PreTeena

PreTeena, sometimes spelled Preteena, was a daily American comic strip written and drawn by Allison Barrows and syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate from April 23, 2001 through May 18, 2008. It concerned the daily life of 10-year-old girl Teena Keene, and her interactions with her family, friends, and teachers. Although Teena was the central character, focus often shifted for days at a time to the supporting cast.

Teena frequently played the role of the straight man in the strip's humor, seeming down-to-Earth compared to the odd characters around her, in particular her weird best friend Stick and ditzy sister Jeri. In many strips, Teena narrowed her eyes and placed increasing emphasis on her sarcasm, only to have her meaning lost on the other party. Teena's identity as the apparently sole sane person in an insane world was underlined by her red hair, a distinctive physical trait that set her apart from the others. Promotional materials from Universal Press Syndicate position the strip for its appeal to the preteen market, explaining in part the portrayal of a pre-adolescent as the most sensible character.

Professional cartoonist Barrows based the strip on her unused concept for a children's book. She named the Keene family after her adopted hometown of Keene, New Hampshire. Her artistic style varies in different perspectives, such as giving her characters circular eyes in close-up, but mere dots when drawn at a distance.

The strip ended its run following a sequence in which Teena relates a dream to Stick where the primary characters have grown up; Stick is now a fashion model. Jeri is the best-selling author of the book Your Life is Worth Something (Even Though You're Not Me). Johnson is a hunky movie star who now has a production company and is directing his first movie. Goose has invented sophisticated spy technology that can also be used as x-ray specs. And Gordo and Teena, after dating in college, are married and live in a small town with their two kids.

Characters

Main

Supporting

Quotations

Book

Title Publication Date ISBN Publisher
PreTeena: The Paperback 2007 none Universal Press Syndicate. Only available through Lulu.com

Notes

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