Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for October 10, 2015

NOW I’m getting interested…

So it looks like Mr. Gray’s character is going to be the guy who can get anything accomplished at the warehouse just like that, seemingly with no effort. Whatever problems the DeGroots have with the warehouse will be automatically solved by Mr. Gray for free.-I don’t think that he is going to be portrayed as having mob connections, but if he doesn’t, I’m afraid he could make the plots boring.

It appears as though Mr. Gray is a ‘giver’ to those who are trying to do good; those who wish to improve the general quality of life for those around them.

Never mind (for now, that is!!!) about Mr. Gray’s working for free. The fact is that those labor crews certainly don’t, and as Nancy admits, there are more of them working now than there had been all month. Does Frank have the cash to pay them? For instance, those truckers who are hauling the equipment from Moony will likely want C.O.D. Does Frank have that much available today? Mr. Gray has been really busy running up the charges here. The bills will come due very soon.

The guy has a lot of money, and just wants to help the friends in the Luannverse. His motive is based on his feelings for Gunther’s mom, and the inherent goodness of the characters. He clearly has contacts. He got things moving, so that on September 11, the issue will the wedding be in this hall, or in the firehouse. THought I would bring that up again.

The DeGroots already budgeted for the workers. The problem was not being able to coordinate them. But Mrs. DeGroot wouldn’t ask about why Mr. Gray’s calling them friends if it wasn’t relevant. Some twist’s on its way.

Just wants to get to know Gunther’s mom better.

Mrs. Berger and the DeGroots barely know each other. Mr. Gray is winning no Brownie points with his girlfriend by helping these people, whom she scarcely knows. There is no reason for him to do any of this, unless he wants to take over the project for himself.

Mr. Gray has spent as much money today as Frank had intended to spend all month. Does he have it in his account? Will the checks he writes today bounce?

Wow. This gets dumber all the time.

Let’s just invent motives out of thin air. The Evanses sure came up with an insufferable way to get themselves out of a corner.

He may not ask for anything now, but when it’s done, he might want a share of the profits…..nobody works for nothing and like someone said above…he hardly knows the DeGroots. Friends? I hope this will take an interesting turn. As I said a few days ago, he looks like a mob-type guy. Uh oh.

Hmm…I don’t know how to feel about that

Mr. Gray must be extremely wealthy to pour so much money into the DeGroot’s project! To me, the implication is that he is going to pay for all the workers and materials himself. Time will tell, but I think he will leave the fun parts of running the place, such as building design, decorative themes, art exhibit choices, music, to the DeGroots. Honestly I was a little bored when Frank started this project on paper in the kitchen with Nancy and all the paperwork. So I’m actually glad Mr. Gray has solved some of that. Frank, Nancy, I think Mr. Gray is a very lonely person, and eager for friends, real friends. He gives his friendship perhaps too easily, and too quickly, partly out of kindness, partly out of desperation. I enjoyed today’s strip a lot! It’s like watching Superman save the day, you know he’s going to, but…wow!

This whole “warehouse” story has been incredibly dumb from day one, and it continues to get dumber. Let’s see what Luann (remember her?) is doing at Pitt CC instead.

Maybe Gray can get them to change the name from Cafe Kabloolie to something that doesn’t celebrate an explosion. Hopefully before 9/11.

Mr. Gray picked up a lot of know-how and probably a fair bit of money in those 15 years as a club manager in Las Vegas. Whatever he does in Pittsville uses the same skills – not unlikely – and allowed him to develop the same kinds of connections. He likes Mrs. Berger and wants to help out the boarder who she treats like family… which leads him to the warehouse. He’s either pre-disposed to like the DeGroots because of those nebulous connections (teenage kids’s parents all know each other at some level because of carpools etc.) or he makes a quick assessment and decides he likes these folks. So far, so good. How he can know what workers and materials he needs to order up without so much as chatting with the DeGroots, let alone looking at a set of blueprints… beginning to stretch credulity here. But the whole arc does allow the story to move along much more quickly than it would had Frank and Nancy been left to their own devices. And it finally puts a little (more) flesh on the mysterious Mr. Gray. So I’m willing to just sit back and enjoy this ride, slightly stretched credulity and all, if it means being spared months of clumsy warehouse restoration “jokes.” ;)

Let’s wait a few more days for Mr. Gray to put his own Vegas-style mark on the planned club. The stage for the dancers and the stripper poles should be installed by next weekend.

Gunther’s Mom is ONE VERY LUCKY WOMAN.

Mr. Gray, the Great, Silent Philanthropist!

Why do I feel uneasy with this scenario?

Able to spend funds with no problem – interesting Mr Gray. -Is Elwood somewhere with you too?

“It’s free for my friends. But someday I may come to you and ask for a favour. Who knows, maybe that day won’t come. But maybe it will.”

Mr. Gray: “I’m your savior and there will be no fee.”’Luann’s parents: “You’re hired.”

Nice story this week. Everyone wins which is the way it should be.

If this was 2005, not 2015, we might have some grounds for hoping that there might be an interesting story to come. Unfortunately, Evans has long since abandoned any pretence of being able to tell a compelling story in favour of feeding the Trufans pap to keep them happy. In this case, Monday will see a jump to a new “story” and Mr Grey’s jinni-like abilities will only be mentioned tangentially, if ever again. Remember what happened to the last deux es machina, Elwood, about whom a huge atmosphere of mystery was created, only to be dropped down the memory hole along with him, never to be mentioned again.

Thank you Team Evans! “Luann” is the only strip I follow daily. I’m here every night waiting for the next installment to be posted. May you have many years ahead of writing great stories and characters, like the characters ever evolving and ever growing better each day! I thought the Gunther/Tiffany and Tiffany/Bernice segments this year were top notch fun! I thought Gunther splitting up with Rosa was sad and very moving. I like the new Gunther though, he’s growing up. I was worried about him when he got back from Peru, he was in a whiny rage. But now he’s become more mature, more compassionate, and very gallant because of all he’s been through. Well done!

In 2014, He was running Vegas, but left his joint 15 floor maximum Celine Dion/Wayne Newton Entertainment Enterprise, though having a good time, all because another famous act, Sigfried and Roy, would not commit…. -So he decided to pursue other things in the dense comic undergound of the Greater Pitts Metropolitan Statistical Census Area, where he survives off of Mrs. Berger’s home cooking, and being vewy, vewy qwiet… -So, if you have a problem, and no one else will help, because they’re stuck on their phones playing “Cookie Jam”, and you can find him- no, wait…he’ll find you, instead- then, maybe you can hire (Mr. Gray in background: “I’m not for hire!”)…er,right…maybe you can just hope for… “The Gray Team”….

“Free Style”“Spencer’s Not For Hire”“The Gray Team”“No Treble At All, For The Equalizer”“His Assistance Ain’t Futile”“Win,Win”“Friends?…How Many Of Us Have Them?…” (♪)“Pay It Forward, Pause, Then Rewind”“The Best Friend I Never Knew I Needed”“For Richer Or Por Favor”

or“Have A Good De Nada”

“…They’re just letting him breeze right in and take over,…”^Well, Frank did mention that they were “…way in over (their) our heads…” earlier this week, and were also discussing the potential of finding someone to manage it for them, so Mr. Gray actually took the extra step of looking for someone out of their hands, and it would at least seem that the reason they’re standing around, is because someone came along to give them just the help they needed. For just this one moment, they don’t need to do anything, as Mr. Gray has kindly given them a break from their “stressed out efforts” for today, or maybe another day or two…

One day, and that day may never come, I will ask of you a service.

When all the construction on the warehouse is complete a bell will ring and Mr. Gray will get his wings. You have to trust me on this.

If Mr. Gray considers the DeGroot family “friends,” I’m wondering if the connection is Lu and Gunther, and if it might mean that they were, in fact, meant for each other….. What with Q starting to lean towards NYC and “Pru…” who knows??? Probably not, but it’s what came to mind immediately when Mr. Gray implied the DeGroots were “friends.”

Why do I have a feeling that there is going to be a rather large “bundle” clandestinely emplaced under the concrete?

The “guy who gets things done” is legend:“Mr. Wolf” from PulpFiction“The Cleaner” from Venture BrothersHarry Tuttle from Brazil

Beware of the word free because it never is.

What happens when Mr. Gray needs a favor? Being his friend may have consequences.

I wonder if Mr. Gray’s first name is Earl.

Deus ex MrGray

Yes corpcasselbury, there are still a few of those good people around. I like Earl Gray too!

I’m about done with this strip…the story lines just get more and more ridiculous and far fetched as time goes on

Mr. Gray scares me.

Mr. Gray either has an angle or an interest. I lean toward some previous history with someone, probably Gunther’s mom. And what’s with that grumpy troll who keeps bashing Karen’s writing? Did someone pee in his Cheerios? Give her a break.

""Point is, creating a rich character that is now willing to bail out the DeGroots kills any drama this story once had. It’s horrible, horrible writing.".No, and no.

I smell a catch

In exchange, he’ll want to hold his wedding to Gunther’s mom there for free.

Mr. Gray is like the Godfather. One he will ask you for a favor…

He used to manage clubs in Las Vegas, eh? Why did he quit?

“Be my friend ….. Godfather?”

Tithing of time is an excellent way to give. Not a lot of people do it in large amounts, but such individuals certainly exist. Heck, look at any volunteer fire dept, volunteer first aid squad, volunteer helpers in schools and hospitals and more. Doing it independently might be a bit more rare, but is just as emotionally rewarding.In helping Gunther’s extended family he has found a good match for his abilities.

Aye.

Looks like the Oliver Warbucks of this strip.

“Free” is often translated “expensive”.1) Poor quality: free service is worth what you pay for it2) Debts: service receiver becomes indebted to giver3) Expensive contracts: are these the best values they could have found on Angie’s List? I doubt it— they’re Mr. Gray’s friends & charge an arm & a leg (literally?)

Still, this is the way that the mob moves in and takes over…

BTW – Frank, you’re not his “friend”. The contractors are. They’re the ones he’s working for.

Lets see when all the invoices for expedited contractors comes in how friendly they will all be.

But this is how the mob works – they do a favor for you then one day you do a favor for them. So the DeGroots will one day have to lend their warehouse out as a gambling den or scene for some mobster revenge.

Hi Implausible, good morning. Karen took over the writing several years ago didn’t she? Some stories and characters do interest me more than others, but didn’t she also give us the new Gunther and that great moment with Tiffany that showed us her sweeter, gentler side for a moment? Gunther went from being Luann’s spy on Quill and Tiff to becoming a real friend to Tiffany. Honestly I like a lot of what Karen has written. Back when I first joined, I fell for Tiffany, and used to get frustrated and depressed by all the negative comments heaped on her. Today I realize they were just enjoying the character they ‘love to hate’. Myself, I’m guilty of running down T.J. every chance I get, not mindful that the handsome scoundrel has his share of fans too. I have come to agree with you that all civil posters should be welcome here, whether they be ‘glass is half empty’ or ‘glass is half full’. My understanding is Karen at least skims these boards. I think she can benefit from both the bluntly honest critiques of some of you who are dissatisfied, as well as be encouraged by those who love what she is doing. I get depressed by the tension and fighting between ‘Luann sucks’ and ‘Luann, love it or leave it’ but looking at other comic fan bases (like Marvel and DC fans), see now it’s just human nature for fanboys and fangirls to argue passionately over things that matter to them. Anyhows, respectfully disagree with your assessment that Karen is a bad writer, but think it’s valuable to her to read critiques so she can become even better and rival, even surpass her father:)

Control – it’s all about control. Enjoy the weekend!

This story gets more ridiculous every day. So glad it is the last day for this story this week.

The real story is happening behind the scene. Did Quill leave to go back to Moony? Did Luann go with him? Or, did he run out with nary a word to her? Will Mr. Gray be her rebound guy?

He has met Luann, of course. Before Gunther ever met him..He has met Quill (the boarder) as well. We do not know how often.

He’s like Edward Woodward, the Equalizer. He likes to help out the unfortunate and downtrodden, because he can.

Wow! The art department can’t make a decision. What a surprise!

Hmm… Vegas?

Let’s look on the bright side, at least some of the mystery of Mr. Gray is emerging. .Perhaps Pru will actually appear at some point. (That one seems likely).Perhaps Sun will reappear at some point. We can only hope..Perhaps Bernice’s brother Ben will appear again. He seemed to fall for Luann..Perhaps Elwood will appear again at some point..Perhaps Rosa will tire of picking up sticks and appear again..Perhaps Ann Eiffel will appear again at some point. (Yikes, that gal swore revenge!).Perhaps Delta will appear again at some point. .Perhaps Dirk will appear again; maybe just before the wedding. .Perhaps Zane will appear again at some point. We need some real life drama for Bernice. .Perhaps Derek will appear again at Mooney U. More real drama for Bernice, not just administrative chores..Perhaps even Aaron could appear again at some point, though we have been told he won’t. (That in itself is very odd.).Perhaps Dez will finally appear at some point. OOPS, she did finally appear, didn’t she?

Nothing in this world is free. Humans are the only species on the planet that have to pay to live on it. All others are part of the food chain as their cost for living.

He could be retired. There are a lot of people in different fields who, after they retire, choose to help people when they can for no cost. They have all the money they need, and sometimes having new income can mess that up. They just like to be useful, and this is one way they can do this. Shags is right, nothing is for free, but some people aren’t looking for monetary pay. They just want to be of use to someone.

Seems you’re all ignoring the elephant in the room: How did Gunther’s mom meet Mr. Gray in the first place?

Hey all, does anyone know if Tiffany ever spoke about her mother? I was lucky enough to hear her talk about her relationship with her father when she was with Gunther, and I know she refers to him from time to time, but I know absolutely nothing about Tiff’s mother. I’m very curious about the other person who raised Tiff (or didn’t).

I like Mr. Gray. Think he’s a made man?

I have no problem with this; if he were mob, he’d make it clear he was expecting payback some day. As it was, he probably heard how excited Quill was when he told GunMom about the project. He had some free time and wandered over to see what was going on and if he could help. He must know Quill and Lu are an item and likes them both. And wants to get in better with Gunther’s mom.

I was wondering if they were divorced, or if like you suggest, she had passed away. I’m probably reading too much into things, but it looks to me like Tiff grew up without a positive female role model and latched onto the superficial stereotypes she saw in media. Thanks for letting me know about the graduation strip, I’m going to try and find it to see what Mr. Farrell looks like:)

I got it half right 2 days ago when I said Mr. Gray was doing the work for his friends, but I thought he’d take the job when they offered it to him. Maybe he knows someone who needs the job.

Hey all, found this delightful video clip on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NahN-zQ8N-8 . It is a relatively recent interview with Team Evans. As a newer reader I found it very informative and fun to watch. I hope you will too:)

Back after 9 hours, and Implausible is still treating Karen like she’s the target in a game of TeeBall. Wonder if he’s that abusive to all women? I’ve heard of acid rain, but acid comments?

“Thank you for your insightful commentary Mrs Implausible er, Caldonia!”^Heh, heh- clever way to "rack up a ‘K’, a sinking curve to “strike out” the batter!

Heard “Ol Sparky” used to work for Peanuts….

Though I don’t think Mr. Gray is a mobster, I like that kind of thinking. It’s possible that this is the end of the warehouse renovation part of the story, but the story goes on, and even this extremely fortuitous turn of events may be just the seed of future stories. “There are no happy endings, because nothing ends.”- Schmendrick the Magician “The Last Unicorn”“Certainly not Gerry’s posts…”- C’mon, you’re all thinking it:) Love you guys!

Can’t judge the story until we learn the who and why of Mr. Gray. Like Yogi said, “It ain’t over, till it’s over.”

I am uncomfortable with the glee that Brad displayed when he (a firefighter) announced that the date Toni (another firefighter) and Brad picked for their wedding is going to be the next 9/11.

Wow. Sad version of old Charlie…

Oh! Here’s an article I just found: http://www.gocomics.com/luann-bonus-material/2015/02/14

So as of February Karen and Greg were writing the plots and dialogue together.

Maybe he isn’t trying to score Brownie points with Gunther’s mom, but with Gunther? If he heard someone talking to Gunther about the warehouse problems, he might think helping Gunther’s friends is a good way to make himself look better?

Team Evans, pleeeeaaaase bring Sun back! I’ve been looking at the strips she appeared in, and though I find that huge grin (even huger than T.J.s!) on her face in her first appearance kinda’ unnerving, on the whole I find her adorable. Whether original or revised, please bring her back and let us get to know her!

Oh! Sun isn’t even gone, the current amazingly cute Sun is the redesign! http://blogs.gocomics.com/2015/03/luann-at-30-an-editors-perspective.html Sorry for panicking for nothing:)

> Wouldn’t you just love to find a magic unicorn that came along and took care of all your troubles and debts?>It would be nice to know that you could behave as foolishly as you wanted, and nothing bad would come of it, since all your efforts, no matter how misguided or poorly executed, would be highly acclaimed and be rewarded tremendously. That would be nice, but it would also be dull, predictable, devoid of suspense or excitement, and just not very interesting. It would not be very good writing. IMHO, of course.

I’d like to find a magic unicorn that could fix all my health problems, never mind my debts…

and in other news

SPOILER ALERT

This may be the first Sunday ’toon for which no one can figure out a comment…

Elwood would have made a great Hobbit.

Everyone want to see where this can go? Let’s work on the assumption that Mr. Gray is connected from his Vegas days, and that he will eventually come looking for the bill to be paid. When that doesn’t happen, because Frank and Nancy will be blindsided by the request, a little “accident” might happen. To Frank? Nancy? Luann? Brad? Toni? The Warehouse itself? Maybe on 9/11/16, when something else involving firefighters is supposed to happen?

Big picture here, folks. Look at the big picture.

Some day I’ll ask you for a favor….

He’s making them an offer they can’t refuse.

“Someday, and that day may never come, I may ask you to do me a service…”

And all that drama over a year ago with Rosa and all – well that was just a dream. Lazy writing used to get out of detailed and complex plot lines. Sheesh!