Comic Strip Teases Gov. Ventura

ST. PAUL (AP) â€” Both of Gov. Jesse Ventura's jobs get a playful poke in the opening installment of ``VenturaLand.'' <br><br>The comic strip debuted in Sunday editions of the Saint Paul Pioneer

Monday, January 29th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ST. PAUL (AP) â€” Both of Gov. Jesse Ventura's jobs get a playful poke in the opening installment of ``VenturaLand.''

The comic strip debuted in Sunday editions of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. It depicts Ventura broadcasting a football game for his new employer, the XFL. He turns to his partner and remarks, ``that tackle reminds me of a hold I threw on the Hulk in '85.''

The reply, to a visibly anguished Ventura: ``Governor, are you any better at your day job?''

The one-two punch is meant to convey how people doubt Ventura's ability every time the ex-wrestler takes on a new role, said Kevin Lenagh, the free-lance artist who will draw ``VenturaLand'' once a week. Lenagh, 47, who said he voted for Ventura and approves of the job the governor is doing, expects a backlash.

The strip's star fails to see the humor and has threatened legal action against the Pioneer Press, which he accuses of ``exploiting'' him to sell papers.