JumpStart

By Robb Armstrong

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.

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Editor's Picks

Comic strip featuring two characters discussing a safe. One character, dressed in a coat, questions the importance of the safe mentioned by Captain Ruiz, while a police officer listens. The second character, with a cap, responds dismissively, suggesting the safe is worthless.

Two police officers in a comic strip, one sharing a story about running with bulls in Spain during retirement, while the other listens attentively. The scene conveys humor and camaraderie among the officers.

A cartoon depicting a man sitting on a park bench with a dog, discussing the stolen prototype designs by Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, while a jogger passes by in the background. The scene captures a humorous take on historical aviation controversies.

Two women in an office setting discuss a

A woman with braided hair expresses her intention to detox from online negativity, illustrated alongside a vintage truck and shoes on the ground, highlighting themes of mental wellness and social media fatigue.

A cartoon depicting a father and daughter discussing a treehouse they are building as a special gift. The father points to the treehouse design while the daughter holds a small model of a house.

Comic strip depicting a police officer addressing a situation while two young boys discuss trust issues related to someone's behavior. The scene highlights themes of authority and interpersonal relationships.

Two characters in a comic strip express concern about a third person named Darren, who is late. One character, an older man with glasses, listens while the other, a young man in an orange shirt, checks his phone. The dialogue conveys worry about Darren's whereabouts.

Two men in a comic strip; one is crouching and shouting to call for help, while the other stands nearby looking at his phone with a concerned expression. A police vehicle is visible in the background. The scene suggests urgency and a potential emergency situation.

Comic strip featuring a baseball game where coaches express frustration about their team being outperformed by kids. One player, preparing to bat, humorously questions the purpose of cheering from the sidelines.

About Robb Armstrong

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.

Smiling man with short, curly hair and a dark shirt, set against a red background, representing a friendly and approachable persona.

Cast

Cartoon illustration of a police officer in a blue uniform holding a smartphone, symbolizing law enforcement and community safety.

Joe

A good cop who adores being a father and is very much in love with his wife. Joe is a hard-working guy and a kid at heart who juggles all his roles while struggling to make time for who is really important in his life.

Cartoon character smiling and posing confidently in a green sweater, representing positivity and self-assurance.

Marcy

A fun, caring mother, a dedicated nurse and a loving wife. She is devoted to her family and arranges her hectic schedule so she can spend as much time as possible with them.

Cartoon character with gray hair and glasses, wearing a green and white striped shirt, smiling and pointing at himself in a circular frame.

Dot

Joe’s mother. Dot always carries plenty of snapshots of Sunny, Jojo, Teddy and Tommi to show off at a moment’s notice. She’s a notoriously bad driver although she’d never admit it. Dot is outgoing, upbeat and crazy about her family.

Illustration of a middle-aged man with a mustache wearing a red sweater, holding a coffee cup, sitting comfortably.

Frank

Joe’s dad. The patriarch of the Cobb family who’s always eager to hand down a little advice. Frank is a big teddy bear of a man who is adored by his grandkids. Being an ex-cop, Frank is incredibly proud of his son – and always worried about him.

Illustration of a young girl in a pink hoodie holding a book, looking thoughtfully to the side, set against a circular background.

Sunny

Joe and Marcy’s upbeat oldest child. She loves macaroni and cheese. Sunny is the perfect name for this curious, sly, smiling, intelligent girl. The apple of her parents’ eyes, Sunny knows how to wield that big sister power.

Cartoon character of a young boy sitting on the ground, wearing a blue shirt and black pants, with a thoughtful expression, set against a circular white background.

Teddy

The newest addition to the Cobb household, along with twin sister Tommi. Teddy is a natural-born leader and definitely the feistier of the twins.

Illustration of a concerned young boy wearing a surgical cap, depicting a medical or healthcare theme.

Doctor

A friend of Sunny’s from daycare. His mother wants him to be a surgeon when he grows up, so she dresses him in scrubs every day – and named him “Doctor.” The other kids have to make an appointment with him months in advance to get a Band-Aid.