Zits (comic strip)
542495
223136052
2008-07-02T18:57:12Z
76.232.149.248
/* Pierce */
{{redirect|Zits|the skin condition (of which "zit" is a slang term)|Acne vulgaris}}
{{Infobox comic strip
|title=Zits
|image=[[Image:Jeremy-Hector.png]]
|caption= Jeremy Duncan and Hector Garcia—best friends
|creator=[[Jerry Scott]], [[Jim Borgman]]
|current=
|status=Running
|syndicate=[[King Features Syndicate]]
|comictype=print
|genre=Humor, [[:Category:Coming-of-age webcomics|Coming-of-age]]
|first=July 1997<ref name="origin">{{cite web|url=http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/zits/about.htm|title=King Features Syndicate|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref>
|last=
}}
'''''Zits''''' is a [[comic strip]] written by [[Jerry Scott]] and illustrated by [[Jim Borgman]] following the life of Jeremy Duncan, a fifteen-year old [[high school]] [[first year|freshman]]. The comic debuted in July 1997 in over 200 newspapers and has since become popular worldwide and received multiple awards.<ref name="origin"/> As of 2008, it continues to be [[Print syndication|syndicated]] by [[King Features Syndicate|King Features]].
The strip is set in [[suburb]]ia and centers on Jeremy as he tries to balance life while hanging out with his friends, developing an awkward relationship with his on-and-off girlfriend, struggling through school projects, practicing to become a [[Cultural icon|rock god]], and tolerating his embarrassing parents. The strip features a variety of core characters that surround Jeremy and supplement his adolescent character.
==Origin==
By 1996, Jerry Scott was already known for ''[[Baby Blues]]'', a comic strip on raising children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.babyblues.com/junk_drawer/bbhistory.htm|title=Archive: History of Baby Blues|author=Jerry Scott|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> He realized, however, that his profession as an independent cartoonist was limited to whatever joke he could write up next.<ref name="Borgman">{{cite web|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/12/28/tem_zits_drawn_from_life.html|title='Zits' drawn from life|author=Jim Borgman|accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> A friend suggested he begin a strip about a [[teenager]] and Scott heeded the proposition and began to draw. Unfortunately, he was unsatisfied with the characters he drew up, as they looked like ones he had drawn before. He mentioned the problem to his friend, Jim Borgman, and the two met to discuss the problem. Over the next few months, the artists corresponded with one another, and eventually hammered out the characters that would soon become the Duncans. [[King Features Syndicate]], already distributing ''Baby Blues'' and Borgman's editorial cartoons, began running the new comic strip in 1997.<ref name="Borgman"/>
==Main characters==
===Jeremy Duncan===
[[Image:JeremyDuncan.png|thumb|left|Jeremy Duncan]]
Named after [[Jeremy Clyde]] of the 1960s rock duo [[Chad and Jeremy]],<ref name="nameorigin">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''pp. 122-123''}}</ref> Jeremy Michael<ref name="Jeremymidname">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 103''|quote='''Connie:''' Are you listening to me, Jeremy Michael? / '''Jeremy:''' Yeah. Right. Whatever, mom.}}</ref> Duncan is an intelligent fifteen-year-old high school freshman who aspires to be a "rock god". He spends much of his time with his best friend, Hector Garcia and trying to impress his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Sara Toomey. When not at school or with his friends, Jeremy suffers the embarrassment and nagging of his parents, Walt and Connie Duncan. He is mortified of being seen in public with them, as can be seen in the following exchange:
:Jeremy: Mom, will you take me shopping?
:Connie: (With a tear) You don't know how long I've waited to hear those words come out of your mouth!
:Jeremy: To clarify: 'Take me shopping' means I shop, and you wait in the car.<ref name="pubparent">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 37''}}</ref>
He has an uncanny knack for knowing who's calling on the [[telephone|phone]] and for what reason when it rings, sometimes even before it rings ("Caller ID is for wimps!").
He commonly wears his wrinkled purple shirt, blue jeans, and oversized sneakers. Jeremy spends time restoring a 1962 [[Volkswagen|VW]] [[Volkswagen Type 2|Type 2 van]] with Hector, which they hope to [[Road trip|drive across the country]] when they turn sixteen.<ref name="roadtrip">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 133''|quote='''Hector:''' A van for the road trip we're going to take when we turn sixteen! Listen! 'For Sale: 1962 VW van. Fair condition. Needs body work, engine, wheels, etc.' / '''Jeremy:''' It sounds like a piece of junk. / '''Hector:''' 'Only $300.' / '''Jeremy:''' Then again what do ''I'' know about cars?}}</ref> Jeremy is also the lead singer and guitarist of his [[garage band]], which goes by many names.<ref name="bandname">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 112''|quote='''Pierce:''' So, does this band I'm supposedly joining have a name? / '''Jeremy:''' Of course. It's Goat Cheese Pizza. / '''Hector:''' Jughead's Hat. / '''Tim:''' Chickenfist.}}</ref> It was after the band debuted in a [[Battle of the Bands]] competition that Jeremy received his first kiss from Sara and the awkward relationship took off. Since then, Jeremy and Sara have endured countless arguments, [[Relationship breakup|breakups]] and [[reconciliation]]s. For all of Jeremy's quirky, comical flaws, however, he retains a high sense of [[morality]] and [[integrity]] as can be seen in the story arc where he [[Street sign theft|steals a signpost]] with his name on it. Jeremy soon returns the sign to the police to free himself of the [[guilt]] he feels.<ref name="signpost">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 192''|quote='''Hector:''' You returned the stolen street sign into the police?? Who-o-oa! / '''Jeremy:''' I ''had'' to! It was driving me crazy with guilt!}}</ref> On another occasion, Jeremy is overwhelmed by a school essay he has to write and all the other commitments he has made. A fellow student, Phoebe, suggests he use a website to pull a [[Copyright infringement|bootleg]] essay off the internet. Despite being swamped by work and exhaustion, Jeremy's sense of [[ethics]] overcomes the desire to [[plagiarize]] and he spends the night writing the essay himself.<ref name="bootlegpaper">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''pp. 235-238''}}</ref> Jeremy recently received his learners' permit, although it has been suggested that he has had it in the past. Also, Jeremy recently took his parent's car in the night and drove 63 times past his friend Viral's house trying to impress her (which may suggest Sara isn't his girlfriend anymore), being arrested in the process. The weeks that followed that strip mostly featured his parents lecturing and yelling at him. In September of 2007, Jeremy apparently moved onto his sophomore year of high school after apparently being a freshman for the last ten years. This change was revealed by his mother reading a list and commenting that she had told him the sophomore year would be hard. His mother is also constantly commenting on the fact that Jeremy's room is constantly becoming a pile, and you can only enter the room by digging a tunnel. He is also known for eating a whole 3 person dinner by himself, without knowing it was supposed to be for his family that night. He was also known to eat a whole ham in one bite.
===Connie Duncan===
[[Image:ConnieDuncan.png|thumb|right|Connie Duncan]]
Connie Duncan is Jeremy's forty-three year old<ref name="nameorigin"/> mother. She is a [[Developmental psychology|child psychologist]], but worked only part time after Jeremy's birth, and her profession is rarely mentioned except in early strips.<ref name="momprof">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 100''}}</ref> She is also an aspiring writer, having begun work on a book titled: ''Coping Effectively with your Teen''. Unfortunately, Jeremy constantly interrupts her work with menial requests or by being too loud and she has yet to even finish the first chapter.<ref name="nameorigin"/> Besides being the family [[homemaker]], Connie acts the disciplinarian for Jeremy. She is frequently seen waking him up for school, berating him for not following directions, and driving him to various destinations. Though Jeremy does not share much with his parents, Connie is always more than willing to listen to him.<ref name="listenmom">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 239''|quote='''Connie:''' Why doesn't Jeremy talk anymore?...All I want is a teenager who communicates! / '''Walt:''' To you. / '''Connie:''' Well, yeah.}}</ref> She describes a conversation with him as "trying to coax a smile out of a clam full of [[Botulin toxin|Botox]]".<ref name="botox">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 76''}}</ref> In the strip, she is portrayed a few times as a forgetful [[wikt:airhead|airhead]].<ref name="nameorigin"/><ref name="airhead">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 89''|quote='''Connie:''' Jeremy, have you seen my sunglasses?...Oh! Here they are, right here in my hand! I can be such an airhead sometimes.}}</ref><ref name="airhead2">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 212''}}</ref>
===Walt Duncan===
[[Image:WaltDuncan.png|thumb|left|Walt Duncan]]
Walt Duncan is Jeremy's father, an [[Orthodontics|orthodontist]] who, like Connie, finds it almost impossible to hold a conversation with his son. Walt is absolutely clueless and old-fashioned about [[technology]], especially [[computer]]s. Despite Jeremy's attempts to explain how to use devices,<ref name"nocomp">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 88''}}</ref> Walt is unable to comprehend even the most basic functions.<ref name="nocomp2">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 221''}}</ref> Walt is shown as having problems with math, able to offer little or no help to Jeremy.<ref name="math1">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 46''}}</ref><ref name="math2">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 51''}}</ref> His interactions with Jeremy's peers cause intense embarrassment for his son, as Walt makes comments such as "What's up, dood{{sic}}?", not knowing the meaning behind them.<ref name="whatup">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 185''}}</ref> He is the designated clothes launderer, often getting into arguments with Jeremy over notes in pockets, socks inside-out, and other pet peeves. Walt constantly wears oversized blue pants, plain white T-shirt, black vest, and a pathetic combover. <!--NEED REFERENCE--Jeremy has been known to make fun of his father's fashion ignorance, once going so far as asking him if he mugged a Wal-Mart greeter for his vest.--END--> Walt occasionally reveals memories that attest to a wilder youth. In one instance, Walt recalls how uninhibited he felt one night at a [[Moby Grape]] concert. This shocking recollection causes him to forbid Jeremy from attending a similar concert.<ref name="MobyGrape">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''p. 155''}}</ref> Another time, Walt reveals he has had a [[peace symbol|peace sign]] tattooed on his rear end since the late 1960s, which has expanded along with his rear end, and is described to now be the size of a stop sign.<ref name="peacesign">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 36''}}</ref>
===Hector Garcia===
[[Image:HectorGarcia.png|thumb|right|Hector Garcia]]
Hector Garcia is Jeremy's best friend and a guitarist/vocalist in Jeremy's band. The two spend a lot of their time hanging out, much of it trying to restore the VW van and dreaming about where their future road trip will take them.<ref name="mapstare">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''p. 112''}}</ref> In practice, the two have not gotten far toward repairing the van, as the boys usually end up lying on the roof of the van, talking. Hector dates Autumn, a radical [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]] who refers to Jeremy as "[[carnivore]]", "predator", "[[vampire]]", and "flesh-eater" or the like whenever she sees him with meat.<ref name="meat">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 208''}}</ref> He has the ability to grow facial hair on command. Hector is from a [[Spanish language|Spanish-speaking]] family and lives with his parents, grandparents, and multiple younger siblings.<ref name="Hecotrfamily">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 19''}}</ref> <!--REFERENCE NEEDED --The open affection in the Garcia household makes both boys somewhat uncomfortable.END-->
===Sara Toomey===
[[Image:SaraToomey.png|thumb|left|Sara Toomey]]
Sara Toomey is Jeremy's on-again/off-again girlfriend. Although Jeremy thinks the world of her, she apparently likes Jeremy a lot, but has thought of him as a "salvageable male".<ref name="salmale">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 225''}}</ref> Her parents are divorced and her behavior wavers between kindness and aggravation.<ref name="divorced">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 174''|quote='''Jeremy:''' So, tell me—what's it like having divorced parents? / '''Sara:''' First stupidity, and now insensitivity...you're on a roll.}}</ref> She and Jeremy have broken up many times, but they always seem to make up sooner or later.<ref name="breakup">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''p. 143''|quote='''Jeremy:''' Wow! We just had our first argument, and we're still together!...I think this has been a real turning point in our relationship. / '''Sara:''' Speaking of turning points, my mom thinks I should see other guys.}}</ref> Sara's genuine kindness and generosity is evident in one story arc where she cuts her hair short and donates her ponytail to a charity for children undergoing [[chemotherapy]].<ref name="hairgone">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''pp. 197-200''}}</ref> In a recent strip, Jeremy revealed that he didn't want to date Sara exclusively anymore, but was upset when she wasn't devastated over that fact.[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp?date=20080115]
===Pierce===
[[Image:Pierce-Zits.png|thumb|right|Pierce]]
Pierce is another of Jeremy's close friends, and a member of Jeremy's band who, as his name aptly implies, has much of his body [[Body piercing|pierced]]. Unlike most of Jeremy's close friends, Pierce's last name has not been revealed and his parents (with the exception of his mother in a picture that he was forced to carry on his chest) have not been seen. He explains this early on, before realizing he has to get braces:
:Pierce: "I have a stud in my [[Tongue piercing|tongue]], posts in my [[Lip piercing|lips]], rings in my [[Nose piercing|nose]] and [[Eyebrow piercing|eyebrows]], and twelve [[earring]]s on each ear. I defy anyone to find a way to attach more metal to my head."
:Walt: "Pierce, you need braces."<ref name="piercings">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 240''}}</ref>
Despite his rebellious appearance, Pierce is actually very courteous and often tries to help out, but usually fails due to his interests and ideals. He is also very caring towards his pets and toward others, which he fulfills by donating to charities. Once, when Jeremy asked him to purchase a necklace for Sara for him, Pierce bought a necklace with a pair of jeweled skulls with intertwined snakes in the eye sockets, framed by a barbed-wire heart.<ref name="necklace">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''p. 155''}}</ref> He began dating D'ijon after she went to see him get his tongue double-pierced. Pierce has the ability to tell what people had for breakfast by smelling their breath.<ref name="DijonPierce">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Random Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2004|isbn=978-0-7407-4669-7|pages=''pp. 111-113''}}</ref>
<br style="clear:both;"/>
==Supporting characters==
===Chad Duncan===
Chad Duncan is Jeremy's older brother by four years. He attends college (the college has been identified in the strip as [[University of Notre Dame]]) and is an [[Overachievement|overachiever]] and the object of much jealousy by Jeremy.<ref name="chad">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 17''|quote='''Jeremy:''' My brother Chad is in college. He's four years older than me and about a million times smarter. Plus, he was an All-State basketball star, valedictorian, student body president and voted 'most likely to succeed.'}}</ref> In his first few appearances, Chad was said to be the "perfect" child, having his face slightly obscured, and having a more muscular build. He was later re-drawn as having blonde hair like Jeremy, plus a [[goatee]].<ref name="chad2">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Humongous Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7407-0013-2|pages=''p. 171''}}</ref> Chad is an occasional character and rarely appears throughout the series, typically showing up during the holiday seasons and leaving abruptly.
===Phoebe===
Phoebe is one of Jeremy's classmates and is presented as a [[hyperbole|hyperbolic]] overachiever, using [[Consequentialism|any means necessary]] to excel academically and enter a "high-power college".<ref name="phoebe">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''p. 235''}}</ref> She also consumes massive amounts of caffeine<ref name="coffee">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 249''|quote='''Jeremy:''' What are you drinking there, Phoebe? / '''Phoebe:''' Grande latte. Want a taste? / '''Jeremy:''' What's in it? / '''Phoebe:''' Steamed milk...with six shots of espresso. They call it the 'retina rattler'. / '''Jeremy:''' And it's available without a prescription???{{sic}}}}</ref> and is constantly padding her college resume.<ref name="resume">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Zits: Supersized|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7407-3307-9|pages=''p. 249''|quote='''Phoebe:''' I'm not going to eat my apple...do you want it, Jeremy? / '''Jeremy:''' Sure... / '''Phoebe:''' 'Organized a food drive for malnourished students' Yess!{{sic}} / '''Jeremy:''' Padding your college application again, Phoebe?}}</ref> Interestingly, she has no pupils in her eyes, which she claims is due to selling her soul for a 4.3 GPA.<ref name="phoebe"/>
===D'ijon===
D'ijon is Pierce's girlfriend and a friend of Sara's. She has a copy of [[Edvard Munch]]'s [[The Scream]] tattooed on her tongue,<ref name="DijonPierce"/> and occasionally wanders around with Pierce after connecting their respective earrings. Her real name is Dionne; apparently, she started doing the "apostrophe thing" in 7th grade.<ref name="DijonPierce"/>
===Autumn===
Autumn is Hector's girlfriend and a strict vegetarian
. She is noted for her extreme [[political]] and [[environmentalism|environmentalist]] actions such as freeing fifty-thousand live crickets in the school to spare them from dissection.<ref name="cricket">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''pp. 177-178''}}</ref>
===Britanny===
Brittany is another one of Jeremy's classmates and is notable for being the information pipeline for the freshman class. She is also noted for having the "great gift" of being able to critique the shortcomings of others.<ref name="britanny">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''p. 127''}}</ref> Despite her negativity, Jeremy has several times sought her advice. In one story arc, while she is giving advice to Jeremy about a Christmas present for Sara, she claims that she "is lucky to be [[Jewish]]".
===Tim Olsen===
Tim Olsen is a shy, moody classmate of Jeremy's and the [[bass guitar|bass]]ist of the band. His mother had [[breast cancer]] and, thinking the [[chemotherapy]] would make her hair fall out, Jeremy and Hector shaved their heads as a token of empathy and comfort. It was not until afterward that they discovered she still had all her hair.<ref name="timolsen">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''pp. 39-41''}}</ref>
===The Posse===
The Posse is a trio of three girls: Zuma, Redondo, and LaJolla. The three have reportedly been "best friends forever" and "share the same taste in fashion...finishing each other's sentences."<ref name="posse">{{cite book|last=Scott|first=Jerry|authorlink=Jerry Scott|others=illustrated by J. Borgman|title=Big Honkin' Zits|publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC]]|series=Zits|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7407-1854-0|pages=''p. 128''}}</ref> <!--REFERENCE NEEDED --Jeremy and Hector have stated, in conversation, that they wouldn't be surprised to find that the three barely have ''one'' brain among them.--> Also, all three girls are presumably named after places in [[California]].
===RichandAmy===
RichandAmy are two characters that are seen in a virtual eternal hug. Generally, the two are referred to by the single name, and one is rarely seen without the other—though their embrace does not go so far as to require both to enter the same rest room—which, aside from a brief breakup, is about the only time they have been seen separately. Their embrace is fodder for much disgust and many cynical comments from the other characters. In recent strips the two have considered themselves one organism.
===Viral===
Viral is another of Jeremy's classmates and friends. Viral is an over-achiever, tending to do many things at once (being class president, captain of the JV volleyball team, as well as many other activities) or better than normally expected. It has been revealed that Jeremy has a slight crush on her, although he is still faithful to Sara. Viral is a bit like Phoebe (for example, Viral also has a G.P.A. past 4.0) but much more energetic and outgoing. Viral also has been perceived as a perfectionist, as well as attentive.<ref name="Viral">{{cite web |url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp?date=20071112| title=Zits| accessdate= 2007-11-12 | author=[[Jerry Scott|Scott, Jerry]] | publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | quote='''Jeremy:''' Hey Pierce, what do you think about Viral? / '''Pierce:''' You mean the 4.25 GPA, bar-raising, curve-ruining, club-joining, ubiquitous perpetual motion, super-achieving perfectionist? I have no opinion. / '''Jeremy:''' Yeah, I like her, too.}}</ref> Viral first appeared in the comic strip on [[November 7]] [[2007]].<ref name="First Viral">
{{cite web|url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp?date=20071107|title = Zits|accessdate = 2007-11-15|author = [[Jerry Scott|Scott, Jerry]]|publisher = Seattle Post-Intelligencer}} </ref> It is possible that Viral may be Jeremy's current girlfriend, since during the story arc where Jeremy is caught driving past Viral's house 63 times, the Judge references Viral as Jeremy's girlfriend, and Jeremy didn't deny it.[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp?date=20080317]
==Recognition and future developments==
''Zits'' has garnered a fair amount of recognition so far. The series currently runs in over 1,500 newspapers worldwide.<ref name="origin"/> The author, Jerry Scott, received the [[National Cartoonists Society]] (NCS) Reuben Award in 2001.<ref name="reuben">{{cite web | url=http://www.reuben.org/ncs/awards2.asp | title=NCS Awards | accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> The strip itself has been translated into at least seven languages, including German, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese and Finnish."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://borgman.enquirer.com/| title=Jim Borgman at The Cincinnati Enquirer| publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref> Additionally, both Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman received the NCS Award for Best Newspaper Comic Strip two years in a row<ref name="twoyears">{{cite web | url=http://www.reuben.org/ncs/archive/divisions/strips.asp | title=NCS Awards | accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref> as well as the Max & Moritz Medal for Best International Comic.<ref name="origin"/> So far, the creators continue to portray Jeremy as a fifteen-year old and they comment that this fact will probably not change. Borgman comments that the strip is inexorably built around the humorous tension of Jeremy living under his parents' rules and that, without this tension, the strip would cease to be humorous. There is some disagreement among them, however, as to how deep the characters should develop. Borgman would like the series to tackle complicated issues such as [[AIDS]], [[Illegal drug trade|drugs]], and [[Fornication|premarital sex]], while Scott prefers not to "see the 6 o'clock news...on the funny pages."<ref name="Borgman"/>
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==Themes and settings==
Jeremy's house is known to consist of two stories plus a basement. Jeremy's room is considered perfectly fine by him, but his mom thinks his room is gross with too many things in it to keep him occupied. Usually when his friends come over they immediately take off their shoes, coats, and backpacks, leaving them right at the front door.
In some early strips, the house is said to be five hours away from [[Notre Dame University]], and in a town on or near [[Interstate 70]]. Also, In one strip, Jeremy stated that he was born in [[Nebraska]], and in another, Connie and Walt are headed to a convention in [[Dayton, Ohio]] (the state name is used, making it unlikely that Jeremy lives in Ohio). It is stated in various strips that Jeremy lives in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]], some 800 miles from the nearest ocean (obviating the need for Jeremy to have a surfboard). Also, in several strips Walt is seen wearing a Cincinnati Reds baseball cap.
Jeremy goes to a very large high school. Jeremy once imagined everybody as cattle being herded around by cowboys. Jeremy usually is always sleeping when he enters the school from staying up too late doing the assigned homework. Jeremy also appears to love seventh period the most, as he gets to sit by his girlfriend, Sara Toomey. Jeremy also says that the freshman monopolize the stairs during the holidays.
The pool was a place Jeremy and Hector worked back in the early days of the strip. They had the "Seniors' Aerobics" shift and loathed every minute of it. They wanted to get off the "stupid chairs" and go do what they wanted to do. (Immediately afterward, they returned to Jeremy's house, sat on the couch and watched t.v.)
END--->
==Related books==
''Zits'' books come in two formats. The first is as a ''Zits Sketchbook'' and these are numbered sequentially. They contain approximately one year of collected ''Zits'' strips. The second format is as a ''Zits Treasury''. This format combines the material from the two previous "sketchbooks".
*''Zits-Sketchbook #1'' {{auto isbn|0|8|3|6|2|6|8|2|5|083626825}}
*''Growth Spurt: Zits Sketchbook 2'' {{auto isbn|0|8|3|6|2|7|8|4|8|083627848}}
**''Humongous Zits: A Zits Treasury'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|0|0|1|3|074070013}}
*''Don't Roll Your Eyes At Me, Young Man! A Zits Sketchbook 3'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|1|1|6|6|074071166}}
*''Are We An "Us"?'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|1|3|9|7|074071397}}
**''Big Honkin' Zits: A Zits Treasury'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|1|8|5|4|074071854}}
*''Zits Unzipped: Sketchbook #5'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|2|3|2|2|074072322}}
*''Busted! Zits Sketchbook #6'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|2|6|7|5|074072675}}
**''Zits Supersized: A Zits Treasury'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|3|3|0|7|074073307}}
*''Road Trip! Zits Sketchbook #7'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|3|8|1|4|074073814}}
*''Teenage Tales: Zits Sketchbook #8'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|4|1|4|4|074074144}}
**''Random Zits: A Zits Treasury'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|4|6|6|9|074074669}}
*''Thrashed: Zits SketchBook No. 9'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|5|1|1|7|074075117}}
*''Pimp My Lunch: Zits Sketchbook No. 10'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|5|4|4|3|074075443}}
**''Crack of Noon: A Zits Treasury'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|5|6|8|4|074075684}}
*''Are We Out of the Driveway Yet? Zits Sketchbook Number 11'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|6|1|9|9|074076199}}
*''Rude, Crude, and Tattooed: Zits Sketchbook 12'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|6|3|5|7|074076357}}
**''Alternative Zits: A Zits Treasury'' {{auto isbn|0|7|4|0|7|6|8|4|8|074076848}}
==References==
{{Primarysources|date=March 2008}}
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/zits/about.htm ''Zits'' at King Features]
*[http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/zits.asp ''Zits'' at Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
*[http://www.arcamax.com/zits ''Zits'' at ArcaMax Publishing]
{{King Features Syndicate Comics}}
[[Category:American comic strips]]
[[Category:Comic strips started in the 1990s]]
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