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Packed with humor and heart, "JumpStart" offers an authentic, positive representation of middle-class African Americans.
At the core of the "JumpStart" family is Joe Cobb, a big-city cop, and his wife, Marcy, a nurse in a bustling Philadelphia hospital. Their jobs are easy compared to the challenge of raising four kids. Their oldest, Sunny, is an avid reader who can answer your questions before you have time to do a Google search. Her brother, Jojo, has aspirations of being president. In fact, he already is president—of his second-grade class. Joe and Marcy's newest surprise additions are twins, Tommi and Teddy. This talkative pair began conversing in the womb and are still going strong. Rounding out the cast is Crunchy, Joe's partner, a grouchy but warm-hearted police officer and a host of others, including in-laws, co-workers, a 6-year-old doctor, and a texting dog named Snoog-A-Boo.
"JumpStart" appears in more than 400 newspapers across the country through Andrews McMeel Syndication. Armstrong’s books include "Twins: Twice the Fun: A Bundle of JumpStart Comics That Really Deliver," "JumpStart," and “JumpStart: A Love Story.” His newest, "On a Roll!: A JumpStart Treasury" is available now.
For 30 years, Robb Armstrong has entertained readers with "JumpStart." One of only a handful of syndicated African American cartoonists, Armstrong brings a unique perspective to his strip, with upbeat art and storylines that offer a realistic representation of middle-class African Americans.
“I’m drawing about my life,” Armstrong said. “The image of young blacks is so skewed, so false. Joe and Marcy and the characters I’ve developed are deep and based on real life.”
Armstrong’s characters have appeared in public service campaigns for the American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society. In 1995, Armstrong received the Religious Public Relations Council Wilbur Award for “excellence in the communication of religious issues, values, and themes.” He has been recognized by the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Senate and House of Representatives, the Department of Justice, and Nestle's “Men of Courage” program for community outreach.
Armstrong has contributed cartoons to national magazines and been a featured guest on numerous local and national TV shows. He served on the board of directors of the National Cartoonists Society, The Shipley School, and Syracuse University and received an honorary degree from Holy Family University.