Robb Armstrong has spent his career turning ordinary moments into extraordinary art. Born in Philadelphia in 1962, Armstrong grew up with a passion for drawing that carried him through to Syracuse University, where he earned a fine arts degree. In 1989, he launched JumpStart, the comic strip that would put him on the map and eventually in newspapers across the country.
JumpStart follows Joe and Marcy Cobb, a young Black couple raising their family with humor, patience, and love. Armstrong’s strip stood out not just for its wit, but for its groundbreaking portrayal of a middle-class African American family at a time when such representation was rare in the comics world. His work helped reshape how readers saw everyday Black life—joyful, funny, and relatable.
In 2015, Armstrong’s impact was honored by Peanuts Worldwide when Charles Schulz’s beloved character Franklin was officially given the last name Armstrong. It was a historic nod to Robb’s trailblazing place in cartooning.
Beyond the daily strip, Armstrong has expanded JumpStart’s reach with books such as On a Roll!, which collects and celebrates the comic’s funniest and most heartfelt moments. He has also written inspirational works, blending humor and personal experience to encourage others to follow their creative paths.
With JumpStart still running strong, Armstrong continues to show that family life—with all its chaos, tenderness, and laughter—can be one of the greatest adventures worth illustrating.
You can check out his Author page on Amazon to see other titles he has written. It is quite a list.
Artist shares incredible bond with 'Peanuts' Franklin character
Jump Start - The making of a comic strip
On a Roll! A JumpStart Treasury by Robb Armstrong (Book Trailer)
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