Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 16, 2021

I’m starting to like Ben.

Bernice’s unspoken discomfort similar to Aspergers

man, are we getting nowhere

Bernice discomfort full display.

Wanna get away?

Yes, do follow and catch up, Jack. Ben wants to know you better to better see why his sister is so interested in you AND whether he is interested in Luann. Get some vibes off him when Luann is in the conversation.

Hang in there Ben! You’re doing fine. Check him out! I think you’ll find that Jack is a fine potential brother in law! 8^ )

Bernice seems to live in fear that someone might get to the point if something instead of beating around the bush.

Bernice podrá ser ordenada y responsable para otras personas, pero es incapaz de ordenar sus propios sentimientos y prefiere huir. Bien por Ben intentando que haga frente a la situación.

Bernice is very attracted to Jack, but doesn’t have the guts to let him know. Instead, she hides her lack of courage behind a made-up story about Luann going after Jack and stealing him away from her, complete with major rage at Luann. Now that her brother is following up on all this, though, Bernice is both embarrassed to have Jack realize that she is interested in him and embarrassed that her brother is going to learn about her lie about Luann and Jack. This is especially embarrassing to Bernice because, years ago when she first learned about her brother Ben, Bernice was furious at Luann for showing interest in him instead of just letting Bernice spend time with the brother she’d never known existed. Now, once again, Bernice is being shown as unable to get the full attention of a man and blaming it all on Luann…

Bernice is getting a workout just trying to get away from Jack! Nice work, Ben.

In panel 3 on Saturday, Bern is standing beside and slightly ahead of Ben as they face Jack (with Ben’s mouth conveniently near Bern’s ear for his whispered question). In Monday’s panel 1, Bern has already moved to the far side of Jack. By Monday’s panel 2, Ben and Jack have switched places, as if Bern had already started dragging Ben away just on account of his remark in panel 1. Now in panels 1 and 2 above (as in Monday’s panels 2 and 3), Bern is shown dragging Ben away by his left arm. But in panel 3, she’s walking at his right side. And just as with Bern walking last week sometimes at Ben’s left side and sometimes at his right, all the position changes fit a pattern that I claim is head-slappingly obvious once you notice it. For those who missed my HUGE hint (practically a spoiler) on Saturday, here it is again:

Imagine redrawing any of the recent strips with Ben’s and Bern’s positions swapped from where they’re shown that day. If imagining that isn’t revelatory, find a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and actually try it, even if your drawing skills don’t go much beyond stick figures and your printing is barely legible. (Then I invite you to post your reaction, preferably in a way that won’t be a spoiler for anyone else.)

Awkward for sure. Bern should just look at her phone and say: “Hey guys, something has come up, I have to go.” She avoids the embarrassment of listening to her brother ask Jack various questions to find out more about him and hopefully Ben is tactful enough to not just flat out tell Jack that Bern thinks he has been spending overnights in Luann’s bedroom which will chase him away for sure. Perhaps Ben can find a tactful way of saying that Bern thinks Jack is a great friend and likes him a great deal but what does Ben actually know? He does not know a whole lot about his sis except that she is very neurotic and insecure. I doubt if Ben even knows that Bern has a pet fish thanks to Jack.

Some posters here used to say that Gunther showed signs of Aspergers, and now they are attributing that to Bernice. They really need to look at websites like those of the Autism Society to understand how complex the ‘spectrum’ is and that very few of the characteristics fo Aspergers fit Bernice. Yes, she is socially awkward, but so are lots of shy people. However, Bernice is very able to look people straight in the eye when she talks to them (unlike most people on the spectrum), and Bernice is VERY aware of sarcasm (again, unlike those on the spectrum). Bernice also has no trouble at all expressing emotion when she speaks, unlike those with Aspergers who often speak in flat tones. I have a cousin on the spectrum; he is a genius at playing the piano but can’t hold a conversation with relatives he’s known all his life…

Maybe they can walk by in time to see the panel truck driving away with the valuables from the Fuse…you know, that other story line?

So maybe Bro is trying to make this happen. However I would like them to encounter Luann & Tara – to spice up the story.

Ben cut to the chase, now Jack is chasing. Way to go, Ben!

“Dressed like that? A green long sleeved sweater? You should be wearing a green long sleeved spandex tee shirt!” (And Bernice is dressed like a mime under that coat.)

I can just imagine how slow Jack is going to have to speed walk to stay even with those two.

On one level Ben is a bit annoying, but he is trying to help his sister despite her denial of needing or wanting help… She really needs help.

Yes, let’s get it all out in the open!

I realize it may be a McGuffin, but Ben is really being used to show his story, how it relates to Bernice, and being a vehicle to force, in a very laid back way, for Bern to face up to her “secret” passion for Jack. I think that is where we will be this snowed in week, although we may get a snippet of Tara and Luann and the Fuse. Very interesting week.

I LOVE BEN MORE AND MORE♡♡♡!!!! His way of asking questions is so funny but precise. He’s a real big bro♡! Let’s be honest, Bernice deserves a little awkwardness after all her accusations of her BFF. And if Ben can, as it seems, clear up all his sister’s doubts without Jack’s understanding, that’s perfect! I really enjoy this arc♡. And Super embarrassed Bernice is so funny.

The problem here is Ben.

If he weren’t around, Bern and Mr. Jack would be chatting it up like old dear pals. Pretty much like the way they did when they met each other in the dog park that day, and Luann was too busy showing Puddles how to chase a ball, to notice.

But hey.

These three should be applauded! They are doing an excellent job of distracting the readers from Tara, who probably by now, is pulling a “Goodfellas” and selling the Fuse’s restaurant fixtures out of the side door. ;)

Jack is going to be mad at Bernice!

Speed walking isn’t the same as regular walking. They’re either going to have to run to keep up with Jack or he’s going to have to crawl to be able to talk to them.

Bernice is so clingy and possessive. Could she have a deep rooted loneliness?

Brother knows best. Why not stir the pot a little and see what happens?

thats a good brother.

Aspergers. Certain commenters should become more knowledgeable before using a description for something they obviously know nothing about. It’s really bad style and it makes you look stupid.

Bernice might literally be the most sexually-repressed 20-ish-year-old on the planet.

Ben is having waaay too much fun!

I honestly believe that Ben is indulging in some brotherly teasing, the kind that never happened during their long separation, and that he would never totally humiliate Bernice.

Poor Bernice. I can’t wait to see where this one goes, lol.

Another throw-away week

Is Ben an owl? How far around can he turn his head?

Something funny getting started between those two guys? Hmmm?

So far this week has enough padding to survive a high-speed car crash.

I think Ben just clued into Bernice’s feelings towards Jack, heehee!

Jack needs to get up to speed on this whole secret…now! :D

Hilarity ensues today with Ben’s machinations. This will probably will continue thru the week.

The Tara arc will be held back while reader frustration builds.

Ben is a hoot. He has to teach his sister how to flirt.

You know what would make this interesting? WHY she is getting worse as she gets older about interacting with people. Whether her brother, Luann, Jack…the list seems to include just about anyone who says anything to her these days. That seems to be going on with this lady? Her brother looks pretty well adjusted. She used to be better at interacting with other people. Lately…Her social skills appear to be slim to none.

Every day this continues, Jack will think Bernice is more odd. Ben is asking normal questions, trying to find out if Jack really was in Luann’s room.

Bernice’s brother is cool.

Now that’s a good big brother.

Ben seem to be totally comfortable and in control of the conversation. I like the way his character is being portrayed.

And that’s what big brothers do!

Today Bernice will be played by " The scaredy cat wimp"

Ben needs to say after they are walking a bit, “I need to get back to the kids, you two keep on going”.

Speed walking is a given with my Golden Retreiver.

“That for she gets” in my grandchildren speak. Jumping to conclusions without actual evidence leads to monumental misunderstandings. Mature minded bro trying to straighten things out.

What if…They get this whole wrong assumptions thing out of the way, Bernice fesses up to her conclusion jumping and why she jumped, Jack and Ben become good friends, Jack convinces Ben to take better care of himself, gets back to his “fighting weight”, Jack tells Bernice he thinks she’s great, She then starts ACTUALLY sneaking Jack in the DeGroot house at night….

(Yeah that last part went off the rails a bit. Just being a tad facetious.)

Jack knows Ben is ex-Army. Luann must have had an extensive conversation with Jack about Ben. And here I thought they didn’t talk that much.

I notice something about Ben with a second look:. He is subtly encouraging Jack to join them in spite of the efforts of his weird sister. I think is trying to help her be more honest with herself about her feelings for Jack, maybe let him know.

Hey Bernice … (yes i know this is a comic but hey life’s slow)… you hold everyone else to the fire own up and talk to Jake. Sides if anyone needs some umm fun its you. Good luck.

" These Boobs Are Made For Walkin’ " (♪♫)

“Working Up Speed”

“Try To Remember, Or Your Arm I’ll Dismember”

“Go Speed Walker, Go Speed Walker, Go Speed Walker, Go-o-o” (♪♫)

Oh, brother! You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them.

Looks like Bernice won the “Most despicable person in the funnies” poll by a freakin’ landslide:

https://surveyhero.com/results/299186/af0bb48355482e6e0e4422fb446c2707

Way to read the room, Ben!

Jack is always accommodating. One of his many good qualities.

I guess Bernice was just going to keep assuming Jack and Luann are sneaking around instead of having an adult, non accusatory conversation with Luann or Jack. Thank goodness Ben is here to try and get the truth. Bern’s avoidance is something a therapist would point out. I don’t think Bern will make a good shrink at all.

Bern’s Bro and Jack? Bern is going to be So Embarrassed when she finds out.

Hurry, Jack! There’s still a chance Ben and you can shock Bernie back to reality!

I can sympathize with Bernice’s shyness and anxiety about being attracted to Jack and then seeing him. And brothers can be helpful or exasperating. I had a terrible crush on a guy in high school, and started writing a letter telling all about it to a friend. I threw the first draft away. My brother fetched it out of the trash and gave it to a classmate, who gave it to the Crush! I was so embarrassed that I never wanted to go back to school again. I recovered when the Crush asked a question about a Beatle’s song lyric and I answered it. I felt fine after that, oddly enough. But I was 15 years old at the time. It is a little odd that Bern is so very shy when she’s this age and in college.