History ElGoonishShive / TropesAToE

* BigNo: Played with [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-07-09 here,]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2006-02-13 here,]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2012-06-26 here]] and [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2012-08-31 here.]]
* BigWhat: Everyone's reaction to [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2005-01-14 Sarah being okay]] with going along with the theme of Grace's birthday party is to shout "what" very loudly.

** Mist in his non-diguised, non-unicorn form. If his pronouns weren't clarified in that form's introduction on [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/hope-007 this page]], readers would most likely have mistaken him for a woman.

** Mr. Raven comes across as [[Film/HarryPotter Snape]] with better style, at least at first. Tell me you don't imagine Alan Rickman delivering some of his lines.

** [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1925 Later]], Grace is ''sure'' that if [[spoiler:Justin has a magic mark]], he ''must'' know about it. After all, there's no way he could miss a small mark colored slightly different from the rest of his skin on a spot high up on his back where he'd need a mirror and probably have to make a deliberate effort to notice. And then it sinks in that yes, Justin ''could'' miss it.
** And then there's [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2016-11-11 Tedd objecting to the possibility]] of [[spoiler: Justin]] having awakened, saying that it can't ''just'' happen, it has to take any number of methods. That's when Tedd realises that [[spoiler: Justin]] could have easily awakened without anyone noticing.
--->[[spoiler: Awakenings just don't ''happen!'' Something major has to happen! Or you have to train a lot! Or be really strong! Or have an immortal... make it]]... there are about five billion ways [[spoiler: someone like Justin could have awakened]], aren't there?

* BothSidesHaveAPoint: The ongoing debate regarding whether magic should be made more widely available to everyone (as opposed to keeping magic a secret, which [[spoiler:has become a moot point in light of the very public displays of the supernatural over the course the comic and the not-changes by the Will of Magic]]:
** '''Pros''': Some of the cast (most vocally Tedd) feel that magic has too much potential to do good to rightfully keep it out of the public's hands, especially when they already have access to magic and technology that would be greatly appreciated by some (like transgender people looking for a safer way to transition).
** '''Cons''': Due to the way [[PersonalityPowers magic works in this setting]], making it more available would also heighten the risk of the worst people getting their hands on some particularly horrific spells (e.g. mind control). Not-Tengu is a particularly effective example of what can happen when the average jerk gets their hands on magic. Even the Pro-Magic side concedes that it's too dangerous to spread magic currently due to this, so one of Tedd's goals is to find a way to increase everyone's magical resistance. Those against spreading magic are concerned that this wouldn't really be enough to justify the risk, with Edward Verres himself comparing it to giving everyone a bomb-proof suit to protect themselves from rocket launchers - no one knows how much protection that would actually give under those circumstances.
** One complicating factor that most of the cast (except for Pandora) don't seem to have brought up is the development of technology compared to magic, particularly weapons: she raises the reasonable point while wizards with fireballs against a group of medieval peasants would be way too one-sided, the same can't be said when against people armed with guns, explosives and ''intercontinental ballistic missiles''. [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2016-08-15 "Magic is exotic and scary, but any random fool with a gun can still best a wizard!"]] In her eyes, making magic widely available would allow people to develop better defenses against both magical and mundane threats.

* AbnormalAmmo: In Night Out Part 3 - Ellen's Crew, [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-18 a group watches a movie]] where horses are used as projectiles. It's never shown how it's done on screen, but it is commented on.

** Tedd looks like Lord Tedd when he discovers Damien's mistreatment of Grace, and especially when he learns it ''wasn't'' a one-off event. As "One Way Road" shows, he wants to be able to help his absurdly powerful friends, and is not satisfied with roles of a reclusive ballast or MissionControl. And as a MadScientist, he's able to climb the SuperWeight ladder if he really wants... and does, as TheStinger to the same arc shows.

* AbnormalAmmo: In the movie they watch [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-18 here,]] horses are used as projectile weaponry. Susan asks Justin if he could do that but he says:
-->'''Justin:''' I'm not trained in the art of using horses as projectile weaponry.

** While looking for Grace, everytime Hedge tries to do something dramatic, it gets ruined by something interrupting the drama like [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-23 here.]] It's literally a RunningGag with him.

** In [[https://egscomics.com/egsnp/2015-02-02 one of the NP's]], Susan derides the idea of a ZombieApocalypse as being scientifically-impossible. Grace quickly points out the flaw in that logic. Edward confirms that undeads are impossible, and the closest people can get to zombies are corpses being puppeted by someone.

** Again [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook/2013-01-01 in the sketchbook.]]

** In the earlier arcs, Tedd is extremenly sensitive over him looking feminine, to the point of using the TF Gun on Elliot in a MomentOfWeakness. [[note]]Later revealed to be [[spoiler:Magus's influencing Tedd's emotions at a key point, as part of Pandora's scheme to get Magus a new body in as complicated and uncertain a way as possible.]][[/note]]

** Justin assumes [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/party-179 rumors of someone selling magic stuff]] is just a scam. When this comes up in conversation he relizes that he probably should have looked into that more.

* DreamSequence: An entire StoryArc of them, each revealing something personal about one of the main characters.

* EconomyCast: Played with with regards to the comic book shop Justin works at. The only employees seen with any regularity are Justin, George, and Grace. The business owner, Justin's uncle, is only seen once when he interviews Grace for a position. This led to at least one other character, Sarah, assuming it was just them working at the shop until Justin clarifies that no, there ''are'' other employees. Sarah (and the readers), just never saw them.

** Moperville University is ''predicted'' to become a place where a lot of magical incidents happen. The centre of the flow of ambient magical energy into Moperville will shift from woodland where it originally was to Moperville University, and the MenInBlack thinks this will cause the university to be the centre of multiple magic happenings.

* AcademyOfAdventure: Two of them: Moperville North and South, where a disproportionate amount of incidents happen at both.

* ExtraStrengthMasquerade: A variant. There is [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2011-01-12 no special effect]] stopping people from noticing magic if it happens in front of them, and the fact that knowledge of magic can easily be spread with modern technology is one of the main drivers of the plot. However, The Will Of Magic [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2014-03-20 has decided]] (for reasons that presumably make sense to it), that it does not wish magic to be too widely used or publically known. Therefore, whenever the {{Masquerade}} truly breaks, the Will of Magic [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2014-03-21 changes the rules]] for how humans can access its power, everything that everyone knows about magic becomes false, and the {{Masquerade}} is back in place.
* ExtremeDoormat: Sarah's motive to be upset with Elliot... [[spoiler:to the point of wanting to break up with him.]] Elliot never takes the initiative of suggesting something to do and doesn't even have the drive to ''call her'' until someone tells him to do it. Sarah's always the one who must come out to call him or ask him out and decide what they should do, and even though she knows Elliot does it to avoid being oppressive to her, she's sick of it. Not to mention [[LetsWaitAwhile Elliot, in all the months they had being together,]] [[ArentYouGoingToRavishMe never tried to have sex with her.]]

* EveryoneIsBi: This didn't seem to be true at first, but ultimately, of the main eight, only [[spoiler:Justin and Nanase]] appear to have an uncomplicated gender preference. From the beginning, Ellen was bi and Grace wasn't exactly straight; although any male character turned female will be attracted to men and vice-versa, [[spoiler:that's a much greater part of Elliot's life]] (although that means any homosexual character transformed into the opposite gender will actually technically be considered heterosexual while in that form); [[spoiler:Tedd, Sarah, and Elliot]] slowly come to realize that they're attracted to both sexes regardless of form; and Susan comes to realize she's [[spoiler:an exclusive voyeur, whose subjects could be of either gender]]. Furthermore, more recent important characters, such as Noah and Ashley, seem similarly difficult to label.
** Justified: The TransformationRay wreaks havoc upon a person's sexuality.
** Confirmed by WordOfGod in a [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/qa8-13 2019 Q&A comic]]: "Gender fluidity and bisexuality feels normal and like the default to me."

* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Sirleck cannot understand why [[OurElvesAreDifferent Raven]] would [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=2190 do charity work for military veterans.]]

** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]]: The process of becoming an Aberration removes one's empathy.
* EvilLaugh: Along with PsychoticSmirk, played to the hilt with Raven, though he could just be being creepy and weird. Definitely just being weird, considering he's one of the series' most powerful supporting heroes. His mother, on the other hand, plays this one straight...
* EvilOverlord: Lord Tedd, though Nioi insinuates that he's nothing of the sort. Well, ''[[MoralityPet to Nioi and around her]]'', he may be a [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-11-07 very nice]] lad indeed. After all, Lord Tedd is the product of Tedd's issues never fixed by the presence of either Elliot or Grace, and it looks like [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-09 "guy with a furry fetish and a half-cat girlfriend"]] again.

** Immortals in Moperville's universal neighborhood are forbidden (by some unexplained contract or compact with humans) from doing much more than "guiding and empowering." However, as the comic progresses, it quickly becomes clear that "[[AmplifierArtifact empowering]]" and "[[MindControl guiding]]" have loopholes big enough to drive a truck through. Loopholes which many immortals use with giddy abandon to achieve ends ranging from "vampire extermination" to "make me not bored."

* ExpositionCut: Its frequent use is lampshaded in [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-11-14 this]] comic from late in the "Sister" arc.

** When Catalina asks [[spoiler:Susan]] on a date, her hair acts like cat ears, raising when she's happy and laying flat when she's upset.

** First there was a [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2006-03-24 hilarious version]] with [[GenderBender female Tedd]] and too reasonable Susan.

** [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1925 Later]], Grace is ''sure'' that if [[spoiler:Justin has a magic mark]], he ''must'' know about it.
---> How could he miss [[spoiler:a small flame shaped mark colored slightly different from the rest of his skin on a spot high up on his back]] where he'd need [[spoiler:a mirror]] and probably have to make a deliberate effort to '''''dammit'''''
** And then there's [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2016-11-11 Tedd objecting to the possibility]] of [[spoiler: Justin having awakened]]:

* ExtraParentConception: Uryuoms reproduce this way, with a variable number of parents.

* EmbarrassingFirstName: Susan goes by her middle name because her first name "Tiffany" sounds like a stereotypical cheerleader. [[spoiler:Also because her dad picked that name.]]
* EmbarrassingLastName: Not helping matters is Susan's surname being ''Pompoms'', which would probably be embarrassing even if it didn't clash with her personality so hard. In fact, Susan hates her name so much that it stopped her from getting a [[StevenUlyssesPerhero name-based affinity]], since "Tiffany Pompoms" should under normal circumstances be the kind of name that attracts cheerleading spells.

* EnhanceButton: Averted.
** In [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-01-06 this comic]], zooming in on a photo and using the brightness command results in visible pixels and artifact.
** Discussed in the commentary of [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-11-05 this comic]], including a jab at CSI's usage of this trope.

* EnlightenmentSuperpowers: How Sensei Greg created Anime-Style Martial Arts.

** Grace [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2013-03-20 chooses]] ''Film/DieHard'' as the first movie in a ChristmasSpecial marathon due to assuming that [[DidIMentionItsChristmas if it is a movie set during Christmastime]] it must be a Christmas Special. (She does [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2013-03-21 realize it's a violent action movie]], but still thought it counted as "Christmas".)

* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Female Variant Number 5 is meant to cause this.
* EvenTheGuysWantHim: Discussed. After [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-24 the furious look]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-26 Elliot gave Melissa,]] Noah tries to get out of him what was that about:
-->'''Noah:''' Is it jealousy? I have been told I could make straight men see rainbows.

** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-11 Even Magus]] [[spoiler:won't help Chaos ruin Verres to just to kill Abraham... [[ThePlan just to punish Raven for being a disobedient son]]]]. Though Magus hasn't yet been clarified as "good" or "evil", he had been antagonising Ellen through the arc.
** Also, during ''Painted Black'', Hedge did everything in his power ''not'' to bring women back to Damien, knowing that he only wanted them for breeding.

* EleventhHourSuperpower: Three times. One is {{Justified|Trope}} in expansion, another is justified in previous development, and the last one was built up over more than two years so that it was bound to appear and ''[[PersonalityPowers could not]]'' be anything less than Summon "OhCrap."

* DirectionlessDriver: Referenced after Ellen's "birth," as she deluded herself into thinking she was Elliot's EvilTwin.
-->'''Elliot:''' As a woman, she might use tactics that we as men wouldn't even cross our minds.\\
''[[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=196 cut to Ellen asking a gas pump attendant for directions]]''

* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: {{Discussed|Trope}} by [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2013-04-22 Elliot and Sarah]] after [[spoiler:they break up]].

* DroppedGlasses: ...revealing that the character [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-21 doesn't really need them.]]

** Early in the comic Elliot and Nanase share a rather overtly sexual relationship, with the two even having a tradition of making out after sparing matches. This becomes a rather odd point later on, when Elliot is revealed to be borderline sexually repressed, and even Nanase seems a lot more reserved (of course, this might just be in comparison to her new girlfriend, Ellen, who is a lot more open and flirtatious). Recent interactions between Elliot and Ashley seem to be reaffirming Elliot as overtly sexual, insinuating his situation with Sarah was actually more out of character for him due to the two not realizing their feelings for each other were deeply platonic, not romantic.

* EldritchAbomination: First off, [[spoiler:Pandora looks like this whenever she's not a CreepyChild or adult woman]]. Then there's [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-04-09 this... thing]] [[spoiler:although WordOfGod - and, later, the comic itself - states that [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1716 the latter used to be human]].]]
** And also whatever the hell this [[https://elgoonishshive.com/?date=2013-01-22 "whale" thing is that Tedd encounters.]]

* DeadlyUpgrade: [[spoiler:Nanase's [[https://elgoonishshive.com/?date=2009-10-03 Angel spell]]]] very nearly became this as she was pushed far beyond her limit already when she casts it, and it drains a ''lot'' of energy.

** Mr. Raven, sometimes [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-12-10 Susan]], [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2007-01-08 Mr. Verres]] and [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2005-06-27 Elliot.]] Ellen in nearly too many instances to cite. Tedd [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2007-02-05 can do it]] when he wants to.
** Definitely Susan. [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-07-26 Dying is usually inconvenient.]] Lampshaded [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-08-05 here.]]
** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2004-05-28 This guy.]]

%%* DefaultSettingSyndrome: In-universe -- [[https://egscomics.com/egsnp/?date=2005-06-14 Newspaper arc]] "Dan in the {{MUD}}."

** Magic is stated to have a flair for the dramatic. The characters expect magic to act this way.
* DidntSeeThatComing: Anybody who forgets he's fighting a wizard after having to overcome his spells just to get there ''deserves'' to be [[MacrossMissileMassacre spammed]] by [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-07-04 exploding crows]] on the spot.
* DidntThinkThisThrough: Abraham is infamous in the wizard community for his incredible shortsightedness. First he enchanted a diamond to cure a friend of lycanthropy rather than just sell the diamond to hire someone more competent, and because of his ineptitude the diamond's "cure" actually splits the curse from the person as a new being capable of spreading the curse further. Then he made a RashPromise to slay anything created by the Dewitchery Diamond, not foreseeing it being used to break a relatively harmless curse like a GenderBender, forcing him to kill an innocent teenage girl.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: Averted. The "fire monster" summons in the New and Old Flames arc aren't really made of fire because they would incinerate themselves. They just look like they're on fire and have fire-related vulnerabilities. It's a beginner's mistake when summoning certain monsters to just go with what looks cool instead of what actually works.

** Agent Cranium has [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1695 an interesting ability.]]

* CreatorCameo: [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-09-17 This]] strip (panel 6) has Dan Shive in a comic shop. Note that this is different from the AuthorAvatar character that appears in some non-canon strips.

* CringeComedy: [[ButchLesbian Catalina's]] plan to [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1742 defuse rumors]] [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1743 that Elliot]] [[MistakenForGay is gay]]. [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1741 That's]] [[SarcasmMode an airtight argument, alright.]]

** An earlier example from the Goo: [[AC:[[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-10-14 PROCEEDING WITH A PREPARED SET OF CURSE WORDS IN ORDER TO IMITATE ANGER. DAMN. CRAP. F--]]]]

** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2012-09-24 "Well, f-"]]. WordOfGod alleges that Justin was going to say "fudge".
* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Seen with [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=761 Susan]], [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=751 Elliot]], [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=743 Ellen]], and [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=1824 Tedd]].
* CuteApproachesCamera: Done so [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=301 here.]]

* DamselInDistress: During the "Painted Black" arc, Grace becomes one when she's captured while infiltrating Damien's base... at least until Damien makes her [[BewareTheNiceOnes really, really mad]].

* TheDarkSide: [[https://egscomics.com/index.php?id=133 Early on, when the Goo is first created.]]
-->'''The Principal:''' So you're saying you ''can't'' make me an army of goo-based hall monitors?\\
'''Tedd:''' Even if I could, I would not give into the dark side so easily.

* DaydreamSurprise: [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2007-05-23 Here,]] [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2007-05-26 with hints]], and far more emphatically [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2008-06-09 here.]]
** This has become easier to notice thanks to Dan's consistency in displaying 'imaginary' panels with rounded corners. The last example portrays this perfectly.

* CharacterFilibuster: Tedd, on occasion.

* ChekhovsGun: A lot of 'em. It got to the point that Shive redesigned a character who would have had certain "suspicious" traits (such as an eyepatch) specifically so that nobody would sit around waiting for those to be explained.

** In the New And Old Flames storyline, [[spoiler:Elliot got a superheroine form spell, which comes with its own alter ego form]] which seems to allow this trope. However, it is subverted in that [[spoiler:in the form Elliot actually [[BlindWithoutEm requires glasses]] and his speech patterns are made mild-mannered.]] This means he doesn't really need to engage in ClarkKenting consciously; [[spoiler:the form does it for him.]]

* ComeBackToBedHoney: [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2002-07-23 An alternate female Elliot]] knows the best way to take advantage of alternate Tedd's father being out of town.
* ComingOutStory: Justin's, [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2006-06-21 related to Susan during Grace's party,]] though it had [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2005-08-16 previously been shown without explanation.]] [[spoiler:Nanase, on the other hand, comes out ''during'' the party, though by then everyone there that night except Tedd already knew. For a while she was only out to the people who were at the party, though.]]

* ConfusedBystanderInterview: There's [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2011-06-08 one of these,]] complete with [[SayingSoundEffectsOutLoud sound effects]], BuffySpeak, and general [[GenkiGirl hyperactiveness]]. Subverted in that she's actually not a bystander. [[spoiler:''She's'' the superhero that she allegedly saw. And [[GenderBender she's not even a "she".]]]]

** Moperville North: The school was attacked by the Goo, twice. It is also where Abraham's summon appeared and where Elliot met the griffin Tara.

* CardiovascularLove: In the [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2003-04-23 2003-04-23]] comic, used in the last panel with SayItWithHearts, with those hearts accompanying someone saying:
--> God, I love that woman...
%%* CartoonBomb: the spider vampire uses these.
* CasanovaWannabe: T.C., aka "[[SpellMyNameWithAThe The Playah]]".

* CatGirl: In various ways, ranging from the [[MeaningfulName appropriately-named]] Catalina, to Ellen's online persona, to Grace's werecat form and the variants thereof to normal form of Nioi and Kaoli (they're skunks, but this looks close enough). Not to mention Elliot's cat''boy'' form....
** At some point in the backstory, Sarah [[NoodleIncident was stuck as one for a day]] thanks to Tedd being careless with the TF gun.
** ...and [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2012-01-10 Tedd]], of course.

** In an innocuous gag, a griffin named Tara talks to Elliot in Tedd's list of why he's famous at their school. This later becomes important because her wife comes searching for her after she doesn't return in time.

** [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2005-12-09 REVIVE]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-01-24 THE]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-01-25 FUND!]] The fund was [[https://egscomics.com/sketchbook/2014-09-04 finally funded in real life.]]

** Though it's a bit of stretch, [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2005-07-27 "Harry Potter]] and [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-12-29 Stoned Sorcerer"]] still counts.
** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-02-13 After]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-03-27 nine years,]] the [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-10 COAT OF SOLITUDE]] returns.

** The silhouettes in the last panel of [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2012-11-21 this comic]] seem to be a setup for the ShoutOut gag in the last two panels of [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2013-09-03 this one]] nearly a year later.
** [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2013-10-20 I am in]] [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2015-08-26-2 search of Avalon.]]

** Gerald as well, sort of. He wears gothy outfits and makeup specifically to provoke bullies into picking fights with him.
--> '''Tedd:''' He sounds like a venus fly trap that catches bullies. That's ''awesome''.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: Resident MadScientist Tedd is quite brilliant... it's just difficult to recognize when his field of expertise is so deeply tied in with his many quirks.

* CaliforniaUniversity: The main cast (and several high school supporting cast members) plan to attend Moperville University, with Raven and Tenseided becoming part of the faculty.

** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-10 Officially, hair does]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-19 spontaneously change colour.]]
** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2013-06-27 Half the school]] has seen Nanase [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2005-04-19 floating around.]]
** [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2013-03-15 "She's family.]] [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2016-12-09 Help her."]]

%%* ChekhovsGunman: Hedge, among others. Noah was even worse -- he showed up, gothic [[UsefulNotes/{{Fonts}} font]] and all, and then... completely vanished. For years.

* BluntYes: [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2015-06-10 When Tedd discovers that]] AllMenArePerverts is less "complete nonsense" than "an exaggeration of the truth".

%%* BodyHorror: Pandora. [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-11 Oh GOD Pandora.]]

** '''Cons''': Due to the way [[PersonalityPowers magic works in this setting]], making it more available would also heighten the risk of the worst people getting their hands on some particularly horrific spells (e.g. mind control). [[spoiler:Not-Tengu is a particularly effective example of what can happen when the average jerk gets their hands on magic.]] Even the Pro-Magic side concedes that it's too dangerous to spread magic currently due to this, so one of Tedd's goals is to find a way to increase everyone's magical resistance. Those against spreading magic are concerned that this wouldn't really be enough to justify the risk, with Edward Verres himself comparing it to giving everyone a bomb-proof suit to protect themselves from rocket launchers - no one knows how much protection that would actually give under those circumstances.

* BrainBleach: {{Invoked|Trope}} [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-10-29 here.]]

* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2012-08-13 Here.]]

** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-19 November 19th]] is a callback to a comic from [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-10 six years before]].

** The [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2008-07-02 product of Ellen's unhealthy imagination]] is [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-03-12 recalled]] later.
** In another comic, Susan [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-26 explains]] "where the hell that sword came from" in a comic from [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-12-05 nearly eight years before]].
** [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-04-19 Hammer]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-09-22 Joke]].

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Grace, who can shapeshift into any number of extremely lethal forms when provoked. [[spoiler:And when she's reluctant or unable to enter close combat, she just uses telekinesis instead.]] [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-06-25 Beware, indeed.]]
** Tedd looked like Lord Tedd when he discovered Damien's mistreatment of Grace, and especially when he learned it ''wasn't'' a one-off event. As "One Way Road" shows, he wants to be able to help his absurdly powerful friends, and is not satisfied with roles of a reclusive ballast or MissionControl. And as a MadScientist, he's able to climb the SuperWeight ladder if he really wants... and does, as TheStinger to the same arc shows.
** Pretty much most of the regular cast. They're all pretty much very nice people, but each has a BerserkButton or two that when pressed can unleash the beast. Elliot, Ellen, and Nanase are among the most powerful and protective of others.

** The [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-09-29 kiss]] between, [[spoiler:Nanase and Ellen]] at the end of the Grace's Birthday Party arc was given an extra-large panel, and a glowing, star-filled background. There were even [[http://www.egscomics.com/bg/egs_bg_0039_800x600.jpg four]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/bg/egs_bg_0040_800x600.jpg different]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/bg/egs_bg_0041_800x600.jpg wallpapers]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/bg/egs_bg_0042_800x600.jpg made]] using that panel.
** Also during the Grace's Birthday Party arc, Tedd and Grace, while not their first kiss, have [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2006-08-09 a significant kiss]] when Tedd [[spoiler:discovers that Grace's GenderBender party theme was a gift for ''Tedd'' all along]]. While Grace feels terrible that [[spoiler:she didn't realize Tedd might be uncomfortable being romantic with guy!Grace due to [[MistakenForGay homophobic bullying]],]] Tedd finally goes for it out of love for Grace, complete with [[PowerGlows glowing background]]. (Which gets {{Lampshaded}} one comic later when Grace asks, "How long have you been able to glow?")
** The kiss [[spoiler:between [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2073 Elliot and Ashley]] ]] in the "So a Date at the Mall" arc was emphasized with a large panel, and an [[DutchAngle odd angle,]] and served as a turning point in the arc, as they transitioned from two characters on a date to an actual couple.

* BigWhat: [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2005-01-14 Everyone's reaction to Sarah being okay with going along with the theme of Grace's birthday party.]]

*** Pretty much needed for [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2004-08-26 this comic]] to make much sense beyond "ominous dream involving the {{big bad}}."[[note]]Although, ironically, it has parts which the translator cannot translate entirely correctly, and at least one may be an error - although it should be noted that the text is canon while the translator is not, and the other may be an undocumented cluster rule.[[/note]]
*** [[spoiler:[[BadassBoast It is time for the end of man. This master of fire shall inherit the Earth. My very presence eats away at your flesh...]]]]

* BishieSparkle: Justin, [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2010-11-22 here.]]

* BlackEyesOfCrazy: Lord Tedd. [[spoiler:Tedd gets them when he uses the former's PowerFist]].

* BlasphemousPraise:

* BattleCouple: Ellen and Nanase.

%%* BearsAreBadNews: [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2016-07-08 Especially if they're giant, magic, and half lion.]]

** Hurting Grace [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-12-22 makes Tedd]] resemble [[EvilOverlord Lord Tedd]] a bit.
** Speaking of Tedd, well... [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2002-06-09 this is how Ellen came to be.]][[note]]Later revealed to be [[spoiler:Magus's influencing Tedd's emotions at a key point, as part of Pandora's scheme to get Magus a new body in as complicated and uncertain a way as possible.]][[/note]]
** Grace is wired with [[BewareTheNiceOnes a little surprise]].
** During the battle with Damien's "goons," Ellen merely has a thumb war with Guineas. Then Vlad nearly kills Nanase. He was REALLY asking for it.
** Hurting [[BadassTeacher Raven's students.]]
** Do not hurt Nanase (or any member of the Verres family, for that matter) in front of [[PapaWolf Mr. Verres]]. [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-03 He will break you.]]

** Do not [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2013-11-26 bring up gay-bashing]] around Elliot without hugs on hand. Bullying in general is something of a button for him, but gay-bashing is worse than most.
** Don't hit on Sarah and then [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2014-08-06 assume she's gay just because she's not interested]] in you hitting on her. She Must Break You.

** Hedge is the King of [[https://egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-23 this.]] It's literally a RunningGag with him.

* ArbitrarySkepticism: The cast has dealt with magic, not-aliens, alternate dimensions, immortals, shapeshifting {{Biological Mash Up}}s, and lots and lots of GenderBending, but Tedd's claims of an interdimensional space whale that eats magic only gets him an odd look from his father.
** Possibly justified immediately afterwards -- Tedd tells Elliot that his father can't be expected to know ''everything'', and Tedd's the only character known to even be able to ''sense'' the space whales.

* ArentYouGoingToRavishMe: A non-sexual example, as Kevin, [[ItMakesSenseInContext the sentient magic wand]], is overlooked by a Magpie construct that targets "[[https://egscomics.com/comic/2018-04-23 valuable magical artifacts]]".

* BadassFamily: The Verres family, including cousin Nanase and resident Grace.
** And the Raven family as well, with Adrian being one of the series' biggest badasses, and his adopted son/lodger Noah being able to defeat a dragon singlehandedly and has hints of being the child left behind from the experiments that created Damien and Grace. Meanwhile, Adrian's mother, Pandora, is one of the most powerful Immortals on the planet, although that power and mental instability go hand in hand. [[spoiler:Both power and instability appear to be going away, though!]]

** [[http://egscomics.com/egsnp/pizza-05 George]] completely phones it in. He makes absolutely no effort to sell his performance and merely reads off thes script.

** Same with [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2014-01-13 Ashley]], as [[https://egscomics.com/comic/2015-11-13 demonstrated here.]]

** [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/balance-121 In the rant]] for the end of Part 6 of the "Balance" arc, a comic that had [[spoiler:Mr. Verres mentioning to someone on his phone he needed to tell Tedd and Grace ''something'' the next day, and that a moving van was involved]], Dan chose to take the opportunity to address "the most obvious question a person might have": [[spoiler:[[NotSoDire Why Mr. Verres was taking his phone call in the basement, and not upstairs.]]]]