The Morning Line: The Art of Young Love

Two would-be hormonal Romeos, suddenly smitten with the dewy objects of their schoolboy desires.

This week, we're particularly diggin' on how "Zits' " Jeremy Duncan and "Cul de Sac's" "Peter Otterloop," given their very different personalities, respond so in-character to the puppy love that dare not speak its name.

As Frank and Ernest would say: "Gorilla my dreams." (KFS) Enlarge Comic

Jeremy, showing all the blood-deprived brainpower of a baboon, thinks a monkeysuit and balloons will woo sweet Sara. The gallumphing, awkward J-Man is his divinely awkward self. Poor kid. Someone throw him a consolation Chiquita or a set of Samsonites.

Holiday "love," one of the true "winter jewels." (UPS) Enlarge Comic

Peter "Potterpoop," by contrast, is true to his introverted, thoughtful-little-lad self as his attraction begans to dawn on him. Suddenly, he and his Little Frizzy-Haired Girl are making beautiful music together -- or at least one semi-harmonious note. Peter would never do anything as rash as don an ape suit. Rather, in his quiet, noble way, he would share his book on Darwin's Beagle voyage with his sweet, xylophoning flower.

Bravo, "Cul de Sac" and "Zits," for staying true to your characters. Without that, the passion of the work might go unrequited.