The Zits comic strip captures the chaotic, loud, and frequently baffling reality of raising a teenager. Created in 1997 by writer Jerry Scott and illustrator Jim Borgman, the syndicated daily strip centers on Jeremy Duncan, a 17-year-old high school junior navigating the delicate space between childhood and adulthood. Instead of relying on cheap punchlines about teenage laziness, the strip earns its longevity by balancing sharp humor with genuine empathy for both parents and kids.
If you've ever lived with a teenager or survived your own youth, Jeremy’s world feels uncomfortably familiar. His bedroom is an ecosystem of discarded laundry, his appetite is bottomless, and his communication style often drops to monosyllabic grunts. Yet beneath the messy hair and the electric guitar noise, Jeremy is thoughtful, kind, and trying his best to figure out where he fits.
The Origin and Creative Minds Behind Zits
The strip debuted on July 7, 1997, appearing in over 200 newspapers on day one. Jerry Scott, who also co-created the popular family strip Baby Blues, brought a sharp ear for domestic dialogue. Jim Borgman, an accomplished editorial cartoonist for the Cincinnati Enquirer and a Pulitzer Prize winner, supplied a loose, expressive art style that could capture a teenager slouching with maximum dramatic effect.
Scott and Borgman wanted to avoid the toothless depictions of suburban families common in older comics. They based Jeremy’s quirks on real-life observations of their own children growing up. This commitment to authenticity allowed the strip to expand rapidly. Within a year, it ran in over 1,700 newspapers worldwide, earning a dedicated global readership distributed across dozens of countries. You can explore official archives and daily updates directly on Comics Kingdom.
Meet the Core Cast of Characters
The brilliance of Zits relies on a tight-knit ensemble. Every character acts as a foil for Jeremy's perpetual state of adolescent transition.
Jeremy Duncan
At seventeen, Jeremy lives in a perpetual haze of homework anxiety, romantic daydreams, and sleep deprivation. He plays the electric guitar with deafening enthusiasm, communicates largely through sighs, and views his parents as ancient relics who don't understand modern physics or social dynamics. Despite his surface-level apathy, he cares deeply about his friends and harbors genuine ambitions for his future.
Connie and Walt Duncan
Jeremy’s parents, Connie and Walt, anchor the strip's adult perspective. Connie, a former child psychologist, often tries to analyze Jeremy's behavior with professional detachment—usually right before losing her patience over a sink full of dirty dishes. Walt, an average guy with a dry sense of humor and a receding hairline, frequently finds himself dragged into Jeremy's schemes or forced to impart fatherly wisdom he isn't sure he possesses.
Hector Garcia
Jeremy’s best friend since fourth grade, Hector provides a contrasting voice of reason or an accomplice for hare-brained ideas. Hector is academic, slightly more grounded, and acts as the sounding board for Jeremy's existential crises regarding girls, school, and identity.
Pierce
No look at Jeremy's social circle is complete without Pierce, the quintessential counterculture archetype. Adorned with body piercings, unconventional hair, and a deadpan delivery, Pierce brings a surreal brand of deadpan philosophy to the high school hallways.
Core Themes That Keep the Comic Relevant
Teenage culture shifted dramatically between 1997 and today, yet Zits stayed relevant by focusing on universal psychological truths rather than fleeting technological trends.
- The Generation Gap: The communication barrier between parents and teenagers remains a primary engine for comedy. Simple requests like "clean your room" become multi-day negotiations.
- The Search for Identity: Jeremy's attempts to define himself through music, art, and relationships mirror the classic coming-of-age arc. He wants to stand out while desperately fitting in.
- Domestic Friction: The comic doesn't villainize either side. Parents make mistakes and overreact, while teenagers misinterpret boundaries. The underlying affection between the Duncans always wins out in the end.
For a broader look at how comic strips evolved through the decades to capture modern social commentary, check out the historical archives at Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Common Misconceptions About Zits
Readers often misunderstand certain aspects of how the creative process and the timeline work within the strip.
- Jeremy Never Ages Up: Like many classic newspaper comic characters (think Charlie Brown or Dennis the Menace), Jeremy remains seventeen year after year. The creators choose to trap him in a perpetual state of junior-year angst to maintain the core dynamic.
- It’s Not Just Slapstick: While the strip features plenty of visual gags involving giant hair and messy bedrooms, its humor often relies on subtle facial expressions and pacing, drawing heavily from Borgman's editorial cartooning background.
- It Isn't Anti-Parent: Some casual readers assume the strip mocks parenthood, but Walt and Connie are consistently portrayed as loving, dedicated figures who weather the storm with immense patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the Zits comic strip?
Zits was created by writer Jerry Scott and illustrator Jim Borgman. The pair launched the strip in July 1997.
How old is Jeremy Duncan?
Jeremy is a 17-year-old high school junior. He spent the early years of the strip as a 15-year-old and 16-year-old before settling into his current age.
Where is the Zits strip set?
While not explicitly pinned down to a specific real-world neighborhood in every storyline, the creators model the fictional setting on typical American Midwestern suburbs.
Is Zits still in publication?
Yes, the strip continues to be syndicated daily to hundreds of newspapers and digital platforms worldwide through King Features Syndicate.
