ARCHIVE BINNNGE.

[Valerie]

I'm sure many others have reread the entire comic recently and I'm just slacking, but we're getting pretty close to the end here, so I'm making myself buckle down and do this. I figured some discussion about how characters have changed and etc. would be fun.

We're all pretty aware that P&A has changed a lot, right down to the genre. It started out as a gag strip/sitcom deal and started getting a lot deeper as time went on.

When I first started reading (jeez, I dunno, in like... 2005, 2006?), Aggie was awesome. After seeing the way her character is now, I almost can't stand her old form. She has a lot going on, though, and being a teenage girl is pretty much the worst thing ever, so maybe some of it can be excused.

On the other side, I'm feeling more sympathy for Penny's old character now than I did when I was first reading. I wonder if the two have just rubbed off on each other that much? Of course, this is all very YMMV territory.

Oh my God, and Sara was super cool pre-gay. Like, I'm a lot happier for her now, as a person, because she's a lot happier since coming out, but she was just so cool when she was still in the closet.

Stan looks way different in older strips.

Also, is this strip supposed to be showing a picture of Charisma or Melody? I figure it could be Melody. "Your mother and I are furious. *Nick touches picture of Melody for effect*" Oooor it could be Charisma. "Your mother and I are furious. *Nick turns picture a little more to be sure Aggie doesn't see it."

Anyway, just, ohmygodwe'resoclosetotheendwhyyy. ;_;

[Freemage]

Given that the first time we actually see Charisma in-person is a couple stories later (Second Looks, to be precise), it's unlikely that at that point they were together, let alone at the "keep a framed photo around" stage. So, yeah, Melody's the safe bet there.

Now, my own interesting catch (during the crawl I did when I was checking for Charisma's first appearance):

Fourth Panel. Freckles--check. Funky hair--check. Evil smirk? Waitaminute.... (Of course, K-A was simply one of the "new girls" recruited by Penny post-Becausehesblackgate at that point--her personality and personal convictions didn't really come out until Pod People.)

[Alice Macher]

Given that the first time we actually see Charisma in-person is a couple stories later (Second Looks, to be precise)

Rather earlier than that, actually: The Last Days of Summer. But I agree that the photo Nick's touching in "Campaign Trail" is of Melody. Yes, it's no secret that Melody and Charisma look very similar; T even notes it in Names: A Study Primer. But I think the simplest explanation is the best one: Nick was speaking of Melody when touching the photo. Also, since Nick wasn't yet ready to tell Aggie he was dating again (he didn't bring it up for the first time until Behind Closed Doors), I doubt he'd be so careless as to keep a framed photo of Charisma on his desk at home.

Fourth Panel. Freckles--check. Funky hair--check. Evil smirk? Waitaminute.... (Of course, K-A was simply one of the "new girls" recruited by Penny post-Becausehesblackgate at that point--her personality and personal convictions didn't really come out until Second Looks.)

FTFY.

And yes, I noticed that too. It's what TV Tropes calls Characterization Marches On. As it did with Lisa, even more so.

[Freemage]

Thanks for the corrections, there. Hm... Nope, no head-smack smiley. Ah, well.

And yeah, I'm aware of the trope--it just struck me how vastly out-of-character that particular panel was for Katy-Ann.

[Alice Macher]

it just struck me how vastly out-of-character that particular panel was for Katy-Ann.

I even made reference to that in my Recap page for that arc (as I did with regard to Lisa in "Second Looks"). March, characterization, march!

[bunnyThor]

I wonder if the two have just rubbed off on each other that much?

Not yet.

[Valerie]

I wonder if the two have just rubbed off on each other that much?

Not yet.

X3 I believe that was a thread-win.

[Pink Freud]

I wonder if the two have just rubbed off on each other that much?

Not yet.

X3 I believe that was a thread-win.

It's dangerous to go alone. Take this internet.

[Valerie]

Oh man, also, the last panel of this strip is just crazy-ominous now.

[griffon8]

I didn't read Penny & Aggie until very recently. So my real introduction before 'July' was one big archive binge. I'm a little sad that the comic is ending, but I'd be more sad if the comic was orphaned.

[Valerie]

Proof of Stan looking totally different.

[snowmansam]

So, long time reader 1st time poster delurking. Like the OP, I decided to reread the archive since we are inching closer to the end and had an experience that I needed to share.

I had my ipod on random while reading and some interesting song/comic combos came up. None, however, matched nearly so well as when I came to this page and this song by Dido came on. It was one of those times when the universe lines up and things click in to place. I've since been unable to get the song out of my head for subsequent Agenny appearances. Not a bad thing at all

[Mr. Brightside]

Oh man, also, the last panel of this strip is just crazy-ominous now.

Considering it was followed by over 300 strips of doing nothing but occasionally popping up to say "Hey! I'm a character!" it had better be.

[Hexr]

So, long time reader 1st time poster delurking. Like the OP, I decided to reread the archive since we are inching closer to the end and had an experience that I needed to share.

I had my ipod on random while reading and some interesting song/comic combos came up. None, however, matched nearly so well as when I came to this page and this song by Dido came on. It was one of those times when the universe lines up and things click in to place. I've since been unable to get the song out of my head for subsequent Agenny appearances. Not a bad thing at all

What song is that? The video won't be played in my country because of copyright issues.

[snowmansam]

What song is that? The video won't be played in my country because of copyright issues.

"Take My Hand" by Dido. First released on Odds and Ends, and later released on No Angel as a bonus track.