Big Nate
By Lincoln Peirce | 18.6K FollowersAbout Big Nate
Eleven-year-old Nate Wright is the irrepressible star of "Big Nate," the popular comic strip that debuted in 1991. A self-described genius with charisma to spare, Nate is blazing through 6th grade at P.S. 38 like a spiky-haired comet. Sure, comets eventually crash and burn, but Nate’s not worried—he’s too busy drawing comics, trolling teachers, and hanging out in detention. He won’t get an A on every test, but when Nate’s your classmate, middle school is never dull!
Andrews McMeel has published dozens of "Big Nate" book collections, including “Revenge of the Cream Puffs,” “Silent But Deadly,” and “The Gerbil Ate My Homework.” "Remain Calm!", "Attack of the Cheez Funk Breath!", and the brand-new "No Harm Done!" are all available now.
Meet Lincoln Peirce
To create "Big Nate," Lincoln Peirce relies on memories of his New England childhood and his tenure as a high school art teacher/baseball coach in New York City. “Schools are funny places,” Peirce says, and "Big Nate" reflects this observation. Nate’s misadventures as a perpetual sixth grader at P.S. 38 form the comedic core of the strip.
Peirce grew up in New Hampshire as a lover of newspaper comic strips and cites Charles Schulz’s "Peanuts" as his most important influence. "Big Nate" was syndicated in 1991, and in 2010 Peirce began a series of illustrated novels based on the strip.
Peirce’s books and comics have inspired two animated shows for Nickelodeon: “Big Nate” and “Max & the Midknights.” Peirce lives and works in Portland, Maine.
Cast of Characters
Nate Wright
A wisecracking 11-year-old with an uncanny knack for causing chaos, Nate is a square peg in a school full of round holes. He’s no troublemaker, but his offbeat antics often land him in hot water. Eccentric, competitive, and extremely opinionated, Nate is convinced he’s destined for greatness. He just needs to make it through sixth grade first.
Francis
A compulsive neat freak and a regular on the school honor roll, Francis is unlike Nate in almost every way. Although the two of them sometimes clash, Francis is patient, level-headed, and kind. He’s Nate’s unofficial conscience and lifelong best friend—a true case of opposites attracting.
Teddy
If Francis is Nate’s number one, then Teddy is his fun-loving second banana. A class clown with an endless supply of snappy comebacks, he can find the laughs in any situation. And his can-do attitude means that Teddy’s always ready for anything—even some of Nate’s most hair-brained schemes.
Dee Dee
She’s the president of the Drama Club, a tireless performer in an assortment of school plays, and a future star of stage and screen. But does she have any actual talent? It doesn’t matter. Whenever Dee Dee makes an entrance, it’s showtime!
Chad
Maybe it’s because he’s a classic late bloomer, or perhaps it’s because he’s easily confused. Either way, the lovable Chad seems younger than his classmates. He’s a genuine innocent – cheerful, guileless, and completely unaware of his own superpower: lethal cuteness!
Gina
Smart, snarky, and utterly ruthless, Gina’s the ultimate teacher’s pet. She boasts of her own academic achievements and delights in Nate’s failures. The two of them share an oil-and-water relationship but may be more alike than either of them would care to admit.