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reppuzan
Since: Dec, 2014
13th Apr, 2021 10:59:54 PM
Art Evolution, Flanderization, or Characterization Marches On perhaps?
Also, Early Installment Character-Design Difference might cover what you're thinking of.
Edited by reppuzan
A trope similar to Lazy Artist but done out of pragmatism rather than laziness/ineptitude where a distinctive character trait disappears in their second appearance.
In this case, a comics artist introduces a new character with a complicated and distinctive visual element (facial tattoo, riding a motorcycle, multi-fingered hands, etc.). The artist realizes the visual element doubles the time spent per panel whenever it appears, and gets rid of it at first opportunity, so that they appear without it on their second appearance forward (sometimes without even an explanation), even if the character's personality/interactions with others is radically altered (the Proud Warrior Race Guy's kill-count tattoo is removed without comment, the Biker Chick becomes a Shrinking Violet, the pianist can still play pieces designed for 11+ fingers, etc.).
Analogous problems in other other media: Character always speaks in rhyme, has special effects added to them in post-production, parts of their outfit keep clipping through walls, etc.