History Webcomic / NineteenNinetySomething

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In the first week of strips, Joel is more of a peppy optimist while Katy is the sarcastic cynic like they were in ''Forever 16''. It didn't take long for them to swap places.

In 2019, Barboza [[https://www.deviantart.com/jbwarner86/journal/Learning-From-My-Mistakes-816067363 announced]] that he plans on creating another retool of the comic, set to be released in January 2020, in an attempt to properly address the criticism he faced when writing NNS.

* AgonyOfTheFeet: Rick had several of the toes on his left foot shot off during the Vietnam War. [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/june-10-1992/ He angrily displays his scarred foot to Aaron as a way to demonstrate his efforts in the war]].

** Following her HeelFaceTurn, [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/november-15-1992/ Tina wishes]] to be more supportive of her son and get to know his friends better. Her attempt ends up falling flat as she clearly has no idea what they actually do (for starters, she thinks they talk in "grunge slang").

** Katy and Ashleigh's attempt to cheer up Lindsay in the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/december-26-1991/ December 26, 1991 strip]] leads to the latter ranting about how she doesn't want their friendship...

** In the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-6-1991/ aftermath of a failed date with Kendra]], Joel asks Aaron a pretty long overdue question, if you're familiar with someone like [[AllMenArePerverts Aaron]].

* BehindTheBlack: Somehow, William and Tina don't notice the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/april-22-1990/ massive backhoes and bulldozers tearing the trees out of Patricia and Brad's backyard]] until the comic reveals them.

* BigBrotherInstinct: Rarely does Joel ever get along with Katy and is perfectly aware of the stupid things she does, but there are a [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-18-1992/ few]] [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/august-26-1992/ times]] where he'll show legitimate concern for her.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In the first week of strips, [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-2-1990 Joel is more of a peppy optimist while Katy is the sarcastic cynic]] like they were in ''Forever 16''. It didn't take long for them to swap places.

** In the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-12-1990 1/12/90 strip]], Katy mentions her unrequited crush on a boy named Brian Coulson. [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-30-1990 Three weeks later]], he turns out to be the prime suspect in a rash of school supply thefts that Katy gets roped into investigating.
** Joel hears the ''Bleach'' album by Music/{{Nirvana}} [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/march-4-1990 at the record store]] two weeks before [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/march-15-1990 he actually buys it]]. Two years later, one of the first strips of the year has kids swarming to the record shop for ''Music/{{Nevermind}}''.

** Joel [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-24-1991/ finally unleashes his frustration]] with Tina's lack of understanding:

** Tina, of all people, [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/october-23-1992/ has one of these]] after enduring insult after insult from her mother:

* DistractedByTheSexy: Aaron can't even insult Lindsay without [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/april-14-1990 lusting after her]].

** [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/june-22-1990/ The ending of the "Gothman Prophecies" arc]] [[spoiler:Joel finds out Tabithia didn't love him so much as he liked his ''potential'' of being her ideal man. Joel doesn't take the revelation well and breaks up with her]].

* EasyComeEasyGo: Lindsay manages to procure a contract with A&M Records via her appearances on ''Series/StarSearch'' (and assorted shenanigans between her and her mother, Patricia). Within seconds, the contract is torn up because she [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/december-20-1991/ violently refused]] to even consider quitting smoking. She continues her tantrum, and it ends up costing her the ''Star Search'' championship.

* EveryoneKnewAlready: [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-5-1993/ When Kendra confessed]] to Michelle and Jocelyn about her crush on [[spoiler:Aaron]], they already knew who the boy was.

* FunWithAcronyms: The "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" arc, or [[spoiler:FUCK]] for short. Doubles as sort of a MeaningfulName, considering that the arc in question revolved around sexual intercourse.

* {{Gainaxing}}: Lindsay's boobs [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/march-29-1991/ jiggled quite a bit]] when she tried auditioning for ''Series/StarSearch'' in a [[IHaveBoobsYouMustObey vain attempt to get chosen for the show]].

* GroinAttack: [[spoiler:[[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/april-18-1993/ Kevin has Lindsay on the ground]] and is about to rape her, but she grabs one of her stiletto heels that fell off in their fight and '''''STABS HIM IN THE DICK WITH IT.''''' [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/april-19-1993/ The next strip has him wailing in pain in all four panels while a crowd gathers.]] He absolutely deserved it, but DAMN.]]

** Lindsay, while in the hospital recovering from her beating by [[spoiler:Jocelyn]], hears the doctor describe the injuries suffered by the girl Linday pushed down the stairs in her debut storyline. [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-28-1992/ The look on her face in the final panel]] is the first time we've seen anything close to regret on Lindsay's face.
** Jessica's BreakingSpeech in a [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/september-20-1992/ much later strip]] does its job, and Lindsay is finally forced to admit the truth to herself:

** Selina [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/october-10-1992/ has one]] when she [[TheBusCameBack returns for the first time]] since the 1990 strips, when she finally realizes that she's letting Sinéad O'Connor's influence practically take over her life and vows to stop.
** Tina, after being [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech outed]] by both her son and mother, comes to a rather [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/october-28-1992/ harsh realization]] on what a terrible mother she truly is.
** Jenny during the "I Am A Fugitive From A Day Camp" arc, where she [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/august-18-1993/ comes to realize]] just how much of a pest she can be to Eric.

* HistoricalInJoke: Given the setting, there's quite a bit of this. [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-21-1990 This strip]], spoofing the ousting of Manuel Noriega from Panama, is a typical example.

* IncrediblyLamePun: [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/february-20-1990 "I deserve to break you today."]] (Barboza admits he only wrote this strip for the sake of that pun.)

* JerkassHasAPoint: The "A League Of Katy's Own" arc has Katy and Ashleigh join a baseball team, and Katy harshly gets [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-16-1992/ chewed out]] by one of the players for catching the ball with her hat in the middle of a game. However, the player had every right to do this since, apart from Katy not following directions, catching the ball with anything other than your glove is a very illegal move for a fielder to do in baseball, as this automatically results in the batter being given three bases.

* MarshmallowHell: Lindsay [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/february-8-1991/ forcibly does this to Joel]] when she tries to trick Michelle into thinking he's cheating on her.

* MindScrew: Discussed and [[spoiler:demonstrated]] in [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/ this comic]].

** [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/november-5-1990/ Kendra draws herself nude as life model practice]] when Joel keeps asking questions about her artwork.

** Joel himself [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-9-1991/ briefly appears naked]] in the beginning of the "[[Film/TheTerminator Hasta La Vista... Maybe]]" arc, in which Joel plays the role of the Terminator himself. [[FemaleGaze Complete with a few shots of his bare butt]].

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Averted, just like the BlandNameProduct trope mentioned above. Most notable in [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/february-18-1990 the 2/18/90 strip]], guest starring [[spoiler:Aerosmith.]]
** [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/february-2-1992/ This strip]] is almost entirely about Bugs Bunny.

** Aaron [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/march-24-1990/ once drew]] a picture of himself making out with [[Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit Jessica Rabbit]].
** Joel [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/september-16-1990/ claims]] that he thinks Ariel from ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989'' is hot.

** In the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/september-20-1992/ September 20, 1992]] strip, Lindsay gets an absolute ''mother'' of a TRYSS from Jessica, one that finally induces in Lindsay a major HeelRealization.
--->'''Jessica''': [[spoiler:You think the world is out to fuck you? It's people like ''you'' who are out to fuck the ''world!'' You're absolute ''scum,'' Lindsay! And you ''know'' it! It's all you've ''ever'' been, and it's ''all you'll ever be!'']]

* RejectedApology: Lindsay [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-23-1993/ attempts to]] make amends with Katy and Ashleigh for all the times she treated them badly. While the two seemed accepting of it, Joel shows up and quickly snatches the both of them away, clearly not believing Lindsay.

* ScaryFlashlightFace: Aaron does this in his attempt to put a scary spin on [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/may-9-1990/ the early '90s AT&T commercials]].

* ShakingTheRump: Katy [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/february-29-1992/ does this]] when she listens to "[[Music/SirMixALot Baby Got Back]]".

** [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/may-14-1990/ An entire week's worth of strips]] is dedicated to ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' and the impact that its first season had on the American cultural landscape.
** The [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/february-10-1991/ February 10, 1991]] strip is a loving tribute to ''VideoGame/StreetFighterII''.
** Several shout outs to ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' - both series have main characters named Joel, and the strip is set in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the Minneapolis suburb where [=MST3K=] was filmed. See the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/november-11-1990/ November 11, 1990]] strip for an overt reference.
** In-universe, Joel is known for dropping appropriate movie quotes into his conversations, such as the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/august-19-1990/ August 19, 1990]] strip from the Universal Studios arc - Joel has two lines of dialogue, and [[Film/{{Jaws}} both]] of [[Film/BackToTheFuturePartII them]] are movie quotes.

* StageMom: [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-27-1993/ Lindsay figures out]] that her mom was living vicariously through her in an attempt to relive her GloryDays as a high school cheerleader:

* VomitIndiscretionShot: The [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-19-1992/ January 19th, 1992]] strip has Ronald regurgitate an entire cup of salt-filled coffee, directly in front of Reverend Wilson. It's PlayedForLaughs.

* PoliticallyCorrectHistory: Downplayed in the reboot. While the main cast of teenagers seem to have views on race, gender, and sexuality that is pretty in line with TheNewTwenties where the comic originates, there are many, such as Aaron's dad and Jocelyn's parents who are less accepting. Where it really sticks out is how accepting the core cast is of Jocelyn's bisexuality. While Gay Rights activists and a movement certainly existed in the early 1990s, bisexuality was much more controversial then, with many if not most believing it was either a cover for being straight or gay. Bisexual wasn't general seen as a valid orientation even in LGBTQ+ Circles until the late 2000s or early 2010s.

* RealityEnsues: The "Smoke Gets In Your Thighs" arc has Lindsay attempting to give up smoking. Having smoked since she was 13-years-old, the effects of cigarettes has finally began to effect Lindsay's health. She immediately decides to quit, but suffers pretty badly from nicotine withdrawal shortly afterwards.

* FlatCharacter:
** Katy and William are the only ones in the Maxwell family that don't get any CharacterDevelopment. William especially, as it's rare for any of the storylines to even focus on him.
** Kendra's brother Vince also doesn't really have much characterization other than acting like a stereotypical black thug.

** Joel [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/september-16-1990/ claims]] that he thinks Ariel from ''Disney/TheLittleMermaid'' is hot.

* BiTheWay:
** Jocelyn is bisexual, having initially been in a relationship with her old band member Allie before moving onto Steve.
** Steve himself was revealed to be one as well, considering he was perfectly willing to give Aaron a [[TheBigDamnKiss big damn kiss]] during the "Don't Ask Don't Yell" arc. Granted, it was done mainly to annoy a nearby homophobic couple, but still.

** Denise, Katy, and Ashley all tend to be stuck in their own little bizarre fantasy world.

* ComicBookTime: The strip has run in earnest for over a year now and none of the characters have aged. Barboza himself has confirmed that the characters will, indeed, not age as he wants the comic to keep the teenage theme.

* {{Ephebophile}}: [[spoiler:Adam, an 18-year-old college freshman introduced in the "Bloom Is Off The Melrose" arc, is discovered to be one as he tries to whoo it with Katy, who is about four years younger than him]].

** Kendra's brother Vence also doesn't really have much characterization other than acting like a stereotypical black thug.

* GenkiGirl: Katy and her friend Ashley are very optimistic people most of the time, even when it's painfully obvious people are insulting them or showing them the truth about their less-than-stellar beliefs (such as thinking [[AlphaBitch Lindsay]] wants to be their friend).

* JerkassHasAPoint: The "A League Of Katy's Own" arc has Katy and Ashley join a baseball team, and Katy harshly gets [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-16-1992/ chewed out]] by one of the players for catching the ball with her hat in the middle of a game. However, the player had every right to do this since, apart from Katy not following directions, catching the ball with anything other than your glove is a very illegal move for a fielder to do in baseball, as this automatically results in the batter being given three bases.

** Joel. snarky and uncaring as he may be, he's still shown to be far more nicer and having better standards than either his family or classmates.

* ContinuityReboot: In January 2020, Jesse decided to reboot the series to rectify some of the complaints of the previous continuity, effectively starting the series over from scratch.

* BehindTheBlack: Somehow, William and Tina don't notice the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/april-22-1990
massive backhoes and bulldozers tearing the trees out of Patricia and Brad's backyard]] until the comic reveals them.

* BehindTheBlack: Somehow, William and Tina don't notice the [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/april-22-1990 massive backhoes and bulldozers tearing the trees out of Patricia and Brad's backyard]] until the comic reveals them.

* ArchEnemy: Kevin and Lindsay, both to Joel and Aaron (''especially'' Joel).

** For someone whose New Year's resolution was to "redouble [her] efforts to be a better person, both outwardly and inwardly", Tina loses her patience an awful lot, especially with Joel.

* HeManWomanHater: Kevin. His misogyny gets more blatant and violent with each appearance.

* MindScrew: Discussed and [[spoiler:demonstrated]] in [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/ this comic]]

* SavvyGuyEnergeticGirl: Eric is much more down to Earth than the mischievous Jenny.

** Kendra, who is nice and outgoing, and her older brother Vence, who is cynical and more of a JerkWithAHeartOfGold than a straight-up nice guy. To an extension, Kendra's young brother Eric, as he's a lot more shy and sensitive than either of them.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn:
** In the first week of strips, [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/january-2-1990 Joel is more of a peppy optimist while Katy is the sarcastic cynic]] like they were in ''Forever 16''. It didn't take long for them to swap places.
** Kendra also started off as being highly insecure about herself and practically riddled with anxiety. While it still shows a bit, she now has a more laid-back personality and an apparent love for 60s hippie culture.

* {{Vaporwear}}: Denise and Kendra, in true hippie fashion, never wear bras.

* BiTheWay: Jocelyn is bisexual, having initially been in a relationship with her old band member Allie before moving onto Steve.

* BerserkButton: Tina, being the MoralGuardian that she was, became absolutely ''furious'' whenever she saw or heard something inappropriate.

* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Rick isn't so much a "villain" as much as he is just a total {{jerkass}} but he still qualifies. He refers to African-Americans as "coloreds," thinks that women should StayInTheKitchen, and is heavily opposed to the idea of enforcing background checks on gun owners.

* RedemptionRejection: Nick isn't all that willing to forgive Lindsay after her redemption, namely because he doesn't believe she's being honest about it.

* RedemptionRejection: Nick isn't willing to forgive Lindsay after her redemption.

* EveryoneKnewAlready: [[http://1990somethingcomic.com/comic/july-5-1993/ When Kendra confessed]] to Michelle and Jocelyn about her crush on [[spoiler:Aaron]], they already knew who the boy she liked ways.

* UsefulNotes/TheNineties: [[CaptainObvious In case the very title of the comic didn't tip you off]].