Volume 25 – Dirk Returns Part II

Behind-the-scene commentary from Greg Evans:
” Some cartoonists like to break the forth wall by having …Read More

Behind-the-scene commentary from Greg Evans:
Some cartoonists like to break the forth wall by having their characters directly address, or look at, the reader. In LUANN’s 31 year history, I’ve only broken the wall a handful of times because I don’t like to draw attention to the fact that this is a comic strip. Readers get wrapped up in the characters and their dramas and I don’t want to break the spell.

But I sometimes knock on the forth wall a little with some inside humor. An example of this is the 11-19 strip in which Brad says, “How come nothing around here just ENDS?” This is me, poking fun at the never-ending sagas that comprise LUANN.

In this collection, my favorite scene is where Frank’s male ego is bruised by muscleman Dirk and Frank struggles to maintain his masculine credibility. Guys do dumb things to show off their manliness, not only to their women but also to other men (see: the NFL). Of course, women do crazy things to show off their femininity (see: high heeled shoes).

My other fave here is Brad’s predicament in the 12-20 strip. What guy hasn’t been left holding his lady’s purse while she’s in the change room? I also like the 12-22 strip, “three out of four.” Leaves one’s head spinning, doesn’t it?