Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 08, 2016

I think Quill is over Luann. Prudence looks pretty pleased with herself.

What’s up with talking in riddles Quill?

I reckon, Quill the question Luann is asking if you’ll forgive her for acting jealous over your friend Prudence.

New poll up: What is the question?

Is Ox the most perceptive person in the room?1) 53 votes – Yes2) 47 votes – mmm… yes3) 17 votes – No4) 16 votes – OtherOther: It does look like Ox is the most perceptive; It’s possible he’s just trying to keep Gunther away from Tiffany. Complicated. 1not sure; yes, and he’s being sarcastic; If any of them were perceptive, they wouldn’t be in that room; You mean the warehouse?Are they the only ones there?Business doing great!; above his head which is for the best here; If he were, he’d be dating Bernice; The least self-absorbed; yes and no?; No, he thinks Bernice and Gunther are an item and they are not obviously :p; He’s definitely the most person in the room!; More often than not; I remember Ox and Tiffany being a couple. What happened?

He certainly doesn’t seem interested. Why should he? He enjoys his work, has fun with Prudence.

Gunther already helped Quill figure it out, so is he being dense, trying to preserve the status quo where he has a very convenient girlfriend with minimal time investment on his part, is he being unpleasant, or is he simply communicating poorly and in an inconsiderate way by asking for more information while leaving Luann shouldering all the blame for a while by not saying that he knows that he also goofed?

Breakup week for Valentine’s Day? That’s just cruel.

Luann’s making an honest attempt to discuss a difficult topic and he’s blowing her off. I don’t know about Luann, but I am now officially over Quill.

“Our Love’s In Jeopardy, Baby…” (♪)“That’s A Raggedy An-swer, Doll!”“Johnny Question”“The Foggiest”“The Blow-Up At The Fuse”“Something Strong, On The Rocks”“A Patchwork Patch-Up’“Love Is the Answer….But What’s The Question?” (♪)“Love Is A Battlefield” (♫)“Mending Fences In A Storm”“All This Fighting Jazz Is Giving Me The Blues”or“Q & A…Mostly Q…”

Luann is trying to apologize and Quill is being as non-moved as possible. I see a breakup on the way. And Prudence is not the cause. Quill does not feel a romantic connection to her. It’s Luann’s insecurities that she has had since Tiffany and Aaron became a part of her life. She cannot deal with her boyfriend having female friends. Worse still when they have more in common with her boyfriend than she does.

Their first “battle” was was “The Food Truck Fight” (over the same issue, during their winter break, when Quill was working at TJ’s food truck), the next, “Weenie World War I” (when Quill got a gig with Manezon at Moony, that Luann got to benefit from, during that meeting with Ms. Manezon), and now,“The Blow-Up At The Fuse”, continued.

At least Quill is face to face with Luann. Her move.

Please don’t let the defaults lead to Luann & Gunther giving it a try. Throw in a new character – anything (except the big guy in the art class).

If this was one of those old pulp mysteries, it would be called “The Case of the Innocent Aussie” and after Quill’s body was discovered backstage, Charlie Chan would be summoned to the scene of the crime.

I first thought a question that L would never ask about boomerang placement options, but then i realized the question is the old classic: “Can we just be friends?”

Oh just break up. Quill can move to New York with money he will turn out to have just because it’s convenient.

So, how many people continue to read and comment on this strip even though they claim to hate all the characters and plot lines?

Could Quill look any more uninterested in saving the relationship. Time to cut the cord and maybe give Gunther some attention.

I think this is the first time that I find Quill’s reaction to be very snarky and ungentlemanly with Luann. Maybe he has decided to lay the burden on her as to whether or not they remain “an item,” although that itself says he’s done with her and may or may not focus his attention on Pru….

IIRC, The last time they talked, or tried to, Quill wanted to discuss things but Luann didn’t. Any snarkiness at this stage is well earned.

Wanna bet we resolve this storyline this week? snerk

it still silly season here at luann’s Now there’s people running back from the hills(yank and oz) there’s people running from people hey took for granted(bern and gunth) and there’s people that are here to confuse everyone(tiff, piro and pru) and it’s good to be ox! (no love life, no problems.)

Looking at Quill’s expression in that last panel….wow. The bloom is definitely off the rose. This is the end. And it SHOULD be.

Well, What are You WAITING for, Q-Ball??

Tell Lu that You and Pru here are Moving back to Oz to bring Theater to the Wallabies and are NEVER Coming back to the Good Old USA.

Oh, and DON’T Forget to ask Luann for Your SILLY ‘Boomerang’ Necklace BACK when She Comes To…..,

With Valentine’s Day this weekend, I hate to say this but Quill sure looks like he could care less about the relationship. I for one don’t think Luann should grovel if he is going to act like that. Shame I really liked Luann and Quill as a couple and Quill as a character. But I think he’s acting quite the ass.

Also it’s clear that Quill’s been talking to Prudence about his problems with Luann as witnessed by her meek “I’ll scoot. Let you two chat.”

Again such a shame.

“So called” insecurities? I think the fact that Luann is horribly insecure is way past the “so called” stage. Her insecurity and boy-craziness are her two defining character traits, and have been since the beginning of the strip!Oh, and character flaws don’t just stop being character flaws because a specific person is around. What you’re doing is trying to blame Quill for Luann’s issues. But as stated, they’ve been around a lot longer than he has, and will be around way after he’s gone.Though insecurity itself isn’t the problem: it’s how a person reacts to their insecurity. Some people choose to seek outside validation and end up cheating. Luann seems to see threats at every turn and becomes possessive and jealous. She is afraid Quill will find someone better so she lashes out at any perceived threat, regardless of if it is actually a threat.And that kind of jealous behavior is not at all endearing, and it’s pretty messed-up to say that it’s Quill’s fault for not finding it so. His attitude today could use some adjustment, but that last fight isn’t on him.

Quill moved to the U.S. for 2 reasons. Training in the arts and Lu… I think he has lost 1 of those reasons to be around. Think fast Lu, this’ll have to be a first rate tap dance to have any chance of working.

Up and down the rungs of the ladder of love.

Ironically Quill, the question can be found on the first panel. You say Luann can talk to you about anything. Well can she? Because there have been numerous times when she has tried to tell how she feels. Only for you to brush her aside.Oh, and quick point; Judging from the way he’s been acting, I’m not sure you want to take relationship advice from Gunther.

Greg Evans is a pretty good comic strip quarterback. How many of you can read his tendencies and play calling? Be assured there will be no references to Omaha in the coming days.

Luann seems to be trying to be adult about this. Looks like Quill is still in Middle School tho.

8This is a very interesting way to start the week! I think Luann is perhaps trying to be apologetic, but I know if someone who was rather over-the-top angry at me previously came to me and said “I was *”KINDA"* difficult…" it would not go over well with me. Luann would be better off, IMO, with her stating more emphatically that she “was very difficult” and I think that would have more impact with Quill.

why all the Luann hate? She’s been totally cool and mature through this entire ordeal.

-The only person Quill is in love with is Quill. Good riddance

Agreed!

You’ve made this up in your head, Luann.Let’s see how you explain it to someone who’s not a resident there.

It is a marvelously accurate description for a conversation that only one person is having.

Clarification, please! Real one, please. Knowing there is a problem, a HUGE problem, and then ignoring it is not shouldering anything. It is letting the words wash over with momentary discomfort but then refusing to work on the relationship. In successful relationships there is a lot of listening and work by both parties, and if a truly major issue such as one party ignoring the other for huge stretches of time is present then the relationship can not survive. Quill has priorities right now that are inconsistent with having a true romantic relationship w Luann and it appears that she may have realized she does not love him. So, they should just be friends.

Quill!’s been on this boat ride before.(Time to get out the clown nose to pacify the Luann beast.)

Luann always waits until things build to a head before trying to communicate her internal dialogue.

Stands.

I think that they are both young. But I also think that it points up the male inclination to take for granted that the female is the one who maintains the relationship and they don’t put forth much, if any effort.

A break up is not going to happen, because that might be interesting, and nothing of any interest is permitted to happen in this strip.

being a bit passive / aggressive am I now? That’s a good sign that I’m over you.

When Luann bailed on going to New York, after Quill had asked her, that was the first nail in the coffin of that particular relationship.

“Come back when you grow up, girlYou’re still livin’ in a paper-doll worldSome day be a woman ready to loveCome back, baby, when you grow up”

performed by Bobby Vee

I think it coukd perhaps be argued that anyone who tries to fit herself or himself too much into a stereotype has suffered a form of gaslighting.I have to wonder if some commenting are quite young when they do not realize that takng responsibilty implies changes in actions, not just agreeing words. That take just sounds so very teenage, and in that situation time will cure a lot.Others might be trying to fit within stereotypes which limit their lives badly, though. Stereotypes are not our friends, people. Thank goodness my hubby can be so sensitive and thank goodness i can be strong. When we each can be both for each other life together is so much better for us both. Hey, Steve just popped into this room to say, “I love you!” and i told him I was bragging about him!

So Luann and Quill are not right for each other. That doesn’t make either one a bad person. They should end things on civil terms and both move on to find someone more suitable. Don’t try to force something that isn’t working.

It’s clear now that Quill is actually in love with….

His Career.

He went to New York, saw what was possible, and now he wants that life. He’s not sticking around for Luann, but out of a sense of obligation to her parents. He brought Pru along because she reminds him of NYC and he thinks they make a great team.

In truth, Luann is holding him back. He knows it, but won’t admit it aloud. She knows it too, and is frustrated that he won’t accept that NYC changed everything.

They were “over” the moment he left for New York. We’ve known that forever. Now we’re just witnessing the slow realization….

Point 1: They’re going to break up.Point 2: Dez’s destiny deck said Prudence will be a deciding factor.*Therefore, perhaps Pru will re-unite Qu and Lu. Eh?

I don’t believe Lu asked a question. She’s just trying to open up a dialog and apologize for the fight in her own way. Gaslighting? Maybe so. I see gas-and-a-match and another explosion from Luann coming again from Quill failing to take this discussion seriously.

He’s a guy- he just doesn’t get it.

-Neither does Quill, apparently. So let me be the one to let them in on it. It’s this: what are your priorities? Is career more important than a relationship? Or do you have time in your life for both?

Luann is indeed insecure; a normal thing for someone that age. A good boyfriend would reassure her instead of adding to her insecurities. They’re not well matched; should end it soon. Also, Luann doesn’t need a boyfriend until she’s more comfortable with herself. She needs to grow up first, then tackle the difficulties of a relationship.

The “beast” within Luann that constantly requires nourishing is her obligating everyone else to be involved in solving her problems; problems that generally come about because she won’t follow advice.Mrs Horner told her long ago she needed to stop expecting to be fulfilled by having a boyfriend. Her mom warned her about being so needy.If she’s “brushed off” by her friends it’s because it’s not that she has some new crisis, it’s always the same one. And she shows no interest in anyone else except herself.Everyone is self-centered to a certain degree, but she goes overboard. They’re tired of it, and it shows.Oddly, she’s best when she’s working with the kids at the daycare; they have requirements that she can fulfill, but they don’t have to stop being themselves to complete HER.Everyone else must stop whatever they are doing, or come up short of a goal because she’s either being a pill or is just not available beyond offering a lot of suggestions and volunteering others to carry out those ideas.Quill!, on the other hand has helped Luann with her art projects, come to her installations, made time for her in the props closet when he likely should have been doing other things. But the girl wants MORE.She’s had plenty of opportunities to spend time with Quill! by being part of The Fuse but hasn’t done it. Meanwhile, he agreed to help out with the project, and totally carried through with his obligations..Luann showed up to usher. Whoop-eeeee!The girl can whine with the best of them, but never talks to the people actually involved.Quill! being the case in point.When she finally DID bring up her insecurities to him, and he nailed it by stating that Prudence was just a friend, she denied that’s what’s been bugging her. She-shut-HIM-Down!Luann is not a victim of"our patriarchal society holding her down".

I am going to again join into the chorus for the return of Ben. Multiple characters and the storyline could benefit greatly.So:BenBenBenBen!

“Luann needs some real friends.”=====I totally agree;as a Human Sexuality professor of mine put it one day:“This (college years) is the last time you will have such a large, diverse pool of people to interact with in your lives. Make the best of it.”

I think it would be really interesting if Greg used this week’s plot line to help Luann finally see that she is being a bit over the top with Quill! I would really like it if Greg were to have the obviously sour-faced Quill tell Luann that her ‘“kinda” difficult’ apology really wasn’t much of an apology. If Quill were to tell Luann something like that…. and Luann were to listen and hear him and understand what she said…. then, and really only then…. could the two of them be at a point for some REAL communication. Real communication is what is lacking in this whole mess between those two. Luann doesn’t communicate her feelings and emotions to Quill very well if at all. I truly believe that Quill was utterly taken aback by Luann’s anger at him. I think all of this could have been avoided by having real communication occur. And… that is why I am sort of predicting that Greg may have that in store… I think he will have Luann and Quill REALLY communicate finally… and by Saturday they will have made up, and Sunday’s splashy comic can be about the newly rekindled “Love Birds”.Even though, for the record, I personally would prefer for Quill to leave and for Luann to find some other guy for her boyfriend.

Yes, what is the question

an awkward moment to be asking someone to talk, i.e Quill up on a ladder trying to install a piece of equipment. Luann’s timing leaves a lot to be desired . She could have texted Quill to set up a more appropriate time. Interrupting someone’s work is not the best way to connect.

that was months ago…(are you are referring to the time Q invited Luann for lunch during a rehearsal?). most kids text each other several times a day regardless of what they are doing. If she texted him to say she was coming by the Fuse and he didn’t answer, then.. yes.. he’s being uncaring. If she showed up out of the blue, then she could at least wait till he comes down from the ladder.

Today is Chinese New Year the year of the monkey and Quill is starting to act like one.

Quill tried to get her to explain herself last time, she would not. Now he is still asking her to tell him what she is upset about. He has told her she can talk to him, he stopped what he was doing and is paying attention. Why all the Quill hate?

@Ginny THERE! That’s exactly it- what you said right there is the point of it all.

Pru and Quill make great friends because they are sure of themselves, and they haven’t had any true setbacks. Luann has- applied for a university out-of-town, ended up at a junior college. Yea, she’s insecure because she uses her relationships to define her. To use an architect’s metaphor you always build from the ground up. Luann has been focused on the wrong things in high school. Guys. Not to say she didn’t care about school or anything but it wasn’t her focus. Focusing seems to be the problem. What’s more self-sabotage and self-fullfilling prophecizing (sp?) seems to keep drama in Luann’s life. When Quill was working for TJ and etc.- did she spend ANY of the time she did have NOT giving Quill an earful? And at The Fuse, she decides to share her disappointment and anger when he was obviously happy to see her? (But that was before the Gunther/Quill chat.)

Quill has had his fair share of the deterioration. He seems to be in a big hurry to get into the Big Time than rather be a college student and boyfriend . . . . not to mention if him and Pru ended up together what makes anyone think that’s going to last? Quill will still be Quill, he just changed out girlfriends. Also, Quill has his own anti-social behavior going on- work is more important than living. Work is not life- taking from the quote “Art is not life.” One can not replace life with working it doesn’t satisfy people the same way.

And for those who think the wishy-washy apology was craptacular- two things on that. Luann is trying to apologize the only way she knows how. It’s, unfortunately, laced with insecurity making it sound wishy-washy. She’s just not yet confident in her choices, even apologizing! (And for whatever else she was about to say.) Quill’s no help. His responses are put-downs. He’s generally cold to her. WHY DIDN’T HE CALL HER IF HE THOUGHT THE RELATIONSHIP NEEDED A POW-WOW, OR TIME OFF, OR ANYTHING? He just crashes and then goes back to work? No life. Life enough to have a friendship with Pru. This says more about him than Luann. HE CAN’T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS OPPOSITE? Convenient to only have friends in your field? Can’t stand the difference in opinion? Not a lot of character there. Not from her or from him.

I’ve got a lot to catch up on here. Come on guys, make a comment, don’t write a thesis. To me Rhett Butler (Quill) is saying to Scarlett O’Hara (Luann), “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Agreed!

New topic to lighten the mood:What quirky mashup would you like w this strip? I like Luann + Venture Brothers

I think Quill’s position is 1). You don’t trust me, 2). You are too scared to go all of the way, and 3). We have different interests. So this relationship is pointless.

Quill knows he has a problem. In his conversation with Gunther last week (about relationships), he was made to realize this. I think part of his annoyance in today’s strip is that gnawing sense that he needs to confront and resolve it (and he hasn’t) but that at the foot of ladder where he is in the middle of task is not a good time. He is annoyed that Luann has confronted him with her thoughts on the issue but he is not ready to deal with it.

Maybe Pru left so quickly because Quill already told her he’s breaking up with Luann?

I’m confused. She didn’t say, “Can I ask you a question?” She asked a question, “Can I talk to you?”

Is it just me or does PRU seem a bit old for Quill. She looks at least 10 years older.

How many people reading this married the person they dated at 18? Exactly. The Quill/Lu relationship is doomed and properly so.

I would venture to say that if Quill is still doing free work for Luann’s parents, he undoubtedly still has feelings for Luann. It would be very awkward if he breaks up with Luann and hooks up with Pru who is living in the DeGroot household. I hope Quill has more character than that. He wouldn’t just be hurting Luann, but also Frank and Nancy as well.

He’s not being sarcastic today, he has no control over what Luann’s parents do, what a gentleman does is your opinion.

By most of your “internet” definition Quill is a gentleman.

I think Luann is being very mature in making the effort to apologize and open communication. Quill could meet her halfway.

Quill did not, you are wrong.

SPOILER

Nothing but pain ahead. Maybe I’ll check back next week.