Line #41 Webcomic/TheLessThanEpicAdventuresOfTJAndAmal


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/businesscard_7064.jpg]]
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3	May 16, 2008 - In the span of a single day, Amal calls off his arranged marriage, comes out as gay to his conservative parents, promptly gets disowned, goes on a bender...and wakes up the next morning to find TJ, a lanky, dreadlocked vagrant, frying eggs and singing Paul Simon in his kitchen.
4
5	TJ claims that the two have made a drunken pact to drive all the way from Berkeley to Providence. As it happens, Amal promised his sister he'd be there for her graduation from Brown University. And TJ, well... TJ has his own reasons.
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7	The agreement is simple: Amal does the driving; TJ pays the way - but a 3500-mile journey leaves plenty of time for things to get complicated...
8
9	''[[http://tjandamal.com/ The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal]]'' is a webcomic by E.K. Weaver that follows the form of a typical RoadTripPlot. It features the budding romance of the title characters in the nerdiest, most believable way possible, as well as some superb dialog, well-crafted characters, and great art that pays special attention to the little details of life. The TJ and Amal website also hosts Weaver's ''Webcomic/ShotAndChaser'', a webcomic which started uploading in 2022.
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11	-----
12	!!Tropes that pop up in this webcomic:
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14	* AllThereInTheManual: There's lots of information on the website about side characters who don't appear in the author's sketches and notes. So far the biggest source of information about, for one thing, TJ's past, has been the author's various Tumblr accounts.
15	* AnimeHair: Amal has a little bit of this going on. The gray streak is natural though.
16	* ArrangedMarriage: Amal was in one of these. Subverted from the usual in that he really liked his fiancee Kavita...[[TheBeard as a person.]] As a romantic partner, not so much. His parents were unhappy about this.
17	* BeatPanel: Done [[https://web.archive.org/web/20101231070959/http://tjandamal.com/comic/?id=153.html beautifully]] in the moment [[spoiler:before they take the U out of [[UnresolvedSexualTension UST]] and then some]].
18	* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Despite their feelings for each other, TJ leaves Amal during his reconciliation with his family; while Amal seemingly finds him at the tattoo parlor it's unclear whether they get together [[note]]although the epilogue comic ''Five Years Ago and Three Thousand Miles Away'' features three possible endings: living together as a couple, a long distance relationship, and going their separate ways[[/note]]. However, TJ is now free to start a new life in Providence and while Amal's parents are still grappling with Amal's homosexuality, they no longer disown him and his siblings are firmly on his side.]]
19	* BollywoodNerd: Played with where Amal is concerned. Yes, he's a med student and a bit of a geek. He's also such a well-rounded character of so many parts that it takes a while to get around to the fact that he's in med school.
20	* CantHoldHisLiquor: Amal repeatedly calls himself a lightweight, though he may just be referring to pot.
21	* ChekhovsGun:
22	** As of Chapter 33, the Harry Potter CD collection from Chapter 18 has come back. (In fact, taking a second look at TJ's face the earlier scene reveals some foreshadowing.)
23	** The entire scene is full of foreshadowing - for example, the way TJ talks about the series, [[spoiler:it's easy to see that he knows barely anything about the Harry Potter series, looking really blank-faced when Amal starts talking about it in more detail and answering the favourite character question with "Well...I've always been partial to mentors," instead of just saying "Dumbledore".]]
24	** TJ's fondness for the song "Graceland." [[spoiler:It's the name of the tattoo parlor in Providence.]]
25	* CigaretteOfAnxiety: TJ, particularly after [[spoiler:realizing the extent of his feelings for Amal.]]
26	* ClosetGeek: [[http://tjandamal.com/starfleet.jpg Oh Amal.]]
27	* ComingOutStory: The comic starts with Amal's with regards to his parents, but it's mostly over with by the time the action gets going. The consequences of coming out, though, have either occurred largely in the background or have been suspended entirely while the boys are on the road (and Amal's phone is mostly off).
28	* CueTheRain: [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/267.html "We'll be fine as long as it doesn't sta--"]]
29	* DarkAndTroubledPast:
30	** Blink and you'll miss it because it's subtly done, but when you see E.K.'s notes, and the ''scars'' TJ's sporting... Not to mention [[http://tjandamal.com/bonesofyou2.png this]].
31	** And if you're paying attention, you notice that TJ is [[spoiler: clearly on the run from something or someone]]. If you skimmed you'd miss it, but look at [[http://www.tjandamal.com/comic/53.html this page]], or [[http://www.tjandamal.com/comic/77.html this page]]-- in the first he [[spoiler: hides from the guy coming out of the car]], and in the second, he [[spoiler: lies about where they've come from and where they're going]]. So what exactly did he do...?
32	** According to [[http://iicel.tumblr.com/post/34061572630/skimming-through-tj-and-amal-again-wait-a]] (spoilers), it gets worse.
33	* DistractedByTheSexy: on Chapter 6, Page 4, TJ spills soda accidentally because he was too busy staring at shirtless Amal.
34	* DreadlockRasta: Which makes TJ look like a [[http://www.tjandamal.com/comic/110.html dandelion]], according to Amal.
35	* DrinkingGame: Done in-story, with the Franchise/BackToTheFuture [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/148.html quote-a-long]]. [[invoked]]
36	* DrivesLikeCrazy: While TJ even mentions how super slow and careful Amal is driving most of the time there is some indication that TJ driving him back from the bar the night they met was chaotic at best, with his parking job not only not between the lines but with one wheel up on the curb and Amal figuring it contributed to how much puking he did.
37	** And then [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/253.html THIS]] happened. TJ takes it surprisingly well, though.
38	* DrowningMySorrows:
39	** TJ and Amal first meet when Amal is getting absolutely wasted in the aftermath of coming out to his parents and getting disowned.
40	** TJ drowns his after [[spoiler:explaining his past to Amal and flushing all his cocaine.]]
41	-->'''Amal:''' Uh, you... you want to get a beer?\
42	'''TJ:''' I would like seven beers.
43	* DrugsAreBad: Averted. TJ and Amal buy from a trucker and partake sparingly, and this doesn't lead to any kind of negative consequence. Played straight when [[spoiler:Amal discovers that TJ has been transporting cocaine and makes him flush it]].
44	* EndsWithASmile: [[spoiler:The last chapter has Amal [[IWillFindYou go looking]] for TJ to rekindle their relationship after TJ's disappearance. He finally finds the tattoo parlour where TJ had hoped to get a fresh start, walks inside, and [[https://tjandamal.com/comic/499.html grins]] at [[AmbiguousEnding something unseen]].]]
45	* ExplosiveBreeder: When TJ and Amal both agree they should have sex again soon TJ laughs in surprise and asks if Amal is the Advertising/EnergizerBunny when he slides over and starts kissing him, then in reference to rabbits' reputation says that he's at least some kind of bunny since Amal wants to go ahead right then.
46	* FlatWhat: "The last bite of pie is yours if you want it." "What."[[http://tjandamal.com/comic/193.html]]
47	* {{Foreshadowing}}: The way Amal compares his 'destiny' of studying medicine with love.
48	-->'''Amal:''' It sneaks up on you and hits like lightning -- BAM! And you know it! You just...know!\
49	** Ironically, this is exactly the way of reaction that [[spoiler: both]] portray.
50	* FriendToAllChildren: TJ shows signs of it [[http://www.tjandamal.com/comic/107.html here]] and [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/283.html here.]]
51	** [[https://www.deviantart.com/bigbigtruck/art/adventures-in-babysitting-193074976 In an obviously non-canon image]], he even hangs out with [[Manga/{{Yotsuba}} Yotsuba]]. They end up trashing the kitchen while making breakfast.
52	* GeekyTurnOn: Mostly Geeky Bonding at this point, but, well...see below.
53	* GymBunny: It's implied that Amal used to be this after he [[http://www.tjandamal.com/comic/115.html first started exploring the gay scene]]. He's certainly jacked.
54	* HaveAGayOldTime: Played with in the [[http://tjandamal.com/retropostcard.jpg bonus art.]]
55	* HideousHangoverCure: TJ's eggs, according to E.K.'s notes.
56	* HiddenDepths: Both of them, but TJ especially.
57	* IHaveNoSon: Amal's dad all but did this to him when he came out to his parents.
58	* TheIllegible: Amal's [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/166.html future-doctor handwriting]].
59	* TheImmodestOrgasm: [[spoiler:Amal, apparently. Who knew?]]
60	** TheModestOrgasm: [[spoiler:TJ, to the point where Amal first assumed that something was wrong or that he wasn't all that into it. He's apparently "used to keeping quiet."]]
61	* InVinoVeritas: According to TJ, this is how he and Amal wound up agreeing to drive across America to Amal's sister's graduation.
62	* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Rather than use his then-fiancee Kavita as TheBeard (and it's implied she would be okay with this) Amal broke off their engagement so that she could be with someone who would fully love her. [[UnreliableNarrator Or so he says]].
63	* LoveEpiphany: Chapter 29 has a powerful, almost entirely non-verbal version of this. If you still don't get how it applies, Google the chapter title along with "lyrics".
64	* [[ManicPixieDreamGirl Manic Pixie Dream Guy]]: TJ to Amal, sorta.
65	* MeasuringTheMarigolds: TJ accuses Amal of this.
66	* NoDialogueEpisode: Chapter 17 involves a shot of the hotel room [[spoiler:after TJ and Amal get together]]. A family wanders by and the dad covers his son's ears only for the obviously pregnant mother to exchange words with the dad that ends with her snarkily pointing at her swollen stomach.
67	* NonindicativeName: [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/202.html When TJ looks for rock on Amal's iPod.]]
68	-->'''TJ:''' Heyyy, ''Music/{{Death Cab\|ForCutie}}!'' That sounds pretty badass!\
69	'''Amal:''' Actually, that's, um...\
70	[''cue [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNqQC7R_Me4 "Transatlanticism"]]'']\
71	'''TJ:''' The ''hell,'' man. That is one ''dirty-ass'' bait and switch. [''Amal laughs''] Hey, there we go -- "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destroyer_(band) Destroyer]]", that's gotta rock.\
72	[''cue [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-fuxkYNKJE "Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Sea of Tears)"]]'']\
73	'''TJ:''' ''Your [=iPod=] is filled with '''lies'''.''
74	* OppositesAttract: A fairly minor version, but TJ and Amal seem to come from totally opposite backgrounds.
75	* ThePromise: A good portion of Amal's motivation comes from his refusal to let his promise to see his sister graduate college go unfulfilled, despite having come out and been disowned by his parents.
76	* RealPlaceBackground: And ''how''. Weaver spends an incredible amount of time not only illustrating real scenes from locations along the journey the boys are making but also [[ShownTheirWork carefully plans out their route to make it plausible in real life]].
77	* RedOniBlueOni
78	* RoadTripRomance
79	* SexyDiscretionShot: Chapter 17. [[spoiler:Very much averted in the previous chapter.]]
80	* ScarsAreForever: TJ has [[http://tjandamal.com/vandalism.jpg several]] very prominent ones on his body.
81	* SceneryPorn: Some pages take a small reprieve to show off just how beautiful nature really is.
82	* SexForSolace: [[spoiler: Amal, who starts to initiate sex with TJ to avoid having to think about his family.]]
83	* ShoutOut: Each chapter title is a different song lyric.
84	* ShownTheirWork: Taken to an extreme with the [[http://tjandamal.com/notes.html notes page]].
85	* SilentSceneryPanel: The entirely of [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/123.html chapter 14]] is done without dialog.
86	* SilenceIsGolden: Two whole chapters of the comic are completely like this. It's a mark of the artist's skill set that you can tell exactly what's going on anyway in the content of the (non-existent) dialogue, including Chapter 17, which is one (long) page and arguably a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.
87	* StraightGay: Amal. TJ (according to WordOfGod) is more Straight Bisexual.
88	* TemptingFate: "We'll be fine as long as it doesn't sta-" Cue the heavy raining.
89	* ThereIsOnlyOneBed: Neither of the boys seemed to be too bothered by it, even before they [[spoiler: got stoned and hooked up.]]
90	* UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny: TJ and Amal play a variation in [[http://tjandamal.com/comic/101.html Chapter 12]].
91	%% * WhamEpisode: Chapter 33 is shaping up to be one of these.
92	* WillTheyOrWontThey: More subtle and organic than in most cases where this trope is used, to the point where you could see them being good friends just as easily as lovers. [[spoiler: They get a RelationshipUpgrade.]]

Context Webcomic / TheLessThanEpicAdventuresOfTJAndAmal