Schulz Hated Zits’ Title More Than Peanuts — And Called It Proof of Popularity

Charles M. Schulz hated the title of Zits more than he hated Peanuts. That is the surprising takeaway from a new look at Schulz and the strip that got his personal stamp of disapproval.

The story comes from a report titled “There’s Only One Comic Title Charles M. Schulz Hated More Than Peanuts, And It’s Easily The 1990s’ Best Strip.” Schulz’s distaste for Peanuts is well documented — he initially called his strip Li’l Folks, and he disliked the syndication service’s replacement name. But Zits pushed past even that.

The Zits Quote

Zits debuted in 1997, created by Baby Blues co-creator Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, the artist behind Wonk City. Within a year, it was in over 1,700 newspapers across 45 countries. That kind of reach earned it attention, and it also earned Schulz’s attention.

In 2000, when Zits had been running for two and a half years and had published its first treasury, Humongous Zits, Schulz was quoted saying Zits was a worse title than even his own comic strip. The quote appeared on the back cover of that book, which Scott and Borgman clearly loved, turning it into a self-deprecating badge of honor.

Why Schulz Hated Peanuts

Schulz’s first cartoon was accepted by the Saturday Evening Post as Li’l Folks. The name caused trouble, though, because two other comics were already called Li’l Abner by Al Capp and Little Folks by Tack Knight. United Feature Syndicate eventually chose Peanuts, without asking Schulz’s opinion.

Schulz continued to show his distaste for the title. He was still doing so mere weeks after his passing, printing words to promote other comic strips. That same stubbornness helped him win a standoff over the inclusion of his character Franklin in Peanuts.

What Zits Actually Is

Zits follows Jeremy Duncan, his girlfriend Sara, his friends Pierce and Hector, and his parents Connie and Walt. The strip captures adolescence at the interstice of childhood and adulthood, with Jeremy caught in the middle as his parents struggle to keep up with his antics.

The art style differs sharply from Peanuts, and the worlds are radically different. But Peanuts fans can still enjoy it, according to the report.

The Title Problem

Zits has possibly the most unappealing name of all time. But in an uncomfortable way, it stays with readers, and as the back cover shows, it’s far punchier and more effective than any of the other names considered.

The Legacy

Zits remains consistently entertaining and heartfelt. It has aged well in the world of comic strips that originated or gained prominence in the 1990s. It will be looked upon fondly.

The Numbers

1. Zits debuted in 1997.
2. Within a year, it was in over 1,700 newspapers across 45 countries.
3. Its first treasury, Humongous Zits, came out on March 1, 2000.
4. The strip is now concluding after 30 years of success.

The Verdict

Schulz’s quote is a badge of honor for Scott and Borgman. They loved the irony of it, and they used it prominently on their book’s cover. The fact that Schulz hated their title more than his own is a rare kind of compliment — it means they managed to do something even harder than creating a popular strip: annoy the man who created Peanuts.

Zits deserves wider recognition on its own. It is uniquely memorable, and it will be remembered as one of the best strips of the 1990s. Its name is terrible, but its staying power is real.

Source material: “There's Only One Comic Title Charles M. Schulz Hated More Than Peanuts, And It's Easily The 1990s' Best Strip,” Screen Rant.

1990s · comic strips · Jerry Scott · Jim Borgman · Peanuts · Zits