The Morning Line: Hands Don't Lie

The eyes might be the windows to the soul, but when it comes to cartooning, the hands are the dead giveaway as to an artist's attention to detail, time-spent and talent. "Zits' " Jim Borgman does stylish hands that "read" wonderfully, f'rinstance, and Bill Watterson gave "Calvin" and family some of the most expressive three-finger hands the comics have ever seen (to say nothing of Hobbes' oh-so-eloquent paws). And then, alas, are the funkily drawn digits that drive us to distraction. To wit, let us point the way:

Sally Forth: Ted's reverse "Seinfeld" curse. (King Features)

Remember the woman on "Seinfeld" whose corporeal curse was her "man hands"? Well, Ted's got a serious case of "lady hands" in the second panel -- or at least "lady hand." Yowza. That right mitt of his (are those actually long nails?) really belongs on a woman -- or the Grinch.

Candorville: Pigment of our imagination. (Washington Post Writers Group)

We're really liking this week's gritty (and nicely topical) twist on "Peanuts." Just one teeny-tiny query: Why do Jesse Jackson's hands appear to be white? Best faux-guess: That's really "Saturday Night Live's" Darryl Hammond doing his impression of Smessie -- er, Jesse -- Jackson. Best real guess: Deadline beckoned.

Speed Bump: A gag so well-played, it's criminal. (Creators Syndicate)

And speaking of hands: A big thumbs-up to today's "Speed Bump." Quick. Clean. Funny. Bingo! Big ups, Master Coverly...

Which of today's cartoons do you like, love or loathe -- or laugh at despite yourself? Our "Line" is open...