History Webcomic / Zap

%%* ElevatorSnare: Happens to [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/02/20071203/ Grontar]].

* WigDressAccent: Robot gets by a security checkpoint with pants, a wig and a sign the says "I am human". (The costume really didn't work, though, it was Zap doing a JediMindTrick type thing on the guards.)

* ContestWinnerCameo: An archive search contest winner was inserted into a comic as a speaking character.

* TheMerch: Not a big part of the site, but there is a book out.

''[[http://www.zapcomic.com/ Zap!]]'' (not to be confused with the classic Underground ''Zap Comix'' by RobertCrumb, or [=ZZap=]! the Commodore 64 magazine) is a science fiction webcomic which ran from 2003 to 2014 and centers around the title character, Zap Vexler. Chris Layfield is the writer, and Pascalle Lepas is the artist.

[[LaserGuidedAmnesia Amnesiac]] Zap finds himself the captain of a CoolStarship called the ''Excelsior''. He discovers that he is [[PsychicPowers psychic]] and falls for the first officer, Reona, who is still heartbroken over the previous captain, Efrem. He had been apparently killed by an enemy, Naveed. Reona and the ship's mechanic, Grontar, and navigation droid, Robot, aren't too thrilled about Zap being picked as the captain. This is mostly because Zap is a doofus and far from captain material. They fight their way through the [[TheEmpire GEF]], crash land, fight their way through the GEF again, take off, and pick up an ally: Kasey. Another Resistance member, Kasey is infatuated with Robot and helps repair Reona's artificial arm. Zap runs into a stranger (to him at this point), Gunner, who claims to be a friend from his forgotten past.

* NumberedHomeworld: Sticklebat 7. The BunglingInventor Stickle race found their previous six planets "[[MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds too]] [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/12/20040625/ flamable]]".

%% ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Do not uncomment them without expanding them to provide context. WeblinksAreNotExamples; a link to a strip with the comment "Here" or "This strip" and no further explanation tells us nothing about how the trope applies. Write the example so that it can be understood even without the link.

''[[http://www.zapcomic.com/ Zap!]]'' (not to be confused with the classic Underground ''Zap Comix'' by RobertCrumb, or [=ZZap=]! the Commodore 64 magazine) is a science fiction webcomic which ran from 2003 to 2014 and centers around the title character, Zap Vexler. Chris Layfield is the writer, and Pascalle Lepas is the artist.

%%* AmnesiacsAreInnocent: Zap.

%%* AnIcePerson / MakingASplash: The Aquarians and Callisto.

%%* BattleAura
%%* BigRedButton: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/08/20031103/ This comic]].
%%* BlankWhiteEyes: A few times. Here's an [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060529/ example]].

%%* BlueWithShock: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20050119-4/ This]] comic. Complete with OcularGushers.
%%* BodyHorror: The creature that kills the bounty hunters.

%%* BountyHunter: Four of them in one arc.

%%* CrossPoppingVeins
%%* DeflectorShields: Psychic controlled.

%%* DreamSequence: A few symbolism loaded sequences here and there.

%%* ElevatorSnare: Happens to [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/02/20071203/ Grontar]].
%%* TheEmpire: The Galactic Earth Federation.
* EvilVersusEvil: The [=GEF=] against the Serpent's rebellion (which is different from the Resistance).
%%* {{Flashback}}: {{Lampshaded}} in [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20050107-4/ this]] comic.

%%* GovernmentConspiracy: Not fully revealed yet.

%%* GuestStrip: A few.
%%* HallOfMirrors: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/12/20070215/ Here.]]
%%* HalloweenCosplay: One or two {{Filler Strip}}s.

%%* KickTheMoralityPet
%%* LaserSight [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20041231-5/ Here.]]

%%* LaResistance: Played absolutely straight with "The Resistance".
%%* LawOfAlienNames: Lots of the names fit.
%%* LeaveHimToMe: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/10/20060828/ Reona vs. Naveed.]]

%%* MindControlEyes: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/08/20051215/ Here.]]
%%* NonSequiturThud: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/08/20031020/ This comic]].
%%* NotWhatItLooksLike: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/08/20060116/ The title and the dialog.]]

%%* PimpedOutDress: Reona's [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060508/ space dress.]]
%%* PresidentEvil: Not ''competent'', but evil.
%%* PstandardPsychicPstance: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/06/20050831/ Here.]]
%%* PsychicPowers: Of course.
%%* PuppyDogEyes: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/01/20040825-5/ Here]].
%%* TheRant
%%* RebusBubble

%%* ScienceRelatedMemeticDisorder: The Stickle race.

%%* SlowMotionFall: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/01/20070924/ Here.]]

* SpaceIsNoisy: There are some sound effects during the space battle.
%%* SpaceWhale: Space Squid, actually.
%%* SpitTake: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/06/20050627/ Here.]]

* TitleConfusion: Due to the old URL, the comic is often called "Zap [- [[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]-]". This is also something of a BerserkButton for the author, to the point that they've migrated to a new URL.

%%* YouDidntAsk
----

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%% ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Do not uncomment them without expanding them to provide context. WeblinksAreNotExamples; a link to a strip with the comment "Here" or "This strip" and no further explanation tells us nothing about how the trope applies. Write the example so that it can be understood even without the link.
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''[[http://www.zapcomic.com/ Zap!]]'' (not to be confused with the classic Underground ''Zap Comix'' by RobertCrumb, or [=ZZap=]! the Commodore 64 magazine) is a science fiction webcomic which ran from 2003 to 2014 and centers around the title character, Zap Vexler. Chris Layfield is the writer, and Pascalle Lepas is the artist.

%%* AmnesiacsAreInnocent: Zap.

%%* AnIcePerson / MakingASplash: The Aquarians and Callisto.

%%* BattleAura
%%* BigRedButton: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/08/20031103/ This comic]].
%%* BlankWhiteEyes: A few times. Here's an [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060529/ example]].

%%* BlueWithShock: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20050119-4/ This]] comic. Complete with OcularGushers.
%%* BodyHorror: The creature that kills the bounty hunters.

%%* BountyHunter: Four of them in one arc.

%%* CrossPoppingVeins
%%* DeflectorShields: Psychic controlled.

%%* DreamSequence: A few symbolism loaded sequences here and there.

%%* ElevatorSnare: Happens to [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/02/20071203/ Grontar]].
%%* TheEmpire: The Galactic Earth Federation.
* EvilVersusEvil: The [=GEF=] against the Serpent's rebellion (which is different from the Resistance).
%%* {{Flashback}}: {{Lampshaded}} in [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20050107-4/ this]] comic.

%%* GovernmentConspiracy: Not fully revealed yet.

%%* GuestStrip: A few.
%%* HallOfMirrors: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/12/20070215/ Here.]]
%%* HalloweenCosplay: One or two {{Filler Strip}}s.

%%* KickTheMoralityPet
%%* LaserSight [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20041231-5/ Here.]]

%%* LaResistance: Played absolutely straight with "The Resistance".
%%* LawOfAlienNames: Lots of the names fit.
%%* LeaveHimToMe: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/10/20060828/ Reona vs. Naveed.]]

%%* MindControlEyes: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/08/20051215/ Here.]]
%%* NonSequiturThud: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/08/20031020/ This comic]].
%%* NotWhatItLooksLike: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/08/20060116/ The title and the dialog.]]

%%* PimpedOutDress: Reona's [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060508/ space dress.]]
%%* PresidentEvil: Not ''competent'', but evil.
%%* PstandardPsychicPstance: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/06/20050831/ Here.]]
%%* PsychicPowers: Of course.
%%* PuppyDogEyes: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/01/20040825-5/ Here]].
%%* TheRant
%%* RebusBubble

%%* ScienceRelatedMemeticDisorder: The Stickle race.

%%* SlowMotionFall: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/01/20070924/ Here.]]

* SpaceIsNoisy: There are some sound effects during the space battle.
%%* SpaceWhale: Space Squid, actually.
%%* SpitTake: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/06/20050627/ Here.]]

* TitleConfusion: Due to the old URL, the comic is often called "Zap [- [[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]-]". This is also something of a BerserkButton for the author, to the point that they've migrated to a new URL.

%%* YouDidntAsk
----

''[[http://www.zapcomic.com/ Zap!]]'' (not to be confused with the classic Underground ''Zap Comix'' by RobertCrumb, or [=ZZap=]! the Commodore 64 magazine) is a science fiction webcomic centering around the eponymous main character Zap Vexler. Started in 2003, the already written story is about halfway through being drawn and released. Chris Layfield is the writer, and Pascalle is the artist.

In the story so far, [[LaserGuidedAmnesia amnesiac]] Zap finds himself the captain of a CoolStarship called the ''Excelsior''. He discovers that he is [[PsychicPowers psychic]] and falls for the first officer, Reona, who is still heartbroken over the previous captain, Efrem. He had been apparently killed by an enemy, Naveed. Reona and the ship's mechanic, Grontar, and navigation droid, Robot, aren't too thrilled about Zap being picked as the captain. This is mostly because Zap is a doofus and far from captain material. They fight their way through the [[TheEmpire GEF]], crash land, fight their way through the GEF again, take off, and pick up an ally: Kasey. Another Resistance member, Kasey is infatuated with Robot and helps repair Reona's artificial arm. Zap runs into a stranger (to him at this point), Gunner that claims to be a friend from his forgotten past.

At this point in the story there are about five separate plot threads, one involving space pirates, one involving a government conspiracy, and some others following the now split up crew of the ''Excelsior''.

* AirVentPassageway: Zap uses this [[spoiler: right into the enemy's midst]].
* AmnesiaDanger: Zap has to figure out how to work the [[FasterThanLightTravel hyperjump]] with his forgotten powers.
* AmnesiacsAreInnocent: Zap
* AmusementPark: Scene of the biggest fight so far.
* AnIcePerson / MakingASplash: the Aquarians and Callisto.
* AnimatedActors: Not animated, but [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/09/20040102a/ one filler comic]] portrayed the characters as actors playing parts. It even included a ClassicallyTrainedExtra.
** The concept has since been revisited two or three times, making it a RunningGag.
* ArtEvolution: Pascalle's art noticeably improves over the years.
* BattleAura
* BigRedButton: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/08/20031103/ This comic]].
* BlankWhiteEyes: A few times. Here's an [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060529/ example]].
* BloodFromTheMouth: Zap, after a [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/11/20061012/ nasty gut shot]].
* BlueWithShock: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20050119-4/ This]] comic. Complete with OcularGushers.
* BodyHorror: The creature that kills the bounty hunters.
* BorrowedBiometricBypass: Naveed uses a guard's severed hand to retrieve her sword.
* BountyHunter: Four of them in one arc.
* ClothingDamage: Zap, Reona, and Grontar ruin their nice clothes in the [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/11/20060918/ amusement park battle.]]
** But Reona's nice sheer hose survive the fight without even a run.
* ColorCodedCharacters: The three main psychics so far have different colored {{Battle Aura}}s and [[PowerGlows eye glows]].
* ContestWinnerCameo: An archive search contest winner was inserted into a comic as a speaking character.
* CrossPoppingVeins
* DeflectorShields, psychic controlled.
* DeliberatelyMonochrome: Sepia flashbacks.
* DramaticPause: President Billings does this during a press conference, waiting three minutes to ramp up the drama.
* DreamSequence: A few symbolism loaded sequences here and there.
* ElementalPowers: The Elementaro race. The [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/05/20050608b/ last four members]] are recruited by Naveed.
* ElevatorSnare: Happens to [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/02/20071203/ Grontar]].
* TheEmpire: The Galactic Earth Federation

* FiveManBand: fits, for the most part.
* {{Flashback}}: {{Lampshaded}} in [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20050107-4/ this]] comic.
* GlowingEyesOfDoom are an indication of often dangerous psychic powers.
* GovernmentConspiracy: not fully revealed yet.
* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: The GEF grunts are usually idiotic and are [[RedShirt killed in droves]].
* GuestStrip: A few.
* HallOfMirrors: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/12/20070215/ Here.]]
* HalloweenCosplay: One or two {{Filler Strips}}.

* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: I believe the GEF have landed about 5 of their shots so far.
* JediMindTrick: Seemingly a standard psychic power.
** It even gets a ShoutOut[=/=]LampshadeHanging [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/01/20040818-5/ here]].

* KickTheMoralityPet
* LaserSight [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/03/20041231-5/ here.]]
* LastOfHisKind: Robot is the last robot left with a learning AI. The Elelmentaros are the last of their species.
* LaResistance: Played absolutely straight with "The Resistance".
* LawOfAlienNames: Lots of the names fit.
* LeaveHimToMe: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/10/20060828/ Reona vs. Naveed.]]
* TheMerch: Not a big part of the site, but there is a book out.
* MindControlEyes: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/08/20051215/ here.]]
* NonSequiturThud: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/08/20031020/ This comic]].
* NotWhatItLooksLike: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/08/20060116/ The title and the dialog.]]
* NumberedHomeworld: Sticklebat 7. The BunglingInventor Stickle race found their previous six planets "[[MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds too]] [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/12/20040625/ flamable]]".
* OminousMultipleScreens: During the computer failure scene.
* OutrunTheFireball: Zap does this in the second comic.
* PimpedOutDress: Reona's [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060508/ space dress]]
* PresidentEvil - Not ''competent'', but evil.
* PstandardPsychicPstance: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/06/20050831/ here.]]
* PsychicPowers: Of course.
* PuppyDogEyes: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/01/20040825-5/ Here]].
* RebusBubble
* RestrainingBolt: the "crowns". And Robot's prgramming to obey the Captain, like it or not (He does not).
* SceneryCensor: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060417/ Here]] Zap is naked, with Robot's head "tastefully" interposed.
* ScheduleSlip: This hasn't happened for some time, as Pascalle has a StripBuffer.
* ScienceRelatedMemeticDisorder: The Stickle race.

* SlowMotionFall: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/01/20070924/ here.]]
* SomeCallMeTim: Robot's renaming.

* SpaceWhale: Space Squid, actually.
* SpitTake: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/06/20050627/ here.]]
* SpotTheImposter: The BodyHorror creature takes Zap's appearance. Side by side, everyone debates who to shoot. Gunner comes up and just unceremoniously shoots the fake.
** To be fair here, The monster was quite easily distinguishable ("Meeee, Reaaal Zaaaaaap...") when everyone was "Side by side" as it were, and the remark from Robot seemed like it was an obvious Lampshade hanging.
* SuperRegistrationAct: Psychics are being rounded up for nefarious purposes (implied to be made into {{Super Soldier}}s).
* {{Technopath}}: One of Zap's first displays of psychic ability is activating the ''Excelsior'''s hyperdrive. In fact his mental commands are apparently the only thing that can do so. Gunner, as his name implies, uses his to improve the function of his weapons.
* TheRant

* WebcomicTime: A few years of comics following a few weeks of plot.
* WigDressAccent: Robot gets by a security checkpoint with pants, a wig and a sign the says "I am human". (The costume really didn't work, though, it was Zap doing a JediMindTrick type thing on the guards.)
* WordOfGod: You can get some spoilers and have some of your [[EpilepticTrees wild speculation]] quashed on the forum by the creators.

* YouDidntAsk

* JustAMachine: Several intelligent robots are destroyed for avoidable or petty reasons. Made more jarring by the fact one of the main cast is a robot.

In the story so far, [[LaserGuidedAmnesia amnesiac]] Zap finds himself the captain of a CoolStarship called the ''Excelsior''. He discovers that he is [[PsychicPowers psychic]] and falls for the first officer, Reona, who is still heartbroken over the previous captain, Efrem. He had been apparently killed by an enemy, Naveed. Reona and the ship's mechanic, Grontar, and navigation droid, Robot, aren't too thrilled about Zap being picked as the captain. This is mostly because Zap is a doofus and far from captain material. They fight their way through the [[TheEmpire GEF]], crash land, fight their way through the GEF again, take off, and pick up an ally: Kasey. Another Resistance member, Kasey is infatuated with Robot and helps repair Reona's artificial arm. Zap runs into a stranger (to him at this point), Gunner that claims to be a friend from his forgotten past. Gunner retrains him to use his powers, helps them fight off a nasty blob, then [[spoiler: reveals his true intentions, shoots Zap, and absconds with a nearly dead Zap, a never dead Efrem, and Naveed.]]

* TitleConfusion: Due to the URL, the comic is often called "Zap [- [[RecycledInSpace IN SPACE]]-]".
** This is also something of a [[BerserkButton Berserk Button]] for the author, to the point that they've migrated to a new URL.

* ThrownOutTheAirlock: Zap, who was mistaken for a stowaway at first, is almost dumped with the trash into space (or so he thought).

''[[http://www.zapcomic.com/ Zap!]]'' (not to be confused with the classic Underground ''Zap Comix'' by RobertCrumb, or {{ZZap}}! the Commodore 64 magazine) is a science fiction webcomic centering around the eponymous main character Zap Vexler. Started in 2003, the already written story is about halfway through being drawn and released. Chris Layfield is the writer, and Pascalle is the artist.

* ShirtlessScene: Zap, [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060417/ trying out tuxedos]] going [[PeekABoo stark naked]].

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: The three main psychics so far have different colored {{Battle Aura}}s and [[PowerGlows eye glows]].

* [[FiveManBand/{{Other}} Five Man Band]]: fits, for the most part.

* PeekaBoo: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060417/ Here]] Zap is naked, with Robot's head "tastefully" interposed.

* AirVentEscape: Zap does this [[spoiler: right into the enemy's midst]].

----
!!The characters:
* Zap, a [[LaserGuidedAmnesia amnesiac]] [[PsychicPowers psychic]] [[CoolShip spaceship]] [[TheCaptain captain.]] He sometimes lapses into a CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass, especially when Reona is in danger. Most of the time he's the IdiotHero, though. Currently kidnapped by people who knew him before his amnesia.
* Reona, [[HeroesWantRedHeads redhead]] [[NumberTwo first mate]] of the ship with an ArmCannon. In the current arc she'll learn to be more assertive.
* Grontar, a huge [[MultiArmedAndDangerous four armed]] GeniusBruiser, with OverprotectiveDad tendencies towards Reona.
* Robot, formerly named XR-7439-Q, is the SnarkyNonHumanSidekick, a [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots sentient]] RobotBuddy (though the "buddy" part is involuntary and quite questionable).
* Kasey, WrenchWench and BunglingInventor.
* Gunner, a mysterious psychic from Zap's past with a MeaningfulName.
* Naveed, deadly [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana wielding]] CatGirl. She cut off Reona's arm in a flashback.
* Efrem, the LeftForDead former captain, and is not as he first seemed.
* William, a GEF commander and the head of the Psychic Academy. His character is gaining importance in the story.

* AGlassOfChianti: Billings does this on one scene where he tries to be serious.

* AmnesiacDissonance: [[spoiler: Zap, Efrem, and Gunner were on the same side, and Zap was much darker than his post amnesia personality.]]

* ArmCannon

* BigEater: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/09/20060522/ Grontar.]]

* BishieSparkle: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/04/20050302-3/ Kasey.]]

* CatsAreMean: Naveed.
* CatSmile: Kasey, who is vaguely lion-like.

* CombatPragmatist: Gunner gets tired of the psychic battle and just [[spoiler: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/01/20070917/ shoots Zap.]]]]

* DishingOutDirt: Ganymede
* ADogNamedDog: Because Zap can't remember his real name, XR-7439-Q gets redubbed to Robot.

* EvilLaugh: [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2004/02/20041101b-4/ President Billings]].

* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Zap, on the run from the GEF, literally falls into the cargo hatch and is made captain by the ship.
* FemmeFatalons: Again, [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/03/20080707/ Naveed]].
* FiringOneHanded

* KnowledgeBroker: Demonica
* LaserGuidedAmnesia: Zap forgets nearly everything, leaving no remnant of his former skills, just his name.

* LetsGetDangerous: When you see Zap start to [[PowerGlows glow]], some shit's goin' down.

* MomentKiller: Robot does this a few [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2003/09/20031208b/ times]].
* MsFanservice: Naveed provides lots of eyecandy with her {{stripperiffic}} outfit.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Come on, ''Gunner Stryfe''?
* NeverFoundTheBody: After Efrem's apparent death, the crew was [[TeleportersAndTransporters teleported]] back to the ship.

* TheObiWan: Vitale, William's mentor and guardian.

* OurPresidentsAreDifferent: President Billings seems like President Buffoon so far.

* PrehensileHair: Demonica, though it's [[AlienHair not quite hair]].

* PsychoForHire: Naveed and her cat-like toying with her prey.

* RedEyesTakeWarning: Naveed's eye color.
* ReplacementGoldfish: there's various [[LampshadeHanging comments]] on how like Ephram Zap is. At least one side character calls Zap Reona's "Replacement Boyfriend."

* RobotNames: XR-7439-Q is Robot's former name.
* SapientShip: the ''Excelsior'' is sentient and chooses its own captain.

* SpacePirates: And a TerribleTrio, so far.
* SpaceshipGirl: A spectral woman from Zap's [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/04/20090504/ forced flashbacks of his earlier life]] turns out to be the [[http://www.zapcomic.com/2005/05/20090920/ holographic projection of the Excelsior's AI]].

* TheVamp: Naveed, again.

* WingdingEyes: Kasey, of the HeartSymbol type, when she gushes over Robot.