diff --git a/src/args.jl b/src/args.jl
index b84abab5..8ead5bec 100644
--- a/src/args.jl
+++ b/src/args.jl
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ const TYPES = [:line,
                :ohlc,
               ]
 const STYLES = [:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-const MARKERS = [:ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon]
+const MARKERS = [:ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon, :octagon]
 
 const ALL_AXES = vcat(:auto, AXES)
 const ALL_TYPES = vcat(:none, TYPES)
@@ -40,54 +40,56 @@ subplotSupported() = subplotSupported(plotter())
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-const PLOT_DEFAULTS = Dict{Symbol, Any}()
+const _seriesDefaults = Dict{Symbol, Any}()
 
 # series-specific
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:axis] = :left
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:color] = :auto
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:label] = "AUTO"
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:width] = 1
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:linetype] = :line
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:linestyle] = :solid
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:marker] = :none
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:markercolor] = :match
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:markersize] = 6
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:nbins] = 100               # number of bins for heatmaps and hists
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:heatmap_c] = (0.15, 0.5)
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:fillto] = nothing          # fills in the area
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:reg] = false               # regression line?
+_seriesDefaults[:axis] = :left
+_seriesDefaults[:color] = :auto
+_seriesDefaults[:label] = "AUTO"
+_seriesDefaults[:width] = 1
+_seriesDefaults[:linetype] = :line
+_seriesDefaults[:linestyle] = :solid
+_seriesDefaults[:marker] = :none
+_seriesDefaults[:markercolor] = :match
+_seriesDefaults[:markersize] = 6
+_seriesDefaults[:nbins] = 100               # number of bins for heatmaps and hists
+_seriesDefaults[:heatmap_c] = (0.15, 0.5)
+_seriesDefaults[:fillto] = nothing          # fills in the area
+_seriesDefaults[:reg] = false               # regression line?
+_seriesDefaults[:group] = nothing
+_seriesDefaults[:ribbon] = nothing
+_seriesDefaults[:args] = []     # additional args to pass to the backend
+_seriesDefaults[:kwargs] = []   # additional keyword args to pass to the backend
+                              # note: can be Vector{Dict} or Vector{Tuple} 
+
+
+const _plotDefaults = Dict{Symbol, Any}()
 
 # plot globals
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:title] = ""
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:xlabel] = ""
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:ylabel] = ""
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:yrightlabel] = ""
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:legend] = true
-# PLOT_DEFAULTS[:background_color] = nothing
-# PLOT_DEFAULTS[:xticks] = true
-# PLOT_DEFAULTS[:yticks] = true
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:size] = (600,400)
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:windowtitle] = "Plots.jl"
-# PLOT_DEFAULTS[:show] = true
+_plotDefaults[:title] = ""
+_plotDefaults[:xlabel] = ""
+_plotDefaults[:ylabel] = ""
+_plotDefaults[:yrightlabel] = ""
+_plotDefaults[:legend] = true
+_plotDefaults[:background_color] = colorant"white"
+_plotDefaults[:xticks] = true
+_plotDefaults[:yticks] = true
+_plotDefaults[:size] = (600,400)
+_plotDefaults[:windowtitle] = "Plots.jl"
+_plotDefaults[:show] = false
 
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:args] = []     # additional args to pass to the backend
-PLOT_DEFAULTS[:kwargs] = []   # additional keyword args to pass to the backend
-                              # note: can be Vector{Dict} or Vector{Tuple} 
+
+
+# const seriesKeys = [:axis, :color, :label, :width, :linetype, :linestyle, :marker, :markercolor, :markersize, :nbins, :heatmap_c, :fillto, :reg, :group, :ribbon]
+# const plotKeys = [:title, :xlabel, :ylabel, :yrightlabel, :legend, :background_color, :xticks, :yticks, :size, :windowtitle, :show]
 
 # TODO: x/y scales
 
-const ARGS = sort(collect(keys(PLOT_DEFAULTS)))
+const ARGS = sort(collect(intersect(keys(_seriesDefaults), keys(_plotDefaults))))
 supportedArgs(::PlottingPackage) = ARGS
 supportedArgs() = supportedArgs(plotter())
 
 
-# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-plotDefault(sym::Symbol) = PLOT_DEFAULTS[sym]
-function plotDefault!(sym::Symbol, val)
-  PLOT_DEFAULTS[sym] = val
-end
-
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 makeplural(s::Symbol) = Symbol(string(s,"s"))
@@ -98,6 +100,92 @@ autopick(notarr, idx::Integer) = notarr
 autopick_ignore_none_auto(arr::AVec, idx::Integer) = autopick(setdiff(arr, [:none, :auto]), idx)
 autopick_ignore_none_auto(notarr, idx::Integer) = notarr
 
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Alternate args
+
+const keyAliases = Dict(
+    :c => :color,
+    :l => :label,
+    :w => :width,
+    :linewidth => :width,
+    :type => :linetype,
+    :t => :linetype,
+    :style => :linestyle,
+    :s => :linestyle,
+    :m => :marker,
+    :mc => :markercolor,
+    :mcolor => :markercolor,
+    :ms => :markersize,
+    :msize => :markersize,
+    :nb => :nbins,
+    :nbin => :nbins,
+    :fill => :fillto,
+    :g => :group,
+    :r => :ribbon,
+    :xlab => :xlabel,
+    :ylab => :ylabel,
+    :yrlab => :yrightlabel,
+    :ylabr => :yrightlabel,
+    :y2lab => :yrightlabel,
+    :ylab2 => :yrightlabel,
+    :ylabelright => :yrightlabel,
+    :ylabel2 => :yrightlabel,
+    :y2label => :yrightlabel,
+    :leg => :legend,
+    :bg => :background_color,
+    :bgcolor => :background_color,
+    :bg_color => :background_color,
+    :background => :background_color,
+    :windowsize => :size,
+    :wsize => :size,
+    :wtitle => :windowtitle,
+    :display => :show,
+  )
+
+# add all pluralized forms to the keyAliases dict
+for arg in keys(_seriesDefaults)
+  keyAliases[makeplural(arg)] = arg
+end
+
+
+function replaceAliases!(d::Dict)
+  for (k,v) in d
+    if haskey(keyAliases, k)
+      d[keyAliases[k]] = v
+      delete!(d, k)
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# update the defaults globally
+
+function plotDefault(k::Symbol)
+  if haskey(_seriesDefaults, k)
+    return _seriesDefaults[k]
+  elseif haskey(_plotDefaults, k)
+    return _plotDefaults[k]
+  else
+    error("Unknown key: ", k)
+  end
+end
+
+function plotDefault!(k::Symbol, v)
+  if haskey(_seriesDefaults, k)
+    _seriesDefaults[k] = v
+  elseif haskey(_plotDefaults, k)
+    _plotDefaults[k] = v
+  else
+    error("Unknown key: ", k)
+  end
+end
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
 # converts a symbol or string into a colorant (Colors.RGB), and assigns a color automatically
 # note: if plt is nothing, we aren't doing anything with the color anyways
 function getRGBColor(c, n::Int = 0)
@@ -122,8 +210,7 @@ function getRGBColor(c, n::Int = 0)
   c
 end
 
-# const ALT_ARG_NAMES = Dict{Tuple{Symbol,Symbol}, Any}()
-# ALT_ARG_NAMES[(:linetype, :scatter)] = :scatter
+
 
 function warnOnUnsupported(pkg::PlottingPackage, d::Dict)
   d[:axis] in supportedAxes(pkg) || warn("axis $(d[:axis]) is unsupported with $pkg.  Choose from: $(supportedAxes(pkg))")
@@ -133,93 +220,173 @@ function warnOnUnsupported(pkg::PlottingPackage, d::Dict)
 end
 
 
-# note: idx is the index of this series within this call, n is the index of the series from all calls to plot/subplot
-function getPlotKeywordArgs(pkg::PlottingPackage, kw, idx::Int, n::Int)
+function getPlotArgs(pkg::PlottingPackage, kw, idx::Int)
   d = Dict(kw)
 
-  # # replace alternate names
-  # for tup in kw
-  #   if haskey(ALT_ARG_NAMES, tup)
-  #     d[tup[1]] = ALT_ARG_NAMES[tup]
-  #   end
-  # end
-
-  # default to a white background, but only on the initial call (so we don't change the background automatically)
-  if haskey(d, :background_color)
-    d[:background_color] = getRGBColor(d[:background_color])
-  elseif n == 0
-    d[:background_color] = colorant"white"
+  # add defaults?
+  for k in keys(_plotDefaults)
+    if haskey(d, k)
+      v = d[k]
+      if isa(v, AbstractVector) && !isempty(v)
+        # we got a vector, cycling through
+        d[k] = autopick(v, idx)
+      end
+    else
+      d[k] = _plotDefaults[k]
+    end
   end
 
-  # fill in d with either 1) plural value, 2) value, 3) default
-  for k in keys(PLOT_DEFAULTS)
-    plural = makeplural(k)
-    if !haskey(d, k)
-      if n == 0 || k != :size
-        d[k] = haskey(d, plural) ? autopick(d[plural], idx) : PLOT_DEFAULTS[k]
+  # convert color
+  d[:background_color] = getRGBColor(d[:background_color])
+
+  # no need for these
+  delete!(d, :x)
+  delete!(d, :y)
+
+  d
+end
+
+
+
+# note: idx is the index of this series within this call, n is the index of the series from all calls to plot/subplot
+function getSeriesArgs(pkg::PlottingPackage, kw, idx::Int, n::Int)
+  d = Dict(kw)
+
+  # add defaults?
+  for k in keys(_seriesDefaults)
+    if haskey(d, k)
+      v = d[k]
+      if isa(v, AbstractVector) && !isempty(v)
+        # we got a vector, cycling through
+        d[k] = autopick(v, idx)
       end
+    else
+      d[k] = _seriesDefaults[k]
     end
-    delete!(d, plural)
   end
 
   # auto-pick
-  if n > 0
-    if d[:axis] == :auto
-      d[:axis] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedAxes(pkg), n)
-    end
-    # if d[:linetype] == :auto
-    #   d[:linetype] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedTypes(pkg), n)
-    # end
-    if d[:linestyle] == :auto
-      d[:linestyle] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedStyles(pkg), n)
-    end
-    if d[:marker] == :auto
-      d[:marker] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedMarkers(pkg), n)
-    end
-    
+  if d[:axis] == :auto
+    d[:axis] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedAxes(pkg), n)
+  end
+  if d[:linestyle] == :auto
+    d[:linestyle] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedStyles(pkg), n)
+  end
+  if d[:marker] == :auto
+    d[:marker] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedMarkers(pkg), n)
   end
 
-  # # swap out dots for no line and a marker
-  # if haskey(d, :linetype) && d[:linetype] == :scatter
-  #   d[:linetype] = :none
-  #   if d[:marker] == :none
-  #     d[:marker] = :ellipse
-  #   end
-  # end
+  # update color
+  d[:color] = getRGBColor(d[:color], n)
 
+  # update markercolor
+  mc = d[:markercolor]
+  mc = (mc == :match ? d[:color] : getRGBColor(mc, n))
+  d[:markercolor] = mc
 
-
-  # handle plot initialization differently
-  if n == 0
-    delete!(d, :x)
-    delete!(d, :y)
-  else
-    # once the plot is created, we can get line/marker colors
-  
-    # update color
-    d[:color] = getRGBColor(d[:color], n)
-
-    # update markercolor
-    mc = d[:markercolor]
-    mc = (mc == :match ? d[:color] : getRGBColor(mc, n))
-    d[:markercolor] = mc
-
-    # set label
-    label = d[:label]
-    label = (label == "AUTO" ? "y$n" : label)
-    if d[:axis] == :right && length(label) >= 4 && label[end-3:end] != " (R)"
-      label = string(label, " (R)")
-    end
-    d[:label] = label
-
-    warnOnUnsupported(pkg, d)
+  # set label
+  label = d[:label]
+  label = (label == "AUTO" ? "y$n" : label)
+  if d[:axis] == :right && length(label) >= 4 && label[end-3:end] != " (R)"
+    label = string(label, " (R)")
   end
+  d[:label] = label
+
+  warnOnUnsupported(pkg, d)
 
 
   d
 end
 
 
+
+# # note: idx is the index of this series within this call, n is the index of the series from all calls to plot/subplot
+# function getPlotKeywordArgs(pkg::PlottingPackage, kw, idx::Int, n::Int)
+#   d = Dict(kw)
+
+#   # # replace alternate names
+#   # for tup in kw
+#   #   if haskey(ALT_ARG_NAMES, tup)
+#   #     d[tup[1]] = ALT_ARG_NAMES[tup]
+#   #   end
+#   # end
+
+#   # default to a white background, but only on the initial call (so we don't change the background automatically)
+#   if haskey(d, :background_color)
+#     d[:background_color] = getRGBColor(d[:background_color])
+#   elseif n == 0
+#     d[:background_color] = colorant"white"
+#   end
+
+#   # fill in d with either 1) plural value, 2) value, 3) default
+#   for k in keys(PLOT_DEFAULTS)
+#     plural = makeplural(k)
+#     if !haskey(d, k)
+#       if n == 0 || k != :size
+#         d[k] = haskey(d, plural) ? autopick(d[plural], idx) : PLOT_DEFAULTS[k]
+#       end
+#     end
+#     delete!(d, plural)
+#   end
+
+#   # auto-pick
+#   if n > 0
+#     if d[:axis] == :auto
+#       d[:axis] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedAxes(pkg), n)
+#     end
+#     # if d[:linetype] == :auto
+#     #   d[:linetype] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedTypes(pkg), n)
+#     # end
+#     if d[:linestyle] == :auto
+#       d[:linestyle] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedStyles(pkg), n)
+#     end
+#     if d[:marker] == :auto
+#       d[:marker] = autopick_ignore_none_auto(supportedMarkers(pkg), n)
+#     end
+    
+#   end
+
+#   # # swap out dots for no line and a marker
+#   # if haskey(d, :linetype) && d[:linetype] == :scatter
+#   #   d[:linetype] = :none
+#   #   if d[:marker] == :none
+#   #     d[:marker] = :ellipse
+#   #   end
+#   # end
+
+
+
+#   # handle plot initialization differently
+#   if n == 0
+#     delete!(d, :x)
+#     delete!(d, :y)
+#   else
+#     # once the plot is created, we can get line/marker colors
+  
+#     # update color
+#     d[:color] = getRGBColor(d[:color], n)
+
+#     # update markercolor
+#     mc = d[:markercolor]
+#     mc = (mc == :match ? d[:color] : getRGBColor(mc, n))
+#     d[:markercolor] = mc
+
+#     # set label
+#     label = d[:label]
+#     label = (label == "AUTO" ? "y$n" : label)
+#     if d[:axis] == :right && length(label) >= 4 && label[end-3:end] != " (R)"
+#       label = string(label, " (R)")
+#     end
+#     d[:label] = label
+
+#     warnOnUnsupported(pkg, d)
+#   end
+
+
+#   d
+# end
+
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
diff --git a/src/backends/gadfly.jl b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
index fd8871cf..3185a298 100644
--- a/src/backends/gadfly.jl
+++ b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ supportedArgs(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(ARGS, [:heatmap_c, :fillto, :pos])
 supportedAxes(::GadflyPackage) = setdiff(ALL_AXES, [:right])
 supportedTypes(::GadflyPackage) = [:none, :line, :step, :sticks, :scatter, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline, :ohlc]
 supportedStyles(::GadflyPackage) = [:auto, :solid]
-supportedMarkers(::GadflyPackage) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon]
+supportedMarkers(::GadflyPackage) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star1, :star2, :hexagon, :octagon]
 
 
 include("gadfly_shapes.jl")
diff --git a/src/backends/gadfly_shapes.jl b/src/backends/gadfly_shapes.jl
index 88d52a1f..228afe74 100644
--- a/src/backends/gadfly_shapes.jl
+++ b/src/backends/gadfly_shapes.jl
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@ function createGadflyAnnotation(d::Dict)
   elseif marker == :hexagon
     shape = hexagon(x, y, sz)
 
+  elseif marker == :octagon
+    shape = octagon(x, y, sz)
+
   else
     # make circles
     sz = 0.8 * d[:markersize] * Gadfly.px
@@ -203,9 +206,39 @@ function star2(xs::AbstractArray, ys::AbstractArray, rs::AbstractArray, scalar =
 end
 
 
+
 function hexagon(xs::AbstractArray, ys::AbstractArray, rs::AbstractArray)
   n = max(length(xs), length(ys), length(rs))
 
+  polys = Vector{Vector{Tuple{Compose.Measure, Compose.Measure}}}(n)
+  for i in 1:n
+    x = Compose.x_measure(xs[mod1(i, length(xs))])
+    y = Compose.y_measure(ys[mod1(i, length(ys))])
+    r = rs[mod1(i, length(rs))]
+    u = 0.6r
+
+    # make a "plus sign"
+    polys[i] = Tuple{Compose.Measure, Compose.Measure}[
+      (x-r, y-u), (x-r, y+u), # L edge
+      # (x-u, y+u),             # BL inside
+      # (x-u, y+r), (x+u, y+r), # B edge
+      (x, y+r),
+      # (x+u, y+u),             # BR inside
+      (x+r, y+u), (x+r, y-u), # R edge
+      (x, y-r)
+      # (x+u, y-u),             # TR inside
+      # (x+u, y-r), (x-u, y-r), # T edge
+      # (x-u, y-u)              # TL inside
+    ]
+  end
+
+  return Gadfly.polygon(polys)
+end
+
+
+function octagon(xs::AbstractArray, ys::AbstractArray, rs::AbstractArray)
+  n = max(length(xs), length(ys), length(rs))
+
   polys = Vector{Vector{Tuple{Compose.Measure, Compose.Measure}}}(n)
   for i in 1:n
     x = Compose.x_measure(xs[mod1(i, length(xs))])
diff --git a/src/backends/immerse.jl b/src/backends/immerse.jl
index 684a85bc..44c2fd81 100644
--- a/src/backends/immerse.jl
+++ b/src/backends/immerse.jl
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ end
 function buildSubplotObject!(::ImmersePackage, subplt::Subplot)
 
   # create the Gtk window with vertical box vsep
-  d = subplt.initargs
+  d = subplt.initargs[1]
   w,h = d[:size]
   vsep = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:v)
   win = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(vsep, d[:windowtitle], w, h)
diff --git a/src/backends/qwt.jl b/src/backends/qwt.jl
index 615ad426..23f16854 100644
--- a/src/backends/qwt.jl
+++ b/src/backends/qwt.jl
@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ supportedTypes(::QwtPackage) = [:none, :line, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :sc
 
 function adjustQwtKeywords(iscreating::Bool; kw...)
   d = Dict(kw)
-  d[:heatmap_n] = d[:nbins]
+  if !iscreating
+    d[:heatmap_n] = d[:nbins]
+  end
 
   if d[:linetype] == :hexbin
     d[:linetype] = :heatmap
@@ -30,7 +32,8 @@ function adjustQwtKeywords(iscreating::Bool; kw...)
 end
 
 function plot(pkg::QwtPackage; kw...)
-  d = adjustQwtKeywords(true; kw...)
+  d = Dict(kw)
+  # d = adjustQwtKeywords(true; kw...)
   o = Qwt.plot(zeros(0,0); d..., show=false)
   plt = Plot(o, pkg, 0, d, Dict[])
   plt
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ function buildSubplotObject!(::QwtPackage, subplt::Subplot)
     i += rowcnt
   end
   subplt.o = Qwt.vsplitter(rows...)
-  Qwt.resizewidget(subplt.o, subplt.initargs[:size]...)
+  Qwt.resizewidget(subplt.o, subplt.initargs[1][:size]...)
   Qwt.moveToLastScreen(subplt.o)  # hack so it goes to my center monitor... sorry
 end
 
diff --git a/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl b/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
index 73a20586..74672c6d 100644
--- a/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
+++ b/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ function plot(pkg::UnicodePlotsPackage; kw...)
   plt = Plot(nothing, pkg, 0, Dict(kw), Dict[])
 
   # do we want to give a new default size?
-  if !haskey(plt.initargs, :size) || plt.initargs[:size] == PLOT_DEFAULTS[:size]
+  if !haskey(plt.initargs, :size) || plt.initargs[:size] == _plotDefaults[:size]
     plt.initargs[:size] = (60,20)
   end
 
diff --git a/src/plot.jl b/src/plot.jl
index 5d390291..729998c6 100644
--- a/src/plot.jl
+++ b/src/plot.jl
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ When plotting multiple lines, you can give every line the same trait by using th
 # this creates a new plot with args/kw and sets it to be the current plot
 function plot(args...; kw...)
   pkg = plotter()
-  plt = plot(pkg; getPlotKeywordArgs(pkg, kw, 1, 0)...)  # create a new, blank plot
+  plt = plot(pkg; getPlotArgs(pkg, kw, 1)...)  # create a new, blank plot
   plot!(plt, args...; kw...)  # add to it
 end
 
@@ -112,13 +112,16 @@ end
 # this adds to a specific plot... most plot commands will flow through here
 function plot!(plt::Plot, args...; kw...)
 
+  d = Dict(kw)
+  replaceAliases!(d)
+
   # TODO: handle a "group by" mechanism.
   # will probably want to check for the :group kw param, and split into
   # index partitions/filters to be passed through to the next step.
   # Ideally we don't change the insides ot createKWargsList too much to 
   # save from code repetition.  We could consider adding a throw
 
-  kwList = createKWargsList(plt, args...; kw...)
+  kwList = createKWargsList(plt, args...; d...)
   for (i,d) in enumerate(kwList)
     plt.n += 1
     plot!(plt.plotter, plt; d...)
@@ -128,7 +131,6 @@ function plot!(plt::Plot, args...; kw...)
 
   # NOTE: lets ignore the show param and effectively use the semicolon at the end of the REPL statement
   # # do we want to show it?
-  # d = Dict(kw)
   # if haskey(d, :show) && d[:show]
   #   display(plt)
   # end
@@ -154,7 +156,7 @@ function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject; kw...)
   if !haskey(d, :x)
     d[:x] = 1:length(d[:y])
   end
-  [getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, d, 1, plt.n + 1)]
+  [getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, d, 1, plt.n + 1)]
 end
 
 
@@ -165,7 +167,7 @@ end
 
 # create one series where y is vectors of numbers
 function createKWargsList{T<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, y::AVec{T}; kw...)
-  d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
+  d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
   d[:x] = 1:length(y)
   d[:y] = y
   [d]
@@ -174,7 +176,7 @@ end
 # create one series where x/y are vectors of numbers
 function createKWargsList{T<:Real,S<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec{T}, y::AVec{S}; kw...)
   @assert length(x) == length(y)
-  d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
+  d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
   d[:x] = x
   d[:y] = y
   [d]
@@ -185,7 +187,7 @@ function createKWargsList{T<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, y::AMat{T}; kw...)
   n,m = size(y)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = 1:n
     d[:y] = y[:,i]
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -199,7 +201,7 @@ function createKWargsList{T<:Real,S<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec{T}, y::A
   @assert length(x) == n
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x
     d[:y] = y[:,i]
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -213,7 +215,7 @@ function createKWargsList{T<:Real,S<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AMat{T}, y::A
   n,m = size(y)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x[:,i]
     d[:y] = y[:,i]
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -228,7 +230,7 @@ end
 
 # create 1 series, y = f(x), x ∈ [xmin, xmax]
 function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject, f::Function, xmin::Real, xmax::Real; kw...)
-  d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
+  d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
   width = plt.initargs[:size][1]
   d[:x] = collect(linspace(xmin, xmax, width))  # we don't need more than the width
   d[:y] = map(f, d[:x])
@@ -242,7 +244,7 @@ function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject, fs::Vector{Function}, xmin::Real,
   width = plt.initargs[:size][1]
   x = collect(linspace(xmin, xmax, width)) # we don't need more than the width
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x
     d[:y] = map(fs[i], x)
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -252,7 +254,7 @@ end
 
 # create 1 series, x = fx(u), y = fy(u); u ∈ [umin, umax]
 function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject, fx::Function, fy::Function, umin::Real, umax::Real; kw...)
-  d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
+  d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
   width = plt.initargs[:size][1]
   u = collect(linspace(umin, umax, width))  # we don't need more than the width
   d[:x] = map(fx, u)
@@ -262,7 +264,7 @@ end
 
 # create 1 series, y = f(x)
 function createKWargsList{T<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec{T}, f::Function; kw...)
-  d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
+  d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
   d[:x] = x
   d[:y] = map(f, x)
   [d]
@@ -274,7 +276,7 @@ function createKWargsList{T<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AMat{T}, f::Function;
   n,m = size(x)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x[:,i]
     d[:y] = map(f, d[:x])
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -294,7 +296,7 @@ function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject, y::AVec; kw...)
   m = length(y)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = 1:length(y[i])
     d[:y] = y[i]
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -314,7 +316,7 @@ function createKWargsList{T<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec{T}, y::AVec; kw.
   m = length(y)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x
     d[:y] = getyvec(x, y[i])
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -328,7 +330,7 @@ function createKWargsList{T<:Real}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec, y::AMat{T}; kw.
   @assert length(x) == m
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x[i]
     d[:y] = getyvec(x[i], y[:,i])
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -342,7 +344,7 @@ function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec, y::AVec; kw...)
   m = length(y)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:m
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = x[i]
     d[:y] = getyvec(x[i], y[i])
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -354,7 +356,7 @@ end
 function createKWargsList(plt::PlottingObject, n::Integer; kw...)
   ret = []
   for i in 1:n
-    d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
+    d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, i, plt.n + i)
     d[:x] = zeros(0)
     d[:y] = zeros(0)
     push!(ret, d)
@@ -366,7 +368,7 @@ end
 createKWargsList{T<:Tuple}(plt::PlottingObject, y::AVec{T}; kw...) = createKWargsList(plt, 1:length(y), y; kw...)
 
 function createKWargsList{S<:Real, T<:Tuple}(plt::PlottingObject, x::AVec{S}, y::AVec{T}; kw...)
-  d = getPlotKeywordArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
+  d = getSeriesArgs(plt.plotter, kw, 1, plt.n + 1)
   d[:x] = x
   d[:y] = y
   [d]
diff --git a/src/subplot.jl b/src/subplot.jl
index b41adcab..f985eb1e 100644
--- a/src/subplot.jl
+++ b/src/subplot.jl
@@ -71,14 +71,21 @@ function subplot(args...; kw...)
 
   # initialize the individual plots
   pkg = plotter()
-  tmpd = getPlotKeywordArgs(pkg, kw, 1, 0)
-  # shouldShow = tmpd[:show]
-  # tmpd[:show] = false
-  plts = Plot[plot(pkg; tmpd...) for i in 1:length(layout)]
-  # tmpd[:show] = shouldShow
+  plts = Plot[]
+  ds = Dict[]
+  for i in 1:length(layout)
+    push!(ds, getPlotArgs(pkg, kw, i))
+    push!(plts, plot(pkg; ds[i]...))
+  end
+
+  # tmpd = getPlotKeywordArgs(pkg, kw, 1, 0)   # TODO: this should happen in the plot creation loop... think... what if we want to set a title per subplot??
+  # # shouldShow = tmpd[:show]
+  # # tmpd[:show] = false
+  # plts = Plot[plot(pkg; tmpd...) for i in 1:length(layout)]
+  # # tmpd[:show] = shouldShow
 
   # create the object and do the plotting
-  subplt = Subplot(nothing, plts, pkg, length(layout), 0, layout, tmpd, false)
+  subplt = Subplot(nothing, plts, pkg, length(layout), 0, layout, ds, false)
   subplot!(subplt, args...; kw...)
 
   subplt
diff --git a/src/types.jl b/src/types.jl
index e4cf9115..ef085251 100644
--- a/src/types.jl
+++ b/src/types.jl
@@ -29,6 +29,6 @@ type Subplot <: PlottingObject
   p::Int                      # number of plots
   n::Int                      # number of series
   layout::SubplotLayout
-  initargs::Dict
+  initargs::Vector{Dict}
   initialized::Bool
 end
\ No newline at end of file