Line #79 Webcomic/ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace


1	''[[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/ Arthur, King of Time and Space]]'' is a humour {{webcomic}} by Paul Gadzikowski. It retells Myth/ArthurianLegend, in real time (with occasional timeskips) in several time periods. It ran from 2004 to 2014.
2
3	When Arthur took the sword from the stone, history itself was altered. Now Arthur exists in several realities simultaneously. The main arcs are the "baseline" or "fairytale" arc (AnachronismStew 5th century, based closely on Malory and [[Literature/TheOnceAndFutureKing T.H. White]]); the "space" arc (ALongTimeAgoInAGalaxyFarFarAway, with Arthur as king of British Space, and ''Excalibur'' as his CoolShip); and the "modern" arc (in which Arthur started as an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent, before learning he had inherited a controlling share in Excalicorp).
4
5	The main storyline in all three main settings is the LoveTriangle between Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot. Secondary arcs include the "[[TheWestern Western]]" arc (Arthur as sheriff), the "''Series/{{Mash}}''" arc (Arthur as Hawkeye Pierce), the "{{Superhero}}" arc (Arthur as ComicBook/{{Superman}} {{Expy}}), the [[TheParody movie parody]] arc (Arthur as various film characters), and others.
6
7	Was on sabbatical for six months in 2009, and replaced with ''Arthur King of Time and Space 2.0''. This returns to Gadzikowski's earlier ''King Arthur In Time And Space'' concept, in which the comic is crossover fanfiction between two fictional TV series, one about the space-faring Arthur (and very similar to ''[[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries Star Trek]]'') and one about the time-travelling Merlin (and very similar to ''Series/DoctorWho''). A second sabbatical began in June 2011, with the strip being replaced by sketches and concluded in December, the strip resuming after a TimeSkip to Arthur being 35.
8
9	The strip ended on 6 January 2014, owing to real life pressures, after one last timeskip to wrap up the storylines.
10
11	Became the TropeNamer for PanickyExpectantFather after the NewsPost pointed out we didn't have it.
12	----
13	!!''Arthur, King of Time and Space'' provides examples of:
14	* AbortedArc: Galehaut and his attraction to Lancelot in its modern arc incarnation. In the fantasy and future timelines, he meets his canon fate from the Authurian legends of never having his love reciprocated, then DeathByDespair. In the modern arc, it merely comes up once or twice before disappearing forever.
15	* ActionGirl: Guenevere and Tristram in the space arc.
16	* ActuallyThatsMyAssistant: In the space arc, the first time Guinevere meets Arthur and Lancelot, she assumes Lancelot is the king.
17	* AnachronismStew: Impossible to avoid in the fairytale arc due to GrandfatherClause.
18	* AnachronisticAnimal: The webcomic makes Sir Gilbert the Bastard's dog a rough collie for the sake of a TimmyInAWell gag. Modern collie subbreeds only became a thing in the 19th century. (In TheRant, Gadzikowski notes that he didn't know if collies existed in the 5th century, but says it's wrong either way since Gilbert's dog is supposed to be a hunting hound.)
19	* AnimatedActors: In the plain background no-fourth-wall strips the characters are aware of their status as both in a webcomic and as public domain figures, often using this to [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1088.htm point out the plot holes]] and [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2271.htm getting called away to star in another comic]]. Since the background is green, these are called [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3013.htm the green room]].
20	* ArtEvolution: In 2012, after considering using the triangle format permanently, Paul [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2924.htm developed a lineless version of the regular art style]].
21	** In-universe, Arthur's ''Shapes'' goes from "all characters are different shapes" to "all characters are circles" to "all characters are triangles, just like ''Webcomic/TheHeroOfThreeFaces''".
22	* AuthorCatchPhrase: "Can't beat the classics."
23	* BettyAndVeronica: Guenevere and Morgan early in the space arc.
24	* BizarreAlienSenses: Fairies and Olympians can see ultraviolet.
25	* BookEnds: The [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0001.htm first]] and [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3518.htm last]] strips both have Arthur's situation being explained to him by magic users in four time periods simultaneously; the baseline, space, and western arcs, and a fourth arc where what they're saying is LostInTransmission.
26	** except that in the last strip, the last panel is a straight transliteration of English letters into their nearest Greek equivalents of a three word sentence which should be very familiar to readers of this strip, i.e. [[spoiler: "Thanks for reading"]].
27	* BornLucky: Lancelot has God's favor, and as a consequence will inevitably win any contest he enters. This extends not only to contests of skill, but to games of chance -- Western arc Lancelot does very well at cards -- and even bets on events that no human being could influence: Arthur once cured his sea-sickness by betting him he'd be stuck with it for the rest of the voyage.
28	* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: Merlin outlining his radical politics: "[[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0168.htm Everyone deserves self-determination. Even the commons. Even women. Even common women!]]"
29	* BreakingTheFourthWall: Many, many examples, usually indicated by characters being against the blank website background; literally "outside" the regular strip. (A brief sequence in the Lancelot-goes-mad-and-ends-up-at-Carbonek storyline had the court of Carbonek breaking the fourth wall "in continuity".)
30	** And [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3115.htm again at Carbonek]] when Percivale, Galahad, and Bors visit. King Pelles starts talking about the cultural (and pop cultural) influence of the Grail Quest stories down the centuries, leaving Bors to remark, "I'd forgotten how free with the fourth wall it can get at Castle Carbonek."
31	* CantGetInTroubleForNuthin: In the superhero arc, Kingman gets arrested by Homeland Security. Unfortunately, the legal system is so uncomfortable about actually putting TheCape on trial that he never actually gets to challenge the law itself, which was the goal.
32	* CapitalLettersAreMagic: When Elaine [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1055.htm describes the Holy Grail]], Morgan asks how she talks so the capital letters on "Holy Grail", "Our Lord", "Last Supper" and so on are audible. Elaine replies "It's a Gift."
33	* CattlePunk: The Western arc
34	* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Arthur wears yellow, Guinevere wears blue, Lancelot wears red, Merlin wears orange, Nimue wears purple, and Morgan wears green, Tristran wears pink, Pellinore wears indigo. The same goes for the family of each (extended family in the case of Morgan; the Orkneys all wear various shades of green sorted by their loyalties). Oh, and Mordred and Galahad are black and white respectively.
35	* ComicBookTime: Sort of inverted; the characters have aged during the {{Time Skip}}s, but the contemporary arc is still contemporary, meaning, for example, that Merlin's meetings with UsefulNotes/BarackObama were first shifted to Arthur, and now presumably didn't happen at all, since the President is the right-wing Lucius Roman.
36	* CoolOldGuy: Merlin in any incarnation but primarily the modern day arc, where he's a substitute teacher who owns a comic book store, has an eidetic knowledge for his favorite TV shows, used to be a hippie, agrees to watch Ector's sons on a moment's notice when he's called to active duty, and takes in the orphaned child of some old friends. A close second is the space arc Merlin, who's basically [[Series/DoctorWho the Doctor]].
37	* CompositeCharacter:
38	** The contemporary counterpart of Guenevere's identical half-sister, the False Guenevere, is her actual twin sister and is named Fasha, a name derived from Gwenhwyfar's sister Gwenhwyfach in Welsh mythology, who is also said to [[TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry have a rivalry with her sister]], but is not said to be identical.
39	** In the strip's version of the sequence where Arthur hunts a white hart, has his horse die under him because he rode it too hard, gets another horse from a yeoman, has ''that'' horse stolen by King Pellinore, and then meets a prophetic young boy [[spoiler: who turns out to be Merlin]], the yeoman and the prophet are the same person, because it seemed unlikely that there ''just happened'' to be a yeoman with a fresh horse right where Arthur's died (and if the yeoman had been part of the hunting party and kept up with him, wouldn't ''his'' horse have died too?)
40	* CoolShip: The ''Excalibur'' in the space arc
41	* CorruptCorporateExecutive: Morgause in the modern arc has elements of this trope (though downplayed; she may cut corners, but only because of her duty to stockholders who depend on investments for retirement, and she's not proud of it).
42	* DaysOfFuturePast: The space arc envisions a future where all of currently-known history is recapitulated in space. It's explained [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1522.htm here]].
43	* DeathOfTheOldGods: A few strips deal with Odin getting cranky because the Christian God is depleting his worshipper base. In the modern arc, this is portrayed as an eyepatch-wearing gangster reluctantly coming to terms with Arthur's non-corrupt political campaign.
44	* DistantFinale: Essentially, the last week of strips, which jumps forward to the end of the story in order to wrap everything up.
45	* DudeShesLikeInAComa: After Space!Guinevere's body is resurrected her soul remains in the hereafter, and Morgan theorizes that it would require something to the tune of Lancelot making love to her to call her soul back. Presenting a bit of a [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3025.htm moral dilemma]].
46	* EvilCannotComprehendGood: After years of dropping hints, Morgan is completely incredulous that Arthur ''still'' doesn't know what Lancelot and Guinevere are up to. Eventually she realizes that he knew all along, and why he's never done anything about it, and this facilitates her HeelFaceTurn.
47	--> '''Morgan''': [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0871.htm He just... loves them that much. I wonder what that's like.]]
48	* EvilTwin: The False Guinevere/Fasha.
49	* {{Expy}}: Everyone in the space arc, mostly because the space arc itself is based on Gadzikowski's earlier fanfics, where mythological figures stood in for characters from popular TV shows.
50	** The crew of the ''Excalibur'' stand in for the cast of ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': Arthur is Kirk, Lancelot is Spock, Guinevere is Bones, Gawain is Scotty, etc.
51	** Merlin is the Doctor from ''Series/DoctorWho'', with Morgan and Nimue acting as his companions.
52	** Hercules is ComicBook/{{Superman}} (with Iolaus as Jimmy Olsen, Megara as Lois), the heroes of Troy are the cast of ''Series/{{MASH}}'', etc.
53	* TheFairFolk: Morgan's faerie allies in the baseline and space arcs.
54	* FasterThanLightTravel: Based on science and magic [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0004.htm combined]].
55	* FeudalFuture: The space arc is just the fairytale arc's nonspecific-but-generically-medieval time period updated into space.
56	* FictionalAgeOfMajority:
57	** In the space arc, Guenevere and Morgan [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0321.htm object]] to Merlin calling them "girls", saying "We're over fourteen and legally adults!"
58	** In the contemporary arc, an [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1249.htm out-of-continuity discussion]] on whether Arthur and Gawaine should have been shown drinking alcohol considers the possibility that Camelot is in a US state where the drinking age is eighteen, before concluding "the contemporary time zone was supposed to be devoid of fantastic elements".
59	* {{Foreshadowing}}: In one contemporary arc strip when Arthur is still in high school, there's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0542.htm a discussion]] as to whether a "an ancient warlord [who] lived today instead of a thousand years ago" would become a politician or run a corporation. [[spoiler: Contemporary Arthur goes on to become both]].
60	** Every mention of Excalicorp before Contemporary Arthur learns his destiny.
61	* FreudianTrio: Lampshaded in [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1743.htm this strip]]. For the record, Gadzikowski is familiar with TV Tropes.
62	* FullyAbsorbedFinale: The finale of the space arc was compressed into a single-panel summary due to real-life pressures, but was later told in more detail in [[http://arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3faces/abls.htm an instalment]] of ''Webcomic/TheHeroOfThreeFaces''.
63	* GagPerDayWebcomics: Although there's plenty of continuity and entire story arcs from the mythos are adapted over the course of years, the strip is primarily meant to be this.
64	* GenderFlip: Various knights become Dames in the space arc, most notably Tristam, who was also Gender Flipped in the modern arc.
65	* HappyHarlequinHat: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1508.htm Dagonet wears one]] in the colours of the Pendragon coat of arms.
66	* HeteronormativeCrusader: Averted with Lancelot. Although he's very devout in the modern day arc, and feels a bit squeamish about Tristran's sexuality, he comes to accept it because she's his friend.
67	* HeterosexualLifePartners: Arthur and Lancelot. Lancelot ''thought'' he and [[StraightGay Galehaut]] were this.
68	** In the final few strips it turned out [[spoiler: Lancelot was wrong about Arthur as well, who is biromantic if not bisexual.]]
69	* HomeNudist: In the modern-day story arc, Guinevere and her family are nudists at home, though they wear clothes when they're around other people. She and Arthur first encounter each other as players on a fantasy-themed MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame, and when she casually mentions that she likes online social interaction because you don't have to get dressed for it, he assumes she's kidding.
70	* HonestCorporateExecutive: Arthur in the modern arc, once he inherits Excalicorp.
71	* HowIWroteThisArticleArticle:
72	** A semi-recurring theme in one arc is that Arthur hates "can't-think-of-a-joke jokes", but not as much as he hates failing to update his webcomic.
73	** In the space arc, Tristram thinks writing a song about being unable to write a song is "only funny once".
74	* IdiotHero: Sir Balin. His every heroic gesture turns into a total disaster. When Arthur learns that Balin is dead, he asks if he's a bad person for being relieved.
75	* IgnoringBySinging: A running gag in early strips was Arthur doing this every time Merlin started predicting things he didn't want to hear.
76	* ImprobableAge: The baseline arc follows the legend that Arthur became King of All Britain when he was only a teenager. The space arc follows suit, with mention of a FictionalAgeOfMajority that makes it possible. Averted in the present-day arc, where the real-life age of majority means that while the other Arthurs are running around sorting their kingdoms out, present-day Arthur gets a few more years of normality before shouldering the burden of guiding Excalicorp.
77	* IncurableCoughOfDeath: The False Guenevere's sickness in the space and baseline arcs. In the space arc it's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2496.htm clone deterioration]], in the baseline it's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2495.htm punishment from God]], and in both it's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2517.htm exacerbated by her use of magic to keep Arthur on her side]].
78	* IncorruptiblePurePureness: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2910.htm "Well, duh. He's Galahad."]]
79	* IntercontinuityCrossover: Two weeks of [[FakeCrossover non-canon]] crossovers with other webcomics:
80	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3362.htm Arthur and Davan]] (''Webcomic/SomethingPositive'')
81	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3363.htm Mordred and The Boss]] (''Webcomic/HelpDesk'')
82	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3364.htm Lancelot and the panda]] (''Webcomic/{{PvP}}'')
83	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3365.htm Galahad and Historic Jesus]] (''Webcomic/{{Shortpacked}}'')
84	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3366.htm Bedivere and Claire]] (''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'')
85	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3367.htm Arthur and Black Hat Man]] (''Webcomic/{{xkcd}}'')
86	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3368.htm Guenevere and Ellen]] (''Webcomic/LeftoverSoup'' - and a reference to [[http://leftoversoup.com/archive.php?num=256 a Guenevere cameo]], so possibly the only one that isn't a FakeCrossover)
87	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3369.htm Arthur and Sweetheart]] (''Webcomic/SkinHorse'')
88	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3370.htm Guenevere, Jamie and Hazel]] (''Webcomic/GirlsWithSlingshots'')
89	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3371.htm Arthur and Mona]] (''Webcomic/CestLaVie'')
90	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3372.htm Lancelot and Gronk]] (''Webcomic/{{Gronk}}'')
91	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3373.htm Arthur and Nimona]] (''Webcomic/{{Nimona}}'')
92	** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3374.htm Arthur and Jenny Everywhere]] (''MediaNotes/JennyEverywhere'')
93	* ItWasHisSled: In-Universe example. Nimue spoils ''Film/CitizenKane'' for Guenevere in [[http://arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2021.htm Arthur's webcomic]] by invoking this trope. Almost by name, even!
94	* LaserBlade: In the space arc.
95	* LateArrivalSpoiler: No one's really hiding how the baseline arc is going to end. As they themselves have said, the story's over 500 years old, so the expiration date on those spoilers have passed.
96	* LostInTransmission: In [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0001.htm the very first strip]], when Merlin is explaining the premise.
97	** [[BookEnds Book ended]] by [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3518.htm the very last strip]].
98	* LoveDodecahedron
99	* MadScientist: Morgan in the Western and Space arcs and Elaine of Carbonek in the Western arc. (In the Space and Baseline arcs Elaine is a "Mad Theologian". In the contemporary arc she's only a character in Arthur's own webcomic.)
100	* MegaCorp: [=Excalicorp=] in the contemporary arc. The strip doesn't directly state how big it is, but if you pay attention you'll notice that everything from computers to cars has a sword-in-the-stone logo.
101	* MissedHimByThatMuch: At one point, Lancelot and Galehaut do this for several strips.
102	* MythologyGag:
103	** In the contemporary arc, Excalicorp [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0999.htm have a patent]] that ensures [[Theatre/{{Camelot}} the snow may never slush upon the hillside]].
104	** And many to ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail'':
105	*** In ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' parody arc, the carving in the Mines of Moria say "[[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0150.htm Beware the drums of uuuh!]]". The signature scene from the film ensues.
106	*** After getting a projectile launched at him from behind enemy lines, Arthur notes aloud that for some reason he was expecting a cow.
107	*** In the Western arc Morgan creates a steampunk giant rabbit robot.
108	*** Arthur gets very uncomfortable over knights who say "knee" [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2885.htm here]]
109	*** He's not comfortable with [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3163.htm shrubberies]], either.
110	** Tristram being a woman in a lesbian relationship with Isolde dates from ''ComicBook/Camelot3000''.
111	* NiceGuy: Arthur, definitely.
112	* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Arthur's webcomic [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0938.htm gets picked up]] by "Jose Macho" of "Today Fables" (Joey Manley of Modern Tales), with a {{Lampshade}} in TheRant. [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0946.htm A few strips later]], Morgan gets a starring role in a [[Creator/CliveBarker Clive]] [[Creator/WesCraven Craven]] film.
113	* NoPaperFuture: The space arc
114	* NotAMorningPerson: Arthur, who couldn't stay awake for his son's birth in the contemporary arc, and once spent a battle with {{Space Pirate}}s in the space arc muttering "I don't want to get up." Also Morgause, by contrast with her son Gawaine.
115	* OneSteveLimit: Averted with the Elaines; Isolde and Isuelt are given different spellings
116	* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: the Sword in the Stone
117	** Also, holy relics may only be used by devout Christians. In the case of the Grail, the definition of "devout" seems to be restrictive enough that it basically just means Galahad.
118	* {{OT3}}: [[invoked]] Arthur/Guenevere/Lancelot, in FlashForward strips in the Space Arc. Mentioned and {{ship tease}}d several times in various other contexts as well.
119	* OurFairiesAreDifferent: The fey Morgan works with are [[SnarkyNonhumanSidekick Effex, a ball of fur with legs, and Aihok, a small, white, blobby humanoid]]. In the contemporary arc they're fictional aliens: the main characters in Merlin's [[spoiler:(now Nimue's)]] webcomic (and have crossed over to Arthur's).
120	* OurPresidentsAreDifferent: In the contemporary arc storyline, Lucius Roman is President Scheming. [[spoiler: Arthur]] is a combination of President Personable, President Iron and President Geek.
121	* PaintingTheMedium: Speech in a different language is sometimes depicted as English written in different font; for instance, Latin is written in Times New Roman (and when Arthur attempts it, his accent is represented with backwards and otherwise malformed letters). Similarly, magical incantations are written in Greek letters.
122	* ParanormalGamblingAdvantage: Lancelot cannot lose any contest due to having God's favor. In the Western arc, Arthur sees him playing poker and is surprised that a religious man like him is gambling, and Guenevere replies that, for Lancelot, it's not a gamble.
123	* ParodyMagicSpell: The Language of Magic is English written with Greek letters. If you go to the trouble of translating them, the spells are famous quotes, often from children's literature (the chant to get more power for the Excalibur's engines is "[[Literature/TheLittleEngineThatCould I know I can, I know I can...]]")
124	* PercussiveMaintenance: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2293.htm Guenevere does this]] to an alien device (the '''frame''' after Arthur says "we'd better tread softly, people") in the space arc.
125	* PerspectiveReversal: There's a space-arc strip that starts with Lancelot claiming that God made the universe to be perfect as it is, and Guenevere countering that change is good, because it's how things progress. Arthur tells Merlin he wishes they could see things from each others' perspective. The next panel has Lancelot saying that if a certain species is dying it's God's will, and Guenevere responding that on the contrary, things have to be preserved.
126	* PortalDoor: Merlin's time machine appears as a heavy wooden door in the nearest available wall.
127	-->'''Mordred''': Sire, the other side of that wall is the exterior hull of the ship and open space. Where did that door lead to?\
128	'''Arthur''': Everywhere.
129	* PowerTrio: Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot
130	* PutOnABus: Ector in the contemporary arc. In the other arcs he just [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome disappears]] from the story once Arthur becomes king, as he does in the legends. But the contemporary arc needed an explanation for writing out a fifteen-year-old's legal guardian, so sent him to Iraq.
131	* RebelliousPrincess: Guenevere
132	* RedShirt: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1685.htm "Sir Expendable, you go first."]]
133	* ReluctantRuler: Arthur's reaction to being told he's the son of Uther Pendragon and rightwise king of all British Space is "[[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0294.htm Must I?]]"
134	* RetCon:
135	** In the modern arc, Lancelot used to be Lancelot Benwick, following the pattern that knights who were "of" somewhere in the baseline arc had that as a surname in the modern setting. More recently his surname is Du Lac (because, c'mon, he's Lancelot Du Lac) and Benwick is his home town.
136	** More obviously, Bedivere suddenly stopped being female in the space and modern arcs, in order to have a male gay couple. (This has since been further retconned; Bedivere's male, but the earlier strips in which he appeared female are still canon.)
137	** Paul Gadzikowski's attitude to continuity is probably summed up [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0285.htm here]].
138	* ReusedCharacterDesign: Several character designs are recycled from Gadzikowski's earlier fanfiction comics. Arthur is [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries Kirk]] with a beard and without a toupee, Lancelot is Spock as a human, and Guinevere's father is [=McCoy=]. Merlin is [[Series/DoctorWho the First Doctor]] with a WizardBeard. Galahad is ComicBook/{{Superman}}. The irreverent Sir Dinadan is based on [[Series/{{Mash}} Hawkeye Pierce]].
139	* RidiculousFutureSequelisation: A FlashForward strip in the contemporary arc has Mordred [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1126.htm showing Arthur]] stills from ''Franchise/StarTrek XXIX''.
140	* RoleCalled
141	* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething
142	* ShamelessFanserviceGirl: Modern Guenevere, in a rare "realistic display of nudism" and not "[[NakedPeopleAreFunny heh, nekkid girl]]" example. She knows about the nudity taboo but genuinely doesn't share it. In an early strip she tries to explain this to modern Arthur in matter of fact terms, but [[ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet he doesn't believe her]] -- leading the "camera" to pan over to her computer to show that yes, [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0018.htm she was actually using the computer in the nude.]]
143	* TheSheriff: Arthur in the Western arc.
144	* ShoutOut:
145	** Many of the secondary characters are based on other comic characters, most notably Elaine of Carbonek, who is [[{{Webcomic/Narbonic}} Helen Narbon]].
146	** A group of Roman diplomats are based on the actors who've portrayed [[Series/DoctorWho the Doctor]]).
147	** Merlin's spells are often lines from classic children's literature in {{Wingdinglish}}.
148	** His insane babble when trapped in the crystal cave resembles that of Literature/SherlockHolmes in "The Adventure of the Dying Detective".
149	** In [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2808.htm one strip]] Space Arthur asks Merlin if there's any other groups of people going through the whole "same adventures in different time periods" thing. Behind them [[Series/{{Sherlock}} Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock]] is demonstrating the SherlockScan to [[Series/TheReturnOfSherlockHolmes Edward Hardwicke's Watson]].
150	** In [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2890.htm one of Arthur's press conferences]], three unseen journalists are named [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} Clark]], [[ComicBook/SpiderMan Peter]], and [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles April]]. And the account of his first meeting with Clark is a CallBack to the Webcomic Hurricane Relief Telethon, where he is indeed [[http://webcomictelethon.com/d/1003.html that Clark]].
151	** In [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2293.htm this]] strip, Elaine's line about "grey. Pinkish grey" is interesting, because while it's totally appropriate for a character based on Helen Narbon, it's also a quote from the Fifth Doctor in "Castrovalva".
152	** Excalicorp apparently have a patented process that ensures [[Theatre/{{Camelot}} the snow will never slush upon on the hillside]].
153	** Creator/{{Homer}} [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1194.htm drawn in the outfit of]] [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Homer Simpson]].
154	** Another reference to Helen Narbon is Sir Nabon de Noir, who [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1528.htm looks like male version of Helen]], and whose crest is a heart.
155	** Galahad looks like ComicBook/{{Superman}}. Hercules ''is'' Superman. (Merlin's time-travel friends are particularly prone to this.)
156	** Sinbad is WesternAnimation/{{Popeye}}.
157	** Cinderella is Faye from ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent''.
158	** King Bran's return in the space arc is a WholePlotReference to the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "Space Seed".
159	** Sir Segwarides is [[Film/ThePrincessBride Inigo Montoya]]. This is rather fitting if you know his role in the mythos. [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1506.htm This strip]] sums it up succinctly.
160	** Many to ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'', since Paul is very influenced by Charles Schulz:
161	*** Merlin's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0100.htm chibi-Arthur]] is Charlie Brown.
162	*** Cabal, Arthur's dog, [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0135.htm dreams]] of being Snoopy fighting the Red Baron.
163	*** Merlin makes another ''Peanuts'' reference in [[ShowWithinAShow his own webcomic]] [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0216.htm here]]. Although, despite the implication in the final panel, [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2118.htm he didn't know Schulz personally]].
164	*** [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0583.htm This]] tribute to Schulz.
165	*** When the gang [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0794.htm attend ComicCon]], they're in costume as the ''Peanuts'' gang.
166	*** The beginning of the Roman War in ''AKOTAS'' coincided with [=GoComics=] repeating the ''Peanuts'' strips where Linus is throwing rocks and saying "AndThisIsFor" [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0821.htm Arthur joins in]].
167	*** In the space arc, Beethoven is one of Merlin's time travel friends, and [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1305.htm dresses like Schroeder]].
168	*** During Lancelot's wild man phase, he [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1535.htm sleeps on top of a hut]], while being watched by Snoopy.
169	** [[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim "I was a knight on the Grail quest once. Then I took an arrow in the knee."]]
170	* ShowWithinAShow: Both Arthur and Merlin create their own webcomics in the modern arc.
171	* SignatureLine: "The problems in this world are not caused by those who love. They're caused by those who hate." Not used often enough to be a CatchPhrase, but the line that sums up Arthur's philosophy.
172	* SirVerbaLot: {{Invoked\|Trope}}:
173	-->'''Lancelot''': My mother wanted me to join the priesthood.
174	-->'''Arthur''': Then she ought to have named you Praysalot.
175	* SparedByTheAdaptation:
176	** In the baseline arc, the False Guenevere dies of her IncurableCoughOfDeath, just as she does in the sources. In the space arc, they HumanPopsicle her and find a cure many years later. Her contemporary counterpart, Fasha had a scene where she said everything was going dark, and then didn't appear again, but ''Webcomic/TheHeroOfThreeFaces'' later revealed that [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3faces/bbhr.htm her condition just put her in a wheelchair]].
177	** Arthur himself, depending on how dead you consider Arthur to be in the myths. In the Space Arc, he isn't even wounded when the Ladies of Avalon retrieve him from the Stag King planetoid (but probably can't return to British Space, hence his journey to Avalon). And, again in ''Three Faces'', it's revealed that the contemporary equivalent is [[spoiler: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/3faces/bbny.htm Arthur opening Avalon Links Golf Course]]]].
178	* SpaceOpera: The Space Arc
179	* SpeculativeFictionLGBT: The adapting to create gay couples in the sci-fantasy landscape.
180	* StalkerWithATestTube: Elaine
181	* StarkNakedSorcery:
182	** When all the main characters are involved in a ritual arranged by Merlin, the characters are represented by stick figures to keep the strip family friendly.
183	** On another occasion, we just see their reaction to an off-panel ritual they've interrupted, with Guenevere asking "Why is it never people you'd want to see naked?"
184	* StrawmanPolitical: Gadzikowski seems to have made a concerted effort to defy this. Most characters who express political views are given a chance to make reasonable arguments for their positions, even if they're not portrayed as "right". When not having political arguments, many characters with opposing views (Lancelot/Guinevere, Merlin/Morgause) are on good terms and bond over shared interests.
185	* SubvertedPunchline: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0437.htm The strip for July 31 2005]] spends five panels very obviously setting up the punchline to a well-known hoary old joke -- and then turns out to actually be a ''different'' well-known hoary old joke.
186	* SuicideByCop: [[spoiler:Pellinore]] [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2479.htm in the medieval arc.]]
187	* TakeAThirdOption: Parodied in one strip where a baddie places Lancelot and Guinevere in a trap and allows Arthur to choose only one who will survive. Arthur refuses, sparking this exchange:
188	--> '''Baddie''': Then I'll kill them both! And it'll be your fault!
189	--> '''Arthur''': Uh, no, it'll be ''yours''. I think one of us needs to go take a basic ethics course. ''[lectures villain until he lets them both go just to make it stop]''
190	* TakeOffYourClothes: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2006.htm This strip]].
191	** Also a brief arc in the modern timeline, where Guenevere and her family are nudists. Arthur, Lancelot, and Tristram visit Guenevere while on vacation, and Gwen invites them to nude it up. Guenevere snaps at Lancelot for trying to apologize when he doesn't feel comfortable taking off his trunks-she's too open-minded to brook any notion of feeling bad about your own comfort level.
192	* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: When Morgana summons a demon to keep the heroes occupied, Arthur talks about how he's free to think for himself and that there are alternatives to violence and mayhem. [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1691.htm Everyone is surprised when this works]].
193	* TeacherStudentRomance This is the backstory to Merlin and Morgan in the contemporary arc, as described [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0097.htm here]]. And when Morgan becomes a teacher at the school herself, Arthur is [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0371.htm attracted to her]], but it's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0213.htm not mutual]]. (Merlin and Morgan may or may not also have had a relationship in the space arc [where she was his apprentice], but that's [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0026.htm kind of expected]], and [[MerlinAndNimue its own trope]])
194	* ThemedParty: Arthur's school has a prom with a "My Only Sunshine" theme, and Guenivere's has a prom with a "Fish Under The Sea" theme. This means that the venues are in the characters' [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience color-coding]] (yellow and blue, respectively), and their phone screens are showing the other's color when [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/0729.htm they dance together]].
195	* ThereAreNoGirlsOnTheInternet: Everyone, including the readers, assumed modern Tristram was male.
196	** This had less to do with this trope and more to do with some of the conversations they had about a girl (modern Isolde); Tristram's chivalrous talk led the others to think "male" instead of "lesbian".
197	* ThereWasADoor: After Lancelot and Guinevere get into an argument, she tells him to go away immediately. He then hops out a window, causing her to say, "I didn't mean you couldn't use the door!"
198	* TimeSkip: Although the sabbatical didn't actually last two and a half years, as intended, it still picks up the story two and a half years later. The second sabbatical lasted till December 2011, picked up the story nine years later, and was preceded by a one year timeskip to wrap up some plot threads.
199	* TrademarkFavoriteFood: [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2516.htm Arthur and cheese, Guenevere and chocolate, Gawaine and alcohol.]]
200	* UnicornsPreferVirgins: In the Superhero arc, a bank robber called the Unicorn, whose costume includes a horn, is powerless to fight the Batman-counterpart the White Night... that is, the CelibateHero (at the time) Lancelot.
201	* UniversalAdaptorCast: The major figures of the Arthurian mythos get transplanted into quite a few time periods and as {{Expy}}s of various fictional works, without the general story changing terribly much.
202	%%* TheWestern: The Western arc
203	* WhamEpisode: The last strip before it went on sabbatical. The last ''week'' of strips before the second sabbatical. [[http://arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2904.htm Strip 2904]] certainly seemed to be one for Lancelot. (The triangle art may make it a little confusing at first for readers, and reduce the impact.)
204	* WorldOfPun: The strip as a whole, but Arthur in particular. Lampshaded [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/2540.htm here]].
205	* WorstWhateverEver: When [[http://www.arthurkingoftimeandspace.com/1194.htm Merlin is visiting Space Arc Ancient Greece]] (which is similar to 20th century America).
206	-->'''Homer''': Worst episode of ''[[Literature/TheTrojanCycle The Siege of Troy]]'', ever.

Context Webcomic / ArthurKingOfTimeAndSpace