History Characters / MenageA3

* GagBoobs: Although [=DiDi=]'s voluptuous bust is mostly used to signify her near-supernatural sexual desirability, it also gets used for straightforward jokes from time to time, from her very first appearance onwards.

** "[=DiDi=]" counts as a [[{{Pun}} pair]] of meaningful names. Her nickname clearly alludes to her [[GagBoobs cup size]], and her actual first name, Désirée, is [[BilingualBonus the female form of the French equivalent to the verbal adjective "desired"]]. In fact, this might rate as a PunnyName for {{bilingual|Bonus}} readers.

* BunnyEarsLawyer[=/=]HiddenBadass: Despite being an overly emotional student of HollywoodPsych, Kiley manages some legitimately impressive feats during the runs of the comics in which she appears. She staggers Yuki, Sonya and Matt with {{armor piercing question}}s, causing each of them to have at least one epiphany, [[spoiler:even gives [=DiDi=] her first orgasm]], and is later [[spoiler:instrumental in helping Julian reassess his sexuality -- though not for entirely selfless reasons in that case]].

* TheShrink: Although she isn't qualified yet, Kiley takes it upon herself to play the shrink for other cast members, and sometimes achieves "Awesome Shrink"-level results -- though at other times she maybe tends towards "Well-Meaning, But Dopey And Ineffective".

* ButtMonkey: Roxie is persistently sexually frustrated, and her attempts to get on in wrestling on her own terms are persistently foiled, while more attractive but less talented wrestlers succeed. In ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' she also has to put up with [=DiDi’s=] unthinking flakiness, and in ''Webcomic/PixieTrixComix'', she has Zadie seeming ambiguously to flirt with her, all of which exacerbates that frustration. She rarely wins much. Eventually, she and Zadie end up in a happy relationship and enjoy a good sex life, [[spoiler: until Zadie's PoorCommunicationSkills lead to Roxie dumping her to avoid complications with a poly relationship.]]

* ButtMonkey: Roxie is persistently sexually frustrated, and her attempts to get on in wrestling on her own terms are persistently foiled, while more attractive but less talented wrestlers succeed. In ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' she also has to put up with [=DiDi’s=] unthinking flakiness, and in ''Webcomic/PixieTrixComix'', she has Zadie seeming ambiguously to flirt with her, all of which exacerbates that frustration. She rarely wins much. Eventually, she and Zadie end up in a happy relationship and enjoy a good sex life, [[spoiler: until Zadie's LackOfCommunicationSkills lead to Roxie dumping her to avoid complications with a poly relationship.]]

* ButtMonkey: Roxie is persistently sexually frustrated, and her attempts to get on in wrestling on her own terms are persistently foiled, while more attractive but less talented wrestlers succeed. In ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' she also has to put up with [=DiDi’s=] unthinking flakiness, and in ''Webcomic/PixieTrixComix'', she has Zadie seeming ambiguously to flirt with her, all of which exacerbates that frustration. She rarely wins much. Eventually, though, she and Zadie end up in a happy relationship and enjoy a good sex life.

* AfraidOfDoctors[=/=]AfraidOfNeedles: In one plot sequence (originally a Kickstarter/print bonus story), Gary is reduced to a quivering heap by the prospect of a blood test; he turns out to have a terror of needles. In fact, [[spoiler:he faints at the moment the hypodermic goes in, and the rest of the story is AllJustADream]].

* SexGod: Matt probably comes as close to this status as is ''realistically'' feasible. He's just plain very good at sex, and proud of it. While he's never able to bring [=DiDi=] to orgasm, he comes the closest ''any'' man ever has and she says that he's better than any of her previous lovers. (Also, there are a number of unexpected problems there, ranging from Yuki delivering a ''particularly'' vigorous kick to his crotch to [=DiDi=] mistakenly applying [[FireBreathingDiner Tabasco sauce]] to his crotch rather than vegetable oil, to ... well ... see UnknownRival, below.)

* BuxomIsBetter: She has enormous breasts and is considered supremely attractive by everyone in the strip.

** And later on, when James and Tracy request a threesome with Gary as the third person (to service James), one might think that Gary would, say, explain the earlier [[ItMakesSenseInContext grapefruit blowjob]] deception to Tracy, or just politely say No. Instead, he says he'll do it if he can “destroy” James anally, assuming that James will refuse. But James accepts those terms, so Gary lurches deeper into the [[invoked]] IdiotPlot... Though in the end, this is the incident that does seem to lead to Gary GrowingASpine

* PlotPoweredStamina: Tess's sexual marathons with Aaron run for ''hours,'' and [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/pixie-trix-comix/really-wore-me-out she only admits to being exhausted after twelve goes round.]] Admittedly she has the physical conditioning of a professional athlete (and Aaron is left completely exhausted), but this really verges on AnatomicallyImpossibleSex (though of course it's written this way for the sake of comedy).

* GiveGeeksAChance: In ''Webcomic/PixieTrixComix'', Tess initially finds Aaron as annoying as everyone else does, only associating with him because she’s desperate for advice on various topics. However, she comes to find him amusing, even likeable, and perhaps EndearinglyDorky, and ends up [[spoiler:using him for a night of rampant sex]], which actually goes very well. They have a weird sort of chemistry; it helps that she’s really not as (metaphorically or literally) cool as her image, while Aaron has been working out physically and very slowly improving his personality.

* ButtMonkey:
** Not on Gary's level (before fortune finally started to smile on him), but a twist in the plotting certainly turns events against Zii for a while after he starts getting more random good luck.

* ButtMonkey: Not on Gary's level (before fortune finally started to smile on him), but a twist in the plotting certainly turns events against Zii for a while after he starts getting more random good luck.

* TheShrink: Jerry appears to be a fully qualified professional, with certificates on his wall and all.

* BeautifulAllAlong: Gary is initially presented as a gawky {{geek}}, verging on {{nerd}} -- but that's never really convincing. He evidently has a metabolism that can keep him slim despite his geeky lifestyle, which gives him, to quote Dillon and Zii, a ''great'' ass, and he can dress up as Comicbook/{{Nightwing}} without having to fake the physique, chin, or really anything. It never seems very strange that various women and gay men fall for him. The only thing he ''really'' has against him is his pretty awful posture.

* {{Nerd}}: Gary has many of the classic attributes of the trope, although he wants to get rid of some of them. His nerdiness ends up modified by various sub-tropes, though; see below, for a start.

* LaserGuidedKarma: In the course of a 2017 story, Zii first goes out for coffee with Gary, while denying that it's a "date". As they chat, she finds herself aroused by the more mature Gary but appalled by the idea of herself being attracted to him, simply because he's ''[[{{Nerd}} Gary]].'' Then, when the two get home, she discovers the [=DiDi=] has just broken up with Kiley, and immediately ditches Gary to try and get [=DiDi=] into bed by convincing her she needs sex with a friend to get over Kiley. This backfires when [=DiDi=] remembers her interest in Gary and his swirly-go-round technique, and heads for him instead. Thus, as a result of snubbing Gary and trying to take advantage of [=DiDi=], a depressed Zii finds herself listening as her new crush has sex with the long-term subject of her obsession.

Yvan interviews Gary at the Montreal branch of "Dark Matter Games", and offers him a job in exchange for a personal favor. He's an indie music fan who seems amiable enough at first, but it soon turns out that his view of women isn't terribly attractive, and he comes to seem more than a little creepy. On the kindest possible reading, he may be a horribly desperate {{Nerd}} with slightly non-standard appearance (and some [[NerdsAreVirgins common nerd problems]]), but his actions mark him down as [[{{Jerkass}} plain unpleasant]].

* FunTShirt: Gary evidently has a nigh-UnlimitedWardrobe of geeky T-shirts, and while they’re not usually funny in themselves, his choice often manages to reflect his mood or the events of the comic, often in a comedic way. For example, after he finally lost his virginity, his shirt reads [[Wrestling/ZackRyder WWWYKI]].

* GrewASpine: Gary begins the comic extremely mild-mannered and unsure of himself, and it’s incredibly easy for others to talk him into doing things he doesn’t want to do (especially sexually, once he finally lost his cherry). However later on, ''especially'' under Peggy's guidance, he grows a backbone and the confidence to say "no," such as explicitly telling Matt and Yuki he has no interest in a threesome ''or'' twosome with ''either'' of them. Notably, early in volume 10, when Tracy and James drag him into their relationship confusion, he finally shows the sense to walk out, telling them as he goes that they evidently have issues that they need to talk out. (Ironically enough, part of the trigger for this is Gary remembering a previous occasion when ''Tracy'' told him to show a little courage.)

* GrewASpine:
** Gary begins the comic extremely mild-mannered and unsure of himself, and it’s incredibly easy for others to talk him into doing things he doesn’t want to do (especially sexually, once he finally lost his cherry). However later on, ''especially'' under Peggy's guidance, he grows a backbone and the confidence to say "no," such as explicitly telling Matt and Yuki he has no interest in a threesome ''or'' twosome with ''either'' of them.
** Mostly heavily {{averted|Trope}} whenever Gary gets a chance to show any backbone, but very occasionally he shows a little CharacterDevelopment in that direction. Notably, early in volume 10, when Tracy and James drag him into their relationship confusion, he finally shows the sense to walk out, telling them as he goes that they evidently have issues that they need to talk out. (Ironically enough, part of the trigger for this is Gary remembering a previous occasion when ''Tracy'' told him to show a little courage.) This may be a sign that Gary's story is reaching some kind of conclusion.

* GrewASpine: Mostly heavily {{averted|Trope}} whenever Gary gets a chance to show any backbone, but very occasionally he shows a little CharacterDevelopment in that direction. Notably, early in volume 10, when Tracy and James drag him into their relationship confusion, he finally shows the sense to walk out, telling them as he goes that they evidently have issues that they need to talk out. (Ironically enough, part of the trigger for this is Gary remembering a previous occasion when ''Tracy'' told him to show a little courage.) This may be a sign that Gary's story is reaching some kind of conclusion.

* TookALevelInBadass: Gary begins the comic extremely mild-mannered and unsure of himself, and it’s incredibly easy for others to talk him into doing things he doesn’t want to do (especially sexually, once he finally lost his cherry). However later on, ''especially'' under Peggy's guidance, he grows a backbone and the confidence to say "no," such as explicitly telling Matt and Yuki he has no interest in a threesome ''or'' twosome with ''either'' of them.

* FaceHeelTurn: In her early days in the comic, [=DiDi=] is, if not innocent, then at least honestly naive and well-meaning. The desire for an orgasm isn’t good for her personality, though, and achieving that goal actually makes her markedly ''worse''. By the last volume, she’s become something of a monster of ego and entitlement.

* ThePowerOfLust: Initially, [=DiDi=] is mainly notable for ''inspiring'' lust as an overwhelming motivation in others, driving anyone with the slightest interest in women to behave ridiculously. However, once she begins to think that a cure for her {{Anorgasmia}} may be in prospect, her own lust becomes her own overwhelming motivation, and makes her [[FaceHeelTurn a much less likable character than she was previously]].

* TookALevelInJerkass: After deciding that she's straight after all (which lasts until she gets to know her [[JustForFun/KinseyScaleOfTropes Kinsey]] better), [=DiDi=] becomes noticeably more immature, bitchy, and self-centered.[[note]]Oddly, she goes from being the nicest girl in the cast to (for a while at least) the meanest right around the time that Zii takes a stab at being a bit more responsible and less selfish, making it seem like they've switched roles.[[/note]] Mostly, this seems to be a product of [=DiDi's=] increasing sexual frustration, and her attitude seems to be more crazy than evil, so her level in jerkass has the potential to go away again. However, her treatment of Kiley, after things get complicated between them, is sweet on the surface but basically unthinking and exploitative, so [=DiDi's=] niceness is still deeply compromised. She ''seems'' to be getting better after Kiley dumps her and she develops feelings for Zii...

* ProneToTears: Kiley is very insecure and prone to breakdown crying. When they're together, Kiley and [[CryCute Yuki]] have a good chance of [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/menage-a-3/start-crying both crying]] TenderTears, for [[https://pixietrixcomix.com/menage-a-3/calm-down different reasons]]. And when she breaks down, she ''really'' [[InelegantBlubbering breaks down]].

* ThePowerOfLust: Initially, [=DiDi=] is mainly notable for ''inspiring'' lust as an overwhelming motivation in others, driving anyone with the slightest interest in woman to behave ridiculously. However, once she begins to think that a cure for her {{Anorgasmia}} may be in prospect, her own lust becomes her overwhelming motivation, and makes her [[FaceHeelTurn a much less likable character than she was previously]].

* GenderFlip: Kiley's very short-lived relationship with Gary is largely empowered by the fact that she's basically his {{Tomboy}} counterpart. Lack of confidence, dragged into sexual situations they're not comfortable with, not the stereotypical depiction of hot for their gender (but not unattractive either)...

* BunnyEarsLawyer[=/=]HiddenBadass: Despite being an emotional student of HollywoodPsych, Kiley manages some legitimately impressive feats over the course of the comic's run. She staggers Yuki, Sonya and Matt with {{armor piercing question}}s, causing each of them to have at least one epiphany, [[spoiler:and even gives [=DiDi=] her first orgasm]].

* GenderFlip: She's basically {{Tomboy}} Gary. Lack of confidence, dragged into sexual situations they're not comfortable with, not the stereotypical depiction of hot for their gender...

* AbhorrentAdmirer: It's not so much that [=DiDi=] is ''abhorrent'', but that she's not, y'know, a ''dude''. [=DiDi=]'s able to drag her around because she has such a strong personality and Kiley's so diffident, [=DiDi=] is able to pressure her into a sexual relationship.

* FreudianExcuse: Not that he's a villain, but it's an excuse for his character flaws; he claims in an early strip that his virginity and social incompetence are a result of a severely repressive ultra-religious upbringing, plus cock-teasing female contemporaries in his teenage years. (And he finds himself living with two women who engage in a lot of sexual teasing, albeit mostly by accident, and lusting after a girl with penis-phobia. Um...) However, this is never mentioned again, when his mother 'phones him up she sounds nice enough, and his behavior looks far more like simple, if [[TurnedUpToEleven extreme]], {{geek}}iness, than religious repression or guilt, so it may just rate as EarlyInstallmentWeirdness or self-justifying half-truths.

* TheLoinsSleepTonight: A very rare female version. When [[spoiler:her relationship with [=DiDi=] causes the loss of more than one friendship and the collapse of her band, throwing her into depression]], Zii's libido tanks ''hard'', leaving [[spoiler:[=DiDi=]]] intensely frustrated. It only comes back during a heart-to-heart talk about love problems with Gary. Him offering to [[spoiler:teach her the swirly-go-round]] [[UpToEleven blows the top off her libido meter,]] and when [[spoiler: they kiss so he can teach her the same way he was originally taught]], she's instantly horny.