with you on that one. You just got yourself a daughter, signed papers or not. What matters is what is in your heart, and I hear it loud and clear.

And what does Shannon want?

That would be too easy. We’ve been told by other posters on this board that Evans has said there will be a lot of ‘drama’ associated with Brad and Toni’s wedding, so I’m thinking that an early exit of Jonah is not in the cards.

" In fact, who says Brad can’t participate in a polyamorous relationship with both Toni and Tiffany." I never saw Brad as a masochist. ;-)

Where’s Toni? Brad still may be overstepping his bounds. For Toni, she’s not married to Brad yet, so blood is thicker with family.-Does Toni want to adopt Shannon? Maybe she puts up with babysitting, but does she want a permanent situation?-I never experienced it, but a lot of families start with the “baggage” of previous children, relationships, exes, etc. Will Toni and Brad be able to step up?-I admire Brad for doing the gallant thing, but he might have to realize his boundaries also.

Sorry, Blue… literal or physical, 360 degrees is still a total circle returning to the beginning. Nobody is going to acquiesce to faulty logic, this isn’t politics.

Love Brad’s smile in the last frame. Must feel good to grow cajones.

With a Dad like that…….

Speculation: If Jonah said “Bring me my daughter” instead of “OK”, what would Brad have done? Where would Toni stand on the issue, and most of important of all, how would Shannon respond? ^ I think that it possibly (not definitely) may go this way: Friday will answer the second question first, when Toni reacts with annoyance, followed by resignation to being “left with Shannon” again (not in the I don’t love her sense, but as in the sense of feeling peeved at both Brad and Jonah for putting her in this) …. the first question, when Brad tries to explain it. may come Saturday, followed by a cold ending having us wonder what will become of this possible spat…. - The Shannon response is probably the key…as someone commented: "What does Shannon really think? Perhaps then Greg may wrap this up a little more neatly this week, or maybe stretch this into next week, to find out…

Even though this just a comic strip NOT REAL, way to stand up for Shannon, Brad! Fatherhood is not always a genetic connection. Many time it is a connection of the heart.

Is it just me, or does Jonah look a lot like our favorite Aussie in a beard and longer hair? In fact, I thought it was him in costume at first glance.

Brad didn’t deny Shannon anything, he asked a question, the father made a choice NOT to take his daughter trick or treating. The person who denied Shannon quality time was the scumbag father, and taking the daughter to a adult party and dumping her alone in a bedroom makes him a major scumbag.

….And the ability to grow facial har….

Just wait until tomorrow and Shannon tells Jonah about how much fun she had with Brad, sharing laughs with him whenever she bit someone for not giving her enough candy.

Step one in Shannon coming to live with them full-time … completed.

I went through a lot of this as a divorced mom. Ex husband wouldn’t show up, then complained and boo-hooed behind my back that he never got to spend time with his little boy! Guess it won him some sympathy with the ladies. My son is grown now and married with kids of his own, he is a great husband and father. I guess sometimes you can learn from a bad example!

Toni changed enough to turn away from abusive Dirk and toward go-hearted Brad. Maybe she change her views on her brother, too. Let’s hope. Meanwhile, Happy Hallowe’en, safe trick-or-treating, and I think I’m number 200 (?)

So, that’s what Shannon’s daddy looks like? A creepy d-bag. (trying to keep the language clean, folks.)

Go Brad!

Toni is going to be mad and Shannon will be upset that she doesn’t get to see her daddy. Little kids don’t understand that they have a scummy father, they just want as much time with him as possible.

People rarely change. The ones who do usually have something that so upsets their routine they are open to change. ^Oh, yeah? Then why do stores carry underwear?

Have we ever seen Jonah before? He’s got “weasel” written all over him.

Know your clientele.

Here’s why I meant 360: – (Definition number 8 for)Turn around: (idiomatic, buzzword, with “180 degrees”) To effect a positive reversal of a trend. (Example:) Let’s turn this around 180 degrees and enjoy the rest of our vacation. – (Definition number 9 for)Turn around: (idiomatic, buzzword, with “360 degrees”) To make a situation worse by trying to make it better. (Example:) They turned it around 360 degrees and now they’re losing even more money. – (From Wiktionary)

Perhaps you should rewrite you statement about Jonah doing a 360 and say he did a 540. ^It’s amazing how we can make observations about the colors of walls, the placement of objects in the panels of a strip, the meanings of statements made by strip characters, but can’t make allowance for this one abstract thought… if somebody gets it, fine, my statement will be for them… if somebody doesn’t, fine… there’s no use in trying to butt heads about it all day…. many people, including Coppernicus and even Einstein made statements that people were like: “Wha-what?” but though, to many, this is not a moment like that, by any stretch, to me, the situation is similar…in an abstract sort of way…

Actually, since we both read “Herman”, I’ll explain it like this… Jim Unger was known for creating all sorts of unusual, unheard-of-before contraptions and situations in his comics…. many scratch their head and go: “What is that supposed to mean?” It’s not always some literal, “This corresponds for that” thing in “Herman”… my statement is the same… it’s not about the physical turning, it’s about the figurative meaning of a 360 in terms of personalities and change…..

Perhaps you should rewrite you statement about Jonah doing a 360 and say he did a 540. ^It’s amazing how we can make observations about the colors of walls, the placement of objects in the panels of a strip, the meanings of statements made by strip characters, but can’t make allowance for this one abstract thought… if somebody gets it, fine, my statement will be for them… if somebody doesn’t, fine… there’s no use in trying to butt heads about it all day…. many people, including Coppernicus and even Einstein made statements that people were like: “Wha-what?” but though, to many, this is not a moment like that, by any stretch- still, to me, the situation is similar…in an abstract sort of way…

Thanks!

Many people here are saying that Brad “demanded” to take Shannon Trick-or-Treating, and Jonah considered “challenging” Brad, but then he “backed down”. Let’s hope that instead what happened is that Brad “offered” to take Shannon Trick-or-Treating, and Jonah considered “declining” Brad’s kind offer, but then he gratefully “accepted” it instead. That second scenario is just a normal part of everyday life, and it in no way makes Jonah an unfit parent. That first scenario also really doesn’t make Jonah an unfit parent, but it does make Brad a kidnapper. And you people would cheer that???

> leaving Shannon exposed to the possibility of being sexually molested by a drunken partyer >Note that Shannon said her Dad “always” takes her to this party. Obviously, nothing like this has ever happened there. Jonah is in no way a bad parent because in your wildest imagination you can envision a possible scenario in which she might be imperiled by his actions. Of course, you could also imagine that Brad might also ignore Shannon and let her wander off. In fact, he already did.

You’re correct, and Twisted Products does own Plotz Devices, which IIRC, stated it on the copy I read from yesterday, but the copy I was given today just had the alternate “speed script”…..

LOL, That is because I only lease out this company name on the second Tuesday of each week… ^And that explains why it was only the alternate copy, this time….

Perhaps this is the case of Perspective, Perception and Pont of View? Similar to the “In Through The Out Door” cover concept pitched by Hipgnosis to L.Z….. – Six alternate covers, bearing the scene of six people, each from the point of their view, depending on where they stand… under the brown paper cover, that is… when you got the record at first, you didn’t know what cover you were getting… so, the objective was to get all six covers… – The point being, that similar to ITTOD, maybe Toni, Brad, Jonah and Shannon will each recount what just happened in a way that would be based upon what they each were perceiving, including today’s second panel…. Jonah could interpret it one way, Brad another, etc, and we as the reader are left to perceive that it could have been any of them, but from Greg’s side of the drawing table, the story continues…..

How do you spell “relief”? – Why don’t you just go to your party – we’ll take care of Shannon

Molested??? OMG. I don’t even… Chill, wouldya?

If B&T have their first true “Lover’s Quarrel” before they tie the knot, it probably will reach the 3-400 numbers that it achieved during the “proposal”….

I disagree, there… Brad may have felt “love” for her, but I would think that the new Brad would find her to be a mistake… I would think that he would classify her as someone he was strongly in love with, but that he admittedly “got taken to school” with her….

It looks like Jonah has found “50 ways to leave his loved ones”…… he hopped on the G.U.S., kept his S.T.A.N. electronic organizer, dropped off his Lightweight Elemental Entrancer key devices, and met up with Roy who was bringing a six-pack of “Cold Orange flavored Yogurt” for the party

I had the first one, also the fifth and sixth one at one time or another… may have also had the same one as you, as well… but never got to have the whole set at one time… and the brown paper bag is probably someone’s book cover by now….

How appropriate to end the day talking about things that go in circles!….

You might as well yell: ’Spoiler Alert!"…

What?! Why is Brad actively trying to separate this poor child from her father? What a jerk.

Really, Jonah?

Definitely one of Brad’s finest moments, IMHO.